Who's Educating Brownwood's Youth ?

October 27, 2004 Front Page Brownwood Bulletin
Under Title: Educating America’s Youth

Photos by Scott Coers -- Ray Schulze represented the Democratic Party in a debate against James Williamson, who represented the Republican Party, Tuesday afternoon for Intermediate School students at the Coggin School auditorium. The two men answered current political questions delivered by a panel of students from Brownwood Intermediate School under the moderation of Frances Taylor. Students will participate in a nationwide mock presidential election today, and watch their votes counted on the Internet.
source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/

My letter to the editor ( because the Bulletin failed to report on these comments ! )

From speaking with someone in attendance and speaking to the BISD school administration today, we were informed that Mr James Williamson (of KXYL 96.9FM “Hate Radio” Fame), concluded his comments to the audience of children " tell your parents that a vote for John Kerry/Edwards will mean “ Men marrying Men” and “Throwing babies into the garbage”. " Does Mr Williamson represent the Republican Party of Brown County ? I would expect a public apology from the BISD and the Brown County Republican Party but have grown accustomed to this type of behavior from him via the airwaves of KXYL !
Is this acceptable ?

update: I spoke with Bill Crist and Gene Deason of the Brownwood Bulletin about this issue and the responsibility of the local press to report the * inapropriate comments to school children. As of yesterday (Oct 29,2004), Bill Crist, told me they were "still trying to confirm it" . On Thursday Oct 28,2004 I spoke with Sue Jones (superintendent and * Mrs Moore who was in charge of the event and they both confirmed that the comments did in fact happen and Mrs Moore stated, in her opinion, the comments were inapropriate for the event and the students. Why is the Bulletin having such a hard time confirming it and reporting it ?

as it relates to Brownwood: ( I wonder if a comment made like James Williamson's was made before these students (see below) if the Dallas Morning News Reporter would have reported it ? Kids learn from adults as the quotes in the DMN story reflect ! )
Kerry wins student mock election
11:29 PM CST on Monday, November 1, 2004
By TAWNELL D. HOBBS / The Dallas Morning News
Dallas schools apparently aren't a part of Bush Country.

Democratic challenger John Kerry won by a landslide when students voted Monday in a mock election. With 61,566 students voting, the Massachusetts senator received 72 percent of the vote over President Bush, carrying all eight geographical areas in the district.
But the political debate didn't stop as the results came in via the district's cable channel.
Reggie Green of Woodrow Wilson High School couldn't stop extolling the virtues of Mr. Kerry.
"He would be a premier president," the 17-year-old said. "I like everything about him."
Sitting several chairs away, Alfredo Hernandez remained loyal to Mr. Bush.
"I think he did a good job with the war and 9-11," said Alfredo, also 17.
The margin between the candidates varied from school to school, although most gave Mr. Kerry a substantial victory. Mr. Bush trumped Mr. Kerry at Anderson Elementary in Pleasant Grove, 295 to 55. Mr. Kerry took Kimball High School in west Oak Cliff, 982 to 210.
One of the biggest surprises: Independent candidate Ralph Nader fell short of Mr. Kerry's tally at D.A. Hulcy Middle School in southwest Dallas but pulled past Mr. Bush.
Dallas County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet said the mock election shouldn't be dismissed as child's play. He said youths' votes often mimic their parents'.
"It's almost scary, ... " Mr. Sherbet said. "Parents do impact how their kids see things."
E-mail tdhobbs@dallasnews.com