Comments on: “Save Mr. Latham,” Lawrence High School History and Government Teacher

By: NavyChief

NavyChief — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:02:14 +0000

From what I have heard and read I am absolutely appalled! Did I just spend 23 years of my life in the Navy defending the right of a few to treat a respectable teachers this way!!! NOT! It seems quite apparent that Mr. Latham has rooted out the extreme liberals in his school district and if anyone should be “let go” it should be those of such narrow minds and ideology.

Mr. Latham, if there is anything I can do to help please do not hesitate to ask.

By: rickinchina

rickinchina — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:09:40 +0000

I just viewed this in Beijing on FoxNews via PCCW Cable from Hong Kong. I shared the story with my Chinese students who are undergraduates at the Foreign Affairs University. They were uniformly shocked that a teacher could be forced out of his job because of excessive displays of patriotism. Seldom in my decade of teaching in China have I been at a loss for words but this time I was. Here are students with far less individual freedom who seem to place a higher value on patriotism than some of the Lawrence School District administrators. It doesn’t say much for them, now, does it? After class, one of the young men told me that it sounded like something that happened to one of his father’s uncles during the Cultural Revolution.

As a former social studies and English teacher in the U.S. and an assistant professor of curriculum studies, I am aghast at what has transpired. This fiasco smacks of reverse McCarthyism, albeit on a local scale. I’d like to believe there was just cause in the decision not to renew this teacher’s contract. Instead, it would seem he has been yet another victim of the ongoing cultural wars in America.

I am proud at least to see that many of his students are coming to his defense. Keep up the pressure as ethical persuasion alone apparently hasn’t worked. This sort of petty retribution must not stand in America! This is not what my father, and his father before him fought for. You, the students and parents of Lawrence, deserve better.

By: JaneLovesJesus

JaneLovesJesus — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:55:14 +0000

Hey! FoxNews has picked this up! Nice!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526060,00.html

By: nospamformo

nospamformo — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:12:43 +0000

Assistant Principal Jan Gentry has been the one that seems to be leading the charge against Mr. Latham.

Speaking of charges, Jan was arrested and charged with DUI in 2006. I guess that have a dangerous thought is worse than being drunk behind the wheel in Lawrence KS.

http://www.6newslawrence.com/n.....i_charges/

By: JaneLovesJesus

JaneLovesJesus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:23:24 +0000

Wow! I guess his students really did learn something AND are putting it into action. Thanks for giving this story the attention it merits. It seems like the comfort and preference of the staff are superceding what is best for the STUDENTS. grrrrrrr……