One of the great achievements of this website is its ability to bring in all sorts of opinions and people from all walks of life that are compelling and endlessly interesting. As of late, I have read more opinions from other users than expressing my own. There is always enough to keep me occupied and thinking. Still, after not writing a diary for over six months now, I felt strongly compelled to talk about the action some take to spread the Democratic message.
The fact is, as much as I have enjoyed the Dkos community over the years, sometimes I just get a sick feeling in my stomach when I read some diaries.
The diary I'm specifically talking about in this instance is
"I will be having my daughter record her pro-war teacher and I urge you to do the same." from Repentant Republican. In the diary, Repentant Republican explains that he/she will be getting his/her daughter to record a pro war teacher the next time that individual expresses their views to the class. He/She even urges others to help out in an effort to expose the right and show that this type of liberal/conservative dialog goes both ways in classrooms all over America.
I don't disagree with the arugment that there are teachers that are both far-right and far-left, but the method to achieve this goal is nothing short of evil.
First, let me say that I personally have really enjoyed when my teachers have expressed their opinions about social, economic, and militaristic issues. This is a great opportunity to go beyond PowerPoint lectures and boring books, and really think about and discuss an issue similar to the way we all do here at Daily Kos. Sure the teacher usually gets in most of the debate time and usually voices the strongest opinion, but everyone else in that room has an opinion too, and I have never met anyone that has said, "Well Mr. Doe said this, so it has to be true". Free speech, especially in the classroom, is one of the things I cherish the most about this country. And c'mon, I ask each of you, do you remember fondly the days in class when you read page 128 of your history book, or do remember the days when your teacher expressed their feelings and opinions? It the human characteristics we always remember and cherish about others.
Some of you might agree that teachers should be able to express their opinions within certain moral limits, but still believe that recording far-right teachers is needed to fight back the rights distortions. I mean, after all, we can't just sit and do nothing right?
Still, have any of you considered the fact that your methods are harming other human beings? What about the teacher? Why should they be dragged into your squabble with some over the top conservative leader? Is it because they expressed an opinion you disagreed with?
Furthermore, will you ask your son and daughter to record the anti-war teachers as well so we can expose both groups? No, no.. they are already being recorded, so we don't have to do it, right.
Heck, why stop there. I'm sure everyone has expressed their opinions at work at some point or another. We could all bring in tape recorders, and demand our boss fire every employee who speaks against what we believe. After all, the right is using fear and aggression to make their point, so we should too, right?
What if this teacher was one of your family members? Would you appreciate others attacking them in this way? I hope everyone here is more reasonable than this, because the Daily Kos community I love is about ideas, not harmful tactics against other human beings.
Recording pro war teachers is not fighting back, it is being an ass! The right wingers doing this are asses! We don't have to sink to their level.
This type of trash politics is what turns voters off, and anyone trying to destroy or harm the career or personal welfare of another to stress a political point, no matter how right, should be ashamed of themselves.