Thanks to SOMS students who said no to Paul Ryan
Now being covered by the Washington Post.
The comments are overwhelmingly positive (or at least the several hundred I scanned).
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
I don't agree that it was a lost opportunity to see how democracy works. I think they showed that they do understand how democracy works and made their point in a respectful manner. Our nation was founded by patriots willing to take an unpopular stand to support what they believed in and who were willing to risk their lives and livelihoods for those beliefs. And I think our legislators need to remember that, too. We were not founded as a rubber-stamp operation; we were scrappy fighters who fought for our beliefs. I am proud of the students who chose to make their stand, without destroying the event for those other students who did want to have their picture taken with Paul Ryan. Their comments were well-thought-out and reasoned - actually, they made more sense and were more respectful than most of the comments I read from adults on FB's political posts.
Why am I responding to mtierny? No, Ryan was not going to sit down and explain how government works. In that case, listening to him might have some value. This was a photo op. Nothing more. Our students know enough to know that republicans seek to harm the majority of Americans. Good for them.
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
What's sad and ignorant is your response. This is what I wrote on the FB account of the event:
Declining to pose for a photo is a respectful form of protest. Why would anyone object to this? We teach our kids about the First Amendment, and the freedoms we have, but then some people criticize and belittle (they're only kids parroting their parents) them when they do? Our rights to protest or speak our minds aren't limited to people over 18. Whatever one's politics, we should cheer respectful protest. Especially when the quotes on Village Green make it clear at least some of the kids had well-reasoned basis for doing so.
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
My daughter was one of the students who declined to take a picture with Ryan because she does understand how a democracy works and she pays attention to everything her government does. That includes recognizing a spineless speaker of the house who backs a president who does not have her best interests at heart. When she got home I hugged her and told her I was proud of her as I am every single time she stands up for herself and points out hypocrisy, hatred and challenges the status quo.
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
That's a really strange outlook on life you've got there.
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
The students declined to participate in Paul Ryan's photo-op. He later used a picture of himself with SOMS students in his own (self-promotional) social media. I think the students did "see first hand how democracy works" - the part where the politician pretends he cares about you, when in reality he's working against your interests.
It's a big step to stand up for your beliefs, and these students should be proud.
Back in the 70s we visited our nation's capital, and the Houses of Parliament during the Vietnam and conscription era, as part of a (Methodist Ladies College) school trip. Got the guided tour, met Cabinet ministers and our own Members of Parliament. And got to ask sticky ethical questions on party policy and government policy, and also made known our strong disapproval of much of then-foreign policy.
You really don't want to face 60 scornful teenage girls...
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
Incredible that kids so young have political awareness and moral strength to take a stand against the empty suit that is Paul Ryan, and the moral weakness of a party that colludes with this criminal administration. Kudos to these adult young people for standing up to the children in office.
"see first hand how democracy works"
You're kidding, right? To see how democracy works, they'll have to wait for the trials to begin.
flimbro said:
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
My daughter was one of the students who declined to take a picture with Ryan because she does understand how a democracy works and she pays attention to everything her government does. That includes recognizing a spineless speaker of the house who backs a president who does not have her best interests at heart. When she got home I hugged her and told her I was proud of her as I am every single time she stands up for herself and points out hypocrisy, hatred and challenges the status quo.
Good for her, but even more, good for you for bringing her up to be who she is.
RobB said:
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
That's a really strange outlook on life you've got there.
Not strange, very common and very sad.
Wow -- Many news sources have picked up the story. It's interesting to read across the different sources and see what parts each selected and didn't select for their own publication, and the titles used:
-------------------------------------------------------------
About 50% of Visiting South Orange Students Refuse Photo with Speaker Ryan
http://villagegreennj.com/scho...
These 8th-graders from New Jersey refused to be photographed with Paul Ryan
https://www.washingtonpost.com...
Half of 8th grade class from New Jersey refuses to pose with Speaker Ryan
Paul Ryan snubbed by New Jersey school children - then ridiculed on Instagram
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new...
Students snub Speaker Ryan (Video)
http://www.fox5ny.com/news/257...
8th graders refuse to take a photo with Paul Ryan because they don't "want to be associated with him"
http://mashable.com/2017/05/28...
(In my quick perusal, it appears that the reports above were the primary sources, with their interviews and other research cited in other articles below. There are many other news articles, tv spots, and blogs, across the world that I didn't include.)
-------------------------------------
Middle School Students Opt Out Of Posing For Photo With Paul Ryan (video)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/vide...
House Speaker Paul Ryan reportedly snubbed by 8th graders
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ho...
Some South Orange Students Snub Paul Ryan During DC Trip, Refuse To Take Photo: Report
https://patch.com/new-jersey/s...
New Jersey middle school students refuse to take photo with Paul Ryan
http://www.nydailynews.com/new...
MIDDLE SCHOOLERS REFUSE PHOTO WITH PAUL RYAN
http://www.newsweek.com/middle...
N.J. 8th graders reportedly snub Paul Ryan at D.C. photo opp
http://www.nj.com/essex/index....
8th graders refuse to take photo with Paul Ryan
http://thehill.com/homenews/ho...
Paul Ryan snubbed by middle school students during DC trip photo
http://www.washingtonexaminer....
100 Middle Schoolers Refuse Photo-Op With Paul Ryan During D.C. Trip
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Half of New Jersey 8th Grade Class Refuses to Pose With Speaker Ryan
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the...
Half of This 8th Grade Class Refused to Take a Photo with Paul Ryan
http://www.thedailybeast.com/a...
Middle schoolers refuse to pose with Paul Ryan during photo op
http://nypost.com/2017/05/28/m...
Paul Ryan shunned by dozens of middle schoolers during photo op
http://www.foxnews.com/politic...
Paul Ryan Divides Eighth Grade Class over Photo
http://www.breitbart.com/big-g...
'We all hate you': Eighth graders on field trip to Washington refuse to pose with Paul Ryan then bombard his Instagram page with insults after he shares photo with their classmates
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...
A Group of Defiant Students Refuse to Take a Picture With Paul Ryan
https://www.popsugar.com/news/...
100 Eighth Graders Refused To Take A Photo With Paul Ryan
http://www.thefader.com/2017/0...
Dozens of New Jersey Middle School Students Refused to Pose for a Picture With Paul Ryan on Their Class Trip
http://theslot.jezebel.com/doz...
Here's Paul Ryan Getting Righteously Owned by Some Patriotic Teens
http://www.gq.com/story/teens-...
BREAKING: 100 Middle School Students COURAGEOUSLY Refuse Photo-op With Paul Ryan, how Proud Are You Now?
http://thepoliticalvoice.com/b...
Nearly 100 eighth-graders refuse to take photo with Paul Ryan
http://www.azfamily.com/story/...
What an international embarrassment these town have become with their open hatred for others.
GL2 said:
mtierney said:
what should have been an amazing educational opportunity for students to visit our nation's seat of government and see first hand how democracy works is trashed and made into a 15 mins of fame slap down for a generous invitation.How sad. How ignorant.
Incredible that kids so young have political awareness and moral strength to take a stand against the empty suit that is Paul Ryan, and the moral weakness of a party that colludes with this criminal administration. Kudos to these adult young people for standing up to the children in office.
LOL...you mean they parrot their parents and teachers open hatred for others and elected officials. Well at least it is all in the open for all to see. Can hardly wait for Vouchers to become a reality to cut off the liberal brainwashing that passes as teaching.
venturen said:
What an international embarrassment these town have become with their open hatred for others.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...
Nice work! You have picked out the UK tabloid version of the story to support your desire to have a full-of-outrage point of view. For a better understanding, perhaps try reading any of the more respected news outlets which tend to have more measured articles and headlines, as seen above.
venturen said:
What an international embarrassment these town have become with their open hatred for others.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...
You can't be serious...
I will admit and confess not to have all the posts prior to commenting-- I did not know that half of the children did pose with Sen Ryan. In this environment, it takes far more courage to stand for your own viewpoint while bombarded with opposing hatred for this duly elected administration.
"Hatred" is such an ugly word.
The policies of this "duly elected" administration are built on racism, sexism, classism and several other isms which are nearly unprecedented in recent American history. Whatever legitimate messages were being delivered did not have to be wrapped in such ugliness. Don't clutch your pearls when the slap back comes.
Oh yes. It must have been when President Clinton had consensual affairs. trump's affairs were fine.
Too bad your pearls were broken when trump bragged about sexually assaulting women. You might have clutched them when he mocked a disabled person.
mtierney said:
I will admit and confess not to have all the posts prior to commenting-- I did not know that half of the children did pose with Sen Ryan. In this environment, it takes far more courage to stand for your own viewpoint while bombarded with opposing hatred for this duly elected administration.
"Hatred" is such an ugly word.
He's a rep, not a sen.
Opting out of a photograph is not really disrespectful and certainly isn't "hateful." (I've read those words on other sites.)
Being politically aware in 8th grade, during a D.C. trip intended to teach civics, and expressing yourself along the way is basically the defintion of a successful civics lesson.
venturen said:
What an international embarrassment these town have become with their open hatred for others.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...
jeebus.
Read the stuff Ryan has said about "inner city" men. Then tell me about open hatred.
Refusing to pose for a picture with a politician with whom you disagree does not represent "hatred" of that person as a person. These kids had no obligation to participate in the photo-op.
Would you have posed for a picture with Speaker Pelosi? Would you have been very upset if your child or grandchild refused to pose with Speaker Pelosi?
mtierney said:
I will admit and confess not to have all the posts prior to commenting-- I did not know that half of the children did pose with Sen Ryan. In this environment, it takes far more courage to stand for your own viewpoint while bombarded with opposing hatred for this duly elected administration.
"Hatred" is such an ugly word.
venturen said:
LOL...you mean they parrot their parents and teachers open hatred for others and elected officials. Well at least it is all in the open for all to see. Can hardly wait for Vouchers to become a reality to cut off the liberal brainwashing that passes as teaching.
So you hope that "liberal brainwashing" is replaced by conservative brainwashing. Of course public schools in Texas pass off "conservative brainwashing" as teaching and "liberal" parents will be able to use vouchers to send their children to "liberal schools".
Muslim schools.
https://www.google.com/a5mp
/abc...
Guys, I couldn't be more proud of you. Thanks for showing what New jersey's made of.https://www.google.com/amp/abc...