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Shanti
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Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
From CNN.com
AURORA, Colorado (AP) -- About 150 high school students walked out of class to protest a decision to put a teacher on leave while they investigate remarks he made about President Bush in class, including that some people compare Bush to Adolf Hitler.
The protest came Thursday as administrators began investigating whether Overland High School teacher Jay Bennish violated a policy requiring balancing viewpoints in the classroom, Cherry Creek School District spokeswoman Tustin Amole said.
"It was peaceful. The students yelled, but there was no fighting," Amole said. "Most of them did return to class."
A telephone number listed for Bennish, who has been teaching social studies and American history at Overland since 2000, had been disconnected.
Sophomore Sean Allen recorded about 20 minutes of Bennish's class during a February 1 discussion about Bush's State of the Union speech and gave the recording to his father, who complained to the principal, Amole said.
"After listening to the tape, it's evident the comments in the class were inappropriate. There were not adequate opportunities for opposing points of view," she said.
Deborah Fallin, spokeswoman for the Colorado Education Association, which represents about 37,000 union teachers, said it will not represent Bennish because he is not a member, but said that Bennish has hired an attorney.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Posted 3/3/06 10:33 AM  |
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baghag
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:36 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
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Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
I don't know how I feel about this, I feel that if these kids are over a certain age then what is the big deal. What exactly was discussed that was so inappropriate?
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:37 AM |
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Snozberry
I might steal your diamonds
Member since 2/06 4680 total posts
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Melissa
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
"remarks he made about President Bush in class, including that some people compare Bush to Adolf Hitler."
Maybe this got to some people?
All I have to say is free speech doesn't just apply only to what you like and want to hear - free speech protects the speech that you hate as well.
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:39 AM |
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CookiePuss
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Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by LadyLainez
I don't know how I feel about this, I feel that if these kids are over a certain age then what is the big deal. What exactly was discussed that was so inappropriate?
I think it was that personal views were expressed by the teacher and that is what the parent is upset about. The teacher is almost suppose to be an impartial mediator for these types of discussions. That was my impression from the article. I am not agreeing or disagreeing though...
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:42 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
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Kara®
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Ridiculous...the teacher wasn't telling the kids what to think, or even what he thinks (necessarily)....man I think he deserves a promotion but that's another story...
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:44 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
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Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by shamrock12472
Posted by LadyLainez
I don't know how I feel about this, I feel that if these kids are over a certain age then what is the big deal. What exactly was discussed that was so inappropriate?
I think it was that personal views were expressed by the teacher and that is what the parent is upset about. The teacher is almost suppose to be an impartial mediator for these types of discussions. That was my impression from the article. I am not agreeing or disagreeing though...
From this article I undertand that the teacher said some compatred Bush to Hitler...not that he did. I guess in order to state my view I would need to hear the discussion that went on.
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:44 AM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Comparing Bush to Hitler is definitely inappropriate but it's not enough to be put on leave for! One of the jobs of an SS teacher is to make students THINK! My AP US History teacher in HS used to make crazy comments just to get us to respond with intelligent arguments. I think it is terrifying that you cannot feel free to speak.
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:46 AM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by LadyLainez
From this article I undertand that the teacher said some compatred Bush to Hitler...not that he did. I guess in order to state my view I would need to hear the discussion that went on.
Re - read the article and you're right...So, I really don't understand
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:47 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
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Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by DMcK
Comparing Bush to Hitler is definitely inappropriate but it's not enough to be put on leave for! One of the jobs of an SS teacher is to make students THINK! My AP US History teacher in HS used to make crazy comments just to get us to respond with intelligent arguments. I think it is terrifying that you cannot feel free to speak.
I had an awesome SS teacher when I was in HS and part of the reason he was loved by many students was because we had great discussions in his class. Some were heated, some were upsetting but we all loved theose courses. I don't think he should be fired. I understnad if he said "I think Bush is Hitler or a new Hitler or I know that Bush is the new Hitler. He said "some view Bush as..."
Message edited 3/3/2006 10:52:28 AM.
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:51 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
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Lauren
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
I saw this on the news last night, and they played some of the remarks that the teacher said, and honestly, they were inappropriate. He was stating the views as his own. However, he did t ell the kids they didn't have to agree with him. I don't think he should have been suspended.
You can watch it here
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| Posted 3/3/06 10:55 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
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Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Ok, if this was twisted around wher the teacher said I think "Hitler can be compared to Vladimir Putin" would this have been a big deal? Or is it a big deal because he compared Hitler to Bush?
Message edited 3/3/2006 11:03:29 AM.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:02 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
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Dina
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by shopaholic
I saw this on the news last night, and they played some of the remarks that the teacher said, and honestly, they were inappropriate. You can watch it here
I just watched it. I know I am in the minority here but I agree with the kid who recorded the statements by the teacher. I feel that if it is a public school where taxpayers dollars (democrat, republican and independent alike) are paying this man's salary, he should not make comments like that. If you said that in your office setting, what would happen to you? I know teachers are supposed to teach kids to think critically, but they should teach BOTH sides of an issue.
I have not been the biggest fan of Bush as of late (the UAE port controversy, hurricane Katrina, the Cheney hunting thing, etc.), but comparing him to Hitler is ridiculous! If this teacher really did research on Hitler he would realize just how inappropriate his comments were, IMHO.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:08 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
Member since 5/05 12023 total posts
Name:
Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
I just watched it. I know I am in the minority here but I agree with the kid who recorded the statements by the teacher. I feel that if it is a public school where taxpayers dollars (democrat, republican and independent alike) are paying this man's salary, he should not make comments like that. If you said that in your office setting, what would happen to you? I know teachers are supposed to teach kids to think critically, but they should teach BOTH sides of an issue.
I have not been the biggest fan of Bush as of late (the UAE port controversy, hurricane Katrina, the Cheney hunting thing, etc.), but comparing him to Hitler is ridiculous! If this teacher really did research on Hitler he would realize just how inappropriate his comments were, IMHO.
Ok, but what if he had comapred Vladmir Putin to Hitler...would anyone have said anything. I think it's pretty scary that freedom of speech is becoming a pick & choose issue. Where do you start drawing the line & when do you stop? Holw old were these kids anyway?
Message edited 3/3/2006 11:11:07 AM.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:10 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
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Dina
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by LadyLainez
Ok, if this was twisted around wher the teacher said I think "Hitler can be compared to Vladimir Putin" would this have been a big deal? Or is it a big deal because he compared Hitler to Bush?
JMO, but I feel that if you compare ANYONE to Hilter it is a BIG deal. My DH's Nana's cousins lived in Germany in WWII. They were Catholic and opposed Hitler. They lived in hiding because he killed, murdered, gassed, etc. anyone who opposed him. DH's Nana did not know if her closest family members were alive for years until the war was over.
I don't see Bush doing that. I think that people forget how horrible Hilter was and throw around comparisons without really thinking about what they are actually saying.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:12 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
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Name:
Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
JMO, but I feel that if you compare ANYONE to Hilter it is a BIG deal. My DH's Nana's cousins lived in Germany in WWII. They were Catholic and opposed Hitler. They lived in hiding because he killed, murdered, gassed, etc. anyone who opposed him. DH's Nana did not know if her closest family members were alive for years until the war was over.
I don't see Bush doing that. I think that people forget how horrible Hilter was and throw around comparisons without really thinking about what they are actually saying.
I'm not picking on what you said but just to make an example. I would never compare anyone to Hitler or has it ever occured to me. He said that Bush's tone was like the one of Hitler from the tape.I don't think the teacher should have gotten suspended. I'm not a Bush suppoerter either, I think I would see this differently if these iids were very young & could not grasp the issue. 
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:15 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
I just watched the video. I think the comparison to Hitler was way out of line.
My grandparents survived WWII, but their parents and siblings didn't. They went to the concentration camps and were tortured and murdered. Let alone what the soldiers did to them in the street...
Now I HATE Bush!!! Vehemently!! I am very liberal. Very unhappy about his choices for the Supreme Court and I agree with the teacher that the US is one of the most violent nations out there. But to compare him to Hitler, in a room full of impressionable kids. That is out of line.
I think the teacher should be suspended for a short term, but certainly not fired over this.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:17 AM |
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
From what I understand of the article, the teachers are expected to "balance" their viewpoints. That, I think, is reasonable. But this kid had only 20 minutes of tape. Who knows what the teacher said yesterday? Or later in that same class?
The idea that a kid is taping what a teacher says while teaching also bothers me. It's just sneaky.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:20 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by LadyLainez
I just watched it. I know I am in the minority here but I agree with the kid who recorded the statements by the teacher. I feel that if it is a public school where taxpayers dollars (democrat, republican and independent alike) are paying this man's salary, he should not make comments like that. If you said that in your office setting, what would happen to you? I know teachers are supposed to teach kids to think critically, but they should teach BOTH sides of an issue.
I have not been the biggest fan of Bush as of late (the UAE port controversy, hurricane Katrina, the Cheney hunting thing, etc.), but comparing him to Hitler is ridiculous! If this teacher really did research on Hitler he would realize just how inappropriate his comments were, IMHO.
Ok, but what if he had compared Vladmir Putin to Hitler...would anyone have said anything. I think it's pretty scary that freedom of speech is becoming a pick & choose issue. Where do you start drawing the line & when do you stop? Holw old were these kids anyway?
I feel free speech is something that makes this country awesome and it should be protected.
I also feel that saying something to a bunch of high school students to promote your own agenda and use the protection of "free speech" is wrong. If this guy marched to the white house with a sign that read "Bush is the new Hitler" or something on his day off, a weekend, a weeknight, etc. I would have no problem with him pursuing his right of free speech, although I would not agree with his views, he would have that right. I think to say these things to high school aged kids in school is inappropriate. But this is just my opinion and I am excersing my right to "speak freely" about it. 
Message edited 3/3/2006 11:30:13 AM.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:27 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
Member since 5/05 12023 total posts
Name:
Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
right to "speak freely" about it.
agreed!
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:29 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by Shellyesq
I just watched the video. I think the comparison to Hitler was way out of line.
My grandparents survived WWII, but their parents and siblings didn't. They went to the concentration camps and were tortured and murdered. Let alone what the soldiers did to them in the street...
Now I HATE Bush!!! Vehemently!! I am very liberal. Very unhappy about his choices for the Supreme Court and I agree with the teacher that the US is one of the most violent nations out there. But to compare him to Hitler, in a room full of impressionable kids. That is out of line.
I think the teacher should be suspended for a short term, but certainly not fired over this.
I agree with you Shelly except that I don't hate Bush, I just don't agree with some of his views.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:29 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
Posted by dandr10199
Posted by Shellyesq
I just watched the video. I think the comparison to Hitler was way out of line.
My grandparents survived WWII, but their parents and siblings didn't. They went to the concentration camps and were tortured and murdered. Let alone what the soldiers did to them in the street...
Now I HATE Bush!!! Vehemently!! I am very liberal. Very unhappy about his choices for the Supreme Court and I agree with the teacher that the US is one of the most violent nations out there. But to compare him to Hitler, in a room full of impressionable kids. That is out of line.
I think the teacher should be suspended for a short term, but certainly not fired over this.
I agree with you Shelly except that I don't hate Bush, I just don't agree with some of his views.
OK... I'll clarify- I hate Bush's policies and his decisions. I have never met him, so I don't know what kind of person he is- but I think he is pretty much one of the worst Presidents this country has ever had.
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:34 AM |
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LadyMaravilla
Fall Is Here
Member since 5/05 12023 total posts
Name:
Sonia
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Re: Teacher put on leave for anti-Bush remarks
OK... I'll clarify- I hate Bush's policies and his decisions. I have never met him, so I don't know what kind of person he is- but I think he is pretty much one of the worst Presidents this country has ever had.
Amen!!! 
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| Posted 3/3/06 11:36 AM |
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