Cam Edwards at NRANews.com shared this story with me about how one Bennington, Vermont teacher demonstrated the state's clash between gun culture and "peace" culture in a fourth-grade classroom. From Dennis Jensen in the Rutland Herald:
[Mother Wendy] Bordwell said that, during snack time, [her son] Jared was discussing the recent spring turkey hunting season with a classmate when [teacher Kathleen] Backus interrupted the conversation, insisting that there be no talk of "killing" in her classroom.
Reached through a relative, Backus declined to comment.
At Monday's board meeting, Bordwell read from a prepared statement.
"I believe that Ms. Backus' perception of hunting and hunters have led her to treat Jared in an inappropriate manner, singling him out unfairly," she told the board. "The breaking point for us, his parents, came when Jared was sharing a conversation during his free period snack time at school. He was talking with a friend about the recent spring 2008 turkey season. Both boys had been out hunting with their dads and Jared was asking his friend where he had gotten his first turkey.
"Jared's teacher covered her ears, trying to block the conversation, and singing 'la la la la.' When asked by another school employee about her odd behavior, the teacher claimed she did not want to hear about the boys and their 'killing.' The boys were left feeling that they were not legitimate hunters, but 'killers' in the eyes of an important authority figure in their lives," Bordwell said.
Then the mother relayed how when the boy's father, Martin Harrington, who owns a sporting-goods story, confronted the teacher, she lost it (to me, it starts sounding like an ad by MoveOn.org):
Bordwell said that after the incident at school, Jared's father approached Backus, questioning the teacher about her "reprimand" of his son.
"The confrontation ended with Ms. Backus demanding that Marty leave the classroom, screeching, 'I went hiking this weekend and saw a moose and a bear, and I will never tell you where they are because you might kill them," Bordwell said.
The school principal said it would be settled, and students will be able to freely discuss their hobbies within "the parameters of good taste." But in Vermont, those tastes might vary widely.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Cuckoo...
June 21, 2008 - 14:30 ET by balboaCuckoo...
Worse Than Cuckoo
June 21, 2008 - 17:43 ET by geoff.galePresuming that the facts presented are an accurate rendition of the events, the teacher is worse than cuckoo - she's representative of the intolerance of modern liberalism. How quickly she devolved to a screeching twit is indicative of a person with no capacity to tolerate a position that differs from hers. We used to be a country that welcomed debate and our political decisions were the better for it. Now, say one contrary thing to a modern liberal and they unleash a stream of invective on you.
She is living the lesson that MoveOn, George Soros, The Daily Kos, Code Pink and Maxine Waters teach every day - do as I say, or all hell will break loose.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
www.conservativeboot...
hahahaha
June 21, 2008 - 14:34 ET by bigpapawhat a freaking twit.....
Bet she's an obama fan!!!
This is just a guess but
June 21, 2008 - 14:35 ET by MidAmericaThis is just a guess but I bet she doesn't think abortion is killing.
Good point, I won't take that bet
June 21, 2008 - 14:50 ET by Indiana JoeDo you think she'd be okay with trapping pregnant animals and aborting their fetuses?
Somehow, I don't.
An even better point IJoe
June 21, 2008 - 15:26 ET by Dee Bunkand I say that as someone who is uncomfortable with both the killing of animals and babies.
The difference is, I know that killing animals is necessary, and I'm just glad I don't have to do it. My husband hunts and I don't give him a hard time or anything, but he knows not to share any of the details with me. So I'm kind of a fingers in my ears type about the whole thing but I also recognize that it's a hang up of mine and I don't judge others for it.
Your point is so on the mark though because these people would have an absolute fit and cry animal abuse if you trapped an animal and aborted it's fetus but a 12 year old child can be taken advantage of by unscrupulous adults who don't love her and care for her. It's really crazy.
Many liberals have their fingers in their ears about abortion. They don't want to know how easy it's become or how young children can be (with no parental support) and how far along a baby can be. They keep their fingers in their ears because they don't want to see the reality about what their votes support.
BINGO
June 21, 2008 - 16:38 ET by PaarlBINGO !!!!!!!
Paarl
The LOST RHODESIAN
Typical mis-informed anti-hunter
June 21, 2008 - 15:00 ET by Indiana JoeI'm sure this teacher never heard of the Pittman-Robertson Act. If not for sport hunters, and pretty much all firearm owners, she probably would never see a moose or a bear while she was hiking.
Wonder how much her hiking activity contributes to wildlife preservation? Maybe she should just keep her opinions out of the classroom.
This kind of close-minded know-nothing is teaching kids? And infringing on their speech rights? Pretty sad.
More of the wussification of our children
June 21, 2008 - 15:00 ET by jefflebowskiHunting = killing
Opposition to homosexuality = homophobia
Disagreement with Obama = racism
Disagreement with terrorism = hate
Criminals = oppressed
Minorities = victims
This is what political correctness has brought us. My 14 year old had to write a story last year on how Malcolm X was a great leader. He asked me why he always had to read stories about how bad white people are. I told him because of political correctness and the wimps that run the school systems.
Our young men are taught to go against what is normal in men. They are basically being taught to be women. I am teaching my boys to be strong, sensitive, responsible young men. And that they are. They are not girls.
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Lesson to teacher -- Don't hunt!
June 21, 2008 - 15:44 ET by okiehawk44This boy's so-called teacher doesn't have a clue about the nature or benefits of hunting, so she just makes it her "business" to insert her beliefs into a 10-year old's world, and then she can't handle it when confronted by another adult, the boy's father?
okie
June 21, 2008 - 15:57 ET by BlondeAnd who's the 10 year old here?
The teacher covering up her ears and saying "la la la la la la".
The woman is an idiot. I hope she gets fired for stupidity.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Wussification?
June 21, 2008 - 15:57 ET by goldenthroatJeff,
If "wussification" isn't in the dictionary, it oughta be - right next to "political correctness"!
"Everything you know is wrong!" - Firesign Theatre
boys to men etc.
June 21, 2008 - 16:55 ET by milootooleJeff,
Sometime back, one of the NBrs posted a link to an article. I copied the article and when I encounter items such as this thread describes today, I re-read the article. I find this section of particular interest.
Dr. Rossiter says the liberal agenda preys on weakness and feelings of inferiority in the population by:
"The roots of liberalism – and its associated madness – can be clearly identified by understanding how children develop from infancy to adulthood and how distorted development produces the irrational beliefs of the liberal mind," he says. "When the modern liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious."
I am not a hunter. I have respect for hunters. I understand it. I also believe that to teach a young boy to hunt is to teach him respect for life. Many moonbats will not understand my last sentence.
We have too many girly-men in America and I am not talking about sexual preferences.
Milootoole, thanks for the response
June 21, 2008 - 18:04 ET by jefflebowskiDr. Rossiter puts it better than I ever could. Most don't understand hunting. I take my sons because we share time together in the wild. We see things that we don't see in the city. We don't have cell phones. We hunt responsibly and are humane in the taking of game. We eat everything that we kill. There is also a bittersweet feeling to a hunt with a kill. We are happy that the animal will feed our family and that we took it own it's own grounds in the woods but we are saddened by the loss of life. However, that is one of life's lessons..life and death. Some will never understand this and that is OK. But hunting is sooo much more than taking game.
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Couldn't agree more, Jeff.
June 21, 2008 - 22:03 ET by mulerider24Couldn't agree more, Jeff. I grew up a city kid and didn't go on my first hunting trip until the age of 28 (in the state of Texas no less). I have no idea what took me so long. I find the irony too immense when thinking about the organic/granola crowd preaching to us about living off the land, but we are not allowed past the fruits and veggies sections of the food pyramid.
As we used to say in Pop Warner football to psyche our opponents out: "Blood makes the grass grow - Kill! Kill!"
Mulerider
June 21, 2008 - 22:14 ET by jefflebowskiI'm in Dallas if you ever need a shooting/hunting partner. Love it all!
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Fort Worth here. Too much
June 21, 2008 - 22:26 ET by mulerider24Fort Worth here. Too much bacon and not enough dove in my freezer. See you in September.
Mule, lets do it.
June 21, 2008 - 22:33 ET by jefflebowskiI'll send you my name and number in private mail. Sounds great!
Jeff
remember, fellows
June 22, 2008 - 09:28 ET by mister josephif you can't make it out into the wilderness, you can always go get some wild hog down at Central Market!
Neato -
June 22, 2008 - 09:46 ET by jmtSo, an organized NB dove hunt in Texas? :)
jmt
http://www.jmichaelt.org
Why Not?
June 22, 2008 - 10:25 ET by mulerider24Anybody have Ted Nugent on their rolodex?
the greatest respect for life comes from those who have killed
June 23, 2008 - 15:07 ET by wizardjrI'm sure several libs just fainted after reading my subject line, but it is the absolute truth.
While those who have not killed anything bigger than a mosquito can appreciate life, and fully understand that arbitrary killing is bad, only those who have killed have the gut level appreciation of life that cannot be swayed by any words.
Avid hunters will be the first to see that a slob hunter is cut off from hunting as fast as possible. Wanton or aribtrary killing of critters disgusts those who hunt for they truly appreciate what a live critter is and what a dead one is not.
Talk to a military veteran who has seen combat. There is a man who values human life more than one can imagine. While training to kill the enemy, there are no combat veterans that I've ever met or seen interviewed that would ever condone or act in the taking of a human life except in the most extraordinary circumstances. Combat itself is one of those.
The smug liberal will
June 23, 2008 - 17:59 ET by mulerider24The smug liberal will obviously interpret your comments as: "That would make Ted Bundy the most appreciative person in the world." It must be nice when you never have to leave the shallow end of the pool. However, we both know better. Your service is appreciated.
The teacher sounds like a
June 21, 2008 - 15:54 ET by mostlymoderateThe teacher sounds like a fruit-loop. I could understand if she was "kidding" around like some women I know do when confronted with hunting-talk. However, it sounds like the teacher in this situation took it a little far.
I love hunting. All the men in my family love hunting. A few of the women bitch and complain that it is "mean" to the animals. I just roll my eyes because those SAME women don't seem to mind their leather boots and jackets, the turkey-club sandwich, the filet-mignon steak or the makeup and shampoo that is tested on animals.
Urban animal lovers are idiots
June 21, 2008 - 16:09 ET by hgabrahamsonThe husband of a real estate agent friend of ours told me the following tale at at DU fund Raiser. His wife was driving down a highway near our home when a woman came running from a pond in her yard towards the highway screaming for help. Our friend slammed on her brakes and bolted across the highway towards the woman (Risking her life, literally, as other cars screeched to a halt). As she crossed the road, she noticed the woman's child crying hysterically near the pond and obviously feared for the worst. Bolting down the shoulder (in heels yet), her spike broke and she fell. She got back up and ran towards the woman, shouting "What happened?" The woman, crying violently blubbered, "Help, a turtle got the ducky and pulled it under!"
Priceless. Rather than an important learning moment...turtles need to eat.. dumb ducks don't survive in nature to raise more dumb ducks, this ignorant urban "animal lover" mom terrified her child and probably marked her for life with a false understanding of nature. The poor kid today is probably protesting against drilling in ANWAR, sitting in a tree in Berkley or maybe teaching school in Bennington.
Difference of Opinion is what makes a Horse Race
Thank you for your
June 21, 2008 - 16:15 ET by TheGingermanThank you for your completely fictional story.
We appreciate your contribution.
gingerman
June 21, 2008 - 16:40 ET by larry on LIi strongly object to your use of the pronoun 'we'
Object away. There's no
June 21, 2008 - 16:45 ET by TheGingermanObject away.
There's no possible way a rational adult could believe this story.
we-----
June 21, 2008 - 17:01 ET by milootoolewe--- do not appreciate yours. Assuming the story was an urban legend, my experiences in life suggest that the story could very well be true. So, what was your purpose in challenging it?? Forgive me if I do not respond to any answer from you. I am off to another site to accuse someone of being a liar. I just like to be of good cheer.
Not accusing anyone of being
June 21, 2008 - 17:41 ET by TheGingermanNot accusing anyone of being a liar, just being gullible and overly willing to believe an obviously ridiculous story to validate their world view.
Fictional story
June 21, 2008 - 23:24 ET by hgabrahamsonThe story is true. The real estate agent was the gal who sold us our home. It happened in Barrington, IL along lake cook road in 1982.
Liars typically don't use their own name on posts.
They use name like gingerman
Return to your hole at daily kos.
Difference of Opinion is what makes a Horse Race
hga... Bingo! I
June 21, 2008 - 23:45 ET by bigtimerhga...
Bingo!
I believed it anyway...I have met just like the people you are referring to in my life...it's spooky.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Sounds possible to me
June 22, 2008 - 11:06 ET by Seamus DThat could totally be one of my friends. She volunteers at a local waterfowl pond, is incapable of calling them ducks and geese (they're duckies and goosies), and just the other day was telling me about the big snapping turtle they had to move because they were afraid that it was going to eat the baby duckies, and how scared they all were. Now, I probably would have moved it too, but I wouldn't have run around screaming if it had gotten to one of the ducklings, either.
People like that do exist.
How funny.
June 21, 2008 - 16:17 ET by mostlymoderateHow funny.
Hey, you interested in
June 21, 2008 - 16:18 ET by TheGingermanHey, you interested in buying a bridge? I got one for sale.
Who would have a life that
June 21, 2008 - 16:24 ET by mostlymoderateWho would have a life that was so meaningless that they would post a phoney story like that in a forum on a Saturday afternoon? :0/ That's why I figured it might be real.
You're joking right? Have
June 21, 2008 - 16:26 ET by TheGingermanYou're joking right? Have you been on the internet before?
So are you saying you're interested in that bridge or what?
The key to this whole
June 21, 2008 - 16:19 ET by ConservativeRexThe key to this whole episode is whether administrators at this school reprimand this teacher, or not. The principal said it would be "handled". I doubt it. Handled maybe in the break room, with the two of them saying "don't rile up the crazies again".
I hear
June 21, 2008 - 16:23 ET by juspassinthruVermont is an excellent place to bag Teddy Bears.
My wife said the same thing
June 21, 2008 - 16:25 ET by mostlymoderateMy wife said the same thing but I am from Cleveland.
Quite True
June 21, 2008 - 16:28 ET by BlondeIf you don't believe it, just ask Hillary.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Bag the hag
June 21, 2008 - 17:36 ET by juspassinthru....."If you don't believe it, just ask Hillary." ......
Kinda gives you the warm and fuzzies, doesn't it?
Absolutely warm & fuzzy
June 21, 2008 - 17:41 ET by BlondeNow that her highness is sitting on the sidelines.
One down, one to go.
"Bag the hag".....funny!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
I had a big old turkey
June 21, 2008 - 16:40 ET by doug1950I had a big old turkey sandwich for lunch. I guess that makes me an accomplise to the wholesale murder of delicious fowls. Makes me hungry for a large, juicy hamburger.
“she probably would
June 21, 2008 - 17:17 ET by moonjohn“she probably would never see a moose or a bear while she was hiking.”
Maybe she was hiking at the zoo?
Vegetarian or "fruitcake"?
June 21, 2008 - 18:19 ET by wdhorningGosh, I guess the teacher is a vegetarian, but her behavior sounds more like a "fruitcake."
The lady is not "qualified" to be a teacher, being ignorant and scaring kids this way. What she is ignorant about is:
As for the "political act" this teacher put on, bringing her political beliefs to the classroom, shows she lacks integrity as a teacher, since teachers, by definition, must allow all points of view within reason, of course -- in fact, that is the whole purpose of school, that is, to hear from all points of view, not just some sanctimonious ones by someone I consider to be a hypocrite.
It Is Vermont...
June 21, 2008 - 18:33 ET by owlpelletsAfter all, it is Vermont. Perhaps the kid should have been talking about freedom to marry the turkey. Or have a little sex with it as his mistress. Child and turkey molesters have little to fear in Vermont.
I always wanted to get into politics, but I was never light enough to make the team.
does the teacher eat meat, fish? If so...
June 21, 2008 - 18:46 ET by Gary HallI wonder if the teacher, Kathleen Backus, is a vegetarian - or perhaps a vegan? Or/ just a hypocrite.
I have no personal concern as to whether or not she is (my wife is a vegetarian off and on, and I tried it when I was younger for a while - problem is... folks love me for my grilling, roasting expertise, smoked meats, etc. ha!)
Here's the point. Perhaps she actually likes meat - steaks, grilled chicken, fish, etc. Hmm. If so, let's suggest that her punishment is that she can't eat any meat for a few years, unless she kills the animal or fish, then cleans and prepares it herself. This is how one learns respect and appreciation of living creatures and for the food they eat.
A female physician...
June 21, 2008 - 20:55 ET by Prester John....my wife knows is absolutely appalled that we allow our son to have his grandfather's rifles and is allowed to actually shoot them at a range.
And as far left liberal, of course, he has no trouble at all with abortion at any stage for any reason. No big deal.
Just have your wife tell
June 21, 2008 - 21:00 ET by Clear thinkerJust have your wife tell him that your son is using fetuses as targets. He'll be OK with it then.
Liberals, stupid people!
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
don't forget, it wasn't too
June 22, 2008 - 09:36 ET by mister josephdon't forget, it wasn't too long ago when a group of doctors started to interrogate children as to whether their parents owned guns and then turned such information over to police:
http://www.naturalnews.com/022764.html
Oh my Gawd...and they
June 21, 2008 - 20:59 ET by bigtimerOh my Gawd...and they wonder why home-schooling is the only way to go for a lot of parents anymore.
Absolutely outrageous...all of this.
She should be fired in my opinion.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Another small but important
June 21, 2008 - 22:41 ET by brerolAnother small but important reason for school choice.
Let me get this right,
June 22, 2008 - 01:19 ET by RukusLet me get this right, shooting a turkey for FOOD isn't ok but butchering an unborn child is OK?? What's up with that,they're freaks? It's ok to kill an unborn child but it's horrible to shoot food??? I hate libs, no, I hate FAR left libs! We are so screwed! If Obama, kill'em if we don't want them, AKA, punishment, gets elected our poor future kids have no chance! God help us! You may hate McCain but at least he loves our newborns and won't advocate killing them before they get a chance! This makes me sick!
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
I'll even put this to fact...
June 22, 2008 - 01:56 ET by RukusI have 4 kids. I would have never, EVER, considered aborting any of them! I actually gave them nicknames, for rumor sake.
My first was "Oops". He is in the Navy and will be going to Iraq in November, I am very proud of him.
My second was "Oops 2.0". He is in the US Marine Corps stationed in A'stan right now. I am very proud of him too!
My third (that would be "Oh no, not again!) just finished her first year is college. Presidents list! She is a very Christian young lady and will go far! Needless to say, I am very proud of her too!
My youngest, yes, I have four,(He is "That's it, you're getting neutered!") is going to be in his senior year starting in September and is doing great. I am proud of him also. Very so!
The point is, I never, ever, thought about aborting my kids, EVER! We couldn't afford every one but we made due and raised them regardless. I have great kids and am proud of them all!
These libs who would abort these great kids make me sick. Adoption is the way to go if you can't handle/deal with an unwanted child. Saying shooting a turkey is bad is total BS! I feel bad for the kids being brought up in our government run schools.
I feel blessed! Turkeys are food, kids are our future!
God bless ALL our kids! They are great and they are our future!
Shoot a turkey! Food is food and corn is too high! God bless!
.
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
BTW. hi folks! I'm getting
June 22, 2008 - 01:29 ET by RukusBTW. hi folks! I'm getting on board rather late tonight,(or this morning), long day, what can I say. Good to see you all here!
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Good to see you too
June 22, 2008 - 01:36 ET by bigtimerGood to see you too Rukus...Saturday's are slow.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Saturday are slow???
June 22, 2008 - 02:04 ET by RukusI'd think all us old folks would have nothin' better to do! LOL! I got on late tonight, this morning. Good to see ya buddy! You were the first to "type" to me so I'll always look for your posts. Uh, what's the subject right now? I went on a rage about kids and abortion and killing turkeys, I'm lost right now! LOL! Anyway, good to hear from ya' brother! I'll wake up, or not, soon.
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Rukus... I loved your
June 22, 2008 - 02:11 ET by bigtimerRukus...
I loved your humorous post about your kids...it was heartfelt...plus I agree with the substance of all of it..glad all are doing well with great parents like they have.
Btw...I'm a gal, just so you know...
Catch ya' when I catch ya' next time...I'm about ready to head for the bed.
Great talking turkey with you...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Thank Bt
June 22, 2008 - 13:30 ET by RukusYeah, I'm very proud of my kids, thank God I am conservatieve, things could have been worse. I beleive in life and my kids have proved that. I don't know if you have kids or not, but if you do, bless them! Bless you! Have a good night. Sleep well.
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
What we need to do is
June 22, 2008 - 02:11 ET by SchnikeysWhat we need to do is create a hunting season targeting lib teachers such as this.
------------------------------------------------------------
"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
Where do I sign up?
June 22, 2008 - 02:21 ET by RukusWhere do I sign up! That would be ok with me! Save the kids!!
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
This whole scenario reminds
June 22, 2008 - 04:59 ET by SchnikeysThis whole scenario reminds me of way back when I was in the 4th grade. We as a class (with the teacher involved) were talking about how animals survive. The conversation eventually got around to mosquitoes biting people, and the teacher asked "What's the best thing to do when you see a mosquito biting you?" She looked around for a second or two before one kid raised his hand and said "Well, mosquitoes bite us because our blood is food for their babies. Wouldn't you just not do anything?" The teacher said, "That is correct. Let the mosquito finish feeding!"
True story.
------------------------------------------------------------
"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
Apparently....
June 22, 2008 - 09:30 ET by Seabeach4348Both this teacher and the kid never heard of malaria, West Nile virus, encephalitis, and all of the other nasty, life-threatening diseases that are passed on to us by mosquitos. I hate mosquitos; I'll go out of my way to turn each one of them into an amorphous, unidentifyable wad if it comes within three feet of me.
How would the teacher and the kid react if a vampire bat decided that they looked tasty and started to feed on them? How about a shark? I wonder.
sounds like the kid has
June 22, 2008 - 04:07 ET by Conservative Voicesounds like the kid has more maturity than the teacher...seriously, she didn't grow out of "lalala...I'm not listening".
Sidebar...Ms Backus, wild animals roam, so telling him where you hiked wouldn't be all that useful. Really, find another job, this one seems to be too much for you.
What kind of meat does
June 22, 2008 - 07:48 ET by circusstormWhat kind of meat does this Teacher eat on Thanksgiving? NUN...