Is this right?

[The_Prophet]

well the answer is yes it is

considering america is all about freedom of speech, which means they are free to express their thoughts on things. frankly your teacher was correct, McCain is basically Bush mark 2, i mean when fox news makes comments about how he's falling off the mark, there's something not right

what he said

 

[Acervusvlos]

Feh, this is a problem in all schools...

If you disagree with a professor's politics in some colleges, you'll end up flunking the class. There are actually organizations made to create lawsuits about this, because it's becoming a problem.

 

[stompy]

Post

Were, don't you think the teacher could just... you know, joking? If the OP's state was predominantly made up of Democrat supporters, then you could reasonably think that making fun of the Republicans would be an accepted joke. He didn't say that statement out of the blue, didn't push his view on the students, and didn't really seem to seriously mean it; it sounds like he was cracking a joke, and the OP got offended.

Of course, this is from my understanding of the situation. If there's something I don't know, then obviously, my opinion is undermined.

 

[Fraught]

frankly your teacher was correct, McCain is basically Bush mark 2, i mean when fox news makes comments about how he's falling off the mark, there's something not right

Now now, lets NOT make this a political topic of pain and sufferring.

but on topic: I think not.
Here in Israel, teachers aren't allowed to talk about their personal political stands (when teaching), and I think it makes sense, I mean... freedom of speech is important, but political stands can offend people (especily if said like in whoops1995's case).

If you have to worry because someone can get offended, then what's the point in freedom of speech anyway?

Oh and, PS, it's America, not Israel.

 

[SnowCold]

Are you saying that since I'm talking about Israel it means it's worng?

And I think it's not suitbale in a learning enstiotion (I know, I spelt it worng -.-) becuase A teacher's words are more powerful and meaningful the anyone else, so it more offensive than some random guy saying McCain is a douche.

 

[ElephantGuts]

Well, I think that the teacher did have the right to say that, it being America and all. However, I hardly think that's appropriate for that sort of situation.

So, it depends on your definition of "right". He could say that, however he shouldn't have.

 

[gim73]

Technically he should not have put forth a political opinion like that to students. A professional educator doesn't bring opinions into the classroom, only fact. Unfortunately, the education system has been saturated by liberals who like to waste valuable class time ranting on the political establishment and everything that gets their goat. I'm not saying that all liberal teachers are like this, or that conservative teachers don't impose their views from time to time, just that there are quite a few out there and they are very LOUD.

As far as where we should put creationism in schools, I have always figured it would work well in a mythology class. Being a myth, it's only right that it be taught with satyrs, valkyries, zeus and the rest of the gang.

 

[Alex_P]

What the hell?

Americans constantly brag about their so-called "freedom", and you state that your teacher should not be allowed to praise Obama?

You have to balance freedom with responsibility. This is what "shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater" is all about.

I think off-the-cuff remarks like that are at least a little bit inappropriate -- not illegal, not necessarily deserving of punishment, just inappropriate, as in a violation of certain social norms and expectations.

Now, trying to systematically instill your own viewpoint in a bunch of kids you have authority over violates the trust between parents and teachers and, more importantly, the trust between teachers and children. (I'm of the opinion that explaining your viewpoint is just good teaching, however.)

-- Alex

 

[Saskwach]

My high school English classes - from year 9 on - had spontaneous political debates that weren't at all related to the topic at hand. I loved every minute of them, and can't fathom a humanities class in which it wouldn't be allowed (though clamping down on excessive time-wasting is important). We'd be mollycoddling if we asked teachers to skirt any rocky political waters; what's more, kids just aren't that impressionable.

 

[Alex_P]

I give up, nobody seems to get that it's wrong to offend people, so please, just take off your cynical-ass-hats now.

Ah, but "getting offended" is, in part, a choice. A person can "get offended" about anything. Their complaints are only worth accommodating when they are reasonable to begin with.

It would be acceptable -- not necessarily desirable, mind you, but potentially acceptable -- to make some accommodation for a student's random beliefs when teaching stuff unrelated to that subject. Because it's tangential to the subject and you really should just be trying to squeeze as much useful information as you can past the roadblock that the student or his parents have installed in his head.

However, you can't meaningfully teach a science class without talking about one of the theories that forms the cornerstone of that entire field. There is no way to reasonably accommodate die-hard creationism here. Because even just trying to "teach the controversy" requires a massive amount of straight-up lying.

-- Alex