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Kansas Teacher Claims Conservative Views Led to Loss of Job

Scorpion89 said:
From the article,

Chloe Mercer, who graduated Lawrence High School last month, said Latham's class was her favorite and said he was fair despite his decision not to show Obama's inauguration in class.

"He chose not to show it, but he printed out Obama's speech and we read it and discussed what we felt was good about it," Mercer told FOXNews.com. "[Latham] was fair. He listened to all sides of every issue. He actually made print-outs of every candidate and how they felt on certain hot-button issues."

Latham defended his decision not to show Obama's inauguration because he'd opted not to show any similar events.

"I've never shown an inauguration," he said. "I never showed any of Bush's; I wouldn't have shown McCain's. I was not showing any bias towards Obama ... I didn't intend to interrupt the class."

So you want to retrack you statement huh I know many schools that didn't broadcast the inauguration, since when was that a school's requirement huh.
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No, this guy is a piss poor history teacher. IMO.

Bush's inauguration didn't have historical significance of Obama's.

He didn't want to interrupt the class?? Because his lecture on how Bush was right on Iraq so much more relevant.:roll: What an ass! When history happens, it's a good idea to stop and watch. And a transcript of a speech is the best way to understand and evaluate a speech. How the heck did this guy get a teaching credential for History?


Like I said, those who can't do... He wants so bad to be Sean Hannity, but the only audience he can get is class of kids forced to listen to him.
 
Scorpion89 said:
Kansas Teacher Claims Conservative Views Led to Loss of Job - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Tim Latham, who has spent the last 19 years teaching students American history and government, spent the past school year at a high school in Lawrence, Kan. — and it appears his first year at the school will be his last.

Latham claims it has nothing to do with his abilities as a teacher and everything to do with his conservative politics.

Yep another sign of Hope and Change brought to you by the fine folks from the Left.
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Alright, first off......do you get both sides of the story or just the teacher's side? I did not see anywhere in the article where both sides of the story were given, besides Cunningham stating that they have policies in place for determining employment. he thing you have to remember is if this teacher spent 19 years teaching and now has worked for the new school for 1 year.....why did he leave the other school (or schools) he was at? Did they fire him for his political views as well? I'm not saying that this couldn't happen or didn't happen. I'm just simply bringing the question up as to why he changed schools in the past? Did he move? Did he quit? Did he get fired? Remember, when someone gets fired for something, even if it is their fault, usually it's because of something that person did. Now days in this failing economy, I could see him being fired or lay-ed off for no reason "sometimes this happens to good teachers" ..........causing him to bring these accusations about....

I don't know, but I'll be curious to see the responses to my questions and concerns regarding this issue.
 
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BaZaRr BeAtZ said:
Alright, first off......do you get both sides of the story or just the teacher's side? I personally have not read the article relating to this issue, but I wanted to comment based on the posts I've read. The thing you have to remember is if this teacher spent 19 years teaching and now has worked for the new school for 1 year.....why did he leave the other school (or schools) he was at? Did they fire him for his political views as well? I'm not saying that this couldn't happen or didn't happen. I'm just simply bringing the question up as to why he changed schools in the past? Did he move? Did he quit? Did he get fired? Remember, when someone gets fired for something, even if it is their fault, usually it's because of something that person did. Now days in this failing economy, I could see him being fired or lay-ed off for no reason....causing him to bring these accusations about....

I don't know, but I'll be curious to see the responses to my questions and concerns regarding this issue.
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An overly partisan person would have no problem teaching for the last 8 years. But when the country changed and he didn't like it, he stopped being a teacher and became a GOP advocate that happen to work at a high school.
 
hazlnut said:
An overly partisan person would have no problem teaching for the last 8 years. But when the country changed and he didn't like it, he stopped being a teacher and became a GOP advocate that happen to work at a high school.
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Ahhh but you don't know that. That is just accusations based on an opinion after reading the article. You have no proof that he was too political causing him to lose his job. My 12th grade government and economics teacher was very political, allowing a classroom debate regarding the 2000-2001 elections.......and he was not fired. In fact, isn't government and economics where you are supposed to learn about this stuff? How will you learn if the teacher does not allow political views to be discussed?

Anyways, like I said, there is no proof supporting either case. Just his word against the school's word. And once again, I have seen good teachers let go because the economy. Maybe their decision to not renew his contract was based on a budgetary cutback? Now he "may have" been fired for his political views, but nothing in this article clearly provides evidence supporting either side.

oh, I did read the article, and changed my first post stating that I did not read it.
 
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hazlnut said:
No, this guy is a piss poor history teacher. IMO.

Bush's inauguration didn't have historical significance of Obama's.

He didn't want to interrupt the class?? Because his lecture on how Bush was right on Iraq so much more relevant.:roll: What an ass! When history happens, it's a good idea to stop and watch. And a transcript of a speech is the best way to understand and evaluate a speech. How the heck did this guy get a teaching credential for History?


Like I said, those who can't do... He wants so bad to be Sean Hannity, but the only audience he can get is class of kids forced to listen to him.
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Ok, once again......You do not personally know what is going on with this teacher. My government and economics teacher did not show Bush's inaugural speech.....does that make him a bad teacher? Or is that ok because it's Bush? Obama's ENTIRE election was based on "historical value" and NOT "Economical value", which is completely pathetic in my opinion and I would not have shown his speech either. If you read, it does state that his speech was printed out and the whole class had a debate over it, which would be the same as if he showed the speech on tv. Come on now, you're just verbally assaulting someone you have no personal knowledge of which is a stereotype based on YOUR political views.
 
Scorpion89

Just how stupid do you think we are to accept at face value a one sided story that is short on facts and long on accusations?
 
obvious Child said:
Scorpion89

Just how stupid do you think we are to accept at face value a one sided story that is short on facts and long on accusations?
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Very well put. As soon as the FACTS from both sides are revealed, THEN and only then can we come to an appropriate decision. Until then, why pass false judgments based on accusations alone?
 
BaZaRr BeAtZ said:
Ahhh but you don't know that. That is just accusations based on an opinion after reading the article. You have no proof that he was too political causing him to lose his job.
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Precisely!!! I read between the lines, make guesses and assumptions about the story based on personal bias. If more facts come in, then I'll look at them.

If you didn't want people to do that, then don't post it on a political discussion board to be dissected and discussed.

When I hear U.S. History teacher that couldn't stop class for ten minutes to watch the swearing in of the first African-American in our country's history, I get a picture of person who is trying to play down the historical significance of the last election. This is something history teachers probably want to avoid.
 
hazlnut said:
Precisely!!! I read between the lines, make guesses and assumptions about the story based on personal bias. If more facts come in, then I'll look at them.

If you didn't want people to do that, then don't post it on a political discussion board to be dissected and discussed.

When I hear U.S. History teacher that couldn't stop class for ten minutes to watch the swearing in of the first African-American in our country's history, I get a picture of person who is trying to play down the historical significance of the last election. This is something history teachers probably want to avoid.
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Really? Because when I hear that, I get a picture of a person who doesn't stop legitimate classwork to watch television for a while.
 
hazlnut said:
Precisely!!! I read between the lines, make guesses and assumptions about the story based on personal bias. If more facts come in, then I'll look at them.

If you didn't want people to do that, then don't post it on a political discussion board to be dissected and discussed.

When I hear U.S. History teacher that couldn't stop class for ten minutes to watch the swearing in of the first African-American in our country's history, I get a picture of person who is trying to play down the historical significance of the last election. This is something history teachers probably want to avoid.
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Why must we jump to the conclusion that the teacher was racist? If he was downplaying the significance of the election why would he circulate and discuss copies of Obama's inaugeration speech? That to me seems like a better way to study the inaugeration than watching Obama speak it once and trying to remember everything he said. Obama's inaugeration would have taken the entire class period, all school day long! How was he supposed to keep his classes syncronised? One class happens to be during the speach and the others don't! By printing off the speach he could keep all of his classes together and set the stage for a more intelligent debate. That is something I believe people on a debating forum could appreciate.
 
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He should study up on current conspiracy theories, claim he's an Indian, plagarize, and say anyone who hates Terrorist is a Nazi lover..

Then he'll be a shoe in on any leftist College Campus to teach "American History".
 
Redress said:
There are no facts here yet, only some accusations. It is important to learn the difference between the two.
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And so far, the "other side" merely says "no comment". I agree that we have to wait until all facts come out. However, if the school did, indeed, not follow procedure like Latham claimed and continues to remain silent, I think that it's obvious that they cannot defend renewing his contract.

Hey, all you so-called "moderates", when is the last time you heard of a teacher being canned for his liberal views?
 
Mick said:
An interesting headline but there is likely more to this story. I too would like to hear the schools side. I work in a school and am a known conservative who eschews the union. I take some good natured ribbing but that is about the extent of it. Politics is more or less left at the door. I'm guessing there is an issue of insubordination at the root of this termination.
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Yep, Insubordination.

He had a McCain/Palin bumper sticker and didn't show Obama's inauguration in class
 
hazlnut said:
From the artical, this guy reads like far-right. He was really bringing his political beliefs to work with him. Just teach history, ya jerk. The election of the first black president is history, even if you don't agree with his politics.



It doesn't sound like he wasn't making the grade, it sounds like he was being a partisan shill in class. Why would you not air the inaugural address in class? What a perfect opportunity to allow the students to discuss what the President says verses what his actions are. Also seems like it could have been a little bigoted.

I don't understand people who said: I refused to watch the inaugural. John McCain and President Bush had the intelligence and class to acknowledge the historical significance of the election. There is a time for partisanship and a time to just be American.

The right is always complaining about college profs 'indoctrinating' students into the left; apparently they are trying to beat the left to the punch and get them in high school.

I couldn't tell you whether my H.S. History/Poli Sci teachers where liberal or conservative because they did their jobs correctly and without bringing their own beliefs into the classroom. Teach kids how to think, not what to think.

"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach at my school." (this quote mostly refers to the creative arts--I have to say that so my wife the teacher won't yell at me.)

But this clown is not talented enough to get a radio show or a TV show, so he decides get a teaching credential instead. Why not, it's a paycheck, right?:roll:

What a jerk.
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He didn't air other presidential inaugurations in the past either.

He is a teacher with a requirement to teach a curriculum, and didn't wish to interrupt his teaching to watch TV. Obama's inauguration was not going to be a part of the curriculum that he was required to teach.

Did you read ALL of the article?
Including the bit from the liberal student who loved his class and stated he didn't bring his political views above those of the students when discussing such issues?
 
hazlnut said:
When I hear U.S. History teacher that couldn't stop class for ten minutes to watch the swearing in of the first African-American in our country's history, I get a picture of person who is trying to play down the historical significance of the last election. This is something history teachers probably want to avoid.
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IOW you want a history teacher to propel a lie.

Obama is not black....The reason you call him "historic" is factually baseless.

//

"There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else."
 
jallman said:
Really? Because when I hear that, I get a picture of a person who doesn't stop legitimate classwork to watch television for a while.
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Exactly.

Apparently the world is supposed to stop for Obama.

If it doesn't, your just being a conservative biased asshole.

I didn't watch the inauguration, I don't even know what I was doing at the time either, probably sleeping.
 
Triad said:
"There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else."
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LOL.
This reminds me of why I hate the phrase "African-American" so much.


I was taking a Larceny from Auto report from a teenager once who left her car parked in a private school parking lot while she was away on a weekend school trip. The vehicle was broken into and they called police when they returned from the trip at 11pm or so.

I was out there taking the report and asking them questions, and some of the teens had questions since they don't deal with the police that much, being good natured private school students and all. Once girl asked me, "Do you know Officer (name)?" I replied, "If its the same Officer (name) that I believe you are talking about." And I then went on to describe him as a tall skinny bald black man who is extremely friendly, etc. She looked at me funny and informed me that he was an "African-American" (Apparently the Politically Correct Police worked in this private school). I then replied to her, "No, im afraid not, Officer (name) is not from Africa, he is every bit of an American as you and I." She seemed confused, but maybe one day she will get it.
 
Caine said:
Exactly.

Apparently the world is supposed to stop for Obama.

If it doesn't, your just being a conservative biased asshole.

I didn't watch the inauguration, I don't even know what I was doing at the time either, probably sleeping.
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I watched the inauguration on youtube. As soon as I was done with the meeting I had planned at that time and then going to grab lunch with coworkers, drinks with friends after work, dinner with the bf, watching law and order before bed and having breakfast the next morning. In other words, it's not like access to the inauguration address was going to go anywhere before I got around to seeing my the 8th inauguration address in my lifetime.
 
jallman said:
Really? Because when I hear that, I get a picture of a person who doesn't stop legitimate classwork to watch television for a while.
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So classwork about American history is more important than taking 15 minutes or so to watch history actually happen? :doh
 
rebelbuc said:
And so far, the "other side" merely says "no comment". I agree that we have to wait until all facts come out. However, if the school did, indeed, not follow procedure like Latham claimed and continues to remain silent, I think that it's obvious that they cannot defend renewing his contract.

Hey, all you so-called "moderates", when is the last time you heard of a teacher being canned for his liberal views?
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More than likely the "other side" is not allowed to comment. Employers frequently are not allowed to discuss discipline of their employees/past employees publicly, and should not. With a potential court case coming up, this is especially true. Not fighting this guy in the media does not make the school guilty.
 
jallman said:
So nothing about the topic?
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The topic seems to be heavily one-sided and lacking a lot of facts. Hard to truly comment on something when you only have a biased account of the events that unfolded.
 
EgoffTib said:
So classwork about American history is more important than taking 15 minutes or so to watch history actually happen? :doh
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In a word, yes. Especially when the transcript of the address was used as a teaching aid and discussion piece.
 
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