DNC chairman’s school visit sparks anger among Portsmouth city officials

Foster's Online ^ | 12-17-2003 | PAT McGOWAN

[HapaxLegamenon]

DNC chairman’s school visit sparks anger among Portsmouth city officials By PAT McGOWAN

Democrat Staff Writer

PORTSMOUTH — Several city officials are furious over the Democratic National Committee chairman’s recent visit to Portsmouth High School, who they feel turned a social studies lesson into a one-sided bashing of President Bush.

After requesting to visit the school, Terry McAuliffe was allowed by Principal Forrest Ransdell to come to teach what the principal believed to be social studies classes on democracy and the political process. However, several city officials are livid over what they say turned into a biased Democratic view of Republican President Bush’s term of office.

During the presentation, McAuliffe told students that due to Bush’s mismanagement of the country, 70 percent of college graduates will not be able to find a job upon graduation. He also told students that if the war in Iraq continues as it has, there could be a reinstatement of the draft.

"He comes into the school and just says what he wants," City Councilor Bill St. Laurent said. "At what point does he stop his politicking to the point of scare tactics? Saying that the draft may come back, and kids cant find jobs, those are scare tactics. He is out trying to get votes. This is taxpayers money, excuse me, but this is my tax dollar and I don’t want to use my tax dollar for his pulpit."

St. Laurent said there should be a measure of checks and balances in such presentations, limiting speakers to a nonpartisan discussion.

"I am just furious. I am not saying that he can come in and bash the president and then the Republicans come in and praise the president," St. Laurent said.

"I don’t have a problem with it as long as they represent each party, be it my side or either," City Councilor Evelyn Marconi said. "I think something just really got out of hand, and I think what happened is he spoke out of turn."

According to school Superintendent Lyonel Tracy, McAuliffe was allowed to speak to the students by Principal Forrest Ransdell as a civic lesson.

"If other representatives contacted us, we would act similarly," Tracy said. "To deprive our kids of the opportunity of seeing democracy in action would be a disservice to them. The trick is that we don’t exploit these kids for their own partisan agendas."

Tracy said Republicans, Democrats, and independents have frequently come to the school to talk to students.

"Unfortunately we don’t always have control over what people say once they are introduced," Tracy said.

Aiming to ease tensions, School Board member Raimond Bowles has asked New Hampshire Republican state chairman Jayne Millerick to also speak to the social studies classes.

"All I have been trying to do is to be a sense of balance," Bowles said. "Our high school students are more than capable of making up their own minds. I have decided from the outset to get a counterpart, a titled Republican official, so that she can respond to the comments of McAuliffe on that day."

It has yet to be confirmed whether Millerick will be allowed admittance to speak by Ransdell.

[JayNorth]

I'm assuming the principal must be a Democrat. Otherwise, there's not a chance in hell that he would be surprised. Either that, or he's lying. ...or more likely both.

Democrat = Lying

[DUMBGRUNT]

"Tracy said Republicans, Democrats, and independents have frequently come to the school to talk to students."

I would like to see a list of who and when.

[SwinneySwitch]

Why not invite RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie if they want to be fair?

http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/Speeches/GillespieNH031203.htm

[weegee]

Aiming to ease tensions, School Board member Raimond Bowles has asked New Hampshire Republican state chairman Jayne Millerick to also speak to the social studies classes.

Why didn't they invite the head of the GOP instead of a state chairman?

[CyberAnt]

"we don’t always have control over what people say once they are introduced"

YES YOU DO! The principal should TELL THE SPEAKERS what their limitations are .. not assume the speaking will be fair and balanced.

[weegee]

Tell him that the next time a left winger comes to campus and says "question authority, challenge the president" he should extend that "question authority" to question the motives of those commanding him to question it. Many are communists.

May sound harsh but much of the "anti(American)war" movement was socialist sponsored. Some participants may have been red dupes, unaware of the backing agencies, but that was their own fool fault.

[weegee]

Let John F****n Kerry speech in his "colorful" tongue and just see if the microphone doesn't get shut off...

[Tempest]

"During the presentation, McAuliffe told students that due to Bush’s mismanagement of the country, 70 percent of college graduates will not be able to find a job upon graduation. He also told students that if the war in Iraq continues as it has, there could be a reinstatement of the draft. "

*Ahem* Yep. . . there is no differene between a Republican and a Democrat. . .< /sarcasm>

[weegee]

Maybe this was the Paul Wellstone Pep Rally Part II. Did they have a balloon drop this time?

[fightu4it]

"After requesting to visit the school, Terry McAuliffe was allowed by Principal Forrest Ransdell to come to teach what the principal believed to be social studies classes on democracy and the political process."

I thought that schools, if they felt the need, invited people to speak. They should have been somewhat concerned when the leader of a political party requests to speak to a bunch of impressionable kids.

What is Principal Ransdell's personal political view? Does it happen to meld with McAuliffe's?

[Pagey]

He also told students that if the war in Iraq continues as it has, there could be a reinstatement of the draft.

Typical Partisan Leftist Democratic Lies. Don Rumsfeld has categorically stated there will never be a draft as long as he is the Secretary of Defense. "We're past that" he has said on National TV. If I know this, Terry McAWFULiffe knows this too. As evidenced in this public school case, just like his partner Billy Jeff Blythe, they'll talk to anybody who will listen. Anybody!

[zip]

May sound harsh but much of the "anti(American)war" movement was socialist sponsored. Some participants may have been red dupes, unaware of the backing agencies, but that was their own fool fault

Oh, they are aware. Infinite FReepers in Columbia MO have given them website addresses of socialist sponsors of anti American rallies such as ANSWER. Answer PROUDLY LISTS PAGE AFTER PAGE OF ITS TERRORIST,PALISTINIAN, SOCIALIST, COMMUNISTS SPONSORS. One idiot at the "peace rally" in Jefferson City stated he knew ANSWER sponsored these rallies, provided signs, etc but "we are just using them". I don't think he convinced anyone from the Pro America side.

[truthandjustice1]

"A man's happiness lies in his ability to develop a taste for grey hair and wrinkles.)"

Wise. Profound.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

SOunds like PETA tactics

[EricT.]

Don't discount that the kids see through this kind of crapola. Most kids are way too cynical to trust anyone who they believe to have ulterior motives. Terry McPunka$$ probably left alot of kids thinking that all Democrats are wild-eyed, overly dramatic pinheads.

[Republic]

During the presentation, McAuliffe told students that due to Bush’s mismanagement of the country, 70 percent of college graduates will not be able to find a job upon graduation. He also told students that if the war in Iraq continues as it has, there could be a reinstatement of the draft.

Beyond outrageous, sheer propaganda, driven into the heads of a captive audience of kids.

This man, like the clintons, is out of control and totally out of line. No wonder the clintons appointed him the money man, he has the scruples of a dirtbag.

[fhayek]

This has been burning me up for a few days. Can someone tell me the difference between this and what Newt Gingrich was alleged to have done with his college course? This was everything the democrats accused of Newt - only worse! The kids in this class do not have the option of walking out.