Knowledge Is Power

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#203, 8912-156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

August XXIVth, MMXII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

In this fantastic film which played last night on the "Summer Under The Stars Festival" on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), two heavyweight lawyers go after eachother viciously IV their own gain & all sides are trying II not just do good, but gain attention & power IV their own side. A school teacher is arrested IV teaching Charles Darwin's "Theory Of Evolution", from a textbook which he or any of his students could buy at any bookstore, or peruse w/o problem at a library.

The teacher gets arrested IV just presenting a theory, he wasn't trying II force his students II believe in evolution, or give up their beliefs in christianity. All he was trying II do was teach another viewpoint & frankly, isn't that what teachers are supposed to do in a classroom setting? Double Academy Award (TM) Winner Spencer Tracy, & Double Academy Award (TM) Winner Fredric March, & Academy Award (TM) Winner, the great song & dance man Gene Kelly headline the cast. The teacher got arrested for teaching evolution in a public school setting, whereas if he had taught it in a private school, he wouldn't have been arrested.

This is the point where thought control or "big brother is watching you" comes into play. German Corporal/Fuhrer Adolf Hitler burned books, & made people read his doctrines in "Mein Kampf." By legislating what teachers can teach, students are cheated out of the experience of learning about debate point & counterpoint. Not II mention the ability to "think" IV themselves. Its happening today in our schools, some parents with certain religions do not want sexual education or politics talked about as they don't want their kids to be "overexposed" to sex thoughts/ideas. Still other parents do not believe in the political process & so want their kids II think the same way, even sadly II the point of not having the choice as II vote or not in elections.

Its A Never Ending Battle Between What Parents, Teachers, School Administrators, & What Students Want,

Rory

Source: Www.Tcm.Com. Turner Classic Movies "Summer Under The Stars Festival": XXIV (24) Hour(s) Tribute II Gene Kelly.