Interested in what you find wrong with this...

[davjohns 1]

To the students and faculty of our high school:

I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.

I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.

First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships.

The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American. This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans.

If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- e pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America's values.

This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness.

Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interesting in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.

Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English -- but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.

Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.

Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus epithets such as [the 'N' word], even when used by one black student to address another black, or 'bitch,' even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.

Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.

Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.

Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.

-- Dennis Prager
(1948-) American syndicated radio talk show host, syndicated columnist, author, and public speaker
Source: A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give, July 13. 2010
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Dennis.Prager.Quote.ED65

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[rushmc 18]

Nothing

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Marinus 0]

It sounds like something that would work great in a totalitarian society. Strip people of their identities and replace it with an identity that's desired by the state.

[sfzombie 3]

the only thing i find wrong with this is the part in the sixth part about condoms. safety is paramount in my opinion. everything else should have been adopted by all schools years ago. great job dennis prager!!!

http://kitswv.com

[wmw999 2,121]

They said the same thing about schools when I was in school, a generation ago. So maybe it was the previous generation (when schools were also segregated) that things were really good.

A lot of it makes sense, but it seems to pay a lot of attention to issues that have been politicized in one direction only.. Global warming is part of science, not necessarily part of politics. Sex is part of health. And the tacit recognition that white male heterosexual Christians are the basis for superiority comparison kind of admits there's some validity to the notion that everyone else has to work just a little harder (sucks not to be a white male heterosexual Christian, huh).

Note: I'm no victim. But I got lucky in other ways, and the only one of the big four I missed was gender.

KIPP seems to do it right. Their kids really achieve, most of them from low-income families. Having everyone in the family care about education, and demonstrate the value by being willing to work at it, seems to be a big key.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[weekender 0]

>If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- e pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America's values.

this one has always been strange to me. Why is it so important to make people feel pride in their original heritage? that should be a personal choice and celebrated by family and friends.

My father is a veteran of WWII as is his brother. I am a veteran myself and so is my big sister. I'm also a third generation firefighter. I was raised believing service to your community is an essential part of being a good citizen. I feel my family has proven its loyalty to this nation. On the other hand, you will never get me to drop my "Italian American" moniker. I strongly identify with my Italian heritage, visiting my cousins almost every year in Rome since my birth. It is how i identify myself.

With all that said, i could not imagine, nor could i ever picture my late father, wishing the school celebrated my Italian heritage. to me that is a personal thing. Its not the States job to help me feel good about my families bloodline. It makes no sense to me

"The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird."
John Frusciante

[SkyDekker 1,122]

Bwahahahahahahahhaaaa

I like how he stipulates how the school will not recognize differences in races and then specifically highlights an example between two blacks.

Then he goes on and specifically cries foul over people who feel themselves victimiced based on race, religeon or sexual orientation.

It is the standard judeo-christean conservative talking points. Which would make this communication to students plenty politcial, something the writer says he clearly does not want to do.

So either the writer is an idiot or a liar.

[davjohns 1]

Glad to see your input on this, Wendy. Thanks.

I don't know how much humans are impacting the global climate, in what direction, and how well the planet adjusts. I really don't think anyone knows with certainty. I have no problem teaches kids that we only have one planet and need to take care of it. Scare tactics not necessary.

I have no problem with basics of sex as a part of the human condition. Just remember that this is a school for scholarly foundations. Ultimately, the school is being paid for by the parents who are really responsible for the education of their children. Let the parents make the calls on politicized issues. They are politicized because we can't all agree. Let the parents raise their children. Teach the things we can agree on. 2 + 2 = X is going to get the same answer with monotonous regularity. Abstinance v. safe sex will not.

I don't really want to get into the gender / race issue. I'm a white male who has earned everything while others were given opportunities for not looking like me. Selling me anything like the victim mentality is going to be like selling water to a drowning person. Sorry. I didn't get lucky. I busted my rear.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[SkyDekker 1,122]

Quote

Ultimately, the school is being paid for by the parents who are really responsible for the education of their children.

No it's not. He clearly states that it is a public school, not a private school. Depending on the location of the school, there might be quite a few parents who are not paying for the schooling at all.

[davjohns 1]

Sigh.

Taxpayers pay for the school. Parents tend to be taxpayers. There are exceptions. Thank you for making that very important point.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[davjohns 1]

Quote

Bwahahahahahahahhaaaa

I like how he stipulates how the school will not recognize differences in races and then specifically highlights an example between two blacks.

Then he goes on and specifically cries foul over people who feel themselves victimiced based on race, religeon or sexual orientation.

So either the writer is an idiot or a liar.

I have to fault your logic here. He said race will not give you special status. You can not use racial slurs and claim it is ok because of your race. That is perfectly consistent. You will similarly not form organizations based on race or other factors. You will be an American student. You can be a purple, androgynous Martian praying to Cthulu on your own time.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[Marinus 0]

Quote

You can be a purple, androgynous Martian praying to Cthulu on your own time.

So you ideal school is strictly secular?

So no bible study and prayer groups, no religious symbols, no references to God at all?

[SkyDekker 1,122]

Quote

have to fault your logic here. He said race will not give you special status. You can not use racial slurs and claim it is ok because of your race.

He actually says:

Quote

First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white.

Yet then he specifically recognizes one specific skin color to make a point. (and uses an (inane) example typically used by white people)

Again, it is a political propoganda pice, with students central. Yet the writer says he doesn't want politics as part of education.

Again, he is either an idiot or a liar.

[davjohns 1]

He actually used a very common example between two people of color...and an example between two females.

Off the top of your head, can you think of a racial slur commonly used between two white males? If so, I will go back and edit this to include your example. I am a white male and can not think of any.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[SkyDekker 1,122]

Quote

He actually used a very common example between two people of color

No. He used an example of something some friends might find acceptable between themselves. There are white people who call their white friends nigger.

Quote

Off the top of your head, can you think of a racial slur commonly used between two white males?

He already stated profanity would not be tolerated. He also stated that race would not play a role. Why then specifically address profanity within one subgroup? Thought there were not supposed to be any sub groups?

It is a political propagande piece. Specifically what the writer says shoudl not be part of the education system.

I have yet to see you address that.

[marks2065 0]

Quote

Quote

have to fault your logic here. He said race will not give you special status. You can not use racial slurs and claim it is ok because of your race.

He actually says:

Quote

First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white.

Yet then he specifically recognizes one specific skin color to make a point. (and uses an (inane) example typically used by white people)

Again, it is a political propoganda pice, with students central. Yet the writer says he doesn't want politics as part of education.

Again, he is either an idiot or a liar.

It is this thinking that has allowed so many racial and political barriers into our schools causing a rotting of our schools social and educational responsibility.

[marks2065 0]

Quote

Quote

He actually used a very common example between two people of color

No. He used an example of something some friends might find acceptable between themselves. There are white people who call their white friends nigger.

Quote

Off the top of your head, can you think of a racial slur commonly used between two white males?

He already stated profanity would not be tolerated. He also stated that race would not play a role. Why then specifically address profanity within one subgroup? Thought there were not supposed to be any sub groups?

It is a political propagande piece. Specifically what the writer says shoudl not be part of the education system.

I have yet to see you address that.

your political correctness is nausiating, he used a couple popular examples leave it at that.

[davjohns 1]

Quote

Quote

He actually used a very common example between two people of color

No. He used an example of something some friends might find acceptable between themselves. There are white people who call their white friends nigger.

Quote

Off the top of your head, can you think of a racial slur commonly used between two white males?

He already stated profanity would not be tolerated. He also stated that race would not play a role. Why then specifically address profanity within one subgroup? Thought there were not supposed to be any sub groups?

It is a political propagande piece. Specifically what the writer says shoudl not be part of the education system.

I have yet to see you address that.

He gave an example. I am guessing you could not come up with another. I have never heard a caucasian use the N word toward another caucasian. I guess I could change the original wording to say that racial slurs will not be used by anyone of any persuasion. Work for you?

I'm not sure what you want me to address. You think that by attempting to take politics out, the writer is espousing political propoganda. I have refuted your premises therefore. I see no reason to disagree with your opinion once it is unfounded by underlying premises.

Feel free to re-write it in a manner you find more acceptable and post it here. I am acutely interested.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[kallend 1,623]

Quote

Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.

Since that has a reference to God, it contradicts his previous statement about religion. FAIL.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Andy9o8 0]

FWIW, here's what Snopes has to say about it:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/principal.asp

[davjohns 1]

I'm not surprised the origins are false. I still like the concept.

Kallend: I get your point. Take out the Pledge of Allegiance and insert the US National Anthem. Next?

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[SkyDekker 1,122]

Quote

He gave an example. I am guessing you could not come up with another. I have never heard a caucasian use the N word toward another caucasian. I guess I could change the original wording to say that racial slurs will not be used by anyone of any persuasion. Work for you?

Since racial slurs are profanity and both profanity and distinction by race are specifically excluded, there really is no need to highlight racial slurs within in the same race.

Unless off course you are specifically addressing that subgroup, or are trying to score political points.

Both would go against what the writer says should happen.

By the way, his use of the word holy goes against his own statements too.

Lastly, are you really in favour of taking competitive sports out of schools? No more High School Football teams?

[davjohns 1]

Quote

Since racial slurs are profanity and both profanity and distinction by race are specifically excluded, there really is no need to highlight racial slurs within in the same race.

I fully agree with you here, but it seems to contradict your previous logic. I think you are correct that the examples are extraneous. But that means they are not contradictory.

Unless off course you are specifically addressing that subgroup, or are trying to score political points.

Both would go against what the writer says should happen.

By the way, his use of the word holy goes against his own statements too.

Agreed. Kill it off.

Lastly, are you really in favour of taking competitive sports out of schools? No more High School Football teams?

Ummm...I guess I need to read it again. I didn't see that part. But since you brought it up...I am not a big fan of competitive sports in the public schools. It means that many taxpayers support a few students participating in something that has very little value to education. I can see the team player mentality and such in the sport, but think that can be gained elsewhere with more wide-spread effects for the student population. I have some concerns about injuries, hazing and such. My biggest concern is that it does not contribute to the education that the system was set up for.

I'm sure you have a point to this question. Fire away. I'm enjoying this.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[sfzombie 3]

bullshit. if you don't know that the reference to god was inserted into it in the 50's, then go take a civics class.

http://kitswv.com

[kallend 1,623]

Quote

bullshit. if you don't know that the reference to god was inserted into it in the 50's, then go take a civics class.

"Source: A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give, July 13. 2010 "

Last time I checked, 2010 was after the 1950s, so BS yourself and take a class on basic math.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.