Ken Schram commentaries
Apr. 27th, 2004 06:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xansFree Prosser
April 26, 2004
By Ken Schram
SEATTLE - Art students at Prosser High School were told to keep a notebook of drawings depicting the war in Iraq.
One 15-year-old turned in a sketch showing President Bush, dressed as a devil, launching a missile.
Another of his drawings was of a Middle Eastern-looking guy holding a rifle in one hand, while in the other hand was a pole with an oversized head of President Bush stuck on it.
The art teacher found the drawings troubling.
Maybe it was the caption that said: "End the War."
Anyway, the drawings were turned over to school administrators.
School administrators took a look and tossed this political hot potato to police, who took one look at the "Vote For Ralph Nader" slogan and called in the Secret Service.
Last week, Secret Service agents trekked out to Prosser and grilled the 15-year-old artist.
They left without charging him with anything, but that didn't stop the school district from punishing the kid anyway.
So, here's my question: When U.S. forces get finished bringing freedom to the people of Iraq, would it be possible for them to do the same thing for the people of Prosser?
I'm pretty sure there's at least one 15 year old over there who'd appreciate it.
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Ken Schram Commentary: Everything That's Wrong, Or Right About America?
April 27, 2004
By Ken Schram
SEATTLE - In some minds, that 15-year-old over in Prosser represents everything that's wrong with America today.
In my mind, I thought the class-assigned art project that got him in trouble with school officials, the police and the Secret Service, is what America is supposed to represent. (See earlier commentary: here.)
Cameron Stewart writes: "Everyone in these perilous times knows that teenagers are capable of carrying out terrible atrocities... (I think) the teacher...and the Secret Service acted appropriately...you, on the other hand, come off as simplistic..."
Mike Pittman: "Maybe...the school was old-fashioned enough to realize the kid was an immature jerk with no respect for anyone, and decided to teach him a little lesson."
Cathy-Johnson Berger: "Why don't you and your nutcase artist 'pal' head over to Iraq. I'm sure his artwork and your loony liberal values will be...successful to end the war."
And from Blair Spicer: "I can't believe (that) chicken-crap of a (commentary). That 15 year old deserves more than he got."
Ironically, I think you're right Mr. Spicer.
He did deserve more.
He deserved the freedom to express his opinion.
Thanks to everyone who wrote.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm with Ken on this one.
Fin.
April 26, 2004
By Ken Schram
SEATTLE - Art students at Prosser High School were told to keep a notebook of drawings depicting the war in Iraq.
One 15-year-old turned in a sketch showing President Bush, dressed as a devil, launching a missile.
Another of his drawings was of a Middle Eastern-looking guy holding a rifle in one hand, while in the other hand was a pole with an oversized head of President Bush stuck on it.
The art teacher found the drawings troubling.
Maybe it was the caption that said: "End the War."
Anyway, the drawings were turned over to school administrators.
School administrators took a look and tossed this political hot potato to police, who took one look at the "Vote For Ralph Nader" slogan and called in the Secret Service.
Last week, Secret Service agents trekked out to Prosser and grilled the 15-year-old artist.
They left without charging him with anything, but that didn't stop the school district from punishing the kid anyway.
So, here's my question: When U.S. forces get finished bringing freedom to the people of Iraq, would it be possible for them to do the same thing for the people of Prosser?
I'm pretty sure there's at least one 15 year old over there who'd appreciate it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Schram Commentary: Everything That's Wrong, Or Right About America?
April 27, 2004
By Ken Schram
SEATTLE - In some minds, that 15-year-old over in Prosser represents everything that's wrong with America today.
In my mind, I thought the class-assigned art project that got him in trouble with school officials, the police and the Secret Service, is what America is supposed to represent. (See earlier commentary: here.)
Cameron Stewart writes: "Everyone in these perilous times knows that teenagers are capable of carrying out terrible atrocities... (I think) the teacher...and the Secret Service acted appropriately...you, on the other hand, come off as simplistic..."
Mike Pittman: "Maybe...the school was old-fashioned enough to realize the kid was an immature jerk with no respect for anyone, and decided to teach him a little lesson."
Cathy-Johnson Berger: "Why don't you and your nutcase artist 'pal' head over to Iraq. I'm sure his artwork and your loony liberal values will be...successful to end the war."
And from Blair Spicer: "I can't believe (that) chicken-crap of a (commentary). That 15 year old deserves more than he got."
Ironically, I think you're right Mr. Spicer.
He did deserve more.
He deserved the freedom to express his opinion.
Thanks to everyone who wrote.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm with Ken on this one.
Fin.
