Heard It With Our Own Ears (and We Still Don't Believe It)

In case you missed it, El Rushbo had a rather disturbing call just before 2 pm (EST) today, from a woman in Sarasota, Florida. She explained that her son is a fourth-grader at Bay Haven Elementary School in the city, and was pleased to learn that the school will celebrate Veteran's Day tomorrow.

Then, her son asked: "Mommy, what's a conscientious objector?"

Turns out that her son's teacher plans to commemorate the holiday by recognizing those who refused to serve. The woman complained to the school's principal, who said she could not dictate how teachers observed Veteran's Day; however, she did agree to the mother's request that her son be moved to another classroom on Friday, for a more appropriate observation of the holiday.

And it gets worse--from an educational perspective. Bay Haven isn't your run-of-the-mill K-5 institution; it's the only magnet school among the 23 elementary schools in the Sarasota County system. It's been recognized as "National School of Merit;" an "A School; " a "5-Star School" and a Golden School Award Winner. In other words, it's supposedly a model of educational excellence.

Or should we saw indoctrination?

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ADDENDUM: For the record, we have nothing against legitimate conscientious objectors (notably the Amish and Quakers) who have long refused military service on religious grounds. But, contrary to what that teacher in Sarasota may believe, refusing to serve is not the same thing as wearing the uniform. The fourth-grade teacher's "commemoration" is an abomination to all veterans, and its deplorable that the school system is allowing her to proceed.