Daily Herald, Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Conservative threat in 214? Nonsense

The following is a letter to the editor written in response to this Daily Herald article.

To the editor: A "conservative takeover" threatened in District 214! Since when is a balanced perspective in educational lessons offered to our youth a threat? It served us very well in the 40's, 50's and 60's, why the great concern now?

With 6-1 votes common against anything approaching a different viewpoint, one clearly sees that the takeover so feared has already occurred in 214. It makes incumbent Alva Kreutzer's comment, "I don't want a total takeover of the board" ridiculous at best, hypocritical at worst.

Why do Dussling, Kreutzer and Zimmaneck so fear someone who offers a fresh viewpoint? How dare they insinuate one must leave their Christian beliefs at their doorsteps while they offer yet another viewpoint?

Elizabeth Ennis, retired superintendent and incumbent supporter, is quoted as saying "The very culture in the school district could change."

What does she think is so sacred about a culture that the present board has seen occur under their "guidance" including the sad discussion at Wheeling High School regarding oral sex being the new "romantic" norm?

Or the choice of 9 books being REQUIRED READING, that are so vulgar the content could not be quoted on TV or in the Daily Herald?

Days of silence, while growing school taxes are paying teachers to teach, yet allowing children to sit mute without response for an entire "teaching" day. This in a misguided attempt to present and endorse the homosexual lifestyle choice to the student body.

"Friends of District 214" chairman Arlen Gould shows "great thinking" and compromise by saying "children can go to a private school or be home schooled if they don't like it."

A real take it or leave it attitude now exists in 214. These types of remarks are exactly why for the good of our children, families, and country, more than one viewpoint should be heard. After all, isn't that the American way!

Jim Finnegan

Barrington