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I'm rather curious as to what this instructor majored in while in college. My gut tells me it may not have been geography.

He obviously never "got any" in university, the reason he is wound as tight as a cobra around a kitten, ready to spring open like a broken cuckoo clock.

A lesson to all you young college age lads: Don't hang around the chicks in Marxism 101. They have poor hygeine, they as cold as a gulag in Siberia and they'll bore you to death ranting about the "exploitation of the capitalist male hegemony." In other words, you'll never get any.

You want sexy and beautiful and long term commitment? Hang out with the chicks in the sciences or business. You want easy? Drop by the Music department.

To listen is to understand. He sounds almost exactly like a younger, less-New-England version of Pumpkinhead Ted, ranting on the Senate floor.

profits BAD ... capitalism "at odds with humanity" "at odds with human rights" ... I couldn't get much past that bit.

Sean clearly has a future ahead of him, enterprising young lad.

Looks like his students are split - 3.2 out of 5 (average)
http://www.ratemyteachers.com/schools/colorado/aurora/overland_high_school/jay__bennish

On the left coast we have had an Imam teaching a non-religious class in Diablo Valley College propagandize students including one journalist who challenged this dumb dude. Fireworks erupted but eventually the issue was resolved.

Story URL is http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=19194

My boy is a good boy. Just write or call Jay to get his side of the story.

Jay Bennish, (303) 832-3079, 1148 Washington St, Denver, CO 80203

As long as Jay's mom has no problems with making Jay available, feel free to let him know what you think via his email or school voicemail. Personally, I think he reeks of a hardcore, left-wing nutjob that probably would prefer a socialist state in the U.S.

Jay Bennish
jbennish@cherrycreekschools.org
(720) 747-3780

You know, as a parent with a child in middle school in Northern VA, I'd be very interested to learn from the superintendent of our school system what action would be taken if similar cropped up here.

Besides, how has this guy in any way been "nailed"?

What exactly is it that he said that you can prove incorrect?

Can I teach Christianity in the classroom? It's all about free speech, right? Can you prove what I say to my students to be incorrect?

Pass the bong dude!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5137581991288263801&q=loos

Any true American who watches the above, free video will recognize the fact that Bush committed 9/11 the same as his grandfather's client, Adolf Hitler(Google "Prescott Thyssen Auschwitz"), committed the Reichstag Fire.

Inarguably, Bush is Hitler-redux.

Schoolteacher Jay Bennish is simply putting forward thoughts that any who claim spiritual descent from the Jeffersonian Whig Founders of the United States of America should have been realizing right after they heard GHW Bush's public statement confirming his "inability" to recall his whereabouts upon hearing of President Kennedy's assassination: W's only "qualification" for office.

Death for Treason

Pass the bong!

Google: "B.C. Bud" "really good herb" or "Rovian Mind Control Rays"

You just might see my picture.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5137581991288263801&q=loos

Watch the movie or know yourself as a philistine fascist.

I am a college history professor. My comment does not deal with whether or not I agree or disagree with this high school teacher's political position. What I want to know is why is he doing this in a geography class? Isn't he supposed to be like, I don't know, maybe teaching geography? Not one in ten of my students can locate the Tigris-Euphrates river system. Now I think I may know why, if this guy is an example of what's going on in high school classrooms. For any grade school educator out there that reads this, I don't care about your politics, and you are welcome to preach whatever sermon you wish...on your own time. When you are in that classroom, please teach your students how to add and subtract, how to make subject and verb agree, and where the fool South Dakota is. Leave the politics at the door and teach them what they need to know to be functionally literate, capable of balancing their checkbook, and able to figure out where they are.

I had to go after my child's school and the local school division here in Saskatoon Canada last year. We had several teachers, young Che Guevera neo-communist types who were just like the gentleman in the post. I ended up calling the superintendant, after taking on one of the teachers. In no time flat, posters of Che came down, Mickey Moore movies were banned, and so-called documentaries like "The Corporation" were found to be well outside the curriculum and biased. I think that this sort of thing goes on more than one would like to think.

I then brought up the issue on local talk radio, and found that it is a common problem. On my blog at the time, many commentors from the USA said they had similar experiences.

I am a teacher. I know that the vast majority of kids DO NOT tell their parents what goes on at school. So I ask, how much do any of you know about your own local school and what is being taught there? Rightwing and Leftwing rants have no place coming from the mouths of educators... but they will continue if parents don't find out about them.

I'm a Student at overland high School, and I personally know Sean Allen, and i know him to be a stout conservative and i know jay Bennish as well, and i kno him to be one of the most repected teachers at overland high School.

Jay Bennish was expressing himself in a way that he deemed fit in a classroom. and Just as a reminder, Cherry Creek School District, allows a teacher to express their own opinion,

And to be honest listen to the tape and some of it is logical, it is just when extreme conservatives hear their Bush being compared to hitler, and to be honest i consider myself conservative and i get a lot of negative comments at overland.

the ratio of students is like 15% conserative, 45% liberal, and 40% Too-stupid or un-affiliated. And many of the students are protesting, if any of you watch Colorado news its a huge story.

You Guys can't experience it inside the school, but I can and the people are enraged and many of the teachers are F*cking pissed about this, and no matter what people say every teacher, and I MEAN EVERY TEACHER, expresses their own personal opinion in the classroom, whether they are for or against Bush.

Hopefully Allen's recording tactic is part of a growing trend that will impose a degree of professionalism on the proselytizing leftists who thoroughly infest our educational system.

Somehow I doubt it. Once the furore dies down, I think you'll see stricter bans on kids bringing electronic devices to school, rationalized as "eliminating a source of disruption" or some such. Frankly, I'm shocked the kid didn't get expelled after this became public, on the grounds that he brought a forbidden item to school or recorded the teacher without permission or some such...I'd have expected the school officials to go after him and not the teacher.

"Just as a reminder, Cherry Creek School District, allows a teacher to express their own opinion."

So Eric, tell me, if one of your teachers was a fundamentalist Christian and expressed his "first-ammendment" rights by declaring his opinion that homosexuals should all be banished to eternal hellfire, that's okay, right?

Double standards anyone?

I listened to a bit of his "sermon", and I agree with a few of the other replies here. He is ranting, but some of the responses I see here and on television are no more sensible. Also, I didn't hear many opinions in his rantings, mostly it sounded like he has been watching Fox news and CNN a bit too much. I find it amusing that folks are jumping around and ranting in response, calling him leftist this and that. I have to ask those ranting in response, what parts are not true? Pick those parts out, and correct him on those, I don't believe we can deem him some extremist that hates America. Finally, I would be upset if my child were in that class, because I heard nothing about geography in his lecture.

Hey Debris Trail Go F**k yourself you leftwing S**tBag.

I am simply "appalled" by your comment that "that guy sure hates America!" So, all of a sudden, anyone who is not a BUSH the IDIOT"s supporter, is a hater of America? Excuse you!!!!

How exactly does one teach a geography class without integrating the socio-political, culture, and economic reasons for that geography? Especially at the high school level? Do we merely want our kids to recite meaningless capital cities?
God forbid we teach children to think!!!! At no point did Bennish say they had to agree, he repeatedly inserts that he just "wants them to think about it." Help me comprehend what he really did wrong. Is there not accuracy is his statements? (Let me catch you up -- there is). I didn't realize that promoting global understanding is outside the realm of education - in any course.
Jay Bennish -please come teach in our school district in NY, where we want our children to learn to use reason, logic and apply current events to the world, not continue a pathetic alphabetical recitation of states (best saved for elementary school, anyhow).
The opposition to Bennish has yet to really state what they are appalled by - is it really unacceptable to tell kids to think, and to play devil's advocate to the status quo?
Maybe my math students will tape me in the following lecture:
"2 + 2 = 5, right?"
"No, it's four."
"Are you sure it's not five?"
"Yes, we're sure."
"Why are you so sure? WHY?"
Will I be punished for offering the suggestion that's it's five, and then forcing them to explain why it's not?
How is that really so different, granted the difference of discipline?

That's why the fascist corporatists need to be beaten down and taken out, for power is the only thing they understand.

It is not NECESSARY to treat them as if they were human beings. They have forfeited their rights.

That's why these fascists need to be beaten down and taken out. They understand nothing but force.

In response to Doug's comment, considering we don't have any Christian extremists at OHS that say all homosexuals should be banished to a hellfire, I would have to assume that it would be breaching the line between church and state, which is one of the reasons why inteligent design or the theory of creationism cant b taught in class.

In response to Alan how he heard nothing of Geography in that lecture. I would like to say that u heard 20 minutes of a 50 minute class and the student outrage at OHS is caused by the fact that Mr. Bennish is such a Good teacher (because as Kiara put it "Do we merely want our kids reciting capital cities") and the answer is no! Mr. Bennish incorporates Government, Geography into one class. and Sean planned on recording this rant of the lecture.

BTW have any1 of u listened to the last part of the 20 minute tape? Listen to the last 3 mintutes and c what Bennish says!

In response to Debris Trail that's exactly why this is such a controversy is that this happens EVERY SINGLE DAY and this is one of the first time it has been brought to a head and many people have had a similar experience. Now what does that tell you? obviously that it is a problem in Society

In response to Kiara, U couldnt have said it any different, what I am thinking right now. Students should be able to think logically and play the devils advocate in certain situations. Kiara has hit right on where Mr. Bennish is coming from. he is a Dynamic teacher, who doesnt teach to a fricken textbook 24/7 and those are the true teachers and the ones that actually make a difference in the lives of children.

In response to Doug's comment, considering we don't have any Christian extremists at OHS that say all homosexuals should be banished to a hellfire, I would have to assume that it would be breaching the line between church and state, which is one of the reasons why inteligent design or the theory of creationism cant b taught in class.

In response to Alan how he heard nothing of Geography in that lecture. I would like to say that u heard 20 minutes of a 50 minute class and the student outrage at OHS is caused by the fact that Mr. Bennish is such a Good teacher (because as Kiara put it "Do we merely want our kids reciting capital cities") and the answer is no! Mr. Bennish incorporates Government, Geography into one class. and Sean planned on recording this rant of the lecture.

BTW have any1 of u listened to the last part of the 20 minute tape? Listen to the last 3 mintutes and c what Bennish says!

In response to Debris Trail that's exactly why this is such a controversy is that this happens EVERY SINGLE DAY and this is one of the first time it has been brought to a head and many people have had a similar experience. Now what does that tell you? obviously that it is a problem in Society

In response to Kiara, U couldnt have said it any different, what I am thinking right now. Students should be able to think logically and play the devils advocate in certain situations. Kiara has hit right on where Mr. Bennish is coming from. he is a Dynamic teacher, who doesnt teach to a fricken textbook 24/7 and those are the true teachers and the ones that actually make a difference in the lives of children.

I think that most are missing the point b/c they are bringing in the old "left v. right" or 1st amendment rights argument.

The primary problem here is that the statements are made by a person in a "superior" position and they are stated as if they are fact. If you listen close you can hear that most of the students only meekly answer his questions b/c they do not want to disagree with him.

For example one portion of the clip Jay says that the US is the most violent nation on the face of the earth. Jay does not say that he believes in this statement, he simply says that the US is the most violent. The students meekly (besides Allen) respond by agreeing with their teacher. By confronting his teacher, Allen gains the "deragatory" title as the Stout conservative (as Eric Grimes stated in his comment earlier), and the teacher stays "one of the most repected teachers" at the school" according to Eric.

The teacher should not be taking a position in the first place b/c of his superior position of teacher, however, if he does, he should allow for another person with the same superior position (i.e. another teacher, public official, or parent) to come into class to give the opposing view to show that not everything is as clear cut as he presents.

Additionally, the argument was made earlier that the posters here should show that something the teacher said was incorrect. I do not believe that you can prove most of his comments correct either.

So my response to those that argue that he everything he says is true b/c it cannot be proven false still need to ask themselves why he is giving "facts" without any basis behind them.

Holy crap! I've never seen so many comments on this site.

Since we're talking about education, maybe you should check these out:

BOOKS
NIGHT Elie Wiesel
THIS WAY FOR THE GAS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN Tadeusz Borowski
FILMS
TRIUMPH OF THE WILL
NIGHT AND FOG

These books and films protray real Fascism and real Nazis. This business about Bush being Hitler or America being the second coming of the Third Reich is a much of crap. Forcing a suspected rapist to wear his underwear on his head, like at Abu Ghraib, is not Fascism. Breaking a man's neck by standing on it with your boots, now that's Fascism. Punching out a prisoner because he smuggled a gun into the prison, like at Abu Ghraib, is not Fascism. Machine gunning about 30,000 Jews at Kiev in 1941, now that's Fascism.
Honest to God, are some people angry with Bush over what his GRANDFATHER did?

PS: My girlfriend in college was a biology major. Ah, to be young again. 'Nuff said.

Learn your history, Phil.

The very definition of fascism is the merging of corporatist business interests with governmental interests.

That's also a very apt description of the Republicans under the Bush Crime Family.

Wow! I had wondered where all the nutjobs had gone. It's been quiet around here lately, but they came out in force this time.

It says an awful lot about the left that you have a teacher dementedly ranting that Bush is practically Hitler, that capitalism is evil, that America is a terrorist state and the most violent nation on Earth, parroting terrorist anti-Israel propaganda ... and they see nothing wrong with it!

I'm a Student at overland high School, and I personally know Sean Allen, and i know him to be a stout conservative and i know jay Bennish as well, and i kno him to be one of the most repected teachers at overland high School.

I'm guessing OHS's English program isn't all that it could be, if this level of grammar and punctuation is typical.

The very definition of fascism is the merging of corporatist business interests with governmental interests. That's also a very apt description of the Republicans under the Bush Crime Family.

Posted by: hashfanatic at March 3, 2006 05:49 AM

I guess this is another case of "The Nic Explains Everything."

V the K, "it says an awful lot" about how irrelevant your comments are if you take the time to copy and paste a student's comments and attack the grammar, as if that is really the issue at hand. I was willing to read your comments with an open mind - can you say the same about yourself? I'm afraid you rendered yourself inane. Maybe those who are so frustrated with their inability to make a coherent point about an issue resort to grammar lessons.
And be wary of your summarizations of the lecture's points - a couple of them border on inaccurate, as does your gross generalization of the mindset of "the left." To me that's a far bigger infraction than a poorly constructed sentence, but what could i possibly kno ?

see what happens when someboddy dares to SPEAK TURTH TO POERS about the BushHITLER Junta! a geography class is exactly where to tell the truth all the evil Amurikka done in the world. there is a geography of maps but there is also a georgraphy of TRUTH and a geography of LIES and a geography of the HEART.

Jay Bennish will probably end up on DIKK Cheney's ranch where DIKK Cheney hunts themost danjerous gameof all humans!

i am expecting BushHITLER to arrange another "turrerist act" at the Oscars. he will kill all the gay celebs that turn out for brokeback moutin. that will make his facist theorcrat masters very happy. and make an excuse for more WARBUCKS to halliburton.

And be wary of your summarizations of the lecture's points - a couple of them border on inaccurate

Which is another way of saying that they're accurate.

Boy What a long thread!

Two observations;
One, being an instructor is not carte blanche to go off the intellectual reservation and rant on about one's political/social bugbears, be they from the right or left while class is in session. The instructor is being paid (by dearly paid property tax dollars) to instruct in the subject he/she is assigned to teach. If there is the unslaked need to rant, do it off-campus to a group of willing listeners, not a captive audience.

Second, some of the rants in this thread, prove my theory that thinking stops when name-calling begins.

V of K - Nice! (genuine, not sarcastic).
But really, isn't there a way to get back on topic -- not play Strunk and White? All I'm saying is debate the point, not attack the communicator's skills.

Those who feel Mr. Bennish has been wronged, should check out this link.

http://lawnrangers.blogspot.com/2006/03/dissecting-rant.html

ex-pat --- That link utterly demolishes any claim that Moonbeam Bennish was just "expressing his opinion." As the saying goes, you are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.

BRAVO: I think you'd better read again what I said... and maybe you'd better visit my site... ME??? A leftwing shitbag... now that's funny. Maybe an Islamophobic Rightwhing Pistol Pack'n Cannuck.... but not a Leftwing Shitbag. LOL :))

I can't believe that some of you think that Bennish was within his rights as a teacher to carry on with his rant. Whether leftwing or Rightwing, whether about Bush or Clinton, he was way over the line and he should be fired. The student who has written in here has obviously become so accustomed to this sort of ranting by his teachers that it seems appropriate; well it's not. Teachers are bound by their profession to teach fact and to foster debate in an environment free of intimidation. Once a teacher takes a overbearing stand either left or right, children become intimidated. If they come from homes where they don't have political feedback, they have no recourse to facts to backup their arguements.

Teachers, ranting in front of students is completely unfair. Kids do not have the experiential and factual backgrounds to defend themselves... it's the teachers job to provide experience and background free of intimidation... not to indoctrinate in either GOP, or DNC, or any other dogma, be in evangelical or Voodoo. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not protected by one-sided rants dished by hardheaded adults who lord it over impressionable teens.

Common on people, get a brain.

To digress a bit, from a link found on LGF, I wonder how Mr. Bennish's students would fare on this test?

http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/

Moonbat Teacher Preparing to File Lawsuit: Student May Have to Change Schools Because of Reprisals

You know I hear the hype and I listen to the actual tape and it seems like a lot of noise over what has happened in school since 1960...

Granted, the Hitler reference can be bad...Ironically, under Hitler it was common for kids to turn in their teachers, neighbors and even parents for "liberal" anti-government discussions...

Jay Bennish reminds me of that U.S.individual the CIA and U.S. Military found in that Taliban
Camp in Afganistan.Oops,America exposed him.

Thank you Sean Allen for exposing Jay.

Love it or leave it Jay.

Never expect more than a grunt from a pig.

This is what happens when neocons have a brilliant new idea of how to "control" the education of American children (under the suspension of all use of intellect and critical thought, of course).

sean allen

sean allen i taught school forever i know you are the type that is enjoying the limelight but you also know bennish is a good teacher he actually is more interesting than your ipod mtv or whatever but since you feel ready to rise to the adult world go somewhere that is quiet and read the first ten amendments of your constitution and then read the latest edition of the "PATRIOT ACT" its your future

Chuck - your last statement sums it all up.

sean allen i taught school forever i know you are the type that is enjoying the limelight but you also know bennish is a good teacher he actually is more interesting than your ipod mtv or whatever but since you feel ready to rise to the adult world go somewhere that is quiet and read the first ten amendments of your constitution and then read the latest edition of the "PATRIOT ACT" its your future

These are the words of someone who cannot type a grammatically correct sentence.
These are the words of a person who doesn’t know Strunk from White.
These are the words of someone whose mind cannot form logical arguments.
These are the words of a person who should NEVER come in contact with maturing minds.

If these are the words of someone who “taught school forever,” it is also clear that they are the words of someone who attended public school, and believes Jay Bennish to be intelligent. LOL

From the original post

Hopefully Allen's recording tactic is part of a growing trend that will impose a degree of professionalism on the proselytizing leftists who thoroughly infest our educational system.

From http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/hitleryouth/hj-prelude.htm

Throughout Nazi Germany, the entire teaching profession all the way up to university level had been purged of Jewish professors and anyone deemed politically unreliable regardless of their proven teaching abilities or achievements, including Nobel Prize recipients. Teachers who remained in the college classroom lived under the constant fear they might be denounced by one of their students and wind up in a concentration camp. This insecurity resulted in academic timidity which further lowered educational standards.

Once again -- Chuck nails it right on the head. Everyone read Chuck's final paragraph ten times. :)