Maine Republicians steal from classroom

[frigidmagi]

Pressherald

One School Committee member, saying she's "appalled" by the behavior of some of the Republicans who used a room at King Middle School last weekend, wants to protect the city's public schools from future harm.

Sarah Thompson said she plans to raise the issue when the committee meets on May 19. She has asked Superintendent Jim Morse to contact City Manager Joe Gray so the committee will have a clear understanding of policies and legalities related to the rental and public use of school buildings.

"We allowed them to use the space and I'm appalled that they would go through a teacher's things, let alone remove something from a classroom," Thompson said Wednesday. "We want the public to use school spaces, but they need to respect that it's a school and understand that they should leave it the way they find it."

The Republican State Convention was held at the Portland Exposition Building, which is on Park Avenue, near the middle school. Party members from Knox County caucused in a classroom used by eighth-grade social studies teacher Paul Clifford.

When Clifford returned to school on Monday, he found that a favorite poster about the U.S. labor movement had been taken and replaced with a bumper sticker that read, "Working People Vote Republican."

Later, Clifford learned that his classroom had been searched. Republicans who had attended the convention called Principal Mike McCarthy to complain about "anti-American" things they saw there, including a closed box containing copies of the U.S. Constitution that were published by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Maine Republican Party leaders have issued a written apology to King students and teachers.

"King Middle School was kind enough to allow the (party) to use their facilities and we are deeply concerned about the lack of respect shown to the faculty," wrote Executive Director Christie-Lee McNally.

McNally said the party doesn't condone the destruction of property or encourage the lack of tolerance that a few convention-goers demonstrated.

"Over 900 other people attended these caucuses without incident and I hope that the actions of few do not tarnish the image of many," she said.

Thompson, whose children have attended King, noted that the middle school follows an Expeditionary Learning curriculum, which encourages students to investigate subjects in depth and from all angles.

She also defended Clifford, saying that he wouldn't promote one political ideology over another or restrict students from expressing their own thoughts, which were reflected in some posters in the classroom that students had made.

If the Republicans who used the room didn't like what they saw, they had every right to complain, by writing a letter or making a phone call, Thompson said. They didn't have the right to search, destroy or take anything in the classroom.

"School is about the exploration of ideas," Thompson said. "People need to respect that, regardless of their political party."

Smooth move guys.

[KlavoHunter]

"Just a few bad apples!" the cry will go up once more...

[LadyTevar]

And the CONSTITUTION is a piece of Un-American propaganda!!

[rhoenix]

And the CONSTITUTION is a piece of Un-American propaganda!!

Damn Commies. Franklin especially!

[Charon]

So when exactly will they be brought up on charges for stealing state property? Out of curiosity.

[The Minx]

Later, Clifford learned that his classroom had been searched. Republicans who had attended the convention called Principal Mike McCarthy to complain about "anti-American" things they saw there, including a closed box containing copies of the U.S. Constitution that were published by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Wait, what? Do these people actually think about what they say?

[Charon]

Wait, what? Do these people actually think about what they say?

These are the same people who agree with Pat Robertson when he says "Elena Kagan once played Softball, she is obviously a lesbian." (Paraphrased).

So really? No. No they don't.

[B4UTRUST]

I think it is more the fact that the copies were printed by the ACLU, not that they were the constitution.

[The Minx]

I think it is more the fact that the copies were printed by the ACLU, not that they were the constitution.

Yea, I got that.

The Constitution is still the Constitution, though. Perhaps it was an annotated copy or something.

[rhoenix]

Well, it's obviously because it was the Liberal version of the Constitution that was printed out.

[Dark Silver]

considering they didn't mention opening the box to find out...thus it was from a shipping label they figured out what it was....

Well....

These idiots are just that...law breaking idiots.

Also, working people don't vote republican. I'm a working person, and I sure as in hell didn't vote for them.

[Comrade Tortoise]

considering they didn't mention opening the box to find out...thus it was from a shipping label they figured out what it was....

Well....

These idiots are just that...law breaking idiots.

Also, working people don't vote republican. I'm a working person, and I sure as in hell didn't vote for them.

I too am a working person (granted a working academic...) and I would sooner become a eunuch than vote for them...

[rhoenix]

I like that. "People who actually work for a living don't vote Republican."

It might become more and more true as time goes on, if the Republican party doesn't find its way.

Amusingly, the two groups most in charge of the R party right now seem to be the soulless business types, and the hardcore Christian types - it says volumes about who's left to represent the party now, and who's not there anymore.

[General Havoc]

I wonder at times if any of you even know a Republican.

[rhoenix]

I wonder at times if any of you even know a Republican.

I've known a few. My grandfather was one, and the values he held as a Republican I respect and appreciate.

The current crop of people with (R) currently in politics do nothing to inspire confidence within me, with the possible exception of Bob Corker.

Then again, to be fair, very few of those with (D) or (I) after their names do much to inspire confidence either.

[Comrade Tortoise]

I wonder at times if any of you even know a Republican.

Yes. And these days, very few are tolerable. Some of the ones still loyal to a party that no longer speaks for them are cool.

Then again, to be fair, very few of those with (D) or (I) after their names do much to inspire confidence either

I can count them on a hand or two

[Mayabird]

Sometimes I wonder if the Constitution has become like the Ten Commandments. A lot of people say they revere it and wave it around everywhere for any reason, but ask them if they know what's in it and you get some hemming and hawing because they don't actually know anything about it except that they're supposed to revere it.

[rhoenix]

Sometimes I wonder if the Constitution has become like the Ten Commandments. A lot of people say they revere it and wave it around everywhere for any reason, but ask them if they know what's in it and you get some hemming and hawing because they don't actually know anything about it except that they're supposed to revere it.

Given all the talk lately about it, I'd have to say so.