A school principal has apologized for showing a video at an assembly that a politically conservative group leader is calling "radical, leftist propaganda."Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown a short video called "I pledge" on Aug. 28. The video opens with an image of President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, "Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." The video then features celebrities making pledges about how they will help the president and the world -- and that's where some say the problem lies.
Many pledges, such as supporting local food banks, smiling more, and caring for the elderly are noncontroversial. But other pledges, such as "to never give anyone the finger when I'm driving again," "to sell my obnoxious car and buy a hybrid" and to advance stem cell research cross the line, some say.
"Showing the video in a public school is completely inappropriate," said Jennifer Cieslewicz, whose daughter is a first-grader at the school. "I don't believe a video such as this that promotes certain values should be shown to elementary students, especially without parents being aware. "
Chris Williams, Davis School District spokesman, said school principal Ofelia Wade and school PTA leaders decided to show the video as part of an assembly about the school's theme for the year, service. He said the PTA board chose the video and Wade did not see it before it was shown in the assembly.
"It got to a point where she turned to her assistant and said, 'Oops, I wish I would have seen this before. I don't think I would have shown it,' " Williams said. He said Wade could see how some adults might find the video political.
"She acknowledges she was wrong and apologizes for it and says she's sorry," Williams said. Attempts to reach school PTA leaders Tuesday evening were unsuccessful.
Gayle Ruzicka, president of conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said the video was blatantly political. She said other offensive pledges included, "I pledge to be of service to Barack Obama," "I pledge allegiance to the funk, to the united funk of funkadelica," and pledges to not use plastic grocery bags and not flush the toilet after urinating. (continues here)
3 comments:
holy shit.
Where did this video come from, who produced it and where is it shown or available? It's f'g disgusting! I hope to god the WH has nothing to do with making that video, even if it's not shown to children. If the whitehouse made that it's downright bizarre. Is this really who he's hired? A bunch of obamaworshiping 20 year olds? yeah, i think i'll skip the healthcare, thanks.
This is seriously wrong. When we send our kids to public schools, that does not mean we give them permission to push a political agenda. If this had happened when Bush was President, the "Progressives" would be up in arms.
Like one of the parents said, it's troubling to have our kids told that they should "pledge to be of service to Barack Obama". He was elected to be of service to us.
And pledging not to flush the toilet? What is this, a third world country? I don't think it would be very healthy to have a whole school full of young impressionable kids not flushing when they take their bathroom breaks. Could you imagine the stench, the germs????
Wrong...this is so wrong. And what really ticks me off is that it was shown without being viewed first. How do you "take back" what the kids have been exposed to? You can't.....the seed had been planted.
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