NationStates Jolt Archive

OMFG - you won't believe this.

So a couple of people are running for town council in my NJ town. One of them is a teacher at my school (running on the Democratic platform), who I had quoted his view on what he thinks of the Pledge of Alleigance (he doesn't say it 'cause he thinks 'Under God' undermimes its value). This article was in the MARCH issue of the school paper.

Now, in The Daily Record appeared a campaign ad (placed by the opposition candidates) attacking the Democratic candidates, and apparently decided to make reference to my quote about my teacher. And in order to show its authenticity, they had to cite that I wrote the article it was in.

Also appeared was an editorial, criticizing my teacher for saying that in the first place.


Here is the quote from my article
(concerning the pledge being ruled unconstitutional)
"I think it's the right decision, because the phrase, 'Under God' undermimes the true value of the pledge"
-My Teacher

So the issue has popped up on whether or not they can use a student (without MY knowing) to further their political agenda.


Ok, there's the facts; now for my rant:

THE DAILY RECORD AND THE OPPOSITION CANDIDATE ARE CONSERVANAZIS!!!

YOU BASTARDS, I HATE YOU FOR USING MY LIKE THIS!!!! IT'S JUST A GODDAMN TOWN COUNCIL SEAT!! DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHAT SOMEBODY THINKS ABOUT THE PLEDGE, OR IF THEY BELIEVE IN GOD OR NOT? THE SUPREME COURT RULED THE PLEDGE CONSTITUTIONAL; GET OVER IT, AND MY ARTICLE IS SEVEN MONTHS OLD! IF YOU FUCKING USE ME AGAIN, :mp5: :mp5: :mp5: :mp5: :mp5:


I left out me and my teacher's names to protect our being anonymous. And I also have a sudden urge to become anarchist so I can say 'Fuck you!' to The Daily Record and justify my anger with something else

Did you ever think that your teacher shouldn't advocating political positions in the classroom?

What if he were an Evangelist and had said the opposite, and you said he was a dick, and some left wing newspaper quoted you to take him down. Would you be as angry then?

Did you ever think that your teacher shouldn't advocating political positions in the classroom?

What if he were an Evangelist and had said the opposite, and you said he was a dick, and some left wing newspaper quoted you to take him down. Would you be as angry then?

Actually, all he's doing is explaining why he isn't saying the pledge. He's not preaching to them, or telling them how to think.

What do either of you think of me being *USED* as a tool to further the opposition?

Ethical? Unethical? Should we storm the Daily Record's office and bring them Hell?

The Supreme Court refused to rule on the pledge, so they dismissed it on a technicality. Assholes. It's gonna come back to bite them when someone who ISN'T a divorced father sues. If Rehnquist had any sense, he would ruled on this one while the conservatives still have a majority in the Court. Kerry may very well get elected and pack it with liberals. And THEN the pledge will get ruled unconsitutional for sure.

Just a random thought, I haven't said the pledge of allegiance in 5 years.

Perhaps there is a worthy use for the Poo Gun afterall. :D

Actually, all he's doing is explaining why he isn't saying the pledge. He's not preaching to them, or telling them how to think.

Well how about: I'm going to teach you the theory of evolution now. I don't believe in it, because I think it is totally wrong, but you can if you want.

Is that advocacy or explaination. It's a fine line, you have to admit.

Well how about: I'm going to teach you the theory of evolution now. I don't believe in it, because I think it is totally wrong, but you can if you want.

Is that advocacy or explaination. It's a fine line, you have to admit.

Actually, I do believe they're allowed to say that

I know I don't have a problem with it.

You people have hijacked my discussion - please bring it back to whether or not the politicians had a right to use my quote or not!

it seems pretty low to me
your teacher must be a great candidate if THATS all they can get him on!

try to keep in mind that YOU just told the truth; THEY are the ones who are using you. (in case you were feeling guilty about your role in it)

Well how about: I'm going to teach you the theory of evolution now. I don't believe in it, because I think it is totally wrong, but you can if you want.

Is that advocacy or explaination. It's a fine line, you have to admit.

The teacher only explained his/her rationale when asked, if I read the posts right. There's a big difference between volunteering information and responding to a query.

it seems pretty low to me
your teacher must be a great candidate if THATS all they can get him on!

try to keep in mind that YOU just told the truth; THEY are the ones who are using you. (in case you were feeling guilty about your role in it)
I don't feel guilty one bit - it's more of a feeling of being pwned all in the name of stupid politics

Well since it was in the school paper they have access to it just as long as they give the proper references.

But like Ash said, he's propabably a decent candidate if they are using that to attack him.....

Well since it was in the school paper they have access to it just as long as they give the proper references.
Access to the article? Yes.

Directly relating me to their politics? No.

Access to the article? Yes.

Directly relating me to their politics? No.
Fight back then. In the public arena. Since they cited you, they've given you a measure of power to fight back with, kid or not.

Congratulations, you have a free shot at the big leaguers.

Sup, you're a reporter. You reported something, in print. They have a right to quote you, as long as they don't mis-quote you. This is one reason why it is important for reporters/news media to make sure of the fact(s) they intend to publish/broadcast BEFORE they do so.

Now, as far as whether or not it was ethical for them to quote a student reporter, I'd say that it was not. But, then, it isn't often that politicians get accused of being ethical.

Technically, they did. I am trying to be evenhanded, even though I thoroughly agree with your teacher. But the public has a right to be informed of a candidate's view. One of my least favorite characteristics of the current Bush administration is their desire for secrecy, their need to conceal everything from the American people. If your teacher is an atheist, that may effect his or her judgement (I should know, I am a total materialist), and people should know this. I doubt it will worry people too much-- I mean, NJ is hardly Bible Belt.

Cheer up. At least they quoted you. Your famous!! As the kid who says NO to 'God' in pledges.

If not you can sue them for plagarism. :D

Fight back then. In the public arena. Since they cited you, they've given you a measure of power to fight back with, kid or not.

Congratulations, you have a free shot at the big leaguers.I suggest you be VERY careful about this thought. Yes, you could do it - they've opened the door by quoting your article, they can't shut it now if you choose to go through and elaborate.

But...if I were you, I'd check with your teacher first. There could be a number of negative backlashes - not the least of which would be the appearance that HE was using a student to further his political aims. That might not only cost him the election, it could cost him his job.

And, depending on how old you are, you might want to consult with your parents before you get involved any further.

You people have hijacked my discussion - please bring it back to whether or not the politicians had a right to use my quote or not!

I don't think they should use a quote of a person without their permision, butthey do these things everyday. The only way you can do something about it is if you feel that it has become slander. I they use it in a way to undermine or discredit you as a person. It may not be good, but it happens to people every day. I don't think there is too much you could do about it.

I don't think they should use a quote of a person without their permision, butthey do these things everyday. The only way you can do something about it is if you feel that it has become slander. I they use it in a way to undermine or discredit you as a person. It may not be good, but it happens to people every day. I don't think there is too much you could do about it.
Once the article was submitted and published, it became public domain. As long as they didn't misquote him, it's perfectly legal.
Not exactly nice, but politics isn't that nice.

I suggest you be VERY careful about this thought. Yes, you could do it - they've opened the door by quoting your article, they can't shut it now if you choose to go through and elaborate.

But...if I were you, I'd check with your teacher first. There could be a number of negative backlashes - not the least of which would be the appearance that HE was using a student to further his political aims. That might not only cost him the election, it could cost him his job.

And, depending on how old you are, you might want to consult with your parents before you get involved any further.

True, caution is a must. I agree here.

Did you ever think that your teacher shouldn't advocating political positions in the classroom?

What if he were an Evangelist and had said the opposite, and you said he was a dick, and some left wing newspaper quoted you to take him down. Would you be as angry then?

I agree with the teacher, but on religious grounds, not political.

The state has no right to declare anything about God. Keep the two things separate.