No No No! Air Force teaching High School classes

[donsu]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002408579_danny29.html




In Seattle, the public schools are hostile territory for the military, as parents shoo away recruiters and are pushing to bar them entirely.

In the suburbs, though, the armed forces are welcomed for more than just visits. They're teaching some of the classes.

Two high schools in Federal Way will debut Air Force courses this fall. Students as young as 14 will wear uniforms, march in drills with decommissioned guns and get schooled in military history, customs and technology.

Course materials are mostly created by the Air Force, and the classes taught by retired officers. Costs will be split between the Air Force and the school district.

Federal Way is the third King County school district to ask the military to set up shop as part of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Kentwood High in Covington has a program taught by the Marines; two Issaquah high schools have courses taught by the Navy.
-snip-
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guess who has the power in those school boards.........

and the bushgang puts out propaganda about the madrases(sp.) training kids.


14 yr. olds in uniform, carrying guns - sounds like Africa

think of the grief of being born into one of these families that think this is peachy keen


it's not america anymore, it's the criminal bloody hands bushgang's occupied territory. occupied america.

[NativeTexan]

1. Kind of reminiscent

Kind of makes you think of HITLER YOUTH...doesn't it?

[sakabatou]

3. Yeah

Scary

[SeveneightyWhoa]

49. No, it doesn't.

Unless you somehow equate America's Air Force with Hitler's Nazis.

[annabanana]

2. sure... they have to "up" the number of thugs

to control the populace when it all hits the fan.., brownshirts in training..

that is really disturbing

[KeepItReal]

4. JROTC is nothing new... and not mandatory.

If parents don't like it, they don't have to let their kids sign up.

What I oppose is making schools give military recruiters names and phone numbers of high schoolers so recuiters can cold-call and hound them about enlisting. No Child Left Behind should be eliminated just for that provision.

[SouthernDem2004]

9. Ture, JROTC was started in 1916. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. The local air base teaches a class at my elementary school

and it is pretty neat. The class is on aviation. The air force guys come weekly for 9 weeks and the kids have to take a hard test at the end. If they pass, they get to go visit the air base and sit in some of the planes. This base has stealth fighters and the kids get to see those too.

It is really a good experience. I am strongly opposed to recruiters in our schools but these guys don't recruit. And they are really nice to the kids.

[donsu]

12. you have drank too much kool aid

kids should not be taught to adore the military

kids should be taught that Peace and Diplomacy take precedent over anything military. that an aim in life is to have a world free of militaries.

[donco6]

17. Oh c'mon.

Why do we always accuse people of being Freepers just because they don't agree on every facet of every issue?

That's cheap. And I can assure you, proud2be is no Kool Aid drinker.

[donsu]

23. where did I say freeper?

I said he drank too much kool aid and was star struck on the military

[donco6]

28. So what is the role of the military?

Should we have one?

[donsu]

32. the goal: to have a military free world

but in the here and now, militaries should only protect

not attack and occupy

[Retired AF Dem]

42. That is a grand idea

France and England thought the same way back in 38-39. Think of the people that could of been saved if they would of taken out Hitler before Hitler had become so strong. Just sometimes a good offense is the best defense.

[donsu]

45. you might dig a little deeper into WW 1 and WW2

it wasn't that simple.

it's powerful, greedy men that build military and use them against others

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. Thanks donco6

Like I said, I was extremely skeptical. My anti war views are well known at my school and my principal even gave me the option of not allowing my kids to participate in this program. But I met these air force guys and they seemed to really be interested in teaching rather than recruiting. It's been a good experience for the kids so far. And it was a pleasant bonus to discover they weren't RW Bush supporters.

You know I do try to be open minded once in awhile. I was also adamantly opposed to DARE when it first started. I was concerned we would be inadvertently giving the kids directions on how to get high. But we have the best DARE officer at my school and she does a great job. It has turned out to be an excellent program.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. They aren't being taught to adore the military

I was extremely skeptical at first, trust me. But it is a good program and the kids learn a lot about aviation.

I have observed every single session for two years now. I have even had a few interesting conversations with these air force guys. I flat out asked them once if they supported the war in Iraq. One guy laughed and said "Well if we did, it would be easy enough to get sent over there. But as you can see, we are still here." Then right before the election last fall, one of them told me "You aren't voting for Bush, are you?" I said of course not. He said none of them were either. I asked why not. He said there wasn't enough time for him to list all the reasons they weren't supporting Bush.

[donsu]

24. jeez, take your blinders off

kids can learn aviation at an airport, air musuem, movies, rides in non military planes, etc., etc..

fighter planes are built to kill something

that's what the kids learn at a military air base. and that that is OK

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. Well since these guys are experts on aviation

and I am not, I am grateful for their involvement.

It would also be lots more expensive and maybe even impossible to teach an aviation unit without these volunteers from the air force. We have no air museum here. Our airport doesn't do field trips (thank you, Homeland Security). And if you think the school district would ever allow us to actually put kids in an airplane and take them for a ride, you are dreaming. I can hear the lawyers screaming already.

It is obvious I am not the one with blinders on here.

And I take it you don't realize there are quite a few military folks here on DU. :)

[donsu]

37. of course I realize a lot of military are on DU

does that mean I can't speak out? what is it you are implying?

[proud2BlibKansan]

43. Just read the other posts here

They explain it far better than I could.

[noamnety]

44. I understand where you're coming from

I oppose recruiters in our school, and I'm extremely glad we don't have a ROTC program where I teach. I'm the one organizing the opt-out notification stuff at our school, and I'm working on an effort to train our students to go to other schools and counter-recruit.

And when I was the science olympiad coach at an elementary school, one of the events was Land Navigation - running a course using a compass. I had no problem asking for volunteers from the local military base - they were happy to come out and do it, I was happy to have them, they were great with the kids. I've also invited anti-war people out to do puppet-making workshops at the school - and the kids have used the puppets at anti-war marches.

I'm also thinking of having my photography students take a field trip over to the base to look at their optics equipment and thermal cameras. And I sent my kid to a week long science camp run by the army when she was young, as well as to space camp. She and I stand side by side at anti-war protests.

As a teacher, I'm not trying to shield my kids from any sort of knowledge; I'd rather they get exposed to everything and form their own opinions. So I'll give advice to the Gay-Lesbian-Bi-Transgender club one day, and to the Christian Club the next. And I've defended both of their rights to exist within our school, lecturing kids in each of those groups about tolerance toward the other.

Back on topic here, I don't support the school district at all because it appears they've crossed a line between teaching about military history and technology, and promoting militarism. Using the military's expertise to teach a technology or survival skill is a good learning experience. Training them to be a miniature paramilitary force is a whole different issue, and this - like ROTC courses, are inappropriate in a public school during class hours, in my opinion.

[Catch22Dem]

21. I spent 8 years in the Air Force. Did I drink too much kool aid?

I enjoyed it immensely! I still keep in touch with my Air Force friends and their families. We just got back from vacation with them. They're all liberal as can be. I gotta be the most liberal person in town. So, what does a blanket statement like yours say about me?

[Johnny Noshoes]

25. I didn't serve in the military

but I did spend four years of HS in a JROTC program. I'm a left of center/progressive Democrat so I guess I missed the kool aid as well when it got passed around :)





"No matter how good you feel, if four friends tell you you're drunk, you better lie down."

[donco6]

26. It seems he doesn't believe we should have a military.

Because they kill things.

[donsu]

30. I guess it says you dig military life

what do you think it says?

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. Hubby was stationed at an air base

in the early 70s. He was in the army. He said just what you did about the air force guys he served with.

[Retired AF Dem]

31. And what happens when Peace and Diplomacy fails?

"Peace in our time" And 50 million died because of it.

[JohnyCanuck]

18. Too bad they won't also cover in class

the long term deleterious health effects of the Depleted Uranium munitions they are using those nifty stealth fighter and bombers to drop on the heads of the local inhabitants in whichever country the US military decides it's ok for them to terrorize in the war on terror.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4124449

“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” - Henry Kissinger, quoted in “Kiss the Boys Goodbye: How the United States Betrayed Its Own POW’s in Vietnam”

<snip>

Scientists studying the biological effects of uranium in the 1960s reported that it targets the DNA. Marion Fulk, a nuclear physical chemist retired from the Livermore Nuclear Weapons Lab and formerly involved with the Manhattan Project, interprets the new and rapid malignancies in soldiers from the 2003 war as “spectacular … and a matter of concern.”

This evidence shows that of the three effects which DU has on biological systems - radiation, chemical and particulate – the particulate effect from nano-size particles is the most dominant one immediately after exposure and targets the Master Code in the DNA. This is bad news, but it explains why DU causes a myriad of diseases which are difficult to define.

In simple words, DU “trashes the body.” When asked if the main purpose for using it was for destroying things and killing people, Fulk was more specific: “I would say that it is the perfect weapon for killing lots of people.”

Soldiers developing malignancies so quickly since 2003 can be expected to develop multiple cancers from independent causes. This phenomenon has been reported by doctors in hospitals treating civilians following NATO bombing with DU in Yugoslavia in 1998-1999 and the U.S. military invasion of Iraq using DU for the first time in 1991. Medical experts report that this phenomenon of multiple malignancies from unrelated causes has been unknown until now and is a new syndrome associated with internal DU exposure.

http://www.sfbayview.com/081804/Depleteduranium081804.shtml

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. That would be a bit over the heads

of 4th graders.

[donsu]

34. I think 9 yr. olds could understand how DU works

but I may be wrong. I'm thinking of the 9 yr. olds I went to school with way back when.

articles seem to say todays 9ers arn't too quick?

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. Hey be my guest

Knock yourself out. Volunteer to teach a class of 9 year olds about depleted uranium. I have a feeling that is the only way to show you that this subject is way too high level for them.

I would tell you that in my professional opinion, after spending 25 years teaching 9 year olds, that this subject is what we would call 'developmentally inappropriate', but I think I already tried to say that.

You need a hands on experience. Then you will get it - I hope.

[Retired AF Dem]

39. I never knew the military picked the countries

I could of swore it was our elected Govt had that job. Learn something new here everyday.

[Solo_in_MD]

50. Minor technical point

Depleted Uranium is not dropped from stealth fighters or bombers. Due to its density it is used as a penetrator in anti-armor rounds for tank buster cannon like those found on the A-10. That doesn't make it any less dangerous, but its less common that many realize.

[madrchsod]

6. starship troopers

[Democracy White]

7. Talk about propagandizing n/t

[donco6]

8. I know some of the Federal Way board.

They are actually some of the most progressive folks I've met. They've started two schools called Big Picture High School, where the kids learn based on their own plan - not on the school schedule. They also have internships in the community two days/week. They are very small - about 200 kids each. They also coordinated with the Boys/Girls Club and Headstart to locate facilities on their school grounds. Now the kids with kids can stay in school, and they have fitness classes they can take.

I wouldn't trash them too much - they seem to be pretty good folks.

[gratuitous]

10. Any classes on target recognition?

Like how to distinguish a wedding party from a terrorist camp? (Hint: One of them doesn't have a band playing.)

[Igel]

11. Not new with *. Probably with Wilson.

http://www.pac.dodea.edu/edservices/EducationPrograms/jrotc.htm

"... The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a program authorized by the National Defense Act of 1916, and Public Law 88-647, 13 October 1964. The original concept of the program was to offer a non-compulsory cadet corps aimed toward making better citizens...."

I can't find (and if I could, there's no guarantee I'd read) the National Defense Act from 1916, but it seems to mostly deal with National Guard and civilian corps. Present structure dates at least to 1964, but lots of the large laws from the early 1900s were amended and rolled into later law.

[Arugula Latte]

13. This is sick. n/t

[anarchy1999]

14. This reads like a script from a really bad movie.

:banghead: many times over :grr: :wtf: and a :argh: for good measure!

and where is the emoticon for "oh my god, no"?

[msongs]

15. air force = christians only in these classes? that's the state religion of

the Us military now.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Catch22Dem]

22. Come on, that's a bullshit statement.

Yeah, there are people in the Air Force who would like to see that, just as there are in ALL walks of life, but the AF is extremely diverse. My god, when I was in Basic Training, you could attend Bahá'í services if you wanted to. I didn't attend service at all because I don't believe in god. No one EVER gave me shit about it.

[donsu]

40. times have changed - you have to catch up

the Air Force Academny has been occupied by the religiously insane

many articles about it

also many articles on current military brass that speak/act out as religiously insane

many sane military brass have quit and retired because of it and the bushgang

[brindis_desala]

48. All the more reason not the let the armed services become a

bastion of the wingnuts. The most dangerous thing for this country would be if liberals abandoned the military.... they're the ones with all the firepower. Change has to start from within and I doubt any DUers offspring would drink the right wing kool-aid. I applaud your ideals just differ as to how we get there.

[Dark]

16. So now they want guns back in the schools? n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. Where do you get that idea from?

[LeftyMom]

27. My sister was in JROTC

She didn't really want it but she only had one period open to take PE and that was the only PE option that period for some reason. She didn't wind up joining the military or anything like that, but I still think it's screwed up that she got forced into some military propaganda program just to get the required PE credits.

I wonder if that sort of thing happens at other schools with these programs. Somehow I suspect it does.

[Sgent]

35. In college

I went to a small private school that had a lot of federal and DOD grant money for research, and every student had to take 2 quarters of Army ROTC classes.

In addition to them being easy A's (the only easy grades I had), the classes were a lot of fun, and I actually learned a lot I've used in my everyday life.

Things like military ranks, unit sizes, leadership principles, command structure and capture the flag with waterballoons have all been very helpful :). There was no indoctornation or recruiting attempts -- although admittedly they did get face time.

We were there to learn the basics about our military -- one of the largest employers in the country, and one that is a huge part of our economy when federal contractors are also included. Having some basic knowledge has been a benefit to me in multiple situations.

[dsc]

46. If either you or the author thinks this is new, then you are in

for a shock. Jr ROTC has been around for decades. It isn't common in the north but in the south it is very common. I literally haven't seen a district down here without Jr ROTC.

[Solo_in_MD]

51. Both my daughters took a year of JROTC

neither of them continued, but they both say they learned a lot about life and people there, more so than martial things. I did not mind, and it was of their own choice. One is going to be a nurse the other went into computers.

[dsc]

52. I am very mixed on this

I think that for the military to have this much access to our youth can lead to problems but I have seen J ROTC work wonders in individual's lives.

[ClassicDem]

47. I actually transferred to a High School

because they had a JROTC class and the High School I was going to attend didn't. I don't see the big deal some kids plan on doing a military career and this prepares them for the role.

[knitter4democracy]

53. I taught with a retired Army guy in my last teaching job.

He was nuts. I liked him at first, but the longer the school year got, the odder he became. It was his first teaching job, and he was working and doing the classes to get certified. The stress got to him.

He and I had an interesting debate one day in the teacher's lounge about the School of the Americas (he was pro, I was con), but he kept it civil. A couple of months after that, he was presenting some figures and all at a meeting, and when my dept. head (English) challenged his figures (he was Math), he went nuts and got all nasty when it was obvious to all of us that his figures were wrong. He was never nice after that--even going so far as to stay away from all the women teachers. Nuts. :shrug: