Books More Police nonsense. Father arrested for Speaking Against Sexually Explicit Book - Page 6

Deberg_1990 · 05-07-2014, 10:17 AM

What the??? He violated the 2 minute rule.

You can jump to around 5:00 in the video.

Gilford, NH- A father of a high school student was arrested at a school board meeting Monday night after protesting the school’s sexually explicit required reading assigned to his 9th grade daughter at Gilford High School.

The book in question, ”Nineteen Minutes” by author Jodi Picoult, is about a school shooting taking place in a fictitious New Hampshire town, and it contains themes of student violence, bullying, and sexual aggression. There is one particularly provocative and graphic depiction of violent, drunken sex between two teens in the story on page 313. Click here to read the passage (warning: graphic language and explicit sexual content).

William Baer came to the meeting to voice his opposition to the school’s failure to send home notification alerting parents of the graphic content. “I’m outraged that Gilford High School would require my daughter to read this kind of material,” Baer told the Laconia Daily Sun.

Josh Youssef, a friend of Baer, spoke with Benswann.com about what preceded the school board meeting and Baer’s arrest. Youssef was at Baer’s home when they were talking about a reading assignment given to Baer’s daughter. Youssef opened the book and came across page 313, and they were shocked by the graphic description of rough sex. “His jaw dropped,” Youseff told Benswann.com.

Baer then contacted Principal Peter Sawyer of Gilford High School last Wednesday to arrange a meeting, but was told by Sawyer it would not be possible to meet before the weekend. Baer attended Monday’s meeting to make his concerns known to the school board. There was a police officer present at the meeting, Gilford Lt. James Leach. Youssef said that he had been told by other parents that it’s not common for police to be present at Gilford school board meetings.

The school board meeting allowed for public comment only; no discussion, questions or speaking more than once was permitted.

After Baer spoke for two minutes- the maximum speaking time dictated by the school board- another parent, Joe Wernig, spoke in support of the book’s content. Baer responded to Wernig’s comments, and it was then that he was asked to leave by Leach. When Baer asked if he was going to be arrested, he was escorted from the meeting by Leach and handcuffed before being placed in a police cruiser. After Baer’s arrest, Lt. Leach was not replaced by another officer for the duration of the meeting.

Baer was not the only angry parent at the school board meeting. Another parent, Sarah Carrigan, said that she was “utterly appalled that this was an ‘oversight’”. Baer’s wife, Barbara Baer, shares her husband’s frustration. “They can discuss this some other way,” she said. “They don’t need that kind of imagery.”

“Nineteen Minutes” has been part of Gilford’s 9th grade AP English curriculum since 2007 when it was published. The school issued a statement that concluded the district “will take immediate action to revise these policies to include notification that requires parents to accept controversial material, rather than opt out.” The school sent out a notice stating that the book assigned “depicts high school relationships, some of which are unhealthy.”

Baer told Benswann.com that the school’s notice was only sent out after he went to the principal to discuss it, and that the notice failed to disclose the graphic passage in the book. “I can’t believe the school requires this as reading material,” he said. “There’s no reason to expect this kind of thing.”

While some parents say that this book opens up critical dialogue between parents and their children, Baer noted that when he asked Sawyer to discuss the passage in context with the rest of the book, Sawyer said he was uncomfortable doing so.

In the extended video below, given to Benswann.com by Youssef, Baer is shown being arrested after speaking out. Youssef believes, and the video shows, at minute 5:05 the superintendent signalling Lt. Leach to confront Baer to remove him from the building.

Read more: http://benswann.com/exclusive-father...#ixzz312z4HDPa
Follow us: @BenSwann_ on Twitter

NinerDoug · 05-07-2014, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC native

We're talking about 14-15 year olds here. I started getting blow jobs at that point and I wasn't even close to being the only one.

If we were talking about 8th grade, then I'd be inclined to agree a little more (although not sure if I would completely agree).

With the spread of internet access and kids knowing how to circumvent just about any type of filter, it's ridiculous that someone would make an issue out of this book.

Also, American attitudes about sex in general are very prudish and ridiculous.

This.

What is the reading of page 313 supposedly going to lead to? The entire debate is just silly.

NewChief · 05-07-2014, 01:54 PM

From an educational administrative standpoint, the problem is that it's required reading. If I were to assign something of that nature, even to high school seniors, I'd send home a note letting them know that the work would have some mature content and an alternate assignment would be available for the student. This is what we have to do anytime we show R rated movies in our classes (such as V for Vendetta).

DaveNull · 05-07-2014, 01:55 PM

What other stuff do you put in the curriculum that the fundies get all weird about?

**loochy** · 05-07-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNull

What other stuff do you put in the curriculum that the fundies get all weird about?

Science

**BigMeatballDave** · 05-07-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC native

Yes, over protective.

A lot of kids are sexually active by 9th grade (and if they have cell phones or internet access, they've already seen worse at that point).

You are completely missing the point.

They are taking the decision out of the parent's hands.

You can place safeguards on their home computer.

If your child had a friend over, would you subject them to this, without their parent's consent?

**loochy** · 05-07-2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Why are you racist against books?

jewish authors

**LoneWolf** · 05-07-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

Bull.
****ing.
Shit.

Next time you are going to post something so vulgar, can you send a note to my house so I can decide if I want to let my innocent eyes see your post.

KC native · 05-07-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

From an educational administrative standpoint, the problem is that it's required reading. If I were to assign something of that nature, even to high school seniors, I'd send home a note letting them know that the work would have some mature content and an alternate assignment would be available for the student. This is what we have to do anytime we show R rated movies in our classes (such as V for Vendetta).

I would say it's probably a pretty safe bet that a notice was sent home about this book as well.

KC native · 05-07-2014, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

You are completely missing the point.

They are taking the decision out of the parent's hands.

You can place safeguards on their home computer.

If your child had a friend over, would you subject them to this, without their parent's consent?

As a parent, there are a lot of decisions that are taken out of the parent's hands. Louis CK has a great bit about this and notes that in this country we get to "choose" what and when we expose our children to things. People have this unreasonable righteous indignation when it comes to exposing their "kids" to these types of things (kids is in quotes because 14-15 yr olds aren't kids).

Pretending like this book is an important decision for a parent of a 14-15 year old to decide whether to "expose" their children too is flat out ridiculous. Getting pissed about it even more so.

Just Passin' By · 05-07-2014, 02:03 PM

From the article:

Quote:

The school issued a statement that concluded the district “will take immediate action to revise these policies to include notification that requires parents to accept controversial material, rather than opt out.”

At least the school got it partially figured out, even if too many of those posting here can't.

KC native · 05-07-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

jewish authors

U HOLOCAUST DENIER!

KC native · 05-07-2014, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

From the article:

At least the school got it partially figured out, even if too many of those posting here can't.

heh, so a notice was provided and it said if you want your child to opt out then let us know.

If only that "dad" had paid attention earlier in the year.

Beef Supreme · 05-07-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC native

heh, so a notice was provided and it said if you want your child to opt out then let us know.

If only that "dad" had paid attention earlier in the year.

Actually, that's not what it says at all. Take a minute and read the OP.

**notorious** · 05-07-2014, 02:08 PM

Great, a thread full of people telling everyone else how to parent their kids.

KC native · 05-07-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Actually, that's not what it says at all. Take a minute and read the OP.

That's what the asshole dad that got arrested said. I'm inclined to not believe him.

05-07-2014, 10:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	More Police nonsense. Father arrested for Speaking Against Sexually Explicit Book What the??? He violated the 2 minute rule. You can jump to around 5:00 in the video. Gilford, NH- A father of a high school student was arrested at a school board meeting Monday night after protesting the school’s sexually explicit required reading assigned to his 9th grade daughter at Gilford High School. The book in question, ”Nineteen Minutes” by author Jodi Picoult, is about a school shooting taking place in a fictitious New Hampshire town, and it contains themes of student violence, bullying, and sexual aggression. There is one particularly provocative and graphic depiction of violent, drunken sex between two teens in the story on page 313. Click here to read the passage (warning: graphic language and explicit sexual content). William Baer came to the meeting to voice his opposition to the school’s failure to send home notification alerting parents of the graphic content. “I’m outraged that Gilford High School would require my daughter to read this kind of material,” Baer told the Laconia Daily Sun. Josh Youssef, a friend of Baer, spoke with Benswann.com about what preceded the school board meeting and Baer’s arrest. Youssef was at Baer’s home when they were talking about a reading assignment given to Baer’s daughter. Youssef opened the book and came across page 313, and they were shocked by the graphic description of rough sex. “His jaw dropped,” Youseff told Benswann.com. Baer then contacted Principal Peter Sawyer of Gilford High School last Wednesday to arrange a meeting, but was told by Sawyer it would not be possible to meet before the weekend. Baer attended Monday’s meeting to make his concerns known to the school board. There was a police officer present at the meeting, Gilford Lt. James Leach. Youssef said that he had been told by other parents that it’s not common for police to be present at Gilford school board meetings. The school board meeting allowed for public comment only; no discussion, questions or speaking more than once was permitted. After Baer spoke for two minutes- the maximum speaking time dictated by the school board- another parent, Joe Wernig, spoke in support of the book’s content. Baer responded to Wernig’s comments, and it was then that he was asked to leave by Leach. When Baer asked if he was going to be arrested, he was escorted from the meeting by Leach and handcuffed before being placed in a police cruiser. After Baer’s arrest, Lt. Leach was not replaced by another officer for the duration of the meeting. Baer was not the only angry parent at the school board meeting. Another parent, Sarah Carrigan, said that she was “utterly appalled that this was an ‘oversight’”. Baer’s wife, Barbara Baer, shares her husband’s frustration. “They can discuss this some other way,” she said. “They don’t need that kind of imagery.” “Nineteen Minutes” has been part of Gilford’s 9th grade AP English curriculum since 2007 when it was published. The school issued a statement that concluded the district “will take immediate action to revise these policies to include notification that requires parents to accept controversial material, rather than opt out.” The school sent out a notice stating that the book assigned “depicts high school relationships, some of which are unhealthy.” Baer told Benswann.com that the school’s notice was only sent out after he went to the principal to discuss it, and that the notice failed to disclose the graphic passage in the book. “I can’t believe the school requires this as reading material,” he said. “There’s no reason to expect this kind of thing.” While some parents say that this book opens up critical dialogue between parents and their children, Baer noted that when he asked Sawyer to discuss the passage in context with the rest of the book, Sawyer said he was uncomfortable doing so. In the extended video below, given to Benswann.com by Youssef, Baer is shown being arrested after speaking out. Youssef believes, and the video shows, at minute 5:05 the superintendent signalling Lt. Leach to confront Baer to remove him from the building. Read more: http://benswann.com/exclusive-father...#ixzz312z4HDPa Follow us: @BenSwann_ on Twitter
Posts: 66,914

05-07-2014, 01:54 PM	#77
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $9730204	From an educational administrative standpoint, the problem is that it's required reading. If I were to assign something of that nature, even to high school seniors, I'd send home a note letting them know that the work would have some mature content and an alternate assignment would be available for the student. This is what we have to do anytime we show R rated movies in our classes (such as V for Vendetta). __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,758

05-07-2014, 01:55 PM	#78
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $10005610	What other stuff do you put in the curriculum that the fundies get all weird about?
Posts: 2,367

05-07-2014, 02:08 PM	#89
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2975884	Great, a thread full of people telling everyone else how to parent their kids.
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