Why parents should worry about school

"You simple moron. You couldn't possibly have pointed at me because I was in Philadelphia. It's my brother who was at the meeting. "

Your reading comprehension is almost as fallible as your logic.

A student pointed at your brother. Not I.

"Wanna see who has truth and who has balls???"

Who said anything about having "balls?"

A false, misleading news article was written stating that the school and administration were promoting some anti American agenda. I corrected this. The school administration had nothing to do with this. It has no agenda.

The bread and puppet theatre and the peace rally were both organized by the students, for the students. The organizers of the event have stated so in front of the school board, and in the most recent addition of the Addison Eagle.

It has nothing to do with balls and everything to do with the truth.

"Below is the e-mail I sent last night to Mr Lombardo, the Superintendent. If you don't believe me, just ask him :-) Hooah!!! "

You think you're a pro wrestler now?

What is with all this asinine aggression when someone points out that the article, as published, is false?

"Hello Mr Lombardo. If my name looks familiar it's because my brother is Ron O'Neill. And yes, I am the brother, also known on the boards as "SwinusMaximus", who has been making sure the story of Ron's appalling treatment is given the widest circulation possible."

Somehow, I doubt Jim Lombardo has any idea what you are talking about or what your reference to swinusmaximus is in reference to.

"I take it from the report of Mr Clark's hissy fit at your recent board meeting that I've been successful. I'm not done yet but I consider this a good start. "

Jeff conducted himself like a mature adult and no such "hissy fit" took place.

"I am willing to put my philosophy and rhetorical skills up against Mr Clark's in a head to head debate: podium, moderator, resolution, and clock."

You seem to have an exagerated view of your position in this. You are a board troll, supporting a fictional article that was purely posted to inflame people.

I don't really know what you think there is up to debate.

Your view is the rally was put on by the teachers and administartion. This is false. Heres an excerpt from the latest Addison Eagle, from a student who wrote in.

"Because many MUHS students feel so strongly about this issue, your unfounded allegations that teachers somehow played a role in the demonstration is the most outrageous mistake found withiin your editorial. The student walkout was put on for the students and by the students."

a paragraph or two later....

"Let me assure you, as one of the principle initiators of the event, there were no adults leading our way."

I'm sure this news will infuriate you and result in more chest beating and "woohaaa's" which really have no place in civilized debate.

Not that there is anything to debate. I posted merely to ease concerned American's views that MUHS staff and administration have some anti american agenda they are foisting on the students. I've proved my point multiple times. They don't.

Those of you who posted in outrage at the original article as it was posted, can rest easy.

TarltheCabot

Well, you were right about one thing: I stated that it was you who pointed at "me" rather than the student. I probably confused your post with the one from the guy who called me a Nazi. But, it does seem peculiar that you and he showed up on this post almost simultaneously. Well, no matter.

A school board that has no agenda is not a school board. It's a useless collection of protoplasm masquerading as a useful public entity. It's not that I question whether there is an agenda or not. I question what that agenda is. If it's to show the children all sides of an issue and instruct them in the critical skills necessary to make an informed decision, I'm all for it. If it's to indoctrinate and shade the truth, I'm against it.

I know about the school board meeting and what was said. I was an anonymous agitator. Well, not anymore. I'm not hiding behind anyone or anything. I believe that as we dig deeper to find, for example, where the students first found out about Bread & Puppets some statements made by some people will begin to look a bit suspect.

Anti-American? Perhaps. Definitely leftist, collectivist, socialist, and a few other adjectives that turn my stomach. Taking a look at the newspapers and information sites listed on the school board's website would lead one to believe they lean left. For example, the Addison Eagle is not listed. I find that ... interesting.

I am absolutely certain that Mr Lombardo knows exactly who I am and what this is in reference to. As to Mr Clark's hissy fit, that's the way I heard it. Time will tell how it's characterized in the end.

Now let's recount a couple of facts, and they are facts. (1) Ron showed up at the school to find out what was going on. He was doing his duty as a parent. (2) Teachers and the Principal refused to answer Ron's legitimate questions. (3) Ron was arrested when he refused to leave without getting answers from those in authority in a school attended by his two daughters.

What's to debate? Responsibility. Accountability. Philosophy. I think those three, at least in this case, were sorely lacking. Let me tell you: I'm nobody's troll. I think Mr Clark took advantage of his position to steer the children in his care in a direction that is at odds with at least some of the parents. Given advance notice of what was going on some of them may have chosen to not participate. My guess is that Mr Clark is at least a Democrat, perhaps even an outright Socialist. I'm not terribly fond of either. And, I enjoy debating folks like that, in an open forum, to see whose ideas stand up to intense scrutiny and exhibit the most common sense.

Now, the only way that your major point(s) will be proven to be true is if the school board prosecutes Ron, and wins. The deadline date on that is 21 April 2003. If they carry on, then a judge and jury will decide. This is a situation where you either believe in what you did or you don't. If they arrested him, then they should prosecute him. If they decide not to prosecute, then that can only be because they had insufficient cause to arrest him in the first place and they don't want to loose in court or they're abusing their authority for the sake of abusing their authority. Either one is bad.

So, how about if we agree to this? If this case goes to court and Ron loses, I will publicly apologize, right here on this thread. If the charges are dropped or they do prosecute and loose, you will do the same. Fair enough?

>Any update on this?

As a matter of fact, yes. The matter was dropped at the last minute (on the morning of the trial) by the Vermont State's Attorney. I think my brother was just as happy to see it go away with his reputation as a "stand up" guy intact but regrets that there wasn't much change to the status quo. However, it seems that more ordinary people are now aware of how power positions can be used to manipulate and, hopefully, that means they'll be more vigilant in the future.

My eldest niece is graduating this year and in a couple years more the other two will be done. Can't be soon enough.

Thanks to you and all who were supportive. It's greatly appreciated.

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