Mar 25 2008

Thanks for that freedom of speech, now bugger off, wouldya?

Posted by Neocon in Academia, Nutter Butters, military

The battle between the military and the left continues at Blackfive. Now apparently even something as simple and uplifting as a school question and answer session with veteran war heroes who have sacrificed for their country aren’t to be permitted because their appearance alone might encourage children to consider the military as a career (or show tacit support for the military, I’m not sure what the leftist excuse is here exactly). Heaven forbid! Never mind that the National Heroes Tour had made explicit agreements to not bring politics into the event at all or that kids across the country are sorely missing modern role models.

Steve Massey, the school principal, said the decision to cancel was prompted by concerns that the event was becoming political rather than educational and therefore was not suitable for a public school.

He said the school had received several phone calls from parents and others, some of whom indicated that they may stage a protest if the event took place.

“The event was structured to be an academic classroom discussion around military service. We thought we’d provide an opportunity for kids to learn about service in the context of our history classes,” Massey said. “As the day progressed, it became clear that this was becoming a political event … which would be inappropriate in a public setting.

So backing down after pressure from the anti-military crowd, the Principal has discarded the military like soggy school lunch, describing the event as being ‘too political’. It’s too political because a bunch of leftists injected politics into it. They are simply unable to appreciate the service of the Armed Forces. Anything that is remotely related to the military-industrial complex boogeyman must be destroyed. Including the hard working heroes in our Armed Forces.

Remember when people like firefighters, police, and the military were heroes? I guess we can check them all off as villains now according to the left. Firefighters hurt poor defenseless trees with controlled burns, the police are racist, and those who distinguish themselves in combat as heroes are really just war criminals out to sucker your kid into joining the death machine.

Eugh. If you get a chance, thank someone who served today.

Allahpundit at Hot Air, who links to an audio response to the cancellation, understands some of the possible consternation over the event given that as part of this tour’s mission is to spread support for the two current battles our military men and women are engaged in. However, as previously mentioned, the school event was specifically outside of that goal. This Q&A would have provided a unique passport into history for those lucky enough to attend. Not many of us get to met legitimate heroes. That the Principal of this school allowed the outspoken minority to rob those kids of that honor is pathetic.

It is also ironic that the military that defends and secures the rights of all Americans to have freedom of speech was muzzled by those who enjoy that particular freedom and are quick to accuse others of censoring them.