Jun 8, 2012
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A Marine veteran and Academy Award winning film producer said he was barred from speaking to a U.S. government class at a Montana high school because he was “a right-wing conservative.”
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Gerald Molen, who won an Oscar for co-producing Schindler’s List, had been invited to speak to a class of seniors at Ronan High School in Montana. He’s also one of the few conservatives working in Hollywood and is currently making a documentary based on Dinesh D’Souza’s book, “The Roots of Obama’s Rage.”
Molen, who is a popular motivational speaker, said his speech was going to be apolitical. He had planned on reminding students of their individual greatness and opportunities for the future.
But when he showed up at the high school — about 90-minutes
from his home in Bigfork, Mont. – the principal informed Molen that he would not be allowed to address students because he was a “right-wing conservative.” He was told that there had been some calls to the school complaining about the planned speech.
“He said some callers didn’t want kids exposed to that, despite not knowing what my message would be,” he told the Hollywood Reporter. “
Molen, who also worked on films like “Jurassic Park,” and “Twister”, wrote a letter in the local newspaper, explaining what happened and expressing is outrage.
“I served three years in the Marine Corps so that others might stand before their peers or even a group of students, but never did I think my voice would be stilled by some mysterious caller(s) on the notion that I might say something they ‘thought’ would not be in the students’ best interests,” he wrote in The Daily Inter Lake.
He said the students were instead “indoctrinated with a sense of fear and mistrust that a fellow Montanan just might stand before them and say something some official school administrator deemed ‘possibly harmful.’”
Molen said he never dreamed that something like that might happen in Montana.
“He apologized for the inconvenience of being canceled and said the decision to cancel was his alone,” Molen wrote. “He was concerned about my presentation. No, he didn’t ask me of the content. No, he didn’t ask to read the speech for any clarification as to content. No, he would not tell me who the complaining party or parties were, nor would he give me any further explanation. Just that there would be no presentation by me that day.”
Andrew Holmlund, the superintendent of the Ronan School District, told Fox News Radio that the decision to cancel Molen’s speech was made by Ronan High School principal Tom Stack. He said the district office was consulted in the matter.
“It was a very unfortunate incident,” Holmlund said. “We don’t treat people that way.
Holmlund said he’s spoken with the principal but declined to comment further.
“It’s regrettable,” he said. “The principal made a decision and that’s not how we treat people.”
Many local residents are furious and some are demanding the school apologize to the Marine veteran and award-winning producer.
“I think it was incredibly rude what the school did,” said State Rep. Joe Read, who lives three blocks from the high school. “The school needs to apologize and they need to invite him back.”
Holmlund said that is certainly a possibility.
“Why would a school dishonor a man who served his country,” resident Chuck Lewis told the Hollywood Reporter. “They should never have censored him like that.”
Molen ended his letter with a question to readers.
“In America today, are our children taught or indoctrinated?”
FOX News Talk
Maybe the school should invite Ahmadinjad like Columbia did or maybe Bill Ayers. Or better yet my West Highland White Terrier, Murphy. He is non-partisan, but would be glad to lift his leg on Tom Stacks pantleg for censorship.
How terrible. A speaker that defends freedom. The left can't tolerate that kind of speech.
Got to love that liberal tolerance and open mindedness.
Easy to blame bad teachers. What really needs to be done is to start blaming these bad administrators. You'll find that there are more bad administrators then there are bad teachers, and there's less of them as a group. I wonder how long we're going to let the tail wag the dog.
They are a progressive school and therefore open minded so they don't have to listen to him. Seriously, that school is out of order! I'd be pulling my kids out and sending them to a charter school or home schooling them myself. My kids have already told me that they learned more from me than school!
Liberal tyranny.
I tend to ramble. For the record, I oppose the principal's decision too. I, just very tired of teachers being put in the crosshairs. I have no agenda, nor am I given a pamphlet by my unions on how to make students "liberals". As for this nonsense about liberals controlling curriculum and textbooks? I teach in Florida where the Republicans set the tone for education. As for my commentary regarding family indoctrination vs school indoctrination, I simply am trying to show how people do this to children all the time. I don't object, I myself went to Temple before I understood why and continue to respect God and the teachings of my parents and rabbi. I also realized in the "liberal cesspool" that you call college that there are many positions on the same topic and that there is not always a black and white, yes and no answer. Thank you all for your polite dialogue and input. This is what the USA is all about!
My goodness! I take it that the children in this country, aside from not learning as much as we used to in high school and not having as much scholastically demanded of us, also don't know how to listen to someone whose, (not in this instance, probably, but) observations, thoughts, etc. are not what the parent wants? In this case that probably wasn't even the case. Don't we go to school to learn how things have happened through the ages, different feelings and ideas and opinions, etc. Don't we have to know more to exist? It seems that every other day on the internet some school has decided that someone should not be heard because something might "injure, teach, inform, etc., etc., etc." what they might meet up with in their future or present lives? Shouldn't these young people be informed of things, thoughts, differences in people, etc. and, while still at home, be taught to make choices, which they will do anyway, but at home and young is better.
In the meantime children are being abused at school and nothing seems to be done about it. Why aren't the abusers being kicked out of school or similarly punished, turned over to the juvenile authorities or something! To Hell with parents who have probably taught by their own behavior or fight because their children have "rights" or etc..
BUT NEVER LET A SPEAKER INTO THE SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY ONE WHO WAS IN A WAR AND FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY!
My goodness! I take it that the children in this country, aside from not learning as much as we used to in high school and not having as much scholastically demanded of us, also don't know how to listen to someone whose, (not in this instance, probably, but) observations, thoughts, etc. are not what the parent wants? In this case that probably wasn't even the case. Don't we go to school to learn how things have happened through the ages, different feelings and ideas and opinions, etc. Don't we have to know more to exist? It seems that every other day on the internet some school has decided that someone should not be heard because something might "injure, teach, inform, etc., etc., etc." what they might meet up with in their future or present lives? Shouldn't these young people be informed of things, thoughts, differences in people, etc. and, while still at home, be taught to make choices, which they will do anyway, but at home and young is better.
In the meantime children are being abused at school and nothing seems to be done about it. Why aren't the abusers being kicked out of school or similarly punished, turned over to the juvenile authorities or something! To Hell with parents who have probably taught by their own behavior or fight because their children have "rights" or etc..
BUT NEVER LET A SPEAKER INTO THE SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY ONE WHO WAS IN A WAR AND FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY!
Sad part is that Mr Molan was going to give the students an inspirational speech. Encouraging them, of which students get these days from the teachers and administrators fail to do. As a parent, I have lived and experienced first hand teachers that call students names, tell the they are worthless, cover up problems under a rug and claim they haven't had any other complaints regarding the matter you go to them about. I can give a good example: my four children were abused by their father (his rights were terminated), one teacher thought it was ok to tell my child if he didn't sit up straighter he was going to beat him. When we had a meeting with the principal the claimed he didn't remember saying it but the other students in the class told the principal he had. What happend nothing – he is still teaching at the school with zero type of punishment. Gee what a way to encourage our kids, same teacher told another one of my kids they had no integrity. My kids are straight A students and have never been in trouble. So here is a chance for someone to come in and encourage some of the most discouraged kids and he's denied. These administrators, staff and teachers need to stop being protected and held accountable.
Sad part is that Mr Molan was going to give the students an inspirational speech. Encouraging them, of which students get these days from the teachers and administrators fail to do. As a parent, I have lived and experienced first hand teachers that call students names, tell the they are worthless, cover up problems under a rug and claim they haven't had any other complaints regarding the matter you go to them about. I can give a good example: my four children were abused by their father (his rights were terminated), one teacher thought it was ok to tell my child if he didn't sit up straighter he was going to beat him. When we had a meeting with the principal the claimed he didn't remember saying it but the other students in the class told the principal he had. What happend nothing – he is still teaching at the school with zero type of punishment. Gee what a way to encourage our kids, same teacher told another one of my kids they had no integrity. My kids are straight A students and have never been in trouble. So here is a chance for someone to come in and encourage some of the most discouraged kids and he's denied. These administrators, staff and teachers need to stop being protected and held accountable.
We really need to send this message to as many people as we can people have to get involved
Brown shirt's. Your not there, your kids can be taught against you. George Orwell knew it then.
OK – I say it again – it ISN"T the liberals moving in from the east and west Coast! We lived right across the street FOR YEARS from this school – our children attended a few (very few) classes – it has been VERY hostile to conservatives for a LONG time – and it is the CSKT government – right there locally – that is the instigator. Not anyone from the west coast! MY husband, who was 100% Minnesota Chippewa – was raked through the coals – called an "Anti-Indian" Native American, an "Apple" simply because he had conservative values. Rich Jore – a wonderful, Godly man, our State Rep, was called a racist and worse simply because he held conservative values! Wake up! Tribal governments aren't what you like to think they are! They are greenhouses of Marxist ideology – that is why my husband didn't like the reservation system! Wake up!
OK – I say it again – it ISN"T the liberals moving in from the east and west Coast! We lived right across the street FOR YEARS from this school – our children attended a few (very few) classes – it has been VERY hostile to conservatives for a LONG time – and it is the CSKT government – right there locally – that is the instigator. Not anyone from the west coast! MY husband, who was 100% Minnesota Chippewa – was raked through the coals – called an "Anti-Indian" Native American, an "Apple" simply because he had conservative values. Rich Jore – a wonderful, Godly man, our State Rep, was called a racist and worse simply because he held conservative values! Wake up! Tribal governments aren't what you like to think they are! They are greenhouses of Marxist ideology – that is why my husband didn't like the reservation system! Wake up!
yes…I am sure that is how it went down, exactly how he said it did. And, what is with the multiple references to him being a Marine veteran? Besides trying to appeal to readers to try to make them biased towards Molen and against the school, how does it have anything to do with the actual story? Answer: nothing…I feel dumber for having read this article and thinking it might actually be quality reporting instead of a hack job meant to ignite the issue even further through incomplete reporting.
Three sides to every story people: yours, the other guy and the truth. I fail to see how anyone would "call and complain" about him being a "right wing conservative. How many people really know who the producers are on any movies? It sounds like maybe the principal was being a douche and he had an issue. But here we go with all the "socialist" agenda comments and all this bs usually posted on the comments of Todd Starnes articles.
Also – people need to stop throwing the "I served xx years for people to have the right to ____" Unless you truly signed up to protect people's rights OR you changed into that tune later on, don't use your military service as a political tool. And three years? Doesn't sound very dedicated to people's rights. Three-four years is a typical first term enlistment. If I were to see true censorship, then maybe you say something about the service. I don't know.
It's not just this idiot principal that's the problem. It's much deeper. Until we have 100% school choice we will have a failing education system controlled by the federal government and teachers unions, neither of which is supported by the Constitution. Students need to be freed of liberal hate and indoctrination and educated. Most students would actually like to think for themselves if it were allowed.
It's great to see so many paying attention! Thanks to all for standing up for freedom and an upstanding American, Mr. Molen. There should be a compulsory screening of Schindler’s List at Ronan, so students can learn of the potential dangers of leaders who think like Tom Stack.
This is just nauseating!
How is this any different than you not allowing your children to hear what Obama had to say? Talk about hypocrites…
This is unacceptable. The public school system is indoctrinating our children to become radical liberals.
The Principal has left The Ronan School District and has a new job as Principal at a nearby School in Clinton, Montana named Clinton School. It is a public school. The school district has already shut down their email. I suggest emailing the Montana Board of Education about this Bigot.
Also, someone asked if he guy votes Democrat. I found a picture of him online and lets put it this way… A. 94% of people like him voted for Obama in 2008 and B. He is not from a group anyone would ever associate with Montana unless you remember the movie Blazing Saddles.
The principal is now working at a different school district in Clinton, Montana at public school simply named Clinton School. The District has shut down their email already. I'd contact the Montana Board of Education about the b I go t.
also, if the principal had a son, he'd look like Trevon, the kid in Florida.
What a bunch of baloney! Makes me ashamed of the educational leaders of my home town as a boy. I'm from Ronan, and this level of intolerance and wimpy behavior certainly has not been characteristic of Western Montana values over the years. Ronan High you ought to be ashamed!
After you see Ronan High School principal Tom Stack’s photo suddenly you understand his political beliefs….
http://i50.tinypic.com/343ohtv.jpg
Hu Rah Semper FI.
May God have mercy on our souls…can you imagine being afraid of a godly perspective on life? Hitler convinced the country of Germany to ban Jews and destroy them..are we Christians next to be locked up and gassed? Because we have a standard biblical foundation? this is getting scarey.
I;m afraid that the next year is going to be trying and our faith tested, very hard to pray for the enemy with in. the foundation of our country is being uprooted.
Once again we have more proof of the public school system forcing a liberal agenda on our children. When will we say enough is enough? Tom Stack should be demoted and forced to offer a public apology for his biased actions. Tom…keep your politics where they belong…outside of the school.
Disgusting those socialists are allowed to choose what a child may or may not be allowed to decide for themselves. At this rate, public education should be abolished.
Since when does free speech only exist for Democrats? If nothing else, they should teach the kids a lesson that sometimes in life, we need to hear from those we disagree with.
Kids in High School can be counseled about abortion, taught that homosexuality is normal and learn about responsible" illicit drug use, but for some reason the potential for kids hearing a conservative perspective is inappropriate?
I smell teacher union malice. If the speaker was some gay liberal atheist he would have been guest of honor.
fire this principle for censoring free speech! The left only likes free speech when it agrees with their view of the world. They hate grown ups. Winston Churchhill once said, " If you are under 30 and are not a liberal you don't have a heart; if you are over 30 and are not a conservative you don't have a mind!"
This is disgusting. Out here in the West we have a proud and independent culture that was born in the rugged open spaces. We pride ourselves in being independent minded and free. This school administrator needs a wake up call from the parents in his own town. They need to storm his office and make it clear that his behavior will not be tolerated in their community. Bottom line is this is a local matter and I feel very confident that local folks will make certain this disgrace never happens again.
This is disgusting. Out here in the West we have a proud and independent culture that was born in the rugged open spaces. We pride ourselves in being independent minded and free. This school administrator needs a wake up call from the parents in his own town. They need to storm his office and make it clear that his behavior will not be tolerated in their community. Bottom line is this is a local matter and I feel very confident that local folks will make certain this disgrace never happens again.
Are these the same Liberals who proudly shout "free speech" every chance they get? Well, it's no real big secret that at the core of modern Liberalism beats a fascist heart that desires "free" speech only for itself, and a muzzle for all other viewpoints. The "tolerant" Liberal is at heart a bigot and hatemonger. The Left has never been anything but violent and destructive, from the domestic terrorists of the SDS and the Weather Underground to the domestic terrorists of Occupy, ACLU and the DNC, wanting nothing more than destruction. The most insidious aspect of the Left is that they haven't the backbone of a vermicelli, always working in the background on their own brand of cultural jihad. At least with a criminal organization like CAIR, they clearly state they want to destroy America; with the Left, we want to "change" America. The calls for the termination of this principal are ridiculous, reflecting the sort of naivety that the Left loves to see in Conservatives.
Montana is generally known as a very conservative state for the most part. But, school districts often have their own liberal agenda. Probably too many Californians migrating to Montana in that particular district.
Wow, no surprise here. And you wonder why Marxists, like Maobama and his American hating, ant-white/ conservative racists are in so deep with education. It is a breeding ground for impressionable youth to goose step in line with their mantra.
God forbid our kids are exposed to any truth, let's just keep feeding them a bunch of bullshit instead. Makes me sick.
Unbelievable! The world has been turned on it's head by these "open-minded" panty waist liberals and their censorship tactics. But Montana of all places? Shows how a minority of liberals can infiltrate the school system and dictate to others what is "acceptable" and what's not.
Ohhh booo. This is not new. And works both ways. Kids have always and will always be indoctrinated in public schools. Just the way it goes. It's up to the parents to bring different points of views and opinions into the mix.
Depends on the parents being responsible and in today's society parents do not seem to be involved with their children's education. I remember back in my day the old saying was "Get Out and Stay Out" – "Do You Know Where Your Children Are". If the parents do not care then the children are at the mercy of educators who teach them their ideals.
I HEARD HE WAS A GAY HATER AND THAT's WHY HE WASNT ALLOWED TO SPEAK-GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR ME..THEY WOULDn't ALLOW THE KKK TO SPEAK SO IM OK WITH THIS.
It's disgusting to see how moronic and absurd these cons (the majority of who are fat, old, and look like pedos) are. May the man in the sky with a beard bless your souls idiots.
This country is going to hell because of the liberals and their veiws. Liberals can speak whatever they want but conservatives must be silenced. Just another proof that Obama politicas are ruining this country.
Typical liberals… want tollerance of everything, except original thought.
We all know why he was rejected. He knows exactly what is happening in our country.
The School doesn't want those kids knowing the truth about Socialism / Communism.
The same thing that happened in Germany and Russia. I just hope it's not too late to stop this Cancer that has infiltrated our country.
And once again the actions of a person can't be viewed as an isolated incident. God forbid we merely attribute that individual's behavior to him being unreasonable. No, since he kept a conservative speaker from talking that automatically makes all liberals at fault. Everyone needs to remember that America is not a land of individuals, you can only be either a member of the liberal or a conservative cults. You must surrender any desire to think for yourself in favor of groupthink and blind obedience. Those are your only two choices, and either way half the population will call you a moron without providing a reason as to why your ideas are wrong.
that principal is a bastard!
Just another example of liberal fascism.
Liberals. Tolerant of other views…As long as they meet their own beliefs.
I live in Kalispell MT, not far from Ronan. I have to deal with the liberals from whitefish quite regularly. Its simply sad. Whitefish is basically a California town now. There liberal values being indoctrined into our local environment. Not to mention our lake property being bought out, and our property taxes raised significantly. You have to be rich to own a house on flathead lake now, even if you inherited it. I simply think that a fact finding scenario needs to take place with this incident, and should the evidence show he was politiclly bias, he should be fired.