Michele Bachmann and Vets for Freedom in Forest Lake HS

I think this organization is a shameful disgrace to all our veterans and you members should be ashamed of yourselves. If it were not for our Veterans and our wonderful country you would not have the FREEDOM to write this garbage on this web site or protest for what you believe in. Unfotunetly your THREATS of protest and media attention are not promoting peace you are harming our children and I feel a direct contributor to our countries problems. I too contacted my school board members, my mayor and the principal and here is my message- I wonder if you print my oposing view? Probably not!
LEICKMAN
Wyoming,MN
Mr. and/or Mrs. Board Member,
I would like to express my concerns about out Principal's decision to not allow the United States Veteran's to speak at the Forest Lake High School Social Studies Class. I think it is disgraceful to the Men And Women who have served our country. As a Board Member you are voted into this position to make sure that decisions regarding the education of our children is done in the most professional and respectful manner. Unfortunately this decision must have been made based on the Principal's personal views about our military and the politics of the current war on terror. The media suggests that the decision was based on rumors of a protest from some activists in our community. This is completely unacceptable to me as a tax payer and more so as a parent. It is completely appropriate from an educational perspective to teach our students first hand about the Social Studies/Government/Civics of our country by having our countries servicemen speak. I would think many would agree it is their responsibility to do so.

I think the media attention this decision has made is far worse for the school district that a few people protesting the speakers. I hope that this decision does not effect our community negatively as it has our school. It is decisions like this that are turning more parents away from our district and open-enrolling their children into other near by districts. I have 4 children, 2 of which are school age and open-enroll into Chisago Lake district. As a prarent I made that decision several years ago to go outside our district because the school boards for Forest Lake continue to make decisions regarding funding and classes based on a few out-spoken individuals in the community and the agenda of "more money for education" instead of what the whole community wants. I am disappointed that my property tax dollars need to go to this school district and I wait for the day that we have a choice with school vouchers.