Only in the west can one see a school that hosts a day when school children are encouraged to dress like, act like, and "learn about" those trying to kill them and all in a day that the country is in the midst of war. And only in the west would the media help celebrate such an outrageous example of support for what, in truth, are our enemies.
On May 9, the kids of the Amherst Middle School in Amherst, New Hampshire, were forced to parade about their school dressed as "Saudi Arabians" so that they could "learn from people around the world" in a happy day of multiculturalism. But, what they ended up being taught was the wholly sanitized version of how wonderful Saudi society is instead of the truth.
Sadly, the Milford (NH) Cabinet, a small newspaper group in the Granite State, is full of uncritical praise and wonder at the multicultural extravaganza forced upon these children unawares. Worse, they didn't do any reporting on how this day of appeasement came to be held.
For one night, on May 9, the quaint colonial town of Amherst, New Hampshire, was transformed into a Saudi Arabian Bedouin tent community, with the help of 80 seventh-graders at the Amherst Middle School. The weather cooperated, providing 85 degree temperatures to give an authentic Saudi feel to the evening.
And what was this exercise in sympathy for our enemies supposed to do for the community?
The “open tent” was created to encourage participants to reach out and learn from people around the world, and to promote curiosity and cultural understanding.
One wonders if Amherst Middle School dressed up their kids like Imperial Japanese soldiers and had them learn about Shintoism during WWII? Somehow, I'd bet not.
So, what did everyone learn? They learned that being a Saudi was fun and that it is cool to act like one. But, they didn't really learn much of any use and they certainly didn't learn anything in context.
Still, even what they did learn is disturbing. Here are a few of the things the paper outlined.
- During the check-in, guests selected a traditional Arabic name for their name badge and completed an actual Saudi customs form, which warned in bold letters “Death for Drug Trafficking ” at the top.
- ...as the traditions of Saudi Arabia at this time prevent women from participating in these public roles.
- Seventh-grade girls hosted the hijab and veil stations, where other female guests learned how to wear the required head covering and veils. An antique trunk full of black abayas worn by women, and white thobes worn by the men, were available for guests to try on.
- An Islamic religion station included a Muslim prayer rug with a compass imbedded in it to locate Mecca, readings on the Islamic faith, call to prayer items and prayer beads.
So, this school taught these children to be accepting and tolerant of excluding women, forcing them to hide behind a veil, and were told that the Muslim religion was something they should try on for fun?
Wonderful.
I can't help wondering if these middle school kids learned of the honor killings and the female genital mutilation called "female circumcision" that women are forced to go through in Saudi Arabia? Were these innocent American kids told that the Saudis have thuggish, pseudo "police" that roam the streets that beat people up who seem to be breaking their strict religious dress codes that religious zealots in government force upon the people? Did they learn of the oppressive laws that prevent people of other religious faiths from practicing their religions? Also, did they learn that the Saudis export bin Laden's style of terror all across the world? Did they learn that most of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis?
I wonder, did these impressionable American kids lean any of these facts? Not according to the Milford Cabinet they didn't.
I also wonder where the idea for this obscene multicultural event came from? Were any local Muslim groups responsible for this? Why didn't the paper do any reporting on that? If it was just a wayward teacher's idea, why didn't the paper report that? Why are we left in the dark about who is responsible for this outrageous event? Of course, we do know why. It's because the paper thought the event was a great idea and didn't want to report any info that might cause someone to be exposed to public questioning.
Like I said, only in the weak willed west can we mollycoddle an enemy directly engaged in killing Americans, only in the west can we encourage "understanding" of a people out to see us harmed. Only in the west can we see oppressive cultural ideas that are antithetical to freedom and liberty promulgated as a fun thing for our children to learn about. Only in the west can we sit back and allow our schools and media abuse our children like this. Only in the west can we think nothing of undermining our own basic principles of freedom, equality, and liberty for all and supplant that with the ideas of one of the most oppressive regimes of the world.
So, thanks for helping destroy our culture and country and thanks for helping Americans lower their guard goes out to Amherst Middle School and the Milford Cabinet newspaper. It's so wonderful to "understand" and celebrate people who want us dead.



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Absolutely
May 31, 2008 - 15:52 ET by bigtimerAbsolutely outrageous!
This country has gone completely MAD!
Lord help us and save us all...
What in the hell our military must think of all of this to-boot.
Shameful...just shameful...what is wrong with the parents?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
The Love of Daniel Perl
May 31, 2008 - 17:05 ET by allanfLet us hope that these children never experience the "love" Daniel Perl and Nicholas Berg must have felt in their final moments as their heads were sliced off.
allanf... You summed it
May 31, 2008 - 17:10 ET by bigtimerallanf...
You summed it all up perfectly!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Because.....they were
June 2, 2008 - 09:53 ET by JasonCBecause.....they were killed by Saudis?
Berg: Killed in Iraq by a Jordanian
Pearl: Killed in Pakistan by a Pakistani and/or Kuwaiti
So, why are we using their names to indict Saudi Arabian dance/culinary/wardrobe customs?
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
because....
June 2, 2008 - 11:32 ET by wizardjrBecause all of that death and destruction is funded and/or pushed by the Wahhabi sect of the Sunni Arab princes in Saudi Arabia. The rest of it is pushed by the Towelheads of Tehran, Shiite terrorists, through their agents the Haamas killers and the Al Quds brigade of the Revolutionary Guards.
Saudi has much more responsibility for jihad and terrorism in the world external to the Middle East. The Iranians are concentrating on owning the Middle East to overthow the Sunni influence. They compete for violence in the Middle East.
Take your pick. They both suck.
Saudi has much more
June 2, 2008 - 11:35 ET by JasonCSaudi has much more responsibility for jihad and terrorism in the world external to the Middle East.
Yet, they're our allies. Weird, huh?
Also, please, tell me why I should take seriously the geo-political insights of anyone who actually, unironically, uses the phrase "towelheads."
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
bravo Jason:) Real
June 2, 2008 - 12:16 ET by TruthMongerbravo Jason:)
Real Muslims love Jesus...
and Jesus don't do terrorism...
Speechless In Maine
May 31, 2008 - 15:53 ET by NortoWhat can one say that was not already covered in WTH's text and the story about the school in Texas that had a surprise for the kids to be introduced to Islam by CAIR.
I am losing here folks and we have relatives in nearby Nashua. Separation of what and what? Where are the acl/losers?
Well, nobody has yet cracked
May 31, 2008 - 19:21 ET by sarcasmoThe obvious "nose under the tent" joke...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
»→ sarc
May 31, 2008 - 19:26 ET by Cool ArrowI was busy riding the camel out to the Oasis. Gets lonely out here.
these kids demonstrate our
June 2, 2008 - 12:18 ET by TruthMongerthese kids demonstrate our country's incredible freedom and ability to understand other cultures, without sactificing our own beliefs and principles...
makes me damn proud:)...
They don't have to...
June 2, 2008 - 12:54 ET by Warner Todd HustonTruthieMonger said
Ah, but they can't be "sactificing"what they were never taught to have in the FIRST place. The unAmericanism taught in our schools makes it certain that these kids haven't the first clue that they ARE sacrificing American principles as they are taught that all nations are "the same" and that we aren't "better"... in fact, they are taught we are WORSE.
So, you are right. These kids aren't sacrificing their American ideals to laud the evils of the worst of Saudi society. They don't have any American ideals to sacrifice because they don't know they even have any.
Can't give up what you don't even know you have!
So, of all the countries
May 31, 2008 - 16:00 ET by motherbeltSo, of all the countries they could have picked....Spain, Italy, China, Sweden....they picked....Saudi Arabia.
I am so dreadfully sick and tired of this stuff in our public schools. I'm glad my kids are past school age. I feel bad for parents who are having to deal with this indoctrination.
Well at least the kids found out that the penalty for drug trafficking is death.
mine will never take part
May 31, 2008 - 16:04 ET by gopstevemine will never take part in this sham
may these "multiculturists" should go live in these lands that they think are so sacred
This is why we homeschool.
May 31, 2008 - 16:06 ET by GeneZThis is why we homeschool. The vast majority of schools in this country are nothing more than indoctrination centers for humanism and multiculturalism. We teach our kids about other countries through geography, history and other cultural information. But we cover all parts, the good and the bad. There are many things to be admired about chinese culture for instance, but there are many things that are not so good either. The Arab/Islamic culture is especially repressive and controlling. While there may be some positives, there are far more things that are negative. The problem is that the school system has determined that they are there to do more than educate children. Talk to any "educator" and they will tell you that much of their role/goal is to produce citizens who can get along with and tolerate anything and do whatever is necessary for the good of society. There will be very little mentioned about preparing them for college, critical thinking so they can determine their own stand on issues and so on. I fear for our country.
God bless you, GeneZ
May 31, 2008 - 16:12 ET by sentforth5satan does some of his best work in our public schools!
Save your children!! Remove them from public schools!
Un-freakin-believable what our country turns a blind eye to.
sf5... Here is another
May 31, 2008 - 18:14 ET by bigtimersf5...
Here is another fine example of our wonderful school system...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bigtimer!
May 31, 2008 - 22:06 ET by sentforth5I read that yesterday,too! I just cannot grasp the ignorance of some Americans. It reminds me of the man who worried all his life about heights and drowned.
We better get over the satan-driven political correctness , and quick, and just acknowledge the fact that muslims only want our demise.They want us all to die. End of story.
Between illegal aliens and muslim extremists and our own gub'ment evildoers, I swear, if we have five years left I'll kiss a mule right on his butt.
sf5... We are in a
May 31, 2008 - 22:12 ET by bigtimersf5...
We are in a religious war...simple as that.
Our borders should of been completely shut down after 9-11...period.
I am sickened by what has happened since then, and continue to be so....I can vote for no candidate now that is running now, and won't.
I do not need to be told anything about McCain either.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
as a watchman
May 31, 2008 - 22:30 ET by sentforth5I must say of the son of cain...how odd and red-flaggish it is to me, that potentially the last American president would be surnamed McCain...just sayin'....
bigtimer!
May 31, 2008 - 22:25 ET by sentforth5oops
>>>The Arab/Islamic culture
May 31, 2008 - 18:52 ET by seanrobins>>>The Arab/Islamic culture is especially repressive and controlling
I don't have the stomach to read all the comments to this post, so I'm not certain where the vituperousness is flowing from.... BUT...
Let's not be soooo "PC" that we can't acknowledge what is absolutely undeniable: Islam, Islamic culture, the religion and society, IS very repressive: Women are barely-acknowledged property, and freedom (as we understand freedom in this country) is some left behind in the 11th Century.
Now, how much of this is related to the religion vs. Islam's social development vs. the religious writings and tenets of the many leaders, can be debated all around the block.
But let's not be so dumbed down in our ability to recognize the truth, that we begin thinking that our view of freedom in this country has ANYTHING to do with islamic society, culture or religion as practiced in Islamic nations.
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
in their own words...
June 2, 2008 - 12:20 ET by TruthMongerhttp://www.muslimgirlworld.com/mgmag/
Do you know if they did in
May 31, 2008 - 16:41 ET by balboaDo you know if they did in fact discuss the unfortunate side of Saudia Arabia? Do you know if they were actually "forced" to parade around? And I had no idea that Saudia Arabians want us dead.
"And I had no idea that
May 31, 2008 - 16:43 ET by Warner Todd Huston...get cable. Might help.
;)
Are we at war with the
May 31, 2008 - 16:46 ET by balboaAre we at war with the Saudis?
I don't think this was an indoctrination program.
boa I can't help it...you
May 31, 2008 - 16:55 ET by bigtimerboa I can't help it...you just crack me up laughing today...you are a one man wonder at times....leave it to you to attempt to derail the whole meaning of this blog post by WTH...as always you can't help yourself.
I'm not being snotty here to you either...I really am laughing.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Heck...
May 31, 2008 - 16:59 ET by Warner Todd HustonI'm surprised one of these parents didn't offered his own daughter for a "female circumcision" just so that everyone could see how "harmless" it was! We DO have to "understand" those wonderful Islamofascists, right? After all, its all in good fun... not an "indoctrination, right Bal?
Sorry, I don't think this
May 31, 2008 - 17:02 ET by balboaSorry, I don't think this exercise by this middle school is so awful. I mean, if Bush can hold hands with their prince, a little multiculturalism in a middle school can't be all that bad.
And there seem to be a lot of loose ends and liberties taken in this post.
Peace in our times, right
May 31, 2008 - 17:05 ET by Warner Todd HustonPeace in our times, right Bal?
Yer so cuddly and lovable. I'll bet bin Laden would just melt if'n you wuz to explain it all to 'im.
boa... As a tax-paying
May 31, 2008 - 17:07 ET by bigtimerboa...
As a tax-paying parent this would be okay with you if your children went to this school and were taught this? Just hunky-dory? Especially during a time of war, especially after 9-11?
Surely you jest...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
I thought it was the
May 31, 2008 - 17:15 ET by general companyI thought it was the liberals that were so upset that the Saudi's were still our "friends".
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
If our own president can
May 31, 2008 - 17:16 ET by balboaIf our own president can meet with their prince, hold hands with him, "during a time of war," then why not? No one is telling them This is how you should live.
Yeah......but.......don't
May 31, 2008 - 21:38 ET by Scout FinchYeah......but.......don't you think it would have been unbecoming of our public schools back in the late 30's/early 40's if teachers promoted a day to dress like Hitler, and be taught to appreciate the "diversity" of Auschwitz, the Aryan Race, and the Third Reich? Really???
Again, Scout, are we at war
May 31, 2008 - 22:38 ET by balboaAgain, Scout, are we at war with Saudi Arabia? And no one seems to know if the more negative aspects of that country were or weren't presented to the students.
Exactly, Bal. Saudi Arabia
June 2, 2008 - 10:06 ET by JasonCExactly, Bal. Saudi Arabia is not at war with, or threatening to invade, us or our allies. Apparently, an entire nation, with which we are allied and engage in trade, is to be defined solely by its religion and the fact that they produced most of the 9/11 hijackers. It would be like a country defining us by the fact that we produced Timothy McVeigh and Columbine.
The Nazi comparison is beyond absurd.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
they are at war with us
June 2, 2008 - 12:07 ET by wizardjrSaudi Arabia is a dark, bitter theocracy, not truly a country as much as a collection of clans run by the church. We say it is a country so that it fits into a convenient niche in world political terms. This religion of theirs is totally at war with anyone who is not Muslim, and in Saudi's case, Sunni Muslim. I don't know why you turn a blind eye to this. They will (and are) lie, cheat, steal, and kill to advance their threocratic rule of all people on the Earth. They spend billions of petro dollars advancing their jihad. They will convert you or kill you. They grow bolder by the day.
I'll wager serious money that the kids were never introduced to Saudis crashing planes into buildings killing thousands, or to female mutilation, or the cutting off of hands, feet, or heads of criminals. I'll wager they did not make the girls sit in a seraglio cut off from the rest of the school all day. I'll wager the girls weren't sold off to old men as brides. etc., etc., etc.
Hey bigtimer
May 31, 2008 - 17:18 ET by jay_1975Could you imagine the outcry if the country selected were to be...Israel. I bet that would have gone over quite well. No problem with a country who will send a rape victim to jail but do not even think of highlighting God's chosen in a positive way.
jay...what a great point
May 31, 2008 - 17:25 ET by bigtimerjay...what a great point you make here...
ACLU would be all over the place most likely...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
I wonder...
May 31, 2008 - 17:27 ET by Warner Todd HustonI wonder if Bal would be all upset about Jew Day at Amherst Middle School? Bet he would!
Wow...thanks for that, WTH.
May 31, 2008 - 17:46 ET by balboaWow...thanks for that, WTH. It's not a Saturday without being insulted.
Why would I care in the least about a Jew Day? Or for that matter an Israel day? NEITHER of those would be a problem.
He's right
June 1, 2008 - 20:59 ET by ChesterBogusYou've crossed a line with this comment here. Accusing him of anti-Semitism because he's being critical of your writing?
Hey, how about this: when someone challenges your writing, asks whether or not you've given all the details, how about you answer him civilly instead of accusing him of racism?
Bal, I'm with you - the evil or non-evil of the Saudis is moot until WTH fills in the gaps you're requesting.
he he...yeah...
June 1, 2008 - 21:06 ET by candance*looks for ten foot pole, realizes ten feet isn't long enough, and runs away to some other conversation*
I disagree Chester and Candance - I didn't get that WTH
June 1, 2008 - 21:26 ET by Dee Bunkwas saying Balboa was anti-semitic at all. What I got was that he was saying if it were one of the religions of our culture then liberals would have a problem with it. It probably would have been clearer to say "Christian Day" If there were a "Chrisitan" day then liberals would be taking it to court saying non Christians shouldn't have to participate.
I also disagree that Warner needs to fill in any gaps. He reported on the article written about it and it didn't mention any of the bad things. WTH was saying the article was biased and the school was too if the article gave an accurate depiction. There is nothing wrong with his article.
Israel Day would be more
June 1, 2008 - 21:36 ET by balboaIsrael Day would be more accurate, anyway.
my joke fell flat
June 1, 2008 - 21:42 ET by candanceI totally disagreed with Chester and meant that as a way to remark that he was stepping into a minefield.
Seperation of Christianity and State
May 31, 2008 - 22:19 ET by Intellectual HonestySorry, I don't think this exercise by this middle school is so awful. I mean, if Bush can hold hands with their prince, a little multiculturalism in a middle school can't be all that bad.
While I don't think there is much debate about the repressive nature of Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, what really can't be denied here is the complete hypocrisy of the NEA and the ACLU, to name just two. If this were an excercise in celebrating the Christian culture (a Christian prayer room?) both of those groups would be up in arms espousing the "doctrine" of separation of church and state.
This is the same type of program that was given an OK by both the CA Teacher's Union and a California Federal Judge under the guise of "cultural education."
It shows once again that liberals in this country that claim a belief in a separation of church and state actually mean a separation of Christianity and state.
This seems to be more about
June 2, 2008 - 08:12 ET by JasonCThis seems to be more about learning little innocuous customs and culinary details concerning another culture than a full-blown introduction to Islam. When I was in Elementary and Middle School we did stuff like this all the time. While your counter-example might be true, it is not particularly applicable here because the point is for students to learn about a drastically different culture. Learning about Protestantism or Catholicism wouldn't make sense because a large number of those kids probably are Protestant or Catholic.
My problem with the tenor of this article and much of its feedback is the characterization of Saudi Arabia as America's "enemy", despite the fact that that nation is actually our ally. This puzzling choice of words could mean two things:
1. WTH &co. are lazily conflating the nation of Saudi Arabia with its state religion of Islam, and then making the (also dubious) leap to the conclusion that we are at war with Islam. Last I checked, we were at war with Iraqi insurgents, the Taliban, and Terror.
2. WTH &co. are expressing their belief that because Saudi Arabia (pop. 27.6 million) produced 15 young men who perpetrated 9/11, we should consider them enemies. Unless the magic number of terrorists a nation must produce before it becomes a de facto enemy is .00000005% of an entire population, we should also consider the UAE, Egypt, and Lebanon as "enemies".
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
I disagree WTH & Co are not lazy - Jason is
June 2, 2008 - 08:41 ET by Dee BunkWTH and Co believe that lack of religious and political freedom combined with a welfare state and oppression of women, lead to men who have nothing better to do (after their college educations) then blow them selves up and plot against Americans and Christians and Jews.
Children should not be taught to accept this kind of oppression, they should be told about it's dangers.
Schools can have at it with the multi-cultural experience if they represent them as they are. Contrast Muslims in Saudia Arabia with Muslims in America and other places that don't turn out terrorists in droves.
We are not at war with Islam - we are at war with People who try to force their religion on others. No one has a problem with peaceful Muslims who speak out against the terrorists (admittedly we don't hear much of that - but those who denounce it are not included in who we are at war with).
WTH and Co believe that
June 2, 2008 - 09:42 ET by JasonCHow am I lazy?
WTH and Co believe that lack of religious and political freedom
combined with a welfare state and oppression of women, lead to men who
have nothing better to do (after their college educations) then blow
them selves up and plot against Americans and Christians and Jews.
Maybe they do believe that, but the simple use of the phrase "enemies" to describe Saudi Arabia is just plain incorrect; and I'm sure WTH is fully aware that S.A. is not, in fact, our enemy. Therefore, the use of that term is troubling and seems to connote one of the two scenarios I sketched out above. This is all I was arguing about.
I'm not sure what a welfare state has to do with men deciding to become suicide bombers and such - Saudi Arabia is also extremely capitalistic, by the way - but be careful in attributing such behaviors so widely. Saying that that is what defines Saudi Arabia is the kind of Western-centric attitude that gives us a bad reputation. How is it different from someone in the Middle East claiming that some of our social and cultural problems - school shootings, or the abortion debate, for instance - define us as people.
I hope that these students are learning, or will learn, undiluted facts about Saudi Arabia's problematic history and its role in terrorism. But also learning about what regular, everyday Saudis' lives are like is exactly the sort of lesson that should be employed to demonstrate that 27.6 million people cannot be pinned down by the actions of a few or by its autocratic government.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
Saudi Arabia is not Capitalistic Jason
June 2, 2008 - 10:06 ET by Dee BunkI didn't say it was the welfare state alone - but that is a big contributing factor. People are not starving in Saudi Arabia like they are in other third world countries. They have a welfare state that imports much of it's labor. People don't become suicide bombers their because they live in poverty and are starving, they do because they are bored to tears in a society that provides for their basic comforts but allows no political or religious freedom.
Similar things are happening in France with college educated people rioting because they are taken care of but can't use their college education in jobs there. The more government provides for people - the more they rely on them to solve all their problems.
Here in America we don't have health care or college educations for people but the segment of our society that riots is held down artificially by socialist programs.
The desperation hasn't reached the suicide bomber status in France and here because people do have religious and political freedom. They will still riot against the government for not giving them enough though, just because they can. If people rioted in Saudi Arabia they'd have their heads chopped off. So they privately plot against their government and others who don't hold their religious beliefs because they have no outlet or hope in anything but a forced religion.
It's ridiculous to say that we can't criticize Saudi Arabia and the way their society operates just because liberals want some PC world where all cultures and traditions are okay, except of course for Republicans, Christians and Jews who don't believe Government is the answer to any of ours (or others) problems. Trash away all you want with those groups just don't diss Saudi Arabia!
Why do you think there is
June 2, 2008 - 10:13 ET by JasonCWhy do you think there is so much foreign labor in Saudi Arabia? Because they are rapidly privatizing industries and diversifying their economy. I don't even know how to begin to argue with your statement that they are not a capitalistic society. You are dead wrong. Your comments on the ramifications of welfare states are very interesting and thoughtful, but I think you're ignoring Saudi Arabia's important place in the world economy (it's not just oil anymore).
Who said you can't criticize Saudi Arabia? Go for it. Didn't you read my last post, where I said we should indeed teach kids about it's various problems and role in terrorism and so forth? But claiming they are our enemy is misleading, problematic, and just-plain-untrue; and that's what I've been trying to address here. Learning about, and acting out, foreign cultures, especially ones that are completely different from the children's own, is something that middle and elementary schools have been doing for a long time. I see no good argument against demonstrating that a country with which we have some problems is also simply a home and culture to millions of people who are not involved in terrorism.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
Jason - Saudi Arabia has only recently started market
June 2, 2008 - 11:11 ET by Dee Bunkreforms, and have always had most of their labor imported.
They can hardly be called Capitalistic just because they have started to privatize. You certainly can't blame any of their problems on Capitalism at this point. You can still have privately held companies and heavy taxes to make a welfare state.
I'm actually somewhere in the middle, as my post from the other day at the bottom of the page indicates. I don't think they are an enemy in the same sense as Iraq under Hussein or Iran currently. Saudi Society unapologetically breeds hatred of Americans and I don't think it's inappropriate for someone to refer to them as an enemy.
On the scale of 1-10 1 being enemy and 10 being best friend they would fall at about 4 (more enemy than friend) where as Iran Hussein's Iraq, and Taliban Afghanistan would all be 1's.
I wasn't blaming their
June 2, 2008 - 11:16 ET by JasonCI wasn't blaming their problems on Capitalism. I think their reforms are the beginning of a modernization that will hopefully begin to shed the problematic omnipresence of Islam in their society.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
In that we can agree Jason
June 2, 2008 - 11:30 ET by Dee BunkIt certainly can't hurt. I see Capitalism as preferable to socialism regardless if it's dictatorships, communists (I know technically an oxymoron but China), Monarchies or Theocracies. Financial Freedoms lead to more political and religious freedoms. It never goes the other way.
Democracy with Capitalism is the best and all other forms can be legitimately criticized
Dee, it's nice to agree.
June 2, 2008 - 11:37 ET by JasonCDee, it's nice to agree. It's been a while.
I'm going to quit while we're ahead and go enjoy this early summer weather. Have a good one.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
Democracy's dangerous
June 2, 2008 - 11:41 ET by sarcasmoRepublics work better, and IMO glorification of the word "democracy" and avoidance of the word "republic" is at least in part a media bias problem. Democracy always fails shortly after a majority of people discover that they can vote themselves money from the public fisk. This is especially true in a nation devoid of "hard" (read: "Honest") money and therefore open to the compounded criminal dishonesty of inflation. More on the subject by the US military (but from back when the USA had an old-fashioned "Department of War"!) here.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Great point Sarc - Democratic Republic
June 2, 2008 - 11:51 ET by Dee Bunkis what I should have said. I agree about the media bias problem and they are even trying to turn us into a Democracy instead of a Democratic Republic ala all the nonsense about doing away with the electoral college.
I do wish the EC could be reformed to account for the still undue power that large cities and their politicians have over the rest of us.
Dee,
June 2, 2008 - 10:35 ET by Warner Todd HustonI doesn't surprise me that JasocC is sticking up for the Islamofascists. After all, notice how he has COMPLETELY IGNORED the MAIN points I made against Saudi society: Its mistreatment and oppression of women.
Since he has ignored absolutely what those people do to women, it is plain that he doesn't find it particularly outrageous.
The female circumcision
The forced veil wearing
The kept out of schools
Out of the workplace
Not even being allowed to drive
The rapes where they aren't even allowed to go to the police over
the mistreatment of women goes on and on.
JacsonC, Bal, and the entire cadre of leftist extremists that come here must to a person AGREE with oppressing women. After all, not a one of them have ever uttered a peep against the Saudis who do so.
So, in the end, we might assume that JasonC, Balboa and their kind are just as bad as the Islamofascists because they tacitly agree with their "culture." They celebrate it even. And at the expense of our own, at that.
Of course, I sure hope I am wrong and that they really do disagree with how women are treated in Saudi Arabia in particular and Islam in general.
But it sure doesn't look good for that last, vain hope of mine, does it?
I've already acknowledged
June 2, 2008 - 10:45 ET by JasonCSticking up for the Islamofascists? Wow. Where, exactly? All I'm doing is pointing out the stupid (such as implying that I "support Islamofascism") and just-plain-demonstrably-wrong things that you and many of the posters, obviously feeding off of the provocative image of a caucasian child in Arabic garb, have made here.
I've already acknowledged several times the cultural problems of S.A. that I think should be acknowledged in the classroom. And if I was involved in the decision-making process at this school concerning what culture of which to have a festival celebrating the cuisine, dance, and dress, I probably wouldn't have suggested Saudi Arabia.
My issue is the way in which you and the other posters here so cavalierly conflate Saudi Arabia with all Islamic countries and with terrorism, most pointedly in which you refer to Saudi Arabia as our "enemy", when you know perfectly well it is not. That conflation leads me to believe that those who casually refer to them as "our enemies" are indulging in one of two thought processes (see above) both of which are illogical.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
Wow
June 2, 2008 - 10:51 ET by Warner Todd HustonWow, all them thar words and still not a word about how they treat their women?
Do you hate women that much Jason old boy?
:(
I'm not going to bite at
June 2, 2008 - 11:09 ET by JasonCI'm not going to bite at your sad little piece of bait and write something in the mode of "Nuh-uh, I don't hate women!" because it's neither here nor there. If you think, merely from what I've written about your troubling belief that Saudi Arabia is our enemy, that I "tacitly support Islamofascism" and hate women, then your reading comp skills need some work. I've acknowledged that we should teach the many unsavory elements of S.A. in class, especially to students who are studying and enacting elements of their culture. And if you think that this exhibition, as a whole, was inappropriate, fine; I think it has some nuance and could be worthwhile, but I can respect your position. But, and I know I'm beating this to death but you and Dee keep dodging it, S.A. is not our enemy and to state that it is brings up some troubling implications.
Conservatives vilified Jimmy Carter for talking to Hezbollah (with whom we are no at war), yes? But Bush can pal around with Saudi Arabian royalty, in spite of all the awful things it stands for, and that's just fine?
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
I'm not dodging anything Jason - I posted clearly about it
June 2, 2008 - 11:47 ET by Dee BunkIn a previous post to Sarc at the bottom and I restated with more clarification to you above.
You are trying to have it both ways saying that Bush shouldn't be able to pal around with them but yet they are not our enemy. I'm saying there are different degrees of enemies. The worst enemies are those who have are openly hostile governments that threaten us with WMD's or threaten our close Democratic allies to extinction. Any government that isn't openly hostile to us or our allies can be talked to.
After those that threaten US and our allies with obliteration, comes societies that breed Anti Americanism and don't do anything about it. Saudi Arabia has started to arrest terrorists, but are not doing anything to stop the Mullahs from breeding the hatred. On top of that they have severe human rights violations and are especially oppressive to women. But you and your friends are more concerned with a small % of our military abuses in Abu Graib, than systemic regular torture and human rights violations in places like Saudi Arabia.
That's stunning logic.
June 2, 2008 - 11:09 ET by balboaThat's stunning logic.
...as usual. Il y a la
June 2, 2008 - 11:17 ET by JasonC...as usual.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
This comment is stunningly normal nothingness from you
June 2, 2008 - 11:20 ET by Dee BunkI assume you are referring to me or WTH, but as usual, you have no details so no one would know. I know there isn't a snowballs chance in July that you would criticize Jason though so it's easy to narrow down between the two of us. At least WTC, Jason and I use some logic rather than none at all.
It's stunning because it
June 2, 2008 - 12:11 ET by balboaIt's stunning because it refuses to acknowledge what I've written previously.
balboa - you still haven't said what hasn't been acknowledged
June 2, 2008 - 12:26 ET by Dee Bunkor who hasn't acknowledged it. What I said? What WTH said? What part of what one of us said doesn't acknowledge what you said?
I acknowledged that there's
June 2, 2008 - 12:33 ET by balboaI acknowledged that there's a dark side to Saudi Arabia, but apparently because I haven't made a blanket statement condemning such things, I'm actually in favor of them.
As I said, stunning.
I guess that Warner is in favor of the designated hitter in baseball because I haven't heard him decry it anywhere.
balboa - I really don't know what you expect from WTH
June 2, 2008 - 13:25 ET by Dee Bunkyou guys come here constantly insulting him and picking apart his posts focusing on one part and leaving out others. Leon would come here and call him a liar and all kinds of names and you expect him to respect you guys?
All of you liberals seem to have an extra hard time accepting a Christian's perspective and if Tim Grahm and Brent Bozell posted back you'd find a way to egg them on too.
When two people don't get along it's always both of their faults. In my case with you guys right now it's more my fault, but with WTH it's you guys as it is with many other posters. You can't expect to constantly attack him and not have him attack back. You are lucky that he doesn't delete all of your guys posts. None of you ever even try to see where he is coming from.
I wish he would delete TM's because they are completely useless and I hope you and Jason don't agree with his tactics of calling everyone bigots all the time.
Oh come ON. I have not
June 2, 2008 - 13:36 ET by balboaOh come ON. I have not egged anyone on. I've asked questions. And what responses did I get?
Peace in our times, right Bal?
Yer so cuddly and lovable. I'll bet bin Laden would just melt if'n you wuz to explain it all to 'im.
-----
I wonder if Bal would be all upset about Jew Day at Amherst Middle School? Bet he would!
The only time I got snippy was when WTH suggested that I approve of all Saudi customs merely because I had not renounced them, and when WTH implied I'd have a problem with "Jew Day."
We aren't not getting along; we're debating a topic.
Balboa - I'm talking about the way all of you guys "question"
June 2, 2008 - 14:00 ET by Dee Bunkhim all the time. It's the cumulative effect. In this particular case, you ignored his whole premise which was about the article written and how it didn't talk about any of the negatives. He also voiced concern that that it may not have been just the article, that maybe the school didn't teach it either.
You saying that you don't agree with the dark side of Saudi society in no way recognizes what he is saying. You said he took a lot of liberties and other offensive things to a writer when he didn't. He was writing about the article written on it and it didn't mention those things.
No matter what he says and does, you guys never admit he has a valid point. That's fine but don't expect him to treat you nicely. If he wants to that is his prerogative, but no rational person can blame him when he doesn't. He seems to take it in pretty good stride in my opinion. He could delete all your posts and I'm sure he could have got Leon (legitimately) kicked off a thousand times over before Matthew actually did. You guys give him no credit and nothing but grief.
Not everyone's personality is like Noel. Noel gets along with you guys because of his efforts not yours. Why does it always have to be the conservatives making the efforts? You guys have no interest in getting along unless we make all the major adjustments. When we do adjust and befriend you then you expect everyone else do do the same.
As I said, you never had these kind of crusades against Leon and WTH is 1,000 times more respectful than he ever was. It appears that none of you will ever understand where I'm coming from, just the same as you don't understand where WTH is coming from. You don't even try. Jason tried here with me today but he didn't try with WTH.
Baloney. Just baloney. I
June 2, 2008 - 14:28 ET by balboaBaloney. Just baloney. I asked questions of WTH based on the statements he made in his article, statements that didn't appear to be substantiated in any way. I got a nonsense response. There was nothing disrespectful about the way I asked them.
Dee, I don't know how you
June 2, 2008 - 14:49 ET by JasonCDee, I don't know how you choose which stories to comment on, but I usually choose the ones in which either 1) A topic in which I am particularly interested or invested is being discussed, such as gay rights/marriage, 2) A story in which the author and/or posters are being particularly inconsistent or illogical or making outrageous claims.
I can't help it that these two criteria frequently intersect in Warner's stories. He is one of the few mastheads who engages in open namecalling and cheap shots (such as referring to a homosexual support group as a "Sex Club"), and his stories thus command attention. My first post is always firm but polite, pointing out errors or contradictions. Once in awhile, such as in the Mother's Day/Immigration post, WTH has noted his error; we were civil to one another, and life goes on. Other times, he maintains that he is correct, I challenge him, and our posts escalate.
I don't ask that he or anyone else "respect" me, but if they are going to claim that I hate women because I addressed a different part of his story and not the part about genital mutilation, well, I'm going to argue back. WTH is perfectly free to erase my posts or ban me if he cares to. To be perfectly honest, I do respect Warner and he and I have reached an accord on more than one occasion, but his writing style and ideology tend to rub me the wrong way, and so we often fight it out. Not a big deal.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
I have to say thank you Jason for at least trying to understand
June 2, 2008 - 19:06 ET by Dee Bunkwhere I'm coming from. Of all the liberals here you are the only one who has made any sort of attempt.
I appreciate that you said you do respect WTH but it still offends me when you compare him to people on the Daily Kos. I completely disagree that he is the type of name caller that they are. We can all be considered name callers and I don't think he crosses lines especially due to the grief he gets. I think he's a great sport about it and you seem to kind of agree. You know and acknowledge that he can but doesn't delete your posts.
I hope some day that you will be able to try and understand where people are coming from on issues and not assume it's racist or bigoted. I see the Sex Club issue the same way and don't find it offensive at all. People are not against these clubs because they want Gay people to feel left out, they are against them because high school is too early for adults to encourage people to experiment with their sexual identity.
I don't want to get into all that again, but anyway I do appreciate that you are half way trying to understand. I'm sure we will be sparing more because we disagree on stuff.
Dee...I would urge you to
June 2, 2008 - 19:59 ET by JerDee...I would urge you to reread my posts to you on your "Science to back up my rants..." thread. I think you will find that I was indeed making an honest attempt to understand "where you are coming from" and to establish some sort of accommodation between the two of us.
Regarding Warner...I have had very few contentious exchanges with him, and even on those relative rare occurrences, we have generally ended them on a cordial note. Most of our dialogues could best be described as "good-natured banter". Please review the tracking archives if you wish. I have already.
Jer
this whole thread is
June 2, 2008 - 12:29 ET by TruthMongerthis whole thread is stunning bal:)
it's a lynch mob:(
good thing we're online, otherwise we'd have pitchforks and torches on the rampage...
Good grief
June 2, 2008 - 13:54 ET by mvfreemanJacsonC, Bal, and the entire cadre of leftist extremists that come here must to a person AGREE with oppressing women. After all, not a one of them have ever uttered a peep against the Saudis who do so."
Then so must the current administration because we send Saudi Arabia billions in military aid.
And according to this article they wanted to do it no questions asked:
"In talks about the package, the administration has not sought specific assurances from Saudi Arabia that it would be more supportive of the American effort in Iraq as a condition of receiving the arms package, the officials said."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/28/washington/28weapons.html
Bush must be for the female genital mutilation.
See how stupid that sounds?
Well
June 2, 2008 - 14:12 ET by Warner Todd HustonSince they wanted to pick only certain things to vent their liberal points on, one has to assume that the other points (the ones ACTUALLY stressed in my original piece) must not bother them. After all, I focussed very closely on how women are treated by Saudi society, yet they ignored that and went off on Bush (like you just did) and other things that featured far less prominently in my post. So, the proper conclusion to make is that the oppression of women does not bother our lefty Newsbusters posters.
WTH...it's the only
June 2, 2008 - 14:26 ET by bigtimerWTH...it's the only conclusion possible.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Huh? I didn't say anything
June 2, 2008 - 14:37 ET by JasonCHuh? I didn't say anything about Bush. All I pointed out was a geopolitical statement that is flat-out false. You are correct about human rights violations, particularly those directed at women in Saudi Arabia. There's nothing to argue about there because we agree. However, there is much to argue about your statement that Saudi Arabia is an enemy, as it either comes from a misunderstanding on your part or an attempt to make a claim or stake out a position that you have not clarified.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
Edit: Oops, OK, I did
June 2, 2008 - 14:52 ET by JasonCEdit: Oops, OK, I did mention Bush at some point, but that was not the thrust of my original post. I intentionally left him out of that.
Il y a la merde quel remort produit quand il a mange trop stupidite.
pick only certain things to
June 2, 2008 - 15:01 ET by mvfreemanpick only certain things to vent their liberal points on, one has to assume that the other points (the ones ACTUALLY stressed in my original piece) must not bother them
Or one can assume they only picked things with which they disagreed. No point in arguing something you agree with.
bravo bal - keep your head
June 2, 2008 - 12:21 ET by TruthMongerbravo bal - keep your head up - it's a bigot thread - they get nasty...
same old bigot TM at it again
June 2, 2008 - 12:28 ET by Dee Bunkjust can't stop can you TM?
crime fighting is an
June 2, 2008 - 12:30 ET by TruthMongercrime fighting is an endless task, dee...
That's why Newsbusters never
June 2, 2008 - 14:13 ET by Warner Todd HustonThat's why Newsbusters never sleeps.
My kid
May 31, 2008 - 16:54 ET by DarkCurrentwould've been dressed like this this
I hope
May 31, 2008 - 16:57 ET by Warner Todd HustonI hope you mean he'd have been dressed like that to highlight the evil that is Wahhabism, not because you support kids becoming suicide bombers and Jihadists?
Yes of course
May 31, 2008 - 17:00 ET by DarkCurrent- to illustrate the absurdity of the whole thing
WTH... You beat me to it
May 31, 2008 - 17:01 ET by bigtimerWTH...
You beat me to it ...
...I didn't quite know how to take that...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
rhetorical question
May 31, 2008 - 17:29 ET by candanceHas the school devoted a day to Israel, Ireland, Denmark or England?
...crickets...
I want a day for me and my kind
June 2, 2008 - 11:00 ET by OldSailor88Good old fashioned red headed freckle faced white boy day.
Ah, crap. That would be racist. Sorry.
Noli habere bovis, vir!
I think we understand them
June 2, 2008 - 12:24 ET by TruthMongerI think we understand them pretty good already...
this thread demontrates the dire need for Arab studies...
we have untra-conservatives as well - like the Amish - not much skin flashing in those communities either...
Ridiculous Attack
May 31, 2008 - 17:40 ET by Agrarian-DecentralistThe last time I checked, the United States was not at war with Saudi Arabia, so Mr. Huston's suggestion that the school event in New Hampshire is analogous with American children engaging in an exercise to celebrate Japanese culture during World War II is ridiculous.
And Mr. Huston adopts a disturbing "those people" attitude toward Saudis, as if every one of them is an evil terrorist bent on attacking America. Of course Saudi culture has its deplorable elements, and of course some Saudis are our enemies. But Mr. Huston's undifferiented attack is comparable to someone living in the Middle East or elsewhere declaring that all Americans are the tools of Satan. In other words, it is represents a childish, inaccurate, and thoroughly unconstructive world view.
AD... Maybe the school
May 31, 2008 - 17:50 ET by bigtimerAD... Maybe the school should have the childen check into this and imitate it...after all it is a madrassa.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
how nice
May 31, 2008 - 17:54 ET by candanceMr. Certified Genius® has returned to scorn us all in his special way.
WTH never said that everyone in SA was an evil person, just as he doesn't think everyone in Japan during WW2 was individually evil. But good individuals can get caught up in a bad culture. You already know this (being a genius and all) but want to be obtuse for the sake of an argument.
If you believe SA as an entity promotes evil, then you'd be worried about your children mimicking that culture.
Were there any Saudi child impersonators
May 31, 2008 - 18:18 ET by YahooWatchertoting AK-47's while wearing bomb vests? How about anyone off in the corner practicing Microsoft Flight Simulator on their laptop? Were there any beheadings, stonings, or amputations? For the grand finale, the school should of had them all prance around the Borg ship like they do at the Hajj in Mecca.
They weren't looking for reality, Yahoo
May 31, 2008 - 21:47 ET by Scout FinchThey were merely looking to reinforce the media image of a "peaceable" Muslim, flying kites in the sky (á là Fahrenheit 9/11). I presume there were no demonstration speeches about female circumcision or honor killings.
You can all be so
May 31, 2008 - 18:31 ET by mrsimeleYou can all be so inconsistent. Is your "hero" G.W. Bush and his father best-of-friends with the Saudi Royal Family? Didn't G.W. Bush want to sell sell the rights of our ports a while back to the Saudi's? Now, the same people that support the above are upset that children are dressing up as Saudi's? What does being an "Arab" have to do with being a terrorist? Did the A.D.L. put Newsbusters up to this??
Sorry...
May 31, 2008 - 18:34 ET by Warner Todd HustonWhere is any "inconsistency"? Did you see me ever say that I AGREED with Bush's Saudi policies???
Let me check... NO would be your answer.
?????
May 31, 2008 - 18:37 ET by candanceOh I get it - since most of us are Republicans we toe the GOP line like robots and go along with whatever Bush says.
In case you weren't paying attention, us conservies were some of the loudest complainers about the plan to sell the ports and have always been suspicious of SA's royal family.
But shucks, you busted us on the whole ADL conspiracy. We have meetings and everything.
*rolls eyes*
mrsi... Man on man where
May 31, 2008 - 18:41 ET by bigtimermrsi...
Man on man where have you been, we've missed you sooo much!
Welcome back.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Very bigoted post that has nothing to do with the media
May 31, 2008 - 18:39 ET by Daniel BakerClean up you act!
http://www.ornery.org/
really dan
May 31, 2008 - 18:45 ET by candanceDid the paper that covered the story treat it objectively or push it as a great idea? You don't think positive coverage would cause the idea to be spread to other schools?
I suspect you really don't care about the issue at all, but if WTH posted about something that bothered you without regards to the media at all you'd be applauding him.
DB... ...Huh? Who are
May 31, 2008 - 18:46 ET by bigtimerDB...
...Huh?
Who are you talking to here?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
you see BT
May 31, 2008 - 18:51 ET by candanceThis is an example of that liberal intellectual superiority we hear about. Obviously his post is so brilliant our Neanderthal minds can't comprehend it.
I'm sure he'll be along soon to "dumb it down" for us.
I don't know about that
May 31, 2008 - 18:56 ET by bigtimerI don't know about that cd...he's been using that clean up your act line for quite awhile now, rarely answers anyone, I think DB is a troubled person...seriously...I wish him the best in life...know what I mean?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
OIC
May 31, 2008 - 19:00 ET by candanceOne of those drive-by trolls who can't be bothered to defend himself? Even more annoying that someone who argues.
I don't know...I don't even
May 31, 2008 - 19:08 ET by bigtimerI don't know...I don't even consider him a troll, just a troubled person.
Daniel...speak up or forever hold your piece or is it peace!
LOL...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
little interjection
May 31, 2008 - 19:10 ET by candanceThe phrase is hold your peace
...but you were pretty darn close.
Again I ask NB when we will provided with smileys!?
Again I ask NB when we will
May 31, 2008 - 19:13 ET by Warner Todd HustonThere IS a way to get rid of me after all... ha, ha.
cd... Thanks... I was
May 31, 2008 - 19:15 ET by bigtimercd...
Thanks...
I was trying to joke some, I really knew which 'P' it was...trust me.
....guess it was pretty lame.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
no I get it
May 31, 2008 - 19:26 ET by candanceOn second reading I get the joke you made.
nm.
Touche, if you're willing
May 31, 2008 - 19:02 ET by balboaTouche, if you're willing to acknowledge that this is an example of that conservative unemotional logic we hear about.
no prob
May 31, 2008 - 19:08 ET by candanceBy now, you should know how I feel about people who have nothing to add except angry rants and condescending insults.
Oh come on boa...does the
May 31, 2008 - 19:12 ET by bigtimerOh come on boa...does the truth hurt?
After all this time here all the sudden you are offended by the way we express ourselves...you have to be kidding..what are you now Mr. Goody Two Shoes?
Give me a f'n break.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Nah, I'm not f'n offended.
May 31, 2008 - 19:17 ET by balboaNah, I'm not f'n offended. Just pointing it out. :-)
You never saw anything like that from a liberal I'm sure
June 2, 2008 - 08:24 ET by Dee Bunkbalboa. Never heard you complain about Leon.
dude - you got some stones
June 2, 2008 - 12:26 ET by TruthMongerdude - you got some stones today! rock on...
I hope that for the sake of
May 31, 2008 - 18:45 ET by seanrobinsI hope that for the sake of authenticity, they instructed all of the girls to stay the heck home, since they don't belong in school!!!
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
Just wait until next week
May 31, 2008 - 19:18 ET by jefflebowskiwhen the school will have "kill the Jews" day! Maybe they can have a few "honor killings" to help the little dears appreciate the real Saudi Arabia!
This is what happens when political correctness is exchanged for common sense!
kill the jews day - is this
June 2, 2008 - 12:27 ET by TruthMongerkill the jews day - is this what you call IDS?
I remember multicultural
May 31, 2008 - 19:26 ET by ThatDudeI remember multicultural day at our school. It used to actually be about multiple cultures. Our school had people of almost every background. What our multicultural day ended up being was fellow classmates sharing the culture of their home countries or that of their ancestors. We had volunteers from Africa, Asia, Europe, South and Central America. Unfortunately the two larger areas we didn't have representation from was Australia and Antarctica (oh no! what a huge miss!). Still, we learned alot about other cultures (the good and the bad.) In my opinion they miss the point of the exercise when they choose a single society to represent(or misrepresent.)
In Texas in my time,
May 31, 2008 - 21:31 ET by mister josephIn Texas in my time, 'multicultural day' meant talking about people from beyond the borders of Texas, begrudgingly we'd discuss those north of the mason-dixon line, and, occasionally, mexico. Funny, we didn't think much of Canada...
Why do?
May 31, 2008 - 20:08 ET by okiehawk44There seems to be a belief among socialist-democrats in America that most other countries are truly "more civilized and advanced" in some bizarre way than western countries.
Balboa and his ilk want to believe that these neanderthal types are just like us and have similar outlooks on women, children, religion, work, life etc. Balboa they do not and dressing up our kids to honor them is not, how do you guys like to say it, Progressive.
Okie, I can't speak for my
May 31, 2008 - 20:24 ET by balboaOkie, I can't speak for my "ilk," but I've never thought nor claimed that we have a lot in common with Saudis, neanderthals or not.
Wonder how many Saudi's
May 31, 2008 - 21:38 ET by general companyWonder how many Saudi's schools have USA day?
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
If I have posted this comment on this site once...
May 31, 2008 - 20:17 ET by R D Helm...I have posted it a gazillion times:
Packing off a child to a government school is a blatant act of child abuse.
Period.
We are being smothered by government in this country. - Neal Boortz
RD, I agree
May 31, 2008 - 21:30 ET by jefflebowskiThe steady diet of PC Bull that our kids are steadily fed on a daily basis is frightenting. My 16 and 14 year old sons were asking me recently why they constantly have to read books and write reports about how white people are racist. They say that the vast majority of the black "students" in their schools are wannabe "gangstas" and disrupt classes. They don't see white people as racist.
It is my fault and every white parent's fault who do not speak up about this PC curriculum. My sons have had to read about Malcolm X and what a great man he was. They know about the holiday of Kwanzaa. My family doesn't believe any of this stuff but this is what my kids are taught in school.
jeff... I know you
May 31, 2008 - 21:37 ET by bigtimerjeff...
I know you weren't talking to me but I am certainly going to assume by your posts you have taught them different and guided them to other material to read, if there is any that is...about facts...just the facts.
I am so glad our kids are long grown...but I worry a lot about our grandchildren ect.
How damned sad what our country has come to with our schools...all for politicians, votes and complete socialism.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
This is another reason I
May 31, 2008 - 21:50 ET by general companyThis is another reason I love the internet. I also have a 15yr old, and even though our schools have done a great job keeping most of the BS away from our kids, some time there is a contradiction from the way "we think" compaired to how they are taught. My son can (and does) easly aquire info on any topic and introduce these items in his school work. Can be quite stimulating for the student, his teachers love him, realy.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Bigtimer, yes, we talk a lot
May 31, 2008 - 22:29 ET by jefflebowskiI really tried when my children were young to not really express my views on politics and my experiences with other races. I wanted them to form their own opinions. It was really interesting that once they hit middle school, they would start making comments about some of the kids in their school that always caused problems...dressed the same with baggy pants...tried to bully other kids, etc. I would listen. Now they are will both be in high school next year and have their own opinions. Of course, these experiences that have caused them to make their own judgements will also have them called "racists" by the MSM and black people.
I call myself a "realist" but the MSM calls me a "racist."
And, Bigtimer, yes, I worry about my children every single day with this country headed the way it is going!
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Say what?
May 31, 2008 - 22:10 ET by Cortillaen"During the check-in, guests selected a traditional Arabic name for their name badge and completed an actual Saudi customs form, which warned in bold letters “Death for Drug Trafficking ” at the top." What happened to the zero-tolerance for death threats so many schools are boasting these days? It gets casually discarded whenever the culture of our enemies needs glorified, I suppose...
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
I'm certainly no genius
May 31, 2008 - 22:10 ET by bigpapaBut it seems to me no one has asked th obvious question...
Does this or any school have a "What it means to be an American" day...
If they want to explore other cultures... fine and dandy... how else can you find out how much better it is to be an American if you don't look around???
But., how many if any.. have an "American" day??????
I'm guessing... NONE.
N. H. defined
May 31, 2008 - 23:31 ET by wdhorningN. H. = "Not Home"
Dateline--May 31, 1942
June 1, 2008 - 05:14 ET by richflanj‘Open reichstag’ at Amherst Middle School AMHERST— For one night, on May 9, the quaint colonial town of Amherst, New Hampshire, was transformed into a Nazi German community, with the help of 80 seventh-graders at the Amherst Middle School. The weather cooperated, providing 85 degree temperatures to give an authentic German feel to the evening. More than 250 guests arrived at the open reichstag and were welcomed with a German greeting of “Seig Heil” by students at a Nazi customs desk. During the check-in, guests selected a traditional German name for their name badge and completed an actual German customs form, which warned in bold letters “Death for Judaism ” at the top. Once inside, guests were encouraged to circulate among 14 different stations created by the students. The German food-tasting station offered four entrées, chicken, lamb, sausage, and beer, served with bread. Foods from conquered European territory was also served. Flowing nazi banners hung from the ceiling separated the Aryan and non-Aryan dining sections. The tables were set on large rugs. Only the Aryan seventh-grade boys were allowed to host the food stations and the German dancing, as the traditions of Nazi Germany at this time prevent non-Aryans from participating in these public roles. Dressed in traditional Nazi clothing and uniforms of the Wermacht and SS — the boys offered food and entertained guests. The Nazi dancers enthusiastically performed to music and encouraged Aryan visitors to join their dance. Seventh-grade girls hosted the Jewish stations, where Jewish guests learned how to wear the required yellow star. An antique trunk full of clothing taken from concentration camps was available for guests to try on. Cultural items displayed throughout the room included Nazi books, games, food, and newspapers and magazines. One Nazi station included a copy of MEIN KAMPF, with a picture of Adolph Hitler embedded in it, as well as numerous Nazi daggers, weapons and photographs. Younger visitors gravitated to the Nazi listening station, the German coloring book stations and the mural, while visitors of all ages found the slide shows of Nazi oppresion to be captivating. The “open reichstag” was created to encourage participants to reach out and learn from the people of Germany , and to promote curiosity and cultural understanding.
THEY JUST DON'T GET IT, DO THEY.
Are you really comparing
June 1, 2008 - 07:51 ET by JasonCAre you really comparing modern Saudi Arabia to Nazi Germany? Really?!
Who can revolt if man has become a simple conglomerate of organs, a person barely free enough to use a remote control to choose his channel? -J. Kristeva
Let's See...
June 1, 2008 - 09:24 ET by richflanjNaziism - all Jews must die. Islam - ditto.
Naziism - all others must be subject to our rule. Islam - ditto.
Yep, guess so.
Aren't the Saudis our
June 1, 2008 - 07:49 ET by JasonCAren't the Saudis our allies? Doesn't Bush meet with their leaders regularly? I'm so confused...
Who can revolt if man has become a simple conglomerate of organs, a person barely free enough to use a remote control to choose his channel? -J. Kristeva
Actually Jason, you and I
June 1, 2008 - 08:08 ET by PeskyDaneActually Jason, you and I are in agreement here. For entirety of the post-war era, we've put up with the Family Saud because they provided stability. Personally, I view this as bad policy. Now they've taken our money and established dozens of schools here at home which I see as breeding grounds for radical anti-Western thought.
PD - We don't have a choice
June 1, 2008 - 08:17 ET by Dee BunkWe can't go taking out every monarchy and dictatorship everywhere. Look how much trouble the Iraq war has caused and that was a dictatorship that is hostile and threatening to us.
The Saudi's are not to be trusted at all, but they are better than having Al -Queda in charge.
The longer we assume
June 1, 2008 - 08:26 ET by sarcasmoThe Saudi people would pick Al Qaeda to rule themselves, the more likely your prediction is to come true. Imagine being a young Saudi and reading American history...He (or especially she!) might imagine a few choices besides dictatorship. The dictatorship is NOT our friend, and it never has been, but they know very well how to quietly buy influence while spreading hate.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Sarc - I agree that Saudi's are not friends
June 1, 2008 - 09:36 ET by Dee Bunkand I'm sure the people would pick something more moderate than Al Queda if they had the choice - but they wouldn't. If the Royal family is overthrown, Al-Queda or someone like Mullahs will take over.
It's what happened in Afghanistan. The people didn't pick the Taliban. The Saudi Royal Family cares about their wealth and Power and are not antagonistic toward us like the Taliban or Hussein. They will straddle the fence, but unlike the Taliban or Hussein, they have arrested terrorists.
If we can't get a democracy going in Iraq - there is no way we'll ever get one going in Saudi Arabia. Those who think Iraq is a failure have to think that trying it in Saudi Arabia would be an even bigger failure. Once Iraq is a stable democracy then maybe others in the region will be possible.
Remember kids "Arab" costumes on Oct 31!
June 2, 2008 - 11:21 ET by Jack BauerOkay -- seems a shame for kids to use this Arab costume just the one occassion, what with the expense and all.
So I hope moms and dads remember to grab it from the back of the closet come Halloween.
No one will object to that, surely?
I know if some little HAMAS looking kid knocked at my door Trick or Treating, I'd be over generous with the treats.