Vets for Freedom Heroes Tour spurned by Minneapolis high school; Update: VFF’s David Bellavia speaks
Update: We got the audio of VFF’s David Bellavia discussing the cancellation with Mike Gallagher this morning. Listen here.
***
I told you about the non-partisan Vets for Freedom National Heroes Tour last week. Jim Hanson at Blackfive has a blood pressure-raising update on how some of your fellow Americans are responding to the tour. He minces no words:
The National Heroes Tour is in Minneapolis today for a number of events however we will not be visiting Forest Lake High School, because the right of whiny left-wing buttheads to censor the troops out weighs the right of American students to hear from and meet the folks who have risked their lives for the freedoms we all enjoy. This is Pete Hegseth’s High School and he had personally arranged for a non-partisan event where students could hear from the vets and ask them questions about their service. This so offended the delicate sensibilities of the usual suspects that they began hassling the Principal and threatening protests.
From the Star Tribune:
Steve Massey, the school principal, said the decision to cancel was prompted by concerns that the event was becoming political rather than educational and therefore was not suitable for a public school.
He said the school had received several phone calls from parents and others, some of whom indicated that they may stage a protest if the event took place.
“The event was structured to be an academic classroom discussion around military service. We thought we’d provide an opportunity for kids to learn about service in the context of our history classes,” Massey said. “As the day progressed, it became clear that this was becoming a political event … which would be inappropriate in a public setting.
“We decided to cancel,” Massey said. Organizers of the National Heroes Tour then scrambled to relocate the event to the American Legion building in Forest Lake. The visit, which U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, had been scheduled to attend, is sponsored by Vets for Freedom, a national organization run by Pete Hegseth, a 1999 graduate of Forest Lake Area High School who served with the 101st Airborne in Iraq in 2005-06.“I think it’s extremely unfortunate that a school would bow to the political pressure of outside groups and not bring in a veterans organization,” Hegseth said. “Are we saying that patriotism and duty and honor have no place in our public schools?”
Yes, that seems to be the message, doesn’t it?
***
Kathryn Lopez says it was Democratic Underground nutballs who harassed the school. She adds:
If I were a parent of a student at Forest Lake Senior High School, I’d be mad. And if I were a Social Studies teacher anywhere in the country, I’d get on the horn and invite the Vets for Freedom to my classroom.
See what others have said
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- SCHOOL COWARDS CANCEL MILITARY EVENT « Texas Hold ‘Em Blogger
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » School cancels Vets for Freedom event for being “political” after anti-war parents politicize it
- No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » Crapweasel of the day
- California Conservative » Profiles In Political Cowardice
- Let Freedom Ring » Blog Archive » Profiles In Political Cowardice
- Bookworm Room » Crazy teachers at home and abroad
- The Radio Patriot
- Neocon News » Thanks for that freedom of speech, now bugger off, wouldya?
- Patriotism Deemed “Too Political” For MN School « Nice Deb
- Webloggin - Blog Archive » Crazy Teachers At Home And Abroad
- Afghanistan And Iraqi Wars Veterans Too “Political” | McCain Blogs
- Op For
- Bear Creek Ledger » Vets for Freedom not welcome at Minnesota High School
- Michelle Malkin » A proper welcome for the Vets for Freedom in the Twin Cities
- 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America
- The DaleyGator » Blog Archive » National tour featuring veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan “too political” for high school kids
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Vets for Freedom: Report from the Minnesota front
- Leaning Straight Up
- Michelle Malkin: We should start recruiting bullet-stoppers young | My Zen Arcade
- Yankeemom
- Mamas don’t let you babies grow up to be heroes? « BarryDean 4 Christ
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Why am I not surprised?
The parents and school principal have done these children a great disservice.
What are they afraid of? I didn’t think the Vets for Freedom were bringing enlistment forms for the kids to sign up and join. This is just ridiculous.
We are not saying it, they are saying it.
And yes, what did we expect them to say when some schools have already been giving students extra credit for going to anti-war protests?
Now if they had brought speakers who were going to talk about drug use and sexual experimentation… then the red carpet would have been rolled out and parents would have been none the wiser.
WOW, Pete’s own alma matter, that’s truly pathetic…..Lake Woebegone has new meaning…..
http://hs.forestlake.k12.mn.us/staff_directory/
The problem with conservatives is we don’t whine enough which is all it takes to get people to change these days. We’ve got to learn to accuse the left of everything under the sun regardless if it’s rational or not. Unfortunately, to do this, we must give up 30 IQ points and all hopes of mental health.
And this from a state that could send Al Franken to the Senate. Not suprising.
If I had a child enrolled at that school I would try and organize a boycott of the school for a day or two and keep my child home for a day or two.
I’m sure the school would get the message when 90% of their students didn’t show up for class!
I suggest that all vets walk out of the public schools of Minneapolis, and let private schools welcome these men and women with open arms.
So just the THREAT of a protest brings this guy to his knees? Brilliant. And people wonder if these kinds of actions embolden the nuts overseas. Ya THINK? That’s the lesson the principal is teaching the students: capitulate immediately, it’s the only answer. It scares me to think what the next generation is gleaning from this type of idiocy. My opinion (that and a buck gets you 3/4 of a cup of coffee), would be to tell the parents who phoned that these men and women are fighting and dying (as they have for hundreds of years) to afford them the right to do just that … then hang up.
The Left shows no tolerance, which is why whenever they get into power they start killing people.
What these schools should tell the minority of intolerant Leftist parents who think no child should be proud of America: If you don’t like the Vets for Freedom Heroes, pull you kids out of public school and send them to private school.
Otherwise, show some tolerance.
What a cowardly principal.
Yes, they are, which is why we need school choice and vouchers EVERYWHERE. Public schools are far more liberal than the vast majority of parents are.
Catholic schools where I live are very patriotic, yet parents are forced to pay sky high property taxes for public schools. Then, on top of that, if they want to send their kids to Catholic school, they have to pay tuition and get none of their taxes back.
Why am I not surprised about this. This is ridiculous. I don’t understand how the left wing continues to get away with stunts like this. If this whiny parents can’t stand this little chat by the Vets for Freedom, then keep their little butts home from school that day. What a bunch of moronic losers.
Gabe, I spent 12 years in Catholic school and my high school years were 1978-1982. I had a few “hippie” nuns who used to yap about the terrible “military machine”. I used to get in quite a bit of trouble for my smart little mouth and during my senior year found myself in front of the Dean because I had told Sister Sara she had no right to tell me I was an “imbecile” to have enlisted in the Army. He then left the room, went to the classroom and said that if he ever heard such nonsense again, he would see her back at the Mother House (he was a WW2 vet). However, the kids were all pretty partiotic (we were all excited about President Reagan)and I think they still are at my school.
Events like this is the number one reason I want my 3 y/o to go to Catholic school his entire 12 years.
It does seem that there is no room for patriotism in many public schools today.
2 years of mando military service.
Yep, I think we need to go that route.
So having Hillary do rallys is okay? And condoning anti-war protests is okay? Sad situations in our schools today. I pity the kids that are brainwashed early, to support a new USA through socialism.
This is a political group. From their web site:
In other words, they are a pro war lobbying group. Why is it unpatriotic to decline to host a partisan political event? How do you feel about the patriotic heroes of votevets.org?
On March 25th, 2008 at 9:43 am, yt1300inHtown said:
http://hs.forestlake.k12.mn.us/staff_directory/
Thanks fellow patriot for posting the contacts for this school.
When I heard this story my blood literally began to boil. I am sick of our communist style schools that we have in our country.
I pray that there are a few parents of students in this school that raise ever loving cane on the administration and demand the traitor, Steve Massey be fired.
GOD forbid these poor little gov’t school children should learn something other than capitulation and cowardice.
Frankly, I think the Vets should hold their own protest outside of that school proclaiming censorship.
lgm
The event in the scholl had no plans to discuss whether the war war right or wrong, they were going to stay away from politics at this event.
lgm,
It must be nice to separate out every situation and package it in a way that it seemingly doesn’t relate to anything else that has happened since the war began. Tolerance is what the Left claims to represent. Inclusion is what the Left claims to be all about.
Yet, when push comes to shove the only thing the left is tolerant and inclusive of are liberal idealogies.
What harm would the Vets for Freedom bring to these children? Why shouldn’t children be exposed to both sides? Can they not decide for themselves which they choose to believe? I already now the answer. We approach things with a preconceived notions. We raise our children to believe in the things that we believe in as we believe those things to be virtuous. Children are bombarded with the liberal agenda constantly. Yet, one event to hear from people who support the military, were military and the Left is in an uproar.
As for the votevets.org, yes I would oppose them but that wouldn’t stop some liberal principal from inviting and hosting them. Before you ask any more questions, you can presume that if they left supports something I generally support the opposite.
lgm,
after re-reading the mission statement you put up you would imply this is a political group because only one party wants to achieve success, and the other is opposed to it?? Thanks for the reminder.
You disappoint me lgm. How come you didn’t tie this into abortion?
And furthermore, I suppose you would like these gov’t controlled school children to only get one point of view? Which one would that be lgm?
Freedom of Speech for real American Hero’s in American Schools.IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against War aka deserters & cowards), are thrilled that the school kids will only be taught by the lies they produced at Winter Soldier II.
The MSM doesn’t reach our kids, but the Internet does. These kids may already know that their principal is “wrong and weak”.
How disgusting….
to reject a Real Hero, that came home.
America is Winning. The “Wrong and Weak”, need to learn and accept these facts.
My dream:
At the political level, put a rider on all high schools that deny veterans groups access like this. The rider would cost any grad from that school promotion points in the military.
This kind of serious pocket book pain may get at these pusillanimous principles.
lgm,
You’re on losing streak.
You quoted their mission as;
You then declared, “they are a pro war lobbying group.”
But you fail to present coherent logic. Pro-success does not equal pro-war. The statement you quoted does not advocate initiating wars – merely succeeding in conflicts initiated by civilians (as all US wars are).
You’d better go back to their website and get a new quote.
Unless, of course, you believe that they are pro war simply because they do not advocate failure in “these conflicts.”
Don’t feed the trolls, good bye, lgm (least grateful mexican)
Many of you support freedom of speech mainly for conservatives. For example, 30 pcs of silver said (#19):
To answer Old Tanker (#20)
and corkie (#24): We all know that achieve success is conservative code wording for staying in Iraq indefinitely. For example, the latest achieve success plan Bush proposed calls for keeping surge level forces in Iraq throughout 2008. It’s the same reason I think an organization that is pro life opposed abortion (that was for you, JohnnyD (#21)).
One cannot but help feeling admiration and sympathy for those who fight, but Bush hates our freedoms, so fighting for Bush and the neocons is not particularly in the US interest or in the interests of freedom.
lgm, that’s a pretty weak example you provide there. Next time, give me a head’s up before you twist my words.
I am for it, as long as includes EVERYBODY who didn’t have to face the draft earlier. So 18 – 54 males and females, military service it is.
It’s always a few nutballs who ruin it for the rest who want to learn. Yet another reason that not many people (including myself) want to teach in these environments. When the thugs, activists, and loons have control of the learning environment, only indoctrination occurs.
I got two words for you, lgm: MILITARY EXPERIENCE. Do you have any? Do you have an active duty family member or are a military spouse? What about the kids who have military parents and who would gain some knowledge and insight from these brave people? Yeah…until you’ve actually served, lgm, your unappreciative words do not validate your statement…. or that you have no first-hand experience of the Iraq/Afghanistan Wars.
Now go off and pout in your little academic, free fire zone already…
Well I left Mr Massey a message on his answering machine. Called up, cranked up “American Soldier” by Toby Keith and left him a 3:53 minute message.
Think he will get it?
The principal turns away this group on the grounds that the event could become “too political.” Pshaw. High schoolers get to see politics every year the school budget comes up for a vote. Ask any student-athlete how sports programs are jeopardized when the budget fails to pass the first time, and you’ll know how politics affects a high-school student.
Even if the event “turned political” — so what? Isn’t that what you want — young people engaged in politics, taking part, asking questions? It would be an interesting barometer that could show how much the students pay attention to this important issue. It’s too bad, really. I think the school missed an excellent educational opportunity here. Too bad. *out*
So this was not political, until the DU decided to make it so. What is sad is how many schools bow to these extremist groups now.
Emjem24, he hasn’t served, he has nothing but hatred towards those who do. He thinks they’re killers although he constantly says that “some say but I really don’t”. Me thinks he doeth protesth too much.
#32-great call.
Yes their website states what almost all active and retired military members believe so I guess you believe the whole military is political. They have this evil agenda where they like to succeed at the job they do.
Perish the thought.
We take pride in our work, unlike some others.
How can I contact these groups? I wish to extend an invitation to them personally. It’s hard to believe, but I live in a heavily democratic state, but we LOVE LOVE LOVE our military personnel here. Every church in my area has pictures of parishoners who are in the service. They would be welcomed here with open arms!!
How sad and unfortunate for the students. I am happy my late Father, a man who was recognized for his courage in the fight for Guadalcanal, does not have to witness this lack of courage on the part of the school principle.
All right, which one of you knuckleheads gave lgm the “neocon codebook”…..these lefties are supposed to keep thinking achieve success means WIN!!!!
I wonder how political the Veterans comments were when compared to the tripe the kids are getting regularly from their
teacherscommissars?So they were going to speak “conservative code” to the students? Silly.
I don’t know where to start. I’ve got two jaw droppers here:
How far off your meds do you have to go to start seeing “code wording” in straight forward statements?? I am finally convinced that America’s lefties ARE insane.
Once again I have to pick my jaw off the keyboard. Exactly what Americans have had their freedoms curtailed by the President? Name one. Please. Is it because of the TSA and FBI folks at airports keeping us from death at the hands of Islamic killers? Is it the Patriot Act helping us to catch these insane killers? I expect Alphonse wouldn’t fight for anything, except to pick my pocket for welfare.
lgm…don’t know why I bother..but here goes. When my older son was in Sr. High School in New Jersey, his history/social indoctrination instructor had NEA (National Education Association) and pro-Clinton stickers all over his room. Now THAT is a political statement. At this same school in his Sr. year, the school invited Brian Peterson to speak to the seniors in their “family life” class. Brian Peterson and his girlfriend, Amy, spent time in prison for throwing their baby in a dumpster. He told the “family life” class that it wasn’t his fault (I was there)..that he had tried to talk Amy into getting an abortion several times and when the baby was being born secretly in a hotel room, she began yelling at him to “Just get rid of it.” And he said…so I did. They both went to jail for way to short of a time and this was part of his community service. At the end of his “speech” the students (to their credit) just sat there. Then the host teacher said…”This is a very brave thing Brian has done today..let’s give him a hand.” Followed by slight applause. Also to the students credit…at the end of the week the student newspaper had this headline”BABY KILLER SPEAKS TO SENIORS.”
(Sorry this is so long)…So now this jerk is invited to speak at school and our Military heroes cannot. And don’t even jump on the “baby killer” these kids got it. We have to give them more credit for being able to discern right from wrong and patriots from non-patriots for themselves.
Kids are skipping to hear the speech apparently:
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S389680.shtml?cat=1
Rogue, thanks for posting the article.
happy to
Going to have to disagree with you on this one, PBoilermaker. Scary thought.
Imagine anti-war zealots such as we have seen at some of these protests with a means to frag officers. Some of the more extreme leftists suggest that very thing.
I concur with Salt above. I certainly understand the sentiments which produce the idea, but we really should want our military concentrating on its mission without being distracted by babysitting spoiled kids that don’t want to be there.
However, maybe I would support outward bound type programs for those that don’t do military service prior to age 24.
Alphonse said:
Alphonse, until you accept reality, you will never be able to influence anyone that matters.
Apparently some students are skipping class to go hear the Vets speak somewhere else..good for them…I think some of our young people still understand how to give honor to those that deserve it. Good for them.
30 pcs of silver said (#28):
I think you twisted them. But feel free to untwist — explain what the words actually mean.
terrig said (#35):
Wrong. Please let me decide who (whom) I hate.
Chesapeaekegal (#45)
I agree with that headline: throwing a live baby in the dumpster is murder. It sounds like a bizarre decision to invite them.
Still, a high school that doesn’t invite political presentations should not invite a political presentation even from veterans’ organization. I agree that a biased high school principal could invite only Democrats to present. That would be wrong too.
lgm, your posts are getting better.
BTW, I can’t dispute the principal’s decision (except maybe that it seemed to have been canceled last minute). I might have wanted to cancel also.
By canceling this visit, a principal gives given himself the power to disallow any war protesting anywhere on campus. This may not have been his motivation, but it may have been mine.
LGM, so now you say you served? This is a new wrinkle in my brow. You make a point of constantly comparing the military to killers saying “some say”. When someone says “some say” they generally mean I say but I’m too much of a yellow belly coward to admit it.
Please, NO! I am an independent, and I don’t want conservatives to whine too. Please be above the secular progressives.
See, most of them argue on emotion, and if you do what most conservatives do much of the time: be rational and stick to the facts, you’ll prevail.
Emotion has no place in the realm of fact.
Also, this principal should have been more confrontational and should not have laid down so easily. Forest Lake HS has issues with left-wing bias.
Of course in LA the school district provided buses and teacher monitors for the Hispanic students to attend the illegal alien marches in 2006 and 2007. You know that wholesome non-partisan, non-political educational experience.
I guess the vets should be happy that the local district didn’t bus in protesters…