Here are the teacher's comments:

http://www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2006/03/07/340114.html

According to him he trying to get the kids to think on their own. We can't have that can we?

Kind of what I thought. 20 minuets recorded out of a 50 min out of a 50 min lecture.

I agree nothing wrong with making kids think, but I still say just throwing out his own opinion was not the best way to do that. He could have easily made those statements as questions (what if's). And I doubt the kids in the class are being graded on how well they can remember the teachers opinions, but being graded on what thier text books say. I have a daughter and I know for a fact that if one of her teachers was throwing out opions like that, I would have some concerns about him/her. He was getting paid to teach, and not simply use his alloted time as his personal soap box. I may not run to the school board, but I would for sure ask for some sort of conference with him. And I cant find any links that state what the topic of the day was scheduled to be,, so I really dont see where this debate had anything to do with geography, it sounded like he was bringing up situations that involved almost every area of the world at one time or another.
But in all fairness, when I read the transcript it sounded like the kid had plenty of chances to speak his own opions, and that the teacher responded to them in a proper manner.

Darn eddie, how do you always come up with something so unique and original? Amazing.

Bw. my calling someone a name, especially here, puts me in lock step with the quorum. btw I believe I had a choice on answering your query. Since I have no intention of researching the issue, you will get no answer.

Sardonicus, we all do what we can!!!

A hypothetical question: If the teacher had been expressing strong pro-Bush opinions, everything else the same (student recording it,etc.), would he/should he have been busted?

I was reading some quotes from one of his former students "he didn't even use the standard American history textbook because he said that it was corrupt. It was created by rich American businessmen who didn't want to teach the real American history..." because they were interested in still having slaves and oppressing women." Now I dont know if this is true, maybe just a ex-student looking for some revenge, but if it is true, then certainly not the type I would want teaching my kid.
And to Answer SS's question, I dont believe this would be a national news item, if it was not for his Anti-Bush statements. But as I said before, on a local level, if these comments/statements/teaching style was being practiced by my daughters teachers, I would be asking alot of questions. But that just me, and my opinion.

"my calling someone a name, especially here, puts me in lock step with the quorum"

Bush apologist, self apologist! It is a mindless approach, but if it works for you...

Dosn't put you in lock step with me.

Interesting how a person who has touted his education here bows out of a subject that requires some research. Guess I expected too much from you.......

I saw an interview with the teacher yesterday. This kid and his parents went straight to a conservative talk radio station. They did not complain to the teacher or the school. Sounds like a neocon family raising hitler youth to me.

gvbest,
The teacher is right. History is written by the conquerers. How long were we taught that Columbus discovered America?
All he did was navigate wrong and ran into a place already occupied. Now he has a holiday set aside for him.
Also, I applaud you as a parent that stays in touch with what is being taught their kids, but don't take everything taught as the ultimate truth. Text books are picked out by people with their own agendas.

I am encouraged Bw. Your sad face has some question marks above it. ergo you admit to not being omniscient. Join the club. Life is full of little disappointments eh?
Btw at what mind challenging occupation do you labor to earn your daily bread? My curiosity is always percolating. Can't help it.
YOu did notice I said "lock step with the quorum" that doesn't single you out. Truth be told I haven't seen you resort to some of trash mouth tactics employed by other denizens. Again, not all.

I am part of a design team specilizing in medical equipment. More specificly, for stressed infant births. I work in electronics and can write code in 3 computer languages.

I will not bore you with the degrees and certs I have.

Do a search for Cool Cap if you wish.

interesting, I used to do a bit of code generation in the Rockwell 6500 series of uPs. Basic an Fortran in it's day were also modes of instruction. Was employed by an R and D group. Moonlighted repairing E-tech and Hitachi Electron microscopes. Thanks for the response. it's always interesting to know a little about the person on the handle of the other epee.

BW, medical is the happening place to be. I'm a SW Engineer working on a health care system for the NHS in the UK and some in the US as well.