So 4 bus load of kids where brought in to McCain's rally. Parents and would be parents

[redirish28]

How would you feel if your your child or children went to a "school approved" rally? Isn't that forcing Political beliefs on children?

[Athens30603]

1. It depends

I think it's good for kids to be exposed to things like this. It's like live, once-every-four-years current events project. However, no matter which candidates rally was attended it is important for the teachers to be very, very clear that this exposure to political phenomenon is just that and in no way does it mean they are supporting a particular candidate.

[redirish28]

7. I see your side and I understand it that way but knowing some of

the teachers I had when I grew up... I just get worried about the worse....

I can just see it not as a lesson and more like "this is how your parents should vote".

My question is: "Did they have parent approval OR was this more of a last minute thing?

[petronius]

9. I agree - as part of a lesson on our political and electoral systems

it could be educational. However, if there was any vestige of advocacy, or if the kids were there to be used as a campaign prop, I'd be beyond pissed.

[salguine]

19. HA HA HA HA! ...Sorry. I can't help but laugh every time I see a McCain-related post that

has the word "depends" in it.

[AzNick]

25. Most will freak out, shit their pants, and turn Democrats

So I approve 100%

[speedoo]

2. Well, the good news is...

those kids got an eye witness education on how NOT to run a campaign.






:sarcasm:

[southernleftylady]

3. My first response was..

I said to my mom "I would be PISSED if they took my son to this but the only thing is that they have to ask for permission to go.. this is like a field trip so I just wouldn't sign that permission slip" so there ya go :)

[Athens30603]

5. would you sign it if

it was for an Obama rally? Political rallies are an important aspect of our freedom to assemble and it's not a bad thing to show this to kids at all provided it doesn't constitute a political endorsement.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. There's nothing educational about klan rallies.

Or McCain rallies or whatever they call them these days.

[Athens30603]

14. well...

I guess that settles that.

[norepubsin08]

16. Obama Rally Yes, McCain Rally No

One of the things I try to teach my daughter is right from wrong. Going to a McCain rally unless you're there to protest is a tacit endorsement of wrong!

[Athens30603]

20. Well, I would let my kids go

I still think political rallies are a fundamental part of our democracy no matter what candidate's rally it is. I'd even volunteer as a field trip assistant, perhaps, so I could explain the issues to my kids if they had questions.

[southernleftylady]

21. have you seen the videos of their rallies??

They are hate filled! Its horrible I would not wont my child there to witness that.. Obamas rallies are very diverse and just have a totally different feel to them ... thats jmo :)

[Athens30603]

26. Yeah, I've seen 'em

and yes, Obama rallies are markedly different, too. But I'd still let 'em go. Kids are impressionable but they aren't dumb. That said, I'd like to be there with my kids if they went so I could explain what was going on, etc. :)

[southernleftylady]

27. ok what ages are we talking here? I have a 6 year old... so my mind set might be..

different in a decade when he is high school but right now nope :) check back with my in 2018 ;)

[Athens30603]

31. 6 or so might be too young...

but 10 or older (i.e just before middle school) would be OK I would think.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

4. One of the Social Studies teacher at my town's high school took his kids to

an Obama rally and a McCain rally up in New Hampshire. If it were done like that, I wouldn't mind.

[Athens30603]

6. yeah!

That's the ideal way. Good for that teacher! that's the way to do it.

[bluemarkers]

10. Parents would have to give permission first

In NC at least, parents have to sign off on any field trip first. and usually by weeks in advance.

I'm guess the McCain camp had this in place for two weeks at least. :lol:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. If it was one of those fundamentalist schools, the parents probably approved

:shrug:

[chollybocker]

12. Just don't send these kids to a gay wedding

or they'll wind up in a GOP ad.

[norepubsin08]

13. I would sue the living shit out of them

[GodlessBiker]

15. Aren't kids exposed to political beliefs all the time in school? Teaching history at all...

requires the taking of some political positions.

Exposing a student to a political rally in a presidential race does not bother me.

It's really embarrassing, however, that McDick had to rely on these kids to form the majority of the crowd for his rally.

[ogneopasno]

17. Any time my kids get on a bus that isn't taking them home, I better have signed a permission slip.

I'm assuming these parents signed slips.

[riley3]

18. Was it a private school? Did parents sign permission?

[Milspec]

22. It a Field Trip!! some fun in the day

Its part of the educational experience, The caveat of balance should be a given in both Public and "Quality Private" schools, and for the most part, I think is is.

[Midlodemocrat]

23. Dude!!!! Come on!!!! You have to give permission and most

likely PAY for a field trip!!! Who are you fucking trying to kid? :eyes:

[redirish28]

28. The impression I got from the article I read was that the kids where a

"last minute" adding.

I could be wrong.


BUT still. I would not want my child to go. Not unless I was there with that child especially with some of those adults act around those rallies.

[fudge stripe cookays]

24. I wish I'd been allowed to do this years ago.

And I wish I'd been able to see both types and make up my own mind. My parents were both Republicans, and my asshole government teacher in 12th grade actually went on to become one of Texas Monthly's worst legislators for 1997 (R, of course). Look up John Shields of San Antonio.

If I'd been exposed to liberal ideas far earlier, I would have been voting, and given a shit for a lot longer than I have. As it was, I grew up hating politics until only a few years ago.

We don't always like what our kids do, but we need to teach them well and show them right and wrong. Chances are, they'll figure it out one way or another. I got my mom to convert from a nasty racist to a more decent person, and a Democrat. We still no longer speak, but at least I made her more human and less awful to other people. Usually.

[MadMaddie]

29. Apparantly McCain has forgotten along the way the only

18 years and up can vote.

3-4000 kids sitting and listening to a grown man whine about what a horrible person his competitor is doesn't seem like a good lesson.

[Lars39]

30. Who paid for the bus drivers and the gas to get there?

I'd be hopping mad, especially if faced with PTO fundraiser after fundraiser. :grr: