[TennesseeGirl]

Ick. From a 2007 Chicago Trib article: “At Mercer High School, two teachers — Val Foubert and Jim Wichterman — generated regular parental thunderstorms by teaching their students to challenge societal norms and question all manner of authority. Foubert, who died recently, taught English. His texts were cutting edge: “Atlas Shrugged,” “The Organization Man,” “The Hidden Persuaders,” “1984” and the acerbic writings of H.L. Mencken.

Wichterman taught philosophy. The hallway between the two classes was known as “anarchy alley,” and students pondered the challenging notions of Wichterman’s teachings, including such philosophers as Sartre and Kierkegaard. He also touched the societal third rail of the 1950s: He questioned the existence of God. And he didn’t stop there.

“I had them read ‘The Communist Manifesto,’ and the parents went nuts,” said Wichterman, adding that parents also didn’t want any discussions about “anything to do with sex,” religion and theology. The parental protests were known as “mothers’ marches.”

“The kids started questioning things that their folks thought shouldn’t be questioned — religion, politics, parental authority,” said John Hunt, a classmate. “And a lot of parents didn’t like that, and they tried to get them [Wichterman and Foubert] fired.”

The Dunhams did not join the uproar. Madelyn and Stanley shed their Methodist and Baptist upbringing and began attending Sunday services at the East Shore Unitarian Church in nearby Bellevue.

“In the 1950s, this was sometimes known as ‘the little Red church on the hill,’ “ said Peter Luton, the church’s senior minister, referring to the effects of McCarthyism. Skepticism, the kind that Stanley embraced and passed on to his daughter, was welcomed here.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0703270151mar27-archive,0,2623808.story?page=3

[Marathoner]

“I had them read ‘The Communist Manifesto,’ and the parents went nuts,” said Wichterman,

Actually, I had to read that garbage for a college history class, and ironically it converted me to conservatism, as I instinctively knew it was the biggest pile of horsecrap I'd ever read.

[Eagle of Liberty]

The Dunhams did not join the uproar. Madelyn and Stanley shed their Methodist and Baptist upbringing and began attending Sunday services at the East Shore Unitarian Church in nearby Bellevue.

“In the 1950s, this was sometimes known as ‘the little Red church on the hill,’ “ said Peter Luton, the church’s senior minister, referring to the effects of McCarthyism. Skepticism, the kind that Stanley embraced and passed on to his daughter, was welcomed here.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0703270151mar27-archive,0,2623808.story?page=3

That would explain the clinging to guns and God quote from DEAR LEADER.

[combat_boots]

Mercer Island is freaking outrageously expensive. Has been for decades.

Cutthroat working people by day.......Commies by night.

[ExTxMarine]

“The kids started questioning things that their folks thought shouldn’t be questioned — religion, politics, parental authority,” said John Hunt, a classmate.

I believe this is absolutely the most important thing which most progressives do not understand.

Raising a child is tough enough, without some outsiders trying to rile them up to question things which they are typically TOO YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED TO UNDERSTAND!

I have told all of my kids that you can ruin your life, body, get tattoos, face piercings, etc... AFTER you are out of my house and you have to pay for and endure the stupidity of your decisions - but until then, you live by MY rules! My second daughter decided she was ready to be self-sufficient on her own during her senior year - she did graduate as scheduled. After graduation, she was a party animal, drinking, drugging, etc.. But a little over two years ago, she finally realized that there was more to life than just drinking, smoking and going to the club. She is engaged, and has two beautiful daughters (wish she would have gotten married first, but I am not going to preach)! She has spoke to me about being an anarchist in the past and a liberal and realized that you have to know who YOU are and how to help YOURSELF! THAT is what is truly liberating, not just getting out of your parents house!

I have no problem with my kids questioning things and trying out things and deciding who they want to be - but I want them to do that when they are old enough and developed enough and free enough to FEEL the results of the decisions they make - in real-life terms! Not from the comfort of Mommy & Daddy's house!