Did you know that capitalism is "at odds with humanity," "caring and compassion," and "human rights"? Did you know that the United States is not a real democracy, but merely a "quote-unquote" democracy? Did you know President Bush's words are reminiscent of "a lot like the things that Adolf Hitler used to say"? Did you know that the United States is "the single most violent nation on planet Earth"? What? You didn't know that? Well, you would if you had taken Jay Bennish's World Geography class when you were in 10th grade.

Seem like perfectly balanced, well reasoned, and fair stances to take.

Truth be told:

My high school American history teacher had Jimi Hendrix's Axis Bold As Love LP tacked to the wall and an aquarium in one corner of the class.

Sure, he made sure we covered significant names, dates, and places, and vital documents, but the content or angle of it also included:
"The Monroe Doctrine = US could influence Latin America"
"The US has always wanted its hands on Cuba"
"Late 19th Century = the era of the 'robber barons'"
"Early 20th Century = 'Progressive Era'", etc.

When we got to the Vietnam War, he spoke with pained expression of the Vietnamese Buddhist monks who set themselves on fire to protest the whole war. (He was a baby-boomer American Jew who'd gone Buddhist himself.)

I had an old fashioned Mormon for a history teacher. No nonsense kind of guy, as well as no agenda. Except to teach us. There was another teacher who had the elective classes. He was cool as well. Good teachers who taught fact, not fiction.

Assuming for a moment this were some kind of non-specific social studies class and the teacher elicited honest opinion and debate through his rantings, I might not object. But this was geography, and as little Johnny already can't read or count, Jay Nebbish,..er...Bennish should stick to helping children better understand where they are in the world. Mr. Bennish's position is obvious; far left field!

There is a funny post about this over at HoT:

http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/03/02/teacher-suspended-for-insulting-hitler/

Funny how they always mention the Buddists, but never mention the thousands and thousands of Catholics that were murdered in the war. Like when the Hendrix-lovin' history teacher talks about the Tet Offensive being the beginning of the end of the war (it was actually the NVA's Gettysburg, with Giamp playing Lee, but no one ever talks about that either), yet the Tet discussion never gets around to discussing the Hue Massacre (OR the amazing tale of the marines that retook the city). Go figure...

This same line of reasoning is taught here at the University of Washington (Geo 123 Intro to Globalization). Globalization/capitalism is the biggest threat to mankind, everything is the US fault, yada...yada...yada.....

What would Sgt. Zim and Mr. DuBois say about that?

These people are everywhere in academia at all levels and always have been. Until I was forced out of parochial school into a public high school, I didn't realize that there was a political and social agenda in education. But, it became clear that the public systems bred teachers who were less interested in the subject matter that they were supposed to be teaching and more interested in their own warped slant on the world. So, I went from an ‘A’ elementary and middle school student to a high schooler who was more interested in athletics, partying and scoring than what these numbnuts had to say.

In college it was much the same. In fact, I remember an economics professor in full ripped jeans, flannel shirt and beard who regaled us daily with the joys of Marxism. Sometimes, there was even some casual discussion about economics. I learned quickly to keep my mouth shut and take my B+ with a smile and an affirmative nod.

FYI

I heard that the name of the course was "Political Geography",
which changes the context of his remarks-as
hate filled and inappropriate as they were.
It was reported as simply a "Geography class".
I heard it on a radio talk show, so there you go.

This post is not relevant to the conversation at hand, but Mr. Flynn, I had to bring this up. You're one of a few 'conservatives ' who might opine on this topic.

Recently, American Renaissance held their bi-yearly conference. For those not aware of American Renaissance, please see www.Amren.com ... I'm not endorsing what they say or believe, but if you read this article about a district attorney that attended and was FIRED for just attending, you might be utterly appalled at the state of the First Amendment in America... Here is the link to the story.

http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2006/03/prosecutor_fire.php

Dan, in no way am I trying to sound like a vile racist by promoting this story, its just I believe you to be a conservative of the Lewrockwell.com variety. You're not a libertarian, because you understand that limited government does serve a legitamit purpose. Please read this story, it would make an excellent blog entry and one that would bring about a spirited discussion.

asdf, "the joys of Marxism" - what complete perversion!

Homer, you make me realize big gaps in my knowledge of that war. Thank you.

And a good weekend to all FlynnFilers.

-J

It's always the downtrodden oppressed minorities that matter to these people and rarely are there equal sentiments for those in a majority. Hand in hand with this is usually the thought that West bad; East good. So, Buddhists being killed takes all precedence over other groups who have suffered the same fate.

I’m not necessarily an ‘America: love it or leave it’ type because I still believe that this country offers the ultimate forms of freedoms and free speech being one of those freedoms, people have the right to their opinions and can voice those opinions. But, if these miscreants are so at odds with this country and go further to admire how life progresses in other counties, why don’t they leave to pursue bliss someplace where they believe life to be better?

This reminds me of these leftist pinheads chicks in college who would attend wearing the latest, hippest outfits, expensive jewelry, were always well fed and never over worked and generally lived a comfortable and casual lifestyle. All while preaching the tenets of Communism and longing to live in China.

Well, just as Joe McCarthy was the worst thing that ever happened to anti-Communism ...

PS: Dan, I was in Paris the other day and learned something new: did you know that Pastis (specifically Ricard) was invented to replace Absinthe after it was banned?

I become more fascinated every day with the anise-family of apperitifs and digestifs (e.g., Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis), especially now that lent is here and I've given up drinking.

What does Colorado expect when they import a member of Marxist U. to be a teacher? Listening to Bennish speak is to hear the moonbats of the world speak.