Connecticut Principal cancels High School play about Iraq

[villager]

Political play canceled in Wilton

March 26, 2007


(Wilton - WTNH) _ A freedom of speech controversy is taking center stage in Wilton. A play about the war in Iraq that was to be put by a group of Wilton High School students has been called off.

The play, "Voices in Conflict," is based on a series of first-hand accounts of the war from soldiers serving in Iraq. Students performing in the play said their objective was to get people talking.

"We thought it would be a good way to inform students in an unbiased way what was going on with the war and open their eyes," said Afton Flemming, a junior at Wilton High School. However, other students thought the production insulted American soldiers.

"I at least view educating people as showing all sides to a story, not just reciting word for word all the negative" said Gabby Alessi-Friedlander, a junior. "Its important to show all sides, not just one."

The principal canceled the production because he feared it would be too political.

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=6278821&nav=3YeX

[uppityperson]

1. "political"? The Iraq invasion/occupation political?

[BeyondGeography]

2. Too political? So let's teach our kids to be apolitical

make them good little doers and consumers in the end.

[roody]

3. May the children be quickly stripped of their illusions!

liberty and justice for all? I don't think so.

[Olney Blue]

4. The principal is making a huge mistake. HUGE.

[villager]

8. I wonder if the principal will feel any repercussions?

n/t

[jumpoffdaplanet]

5. It's insulting to the troops to cancel a play

made up of letter from the soldiers.

typical rethugs who hate the troops

[villager]

11. and typical Rethugs who hate us for our freedoms, too...

n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

6. "Too political" What a sad statement

And a gross misunderstanding of education, and art.

We need more people willing to be "political" -- teaching kids to get involved in the world and pay attention is so important.

[karlrschneider]

7. "Gabby Alessi-Friedlander"?? Some little Republican-hyphenated bitch

with a rich daddy. Guaranteed.

[cali]

13. Probably, but it's still surprising

Wilton isn't the uber repuke town it was when I was growing up down the road a mile in New Canaan. In fact, this seems pretty crude considering the level of education in the town.

[nevergiveup]

9. Maybe

the principal got a call from Joe.

[villager]

10. hadn't even thought of that... 'til now!

n/t

[Squatch]

12. I, as an American Soldier, am insulted at the cancellation of this play.

"However, other students thought the production insulted American soldiers."

[villager]

15. You should write the school and tell 'em!

They need to hear that....

[treestar]

14. Once again the right wing uses the soldiers as a sympathy

ploy to try to cut off discussion of the war. They use them so much, they're the ones who are insulting. They never seem to get, too, that they are telling us these soldiers are so weak and insecure they can't deal with what they are doing. Doesn't fit the characteristics of a soldier at all.

[Tsiyu]

16. So I guess they have no civics classes at this school?

No US Gov't class?

No social studies?

No history is taught there?

Gosh. Don't want to get too "political."

That principal is in the WRONG field.

[villager]

17. Declaration of Independence: "Too political"

n/t