Posted on 12/11/2007 7:49:07 PM PST by bruinbirdman
TAMPA, Florida -- Public school districts in two Florida counties are refusing to allow members of a peace organization to counter the presence of military recruiters by talking with high school students about alternatives to joining the military, according to a spokesperson for the group.
The Manatee and Sarasota county school districts “are saying that we can’t go on their campuses because we aren’t offering any sort of information on postsecondary opportunities,” said Don Thompson, co-chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Patriots, a Florida-based peace group. “But that’s an excuse because we tell the students that the Job Corps and the Peace Corps are possible opportunities for jobs.”
“Some of the military recruiters [who visit students on high school campuses] aren’t telling the truth about the ways of the military,” said Thompson, a retired United Methodist minister.
Under the “No Child Left Behind” law, signed in 2002, public high schools must give military recruiters access to students, including their names, addresses and telephone numbers. Parents and students can “opt out” of this requirement by filling out a form, but many are apparently unaware that they have the right to do so.
Scott Ferguson, spokesman for the Sarasota County School District, said that while military recruiters offer specific jobs, the Coalition of Concerned Patriots “are not directly offering job career opportunities.” He added, “There certainly is no groundswell by these organizations to come to our schools.”
Compromises have been reached in other Florida school districts. Two and a half years ago, members of the Tampa Bay chapter of Veterans for Peace were denied permission to visit with students in schools of Pinellas County, which includes Clearwater, St. Petersburg and other cities.
“Eventually, we talked to all of the members of the Pinellas County School Board and we found that some of them were interested in what we had to say,” said Dwight Lawton, a Veterans for Peace volunteer. After several meetings between board members and the peace group, the school board approved a new policy on career counseling that includes this clause: “Other groups who desire to present an alternative to military service are granted equal access.”
“In the end it was very anticlimactic. It passed through,” said school district attorney David Koperski.
I wonder what "ways" this minister has in mind.
Don’t the schools have job fairs or career days and bring in other employers. What jobs are these nutbags offering?
its against the law to hender a military person doing his official duty.
i wonder if that applies to recruiters as well.
ping
Gee, what a surprise that the United Methodist Church is involved! You could knock me over with a feather!
Being part of a “rent-a-mob” organization?
Membership in the Peace Corps is a show-stopper for enlistment. They know this - that’s why they’re singing up mush-brained liberal kids.
Really? Why is that?
I think these are high schools. Doesn’t the peace corps go after folks a little older, at least college? Aren’t they looking for some skills or special knowledge? Doesn’t sound like high school would be their recruitment group.
“aren’t telling the truth about the ways of the military”
Oh-no! Theya re on to us. They know of our secret ways!
How did they find out? (snicker)
What could they possible think is going on in the military. Probably one of the most open societies. Under public scrutinay.
When I was in Russia they have hazing, brutality to new drafties so bad that rape and murder are common and suicide is considered routine. This happens in a closed military.
We have one of the most open militaries on Earth and if these people cannot even take the time to understand the militray, they have no right to have access to our young students.
This really p*sses me off, “After several meetings between board members and the peace group, the school board approved a new policy on career counseling that includes this clause: “Other groups who desire to present an alternative to military service are granted equal access.”
What a bunch of weenies this particular school board is made up of. What about a clause that says, “Other groups who desire to present an alternative to (banking) (business) (plumbing) (enter any profession) service are granted equal access.” Liberals suck.
Peace and War don’t mix well? muuhahahaa = )
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