Has the anti-bullying bill been turned into a Trojan horse?

[atommom]

I don't know much about these programs, but thought some of the great minds here might. The bill specifically mentions Character First and Character Counts, which would presumably stand to make some money as a result.

I didn't realize when I posted about the anti-bully bill last night that it had been amended heavily on the House floor. The amended bill is available online. The key issue is the newly added section 2, which requires school districts to institute "character-development program(s), such as Character First or Character Counts."

At first glance, I don't see anything problematic about teaching about positive qualities such as those named in the bill. These qualities include, "but are not limited to, honesty, responsibility, attentiveness, patience, kindness, respect, self-control, tolerance, co-operation, initiative, patriotism and citizenship."

UPDATE
I was just getting ready to post this when I decided to do one more Google search. Based on the story, "The Cult of Character," published by In These Times, I'm now becoming more concerned. I've also confirmed that the amendment was offered by Rep. Kasha Kelley, R-Arkansas City. Kelley gets a 100 percent favorable ruling from Kansans For Life. She voted to ban same-sex marriage in 2005.

Other troubling stories about the Character First movement include one about problems in Florida, a Wikipedia entry about an evangelist that shows the movement's ties, and a Texas Observer story about the movement in that state and its Christian reconstructionist ties.

http://hopeandpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/02/kansas-has-anti-bullying-bill-been.html

[Mabus]

1. Interesting

They try to sneak stuff in wherever they can, don't they?