# Colorado teacher Jay Bennish suspended after anti-Bush/anti-capitalism rant **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 2, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778 "2006-03-02T17:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/1 "2006-03-02T17:24:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Capitalism: If you don’t understand the economic system of capitalism, you don’t understand the world in which we live. Ok. Economic system in which all or most of the means of production, etc., are owned privately and operated in a somewhat competitive environment for the purpose of producing PROFIT! Of course, you can shorten these definitions down. Make sure you get the gist of it. Do you see how when, you know, when you’re looking at this definition, where does it say anything about capitalism is an economic system that will provide everyone in the world with the basic needs that they need? Is that a part of this system? Do you see how this economic system is at odds with humanity? At odds with caring and compassion? It’s at odds with human rights. > > Anytime you have a system that is designed to procure profit, when profit is the bottom motive – money – that means money is going to become more important potentially than what? Safety, human lives, etc. Thus spake Mr. Jay Bennish, an Overland High School geography teacher, to his 10th grade class in 20-minute lesson captured on tape by one of his students and available [here](http://www.850koa.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=news_worthy.xml). Other gems included: > [@](#): > > How did Israel and the modern Israeli state even come into existence in the first place? > … After the Israel-Zionist movement conducted what? Terrorist acts. They assassinated the British prime minster in Palestine. They blew up buildings. They stole military equipment. Assassinated hundreds of people. Car bombings, you name it. That’s how the modern state of Israel was made. Was through violence and terrorism. Eventually we did allow them to have the land. Why? Not because we really care, but because we wanted a strategic ally. We saw a way to us to get a hook into the Middle East. > > If we create a modern nation of Israel, then, and we make them dependent on us for military aid and financial aid, then we can control a part of the Middle East. And of course there’s the obligatory: > [@](#): > > Now, I’m not saying that Bush and Hitler are exactly the same. Obviously, they are not. Ok. But there are some eerie similarities to the tones that they use. Very, very “ethnocentric.” We’re right. You’re all wrong. Naturally, I expect the usual crowd here to cheer this teacher for his cogent analysis of Bush’s similarity to Hitler, and agree with him that capitalism is at odds with human rights. Fortunately, the school district’s administrators were not drawn from the ranks of the SDMB. They have suspended Mr. Bennish, and pointed out that their district requires a balanced political viewpoint be presented in the school’s lessons. I agree with their action, and I’d say that unless it develops that this was an elaborate lesson plan, designed to challenge student’s assumptions and create lively debate, Mr. Bennish should look for other work. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/2 "2006-03-02T17:30:11Z")
Here’s a question that’s bothered me, as an Israeli, for a very long time: when the fuck did we lose the Left and how do we get it back? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/3 "2006-03-02T17:30:49Z")
Well, at least he doesn’t teach math. But yeah, that sort of behavior is inappropriate in his situation. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/4 "2006-03-02T17:37:26Z")
Should we also wander around various school districts finding and punishing teachers who extoll capitalism as a system that has no evil? Should we punish teachers who state that Islam is an aggrerssive religion that seeks world domination? We certainly supported teachers who claimed that there was a world-wide Communist conspiracy to enslave all mankind. Should those teachers have been disciplined? How much persuasive power does a single teacher in a single class have to warp the minds of high school kids? Is it appropriate to suppress every expression that is not “balanced” (or, at least, not “balanced” in the direction that favors our viewpoints)? The guy sounds a bit extreme, but no more so than guys I’ve encountered whose “extremism” goes in the other direction that various political groups would champion. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/5 "2006-03-02T17:38:53Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Here’s a question that’s bothered me, as an Israeli, for a very long time: when the fuck did we lose the Left and how do we get it back? I’m thinking it was the Six Day War or thereabouts. Palestinian refugees are photogenic, and there’s the whole, “We’re victims of western imperialism” thing going. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/6 "2006-03-02T17:47:57Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Here’s a question that’s bothered me, as an Israeli, for a very long time: when the fuck did we lose the Left and how do we get it back? My guess would be it started with the Sabra/Shatila massacres, combined with the West Bank settlement program, combined with the policy of responding to attacks by bulldozing entire neighborhoods, capped off by putting the Wall not only up but where it is. It isn’t just the Left either, it’s the center and much of the right, for that matter. Current US relations with the Arab world are primarily what keeps it from getting even worse. I don’t know how you’ll “get us back” without a serious attempt at finally negotiating the two-state solution that I think most of us expect. > [@Bricker](#): > > Naturally, I expect the usual crowd here to cheer this teacher for his cogent analysis of Bush’s similarity to Hitler Nice job, Godwinizing _your own OP_. If that is, in fact, all you’ve gotten from your years reading this board, you might as well just stick to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/7 "2006-03-02T18:05:07Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Should we also wander around various school districts finding and punishing teachers who extoll capitalism as a system that has no evil? Should we punish teachers who state that Islam is an aggrerssive religion that seeks world domination? Nope. We should just punish this guy. Or to answer you seriously, if we have a teacher who is teaching about capitalism with such a lack of critical thinking as to lead him to say it never produces less than optimal results, then I would certainly question his teaching skills. etc, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/8 "2006-03-02T18:09:01Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Nope. We should just punish this guy. > > Or to answer you seriously, if we have a teacher who is teaching about capitalism with such a lack of critical thinking as to lead him to say it never produces less than optimal results, then I would certainly question his teaching skills. > > etc, etc. Cite that this guy thinks capitalism **never** produces satisfactory results, as in your hypothetical punishable opposite case? ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/9 "2006-03-02T18:09:53Z")
Disgusting, of course. The fact that a high school teacher gets suspended for challenging assumptions is pathetic, but not unexpected. We’re apparently a nation of pussies now. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/10 "2006-03-02T18:12:34Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Cite that this guy thinks capitalism **never** produces satisfactory results, as in your hypothetical punishable opposite case? I didn’t claim that, so I won’t be providing a cite for it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/11 "2006-03-02T18:14:24Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Disgusting, of course. The fact that a high school teacher gets suspended for challenging assumptions is pathetic, but not unexpected. We’re apparently a nation of pussies now. Why was he “challenging assumptions” and not simply teaching an incredibly slanted viewpoint? Hmmm… perhaps we shoul get public school teachers to begin every lesson with a prayer. Just to challenge assumptions about the role of religion in society, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/12 "2006-03-02T18:16:58Z")
This guy could be the keynote speaker at the next DNC and I don’t think anyone would even bat an eye! Also, I think it would be a dream to be in this guy’s class. Imagine you sit down to take a geography final you never studied for. You simply write something along the lines of “Who cares what the capital of South Dakota is when we have a murdering dictator like George Bush in the White House!??! You’ve fired me up! I tried to study last night but my mind is filled with hatred and disgust for the dangerous lunatics running our country! Hell, there won’t even BE a South Dakota anymore if we let Bush remain in control for one more day!” Automatic ‘A’ for the semester. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/13 "2006-03-02T18:18:17Z")
He’s a geography teacher, he needs to stick to teaching geography. Seriously, this sort of thing annoys me to no end. I had a Latin American politics professor in college who would spend 20-30 minutes ranting about how unions are under attack in this country and plugging various upcoming rallies during his lectures. I’m not taking that course to listen to your views on those subjects, I want you to teach the freaking course I signed up for. In short, I wouldn’t have a problem with the suspension if it was because Mr. Bennish seems incapable of sticking to the topic he’s supposed to be teaching. However, I think the reason given (that they require a balanced viewpoint) is a load of crap. Does anyone really believe that if the professor had been spewing right-wing, Hannity-esque rhetoric that anyone would have had a problem with it? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/14 "2006-03-02T18:18:21Z")
Recently, the school board of the community where I was born [voted to end](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06052/658673.stm) the high school’s International Baccalaureate program. It appears that the public statements of the school board focused largely on the costs. However, the primary concerns expressed by residents who opposed the program were focused on the idea that it teaches “communism,” (which I learned from personal communication with a current community resident). The leader of the school board faction opposing the program did list such concerns among the reasons for killing the program: > [@](#): > > Dr. Iracki and other newly elected members of the board expressed opposition to the program on the grounds that it is Marxist, anti-Christian, un-American and too costly. Jesus H. Christ. The vulnerable high-schoolers will all start carrying Mao’s little red book because of a high school program! When I think about the whole ID issue, the general dismissal of science and scientific findings by the right, and now these concerns about threats to capitalism in public education, I’m feeling that the right is mounting some sort of coordinated attack to take us back to the 50’s. Fears of communism? Come on! Hell, even if they turn full fledged commies, where are they going to go? Cuba? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/15 "2006-03-02T18:22:23Z")
Defenders of academic freedom ought to note that it applies to students as well. And in a class run by a teacher such as this, opposing viewpoints aren’t going to be treated with any kind of respect. That was the reason for suspending him. Fully appropriate, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/16 "2006-03-02T18:29:59Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > In short, I wouldn’t have a problem with the suspension if it was because Mr. Bennish seems incapable of sticking to the topic he’s supposed to be teaching. However, I think the reason given (that they require a balanced viewpoint) is a load of crap. Does anyone really believe that if the professor had been spewing right-wing, Hannity-esque rhetoric that anyone would have had a problem with it? First, he’s not a professor. He’s a high school teacher. He’s teaching 10th graders who are probably 15 years old and don’t have a choice whether or not to sign up for his class (from my high school experience, you generally are given a schedule). And, yes, if the teacher had been spewing right-wing Hannity-esque rhetoric, I bet a lot of people would have a problem with it. You don’t think so? ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/17 "2006-03-02T18:38:04Z")
Local coverage [here](http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4508296,00.html) (my emphasis) > [@](#): > > “After listening to the tape, it’s evident the comments in the class were inappropriate,” Amole said. "There were not adequate opportunities for opposing points of view. He was NOT suspended, but put on leave > [@](#): > > Amole said that the ensuing brouhaha over Bennish’s lecture has become disruptive to the school, which led to Bennish’s being put on leave Wednesday. > > “We felt it was better for all concerned if he was out of class,” she said. “This is not a punishment at this point.” > > In the meantime, the district is investigating whether Bennish violated its policy on teaching about controversial and sensitive subjects, and has reminded teachers about the policy. “We do want teachers to express their opinions, but to put that in context and to provide opposing points of view,” Amole said. “All discussion must be fair and balanced.” ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/18 "2006-03-02T18:41:58Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > First, he’s not a professor. He’s a high school teacher. He’s teaching 10th graders who are probably 15 years old and don’t have a choice whether or not to sign up for his class (from my high school experience, you generally are given a schedule). True, I just got my terminology mixed up. I agree that he needs to stick to the topic at hand - geography. Doubly so since the students don’t get to pick the teacher. > [@](#): > > And, yes, if the teacher had been spewing right-wing Hannity-esque rhetoric, I bet a lot of people would have a problem with it. You don’t think so? On this board? Sure. Do I think a student would have tape recorded it and the teacher put on leave? No. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/19 "2006-03-02T19:04:55Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > We certainly supported teachers who claimed that there was a world-wide Communist conspiracy to enslave all mankind. Should those teachers have been disciplined? Of course not. That’s pretty much what it was. Anyone even superficially familiar with the history and ideology of Communism knows that Communists believed their ideology was destined to sweep the globe and worked towards that end. Why do so many people on the left try to deny this simple and obvious fact? ---
**Author:** ![eponymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e0b2c6/32.png) [@eponymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eponymous)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778/20 "2006-03-02T19:10:42Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > True, I just got my terminology mixed up. I agree that he needs to stick to the topic at hand - geography. Doubly so since the students don’t get to pick the teacher. Not quite sure what you are objecting to with regards to teaching geography - both of the topics posted in the OP definitely have geographic relevance. The first I can envision trying to inform students about capitalism in the context of of globalization. The second it helps to have a bit of historical perspective in understanding the current issues involved between Israel and the Palestinians. I should point out that I am in no way endorsing/rejecting what the teacher said. Only pointed out that both topics have relevance when teaching students geography (whether it’s appropriate at the high school level is another debate entirely). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778.md?page=2)