KFSO talk show hosts can voice any inflammatory opinion they like over the airwaves (e.g., electrocute the NY Times editor? Great idea!) and that’s just them exercising their free speech rights. But kids in one school district can’t watch An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s documentary which highlights the current state of scientific knowledge regarding global warming, because one wingnut fundamentalist fruitcake parent objects?
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After a parent who supports the teaching of creationism and opposes sex education complained about the film, the Federal Way School Board on Tuesday placed what it labeled a moratorium on showing the film. The movie consists largely of a computer presentation by former Vice President Al Gore recounting scientists’ findings.
“Condoms don’t belong in school, and neither does Al Gore. He’s not a schoolteacher,” said Frosty Hardison, a parent of seven who also said that he believes the Earth is 14,000 years old. “The information that’s being presented is a very cockeyed view of what the truth is. … The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up, but that perspective isn’t in the DVD.”
The Bible says “that in the end times everything will burn up,” and we should just accept that as the last word on the subject of global warming? An Inconvenient Truth doesn’t contain that “truth” and that justifies a school district refusing to let teachers instruct their students on the science behind global warming by letting their classes watch it? Apparently, the answer to both of those questions is — yes.
After a parent who supports the teaching of creationism and opposes sex education complained about the film, the Federal Way School Board on Tuesday placed what it labeled a moratorium on showing the film. The movie consists largely of a computer presentation by former Vice President Al Gore recounting scientists’ findings.
“Condoms don’t belong in school, and neither does Al Gore. He’s not a schoolteacher,” said Frosty Hardison, a parent of seven who also said that he believes the Earth is 14,000 years old. “The information that’s being presented is a very cockeyed view of what the truth is. … The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up, but that perspective isn’t in the DVD.”
The Bible says “that in the end times everything will burn up,” and we should just accept that as the last word on the subject of global warming? An Inconvenient Truth doesn’t contain that “truth” and that justifies a school district refusing to let teachers instruct their students on the science behind global warming by letting their classes watch it? Apparently, the answer to both of those questions is — yes.
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Hardison’s e-mail to the School Board prompted board member David Larson to propose the moratorium Tuesday night.
“Somebody could say you’re killing free speech, and my retort to them would be we’re encouraging free speech,” said Larson, a lawyer. “The beauty of our society is we allow debate.”
School Board members adopted a three-point policy that says teachers who want to show the movie must ensure that a “credible, legitimate opposing view will be presented,” that they must get the OK of the principal and the superintendent, and that any teachers who have shown the film must now present an “opposing view.”
Apparently, a credible opposing view to Al Gore’s film (which real, honest to god climate scientists give high marks too for its accuracy in describing the science behind global climate change) is anyone who believes the Bible is the literal word of God, and is the sole source of truth about our world. What school teacher in their right mind is going to jump through all these absurd hoops in order show this film to his or her class? This “policy” is clearly intended to intimidate and prevent teachers from even considering educating their students on the dangers of global warming. Can you imagine a teacher wanting to put his or her career on the line by bucking the School Board’s implicit warning that showing An Inconvenient Truth will get you in a great deal of hot water (no pun intended) with the people who sign your paycheck?
Can you believe this is happening in America? You can spout any hate speech you like on conservative radio talk shows about killing liberals, or murdering Muslims, and anyone who has the audacity to contact your advertisers to inform them of your “opinions” is violating your constitutionally protected rights. On the other hand, a school board censoring and inhibiting its own teachers from showing the film “An Inconvenient Truth” is, according to the words of the school board member who caved in to this one right wing Christian parent, actually “encouraging free speech.”
I’m sorry, but even in this upside down, Orwellian Newspeak world we live in today, this was just too much for me to take, today. I don’t know who this David Larson is, or what kind of a lawyer he might be, but this was not a decision based on encouraging “open debate” and enhancing free speech rights. And it certainly wasn’t a decision made with the best interests of the children who are being educated at the schools in the Federal Way School District. What it is, frankly, is a craven and incompetent response to one lone loudmouth bully, who thinks the Bible should be the sole source of truth that is taught to children. Well, fine and dandy. If you don’t believe in the scientific evidence highlighted in An Inconvenient Truth, than by all means don’t allow your children to learn about those dangerous, subversive scientific ideas. But don’t impose your outdated, reactionary viewpoint on anyone else. Give Mr. Frosty Hardison, and every other parent, the opportunity to have their kids removed from the classroom on the day the film is shown, but don’t deprive the rest of the children from seeing the movie, and don’t silence teachers who want to show it to their kids.
That isn’t right. And it certainly isn’t protecting anyone’s free speech rights. Quite the contrary.