Pirate's Cove

From Local 6.com

A middle school teacher in Louisville has been removed from the classroom after burning two American flags in class as part of a civics lesson.

Dan Holden, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Stuart Middle School, burned two flags Friday as part of a lesson on freedom of speech, said Jefferson County schools spokeswoman Lauren Roberts said.

The students were asked to write an opinion paper on the flag burning, Roberts said.

But, apparently, the burning was not politically motivated, was just a demonstration. However, many parents and students were upset about this issue, and want some answers.

Holden has been moved to non teaching duties while it is under investigation.

Of course, the ACLU, those champions of things not in the Constitution, have to chime in:

Beth Wilson, director of Kentucky's American Civil Liberties Union, said the school district is allowed to decide what's instructionally appropriate.

But "if a school is masking their objections to flag burning under the guise of safety, it raises questions about freedom of speech and academic freedom," she said. She said the ACLU would monitor the case but is not involved at this point.

Speech is verbal, Beth. Check a dictionary some day. And, I dare you to point out "academic freedom" anywhere in the United States Constitution. When dealing with the ACLU, you have to make sure you mention "United States" when bringing up "constitution," since they have a tendancy to make it up as they go.

Furthermore, whether it was politically motivated or not, it is not exactly safe, or wise, starting fires in schools.

So, all Holden has to do is say it was political, and the ACLU will jump in with both feet. What about the Right of the students to not be involved? A Right that goes back to the Declaration of Independence? You know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

Stuart sixth-grader Kelsey Adwell, 11, said students were abuzz about the incident on Monday.

"They just can't believe that a teacher would do that – burn two American flags in front of the class," she said. "A teacher shouldn't do that, even though it was an example."

I wonder why an 11 year old is smarter then the adults at the ACLU?

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