Just when I thought things could not get stranger...

[Spectre]

This school year is not really going badly for me, but I cannot recall one where there were more odd, almost humorous, even ludicrous incidents.

Another one occured today.

Each morning, everyone is required to read for 15-20 minutes, teachers included. :)

I've read Orson Scott Card, read the book on "Teach like your hair is on fire," and have dabbled in some of the "Chicken Soup For the Soul" books. Then this week (today, actually) I decided to begin reading "Culture Warrior" by Bill O'Reilly. :eek:

I know many have heard of him. He was in the news this week concerning an altercation with one of Obama's security people. He's the "no spin zone" guy on the FOX network and is noted for championing many "traditional" values. I admit, I like many of the things the guy says, but I don't agree with him on everything.

Anyhow, the premise behind the "Culture warrior" is that O'Reilly seeks to defend many American traditions and sees himself as opposed to some of the "progressive" reforms esposed by many on the "left." As an american citizen, he has the right to do this, yes? As an American citizen, I have the right to read his book if I desire, yes?

I won't prolong the suspense. One of our girls saw me reading the book, reported it to one of our guidance counselors (guess which one?) and later on in the day, I was accosed and asked why I was reading a book written by a known racist. :confused:

I was unsure of whether I ought to laugh aloud or burst into tears of utter frustration.

Have mercy!

[busbus]

Anyhow, the premise behind the "Culture warrior" is that O'Reilly seeks to defend many American traditions and sees himself as opposed to some of the "progressive" reforms esposed by many on the "left." As an american citizen, he has the right to do this, yes? As an American citizen, I have the right to read his book if I desire, yes?

I won't prolong the suspense. One of our girls saw me reading the book, reported it to one of our guidance counselors (guess which one?) and later on in the day, I was accosed and asked why I was reading a book written by a known racist. :confused:

I was unsure of whether I ought to laugh aloud or burst into tears of utter frustration.

Have mercy!

Have mercy is RIGHT!!!

You have the right, as an American Citizen, to read whatever you want! How dare that guidance counselor ask you why you were reading a book written by a known racist!

You should have said, "It's none of your business; but, as an American citizen, I do have the right to read whatever book I choose to read without getting permission from YOU or anyone else!"

By now, this guidance counselor would be laughable to me! Not worth the stress of getting myself frustrated or angry! :D

[Chef Dave]

I haven't read this book, so I really can't comment on it either way. I will say that Bill O'Reilley's show, The O'Reilley Factor, is the highest rated show of its type on cable news. Even though I am fairly conservative, I am not a regular watcher. I don't particularly like the way he runs over some of the people he interviews. I think an interviewer needs to be a bit more objective and less opinionated than Bill O'Reilley.

With regards to this book, O'Reilly certainly has his share of critics. According to Media Matters for America, one of the criticisms relating to "The Culture Warrior" was that on page 29, the author accused the current ACLU executive director of giving orders to all ACLU members to avoid appearing on the O'Reilley Factor. No evidence was offered to support this claim and it turns out that several ACLU members have actually appeared on the show since Romero took over as executive director in 2001.

Media Matters for America has allegedly documented several errors or inconsistencies in this book. Even allowing for the fact that this group has a strong liberal bias, I cannot help but think that Mr. O'Reilley should have done a better job verifying his facts before the book went into publication.

Reference: http://mediamatters.org/items/200609220010

In terms of the school counselor's characterization of Bill O'Reilley as a racist ... I'm afraid that have to agree with her. O'Reilley may not be a racist in the sense of the KKK or the neo-Nazi party ... but he has an unfortunate history of making racial slurs.

For example, in April 2003, Bill O'Reilly hosted a fund raiser for Best Friends, a charity benefiting inner-city schoolchildren. As reported in the Washington Post (4/15/03), O'Reilly was trying to fill the time before a singing group connected with the charity, called the Best Men, was set to perform, and quipped: "Does anyone know where the Best Men are? I hope they're not in the parking lot stealing our hubcaps."

On January 5, 2003, O'Reilly criticized the Immigration and Naturalization Service for not doing its job and by keeping out "the wetbacks."

During an interview for Stuff magazine (11/02), O'Reilly claimed that that "the most unattractive women in the world are probably in the Muslim countries."

When a Jewish caller, phoned in on Dec 7, 2004 to discuss being offended by the focus of schools on Christmas, O'Reilly told the caller that America is "a predominantly Christian nation" and that "if you are really offended, you gotta go to Israel."

[Bananas]

Anyhow, the premise behind the "Culture warrior" is that O'Reilly seeks to defend many American traditions and sees himself as opposed to some of the "progressive" reforms esposed by many on the "left." As an american citizen, he has the right to do this, yes? As an American citizen, I have the right to read his book if I desire, yes?

I won't prolong the suspense. One of our girls saw me reading the book, reported it to one of our guidance counselors (guess which one?) and later on in the day, I was accosed and asked why I was reading a book written by a known racist. :confused:

I was unsure of whether I ought to laugh aloud or burst into tears of utter frustration.

Have mercy!Yes, this is one of the times of shaking the head in disbelief. Reading a book by a perceived racist does not a racist make. Many people read or listen to others who are on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Do people not read to learn and be educated? By being better informed, a person is able to make better decisions and make fewer mistakes. Just because O'Reilly is perceived as a racist does not mean that people cannot learn from him. A reasonably intelligent person discerns what to take away, and what to discard.

My own grandpa was a bigot, much like many people in his generation. Does that mean I had to totally shun him because of that quality? No. I loved him dearly and learned a lot from him. However, I was not proud of this trait in him, and I did learn some valuable lessons in life on this topic.

I am sure you are documenting this event!