Federal Way schools restrict Gore film

[FVZA_Colonel]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/299253_inconvenient11.html?source=mypi



Federal Way schools restrict Gore film
By ROBERT McCLURE AND LISA STIFFLER

This week in Federal Way schools, it got a lot more inconvenient to show one of the top-grossing documentaries in U.S. history, the global-warming alert "An Inconvenient Truth."

After a parent who supports the teaching of creationism and opposes sex education complained about the film, the Federal Way School Board on Tuesday placed what it labeled a moratorium on showing the film. The movie consists largely of a PowerPoint presentation by former Vice President Al Gore recounting scientists' findings.

Al Gore's documentary about global warming may not be shown unless the teacher also presents an "opposing view."
"Condoms don't belong in school, and neither does Al Gore. He's not a schoolteacher," said Frosty Hardison, a parent of seven who also said that he believes the Earth is 14,000 years old. "The information that's being presented is a very cockeyed view of what the truth is. ... The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up, but that perspective isn't in the DVD."

Hardison's e-mail to the School Board prompted board member David Larson to propose the moratorium Tuesday night.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Considering that he believes that the Earth is only 14,000 years old I don't think he has a right to declare things cockeyed or not. I mean, for the love of FSM, look at his statement about the "End Times!"

[LeFleur1]

1. Science

Well, I guess as long as backward thinking politics is involved the US students will never have a chance to measure up to other countries in science.

[Pierzin]

2. Another Religious Nutjob Makes the case for Non-beleivers

Absolutely amazing.
As if America were not backwards enough. In the film, aren't there over 500 scientists who conclude that, according to the evidence, global warming is happening? There is no other "side" to this issue.
OMG. So many ways to blow holes in this one!

[tavalon]

6. Accent on "nutjob" n/t

[Norrin Radd]

3. It's because it's Al Gore.

They've been brainwashed that the Democratic Party is the enemy of Christianity, probably without any reasons why, other than their obsession with anti-choice and hatred of people in same-sex relationships.

[tavalon]

4. Frosty ain't so bright, eh?

I guess we need to leave him out in the snow today. Sheesh.

[tavalon]

5. As an aside

I love the way FSM has taken off. He's like, more famous than Jesus!

[Quantess]

7. I live in Federal Way. (for about 4 months now)

I had no idea there were any wacked out Fundies around here.
It sounds as though the school board is caving in to one loudmouthed parent.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. we moved from Federal Way

I wanted my daughter to live in a better place. Our neighbors were bullies and neo-cons. The schools suck and cannot control their violence, and apparently are too distracted by politics to do their jobs.

[eridani]

9. Followup for those interested--

Forwarded message:

Having been rebuffed by the NSTA to donate 50,000 DVDs of the
Inconvenient Truth for science teacher across the country, the producers of An Inconvenient Truth are extending the offer directly to the teachers, giving 50,000 DVDs of Inconvenient Truth away to US Teachers, on first-come, first served basis.

They need to put their name in the hat soon however--January 18th , so please encourage schools/teachers in your area to put their name in the system ASAP if they would like a free copy to use in their classroom.
http://www.participate.net/educators/DVD/giveaway

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, if you know anyone who lives in Federal Way and is frustrated enough to run for the school board, please have them contact Progressive Majority
615 2nd Avenue #500 Seattle, WA 98104
[phone]
info {at} progressivemajoritywashington.org

[flamingyouth]

10. Thanks for this update

:thumbsup:

[jonolover]

11. Poor Frosty, his seven-year old, and their kind.

I feel sorry for them. I really do, actually.

[eridani]

12. Looks like we have a reversal of policy

Last night the Federal Way School Board lifted the moratorium, or "temporary ban," on Al Gore's Oscar-nominated documentary An Inconvenient Truth!

Thank you for being one of nearly 500 Washingtonians to tell the Federal Way School Board to base its decisions on fact and not to be held hostage by an extremist minority. With the help of your action and others, we generated over 18,000 emails to the school board members in just over 24 hours. Your email made a difference in the education of the 22,000 children in this district.

Please join me in thanking the Federal Way School Board members for lifting the moratorium and allowing An Inconvenient Truth to be shown in classrooms again.
http://www.progressivemajority.org/wa/FederalWaySB-012407/index.jhtml?_requestid=26765

During the meeting the board members even acknowledged all the controversy and comments around the moratorium:

"This entire chain of events demonstrates how crucial it is for us all to make judgments after we hear all of the facts, not just what we initially read, hear or watch," said board member Dave Larson.

We applaud last night's decision by the Federal Way School Board to lift the temporary ban. They deserve our thanks, but the fact remains that this school board is completely composed of conservatives, while their district is not. Three of the five board positions are up for re-election this fall and Progressive Majority will be doing everything that we can to turn the Federal Way School Board from entirely conservative to a progressive majority.

Thank you again for you assistance,

Dean M. Nielsen
Washington State Director
Progressive Majority