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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Thomas A Watson who wrote (171259)	8/14/2001 1:07:54 PM
From: H-Man	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

the @ss has exposed itself to be a mean homophobe. Dimwitted one at that. I think that is priceless. Give 'em enought rope ....

To: Thomas A Watson who wrote (171259)	8/14/2001 1:47:44 PM
From: Srexley	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

"To call one or imply one has this sad condition and all it implies is an insult and a hateful one" assena thinks it is funny. Particularly to the one that is referred to as gay. He's a little weird imo. Note that it could and probably will be taken as an insult by many to have it (being gay) be referred to as a "sad condition". Not sure if you mean it to be, but it will be taken that way.

To: Thomas A Watson who wrote (171259)	8/16/2001 10:47:20 AM
From: goldworldnet	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

Canada -- Teachers vote to lobby for gay schoolbooks Some worry kids of same-sex parents feel invisible The union representing Ontario's elementary teachers voted overwhelmingly today to lobby school boards to fund gay literature for primary school students. The motion was opposed by about 20 of more than 500 delegates at the annual meeting of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, which erupted in cheers after the result was announced. Liona Laird, a Grade 6 teacher from eastern Ontario, said she tabled the motion because she felt her children and others weren't getting a complete education. "Because I am a lesbian mom, because I have friends who are gay and lesbian parents, because I teach children of gay and lesbian parents," she said of her reasons for speaking out. "It is my duty as a teacher to make sure that I provide the best education that I can for all of the children." The motion allows the union to "encourage" school boards to establish funding for schools, upon request, for "materials for student use which reflect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender realities." Laird, a mother of one, and Cori Petrie, a Grade 8 teacher with three children who seconded the motion, hugged each other warmly after the motion was passed. In cases where teachers have asked, some Ontario school boards already provide books that help to explain to small children that there's nothing wrong with having two moms or two dads, said Laird. But for the most part, children of same-sex parents don't see themselves represented in the books they read in school, she added. "There are many children who feel invisible because they see single-parent families and they see mom-and-dad families, but they're not exposed to same-sex parent families," Laird said. Stereotypes about gay and lesbian couples are pervasive, and allowing gay-positive materials in the classroom would make it easier for teachers to address erroneous perceptions, she added. The union isn't asking the Ontario government for additional funding for school boards, she said. "I doubt that (Premier) Mike Harris would be opening his pockets to an initiative like this." During debate, virtually every delegate who spoke out on the motion did so in support of the idea, prompting officials to call an early end to the discussion in order to hold the vote. Those who voted against the motion were outnumbered 50 to one. Rhonda Jesse, the sole delegate to speak against the motion, said she felt such lessons ought to be taught by parents at home, rather than by teachers in class. "It is my opinion that it is not the teacher's role to introduce issues such as this into children's lives," said Jesse, a teacher and parent from northern Ontario. "I am by no means homophobic; I will introduce my son to the alternative styles of life. But I don't want him learning it from teachers or other students who might not be presenting it in the most compassionate way." Ontario Education Minister Janet Ecker said the decision to determine what materials are used in schools is largely one for parents and school board trustees. "Those choices, those decisions, are made — as they should be — by trustees who are there, elected by the community, to reflect those community values," Ecker said. Parents who serve on so-called "parent councils" to help guide school board trustees also have a say, she added. "I think that's where the decision should be." The issue of gay literature in the classroom cropped up in British Columbia two years ago when a school board banned three books that depicted same-sex couples. worldnetdaily.com * * *