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Reinstate Mr. Thomas Leahy

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Guest#301 Nov 07, 2015, 09:08
Because there are too many haters out there. I think these bible thumpers are the least moral people that there is.
JakeM#302 Nov 07, 2015, 10:06

Re:

#123: -  

 VERY well said!!

Guest#303 Nov 07, 2015, 13:07
We need to stand up to the forces of ignorance and bigotry
Guest#304 Nov 07, 2015, 14:21
To show that freedom is still important in the US and the rest of the world. Freedom of speech, freedom from parents that teaches their children to hate.
Guest#305 Nov 07, 2015, 14:38
A teacher's job is to make students think. And Mr. Leahy is exemplary in that regard.
Guest#306 Nov 07, 2015, 14:54
I remember High School. Back then bullies were an extension of teachers and the school administration. They preyed on students the teachers let them. They enforced a conformity the school couldn't. Mr. Leahy's actions seem quite appropriate considering the attitude of apparently many students in his class. Considering the school administrators are probably of my generation, they likely hold an outlook similar to what they saw growing up in school and defend it to themselves with "bullying isn't as big a deal as they say" thoughts. As well, the prejudice of the students didn't arise spontaneously in a vacuum. I suspect the most vocal parents have the more prejudice kids.
Guest#307 Nov 07, 2015, 14:58
Teaching children to be tolerant is not a reason to be fired or asked to resign, if it were reversed, would you want him to stay??
Guest#308 Nov 07, 2015, 15:26
We ask much of our teachers, but provide so little in return for their daily efforts to improve the skills, abilities, and possibilities of our children. Fundamentally, a teacher shows children how to use their minds effectively. This is precisely what Mr. Leahy did. He should be rewarded for his efforts, rather than penalized in an accommodation to the narrow biases and worldviews of a few.
Guest#309 Nov 07, 2015, 16:47
Because prejudice, discrimination and bullying is wrong. Numerous religions and philosophies teach that we should treat others as we want and deserve to be treated. Human life and dignity is paramount.
Guest#310 Nov 07, 2015, 17:40
As part of the LGBT+ community, I'm giving back to Thomas for sticking up for me and my fellow LGBT+ individuals
Jim#311 Nov 07, 2015, 18:28

As one who has fond memories of growing up in Kansas...

I habitually cringe when I read about the reactionary, bigoted attitudes and policies that control too much of what happens in my home state.  That was my initial reaction to the story of Leahy's suspension for taking the initiative to teach his students about the dangers of bullying.

It's heartening to learn that Kansans are standing up for Leahy's actions, instead of knuckling under to yet another overreach by authoritarian "leaders".  Leahy is the leader in this case, as are the individual Kansans fighting back against knee-jerk, repressive stereotypes.  

Stand your ground, Mr. Leahy.

Jim O'Leary

Columbine Valley, CO

Guest#312 Nov 07, 2015, 19:04
What this teacher did was right. He met with bullying head on. The school district should thank him. Stop caving in to homophobia and do the RIGHT thing by protecting the rights of ALL your students, not just the straight ones.
Guest#313 Nov 07, 2015, 19:18
This is wrong. I found the video a little graphic yes but not so much it shouldn't be required viewing.
Guest#314 Nov 07, 2015, 19:40
As a young boy I worked for two gay men who I didn't know were gay at the time. They were both very respectful of my heterosexual nature and helped me learn respect for others.
Guest#315 Nov 07, 2015, 19:54
Anyone who wants this teacher removed should have a long talk with a gay friend or two. If they have no gay friends, they need to get some. We're just human, really.
Guest#316 Nov 07, 2015, 20:03
guy doesn't doesn't deserve to lose his job because of bigot school board/parents/ignorant kids.
Guest#317 Nov 07, 2015, 20:11
I grew up in Kansas; I've seen the video; it's something people need to see and think about because that's the harsh reality the LGBT community suffers daily.
Guest#318 Nov 07, 2015, 20:28
The school board needs to focus on the bullying if LGBT youth. Refusing to discuss homosexuality doesn't "prevent" kids from being gay. Instead, it leaves them feeling isolated and alone.
Guest#319 Nov 07, 2015, 20:30
The teacher was doing his job. He was teaching students to be tolerant of other ideas and lifestyles. He was truly educati g them to live in a free society.
Guest#320 Nov 07, 2015, 21:14
I find it 100% crazy that this man seemingly a respectable teacher is trying to make a difference in these kids lives and gets crap for it. Now I dont live in the town and dont know him, But its circling around the internet and I felt this strong urge to speak up against it
Guest#321 Nov 07, 2015, 21:25
Teachers _should_ be teaching tolerance and compassion, as he did. Asking kids to take another perspective is part of their growth and learning.
Guest#322 Nov 07, 2015, 22:11

With our education system in such bad shape, we need these kind of people to educate the future to open their minds. If we never learn to open our minds we cannot progress as a people or culture.

Guest#323 Nov 07, 2015, 23:26
Because we need to end bigotry in this country and learn to LOVE EVERYONE for who they are. That is the only way to peace!
Guest#324 Nov 08, 2015, 00:21
Somebody has to stop these idiot right-wing mossbacks!
kp#325 Nov 10, 2015, 00:17

please don't resign

That this happened just shows how much teachers like Tom Leahy are needed. As long as it is presented in a way that leads to an open, non finger-pointing discussion over the issues I don't see any harm in showing it to that age group. I applaud him for being willing to discuss this hard topic with his classes.