‘Pretend War’: Leftist Teacher Slams 4th of July Fireworks
- Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:30pm by
Mytheos Holt
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As if there wasn’t already enough evidence that the Left has trouble with the idea of celebrating America’s independence, this story from EagNews’ Kyle Olson comes down the pike:
Bill Bigelow of the radical teacher organization Rethinking Schools, wrote that we need to “rethink” the 4th of July. This “progressive” teacher has declared war on fireworks.
Bill Bigelow
The Fourth of July “…provides cover for people to blow off fireworks that terrify young children and animals, and that turn the air thick with smoke and errant projectiles. Last year, the fire department here [Portland, OR] reported 172 fires sparked by toy missiles, defective firecrackers, and other items of explosive revelry.”
A terrifying, harrowing spectacle of devastation
So Bigelow is concerned about public safety. Fair enough. But there’s more:
“Apart from the noise pollution, air pollution, and flying debris pollution, there is something profoundly inappropriate about blowing off fireworks at a time when the United States is waging war with real fireworks around the world. To cite just one example, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in London found recently that U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan alone have killed more than 200 people, including at least 60 children. And, of course, the U.S. war in Afghanistan drags on and on. The pretend war of celebratory fireworks thus becomes part of a propaganda campaign that inures us—especially the children among us—to the real wars half a world away.”
If you squint closely enough, you can see a Mushroom cloud
Yes, to this ingenious teacher, fireworks promote war. In fact, he says fireworks are “pretend war!”
Yes, that’s right, according to a progressive teacher, fireworks scare children, damage property and simulate war. There are so many things wrong with this idea we’re not even sure where to start. First of all, we’re not sure what children Mr. Bigelow is used to dealing with, but something tells us that the idea of fireworks being terrifying to your average child is a bit far-fetched.
"Maybe if I keep smiling at it and twirling it, it won't hurt me."
Moreover, sympathetic though we are to Mr. Bigelow’s concerns over public safety, we do have to wonder where he gets off complaining about disorderly behavior that destroys property and simulates warfare, given the sorts of editorials his organization posts on their website. From an article entitled “Occupy Education”:
In the education arena, teachers, parents, students, community members, and activists are finding imaginative ways to resist and to create alternatives. Here, occupation has taken many forms. Indeed, the education occupations preceded Occupy Wall Street. In the fall of 2009, California saw dozens of student occupations, sit-ins, and demonstrations to protest draconian budget cuts. Over the winter of 2011, students, teachers, public workers, and just about everyone else participated in the weeks-long occupation of the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison, protesting Gov. Scott Walker’s reactionary legislation. In Tucson last April, students defending the embattled Mexican American Studies program occupied a school board meeting, chaining themselves to board members’ chairs, chanting: “Our education is under attack! What do we do? Fight back!”
The Occupy movement itself spurred new momentum. In Trenton, N.J., demonstrators briefly occupied the state Department of Education, protesting Gov. Chris Christie’s pro-charter school initiatives. In New York City, members of Occupy DOE (NYC Department of Education) have offered a spirited challenge to Mayor Bloomberg’s undemocratic, handpicked Panel for Educational Policy (PEP). At one meeting, Occupy DOE mocked the PEP functionaries, yelling “puppet!” after each was introduced. As reported in Rethinking Schools, Social Equality Educators in Seattle led an occupation of the state capitol to protest school budget cuts and to stage a citizens’ arrest of legislators for abandoning the state constitution, which proclaims the support of public education as the state’s “paramount duty.” Teachers’ actions inspired hundreds of students at Seattle’s Garfield High School, who walked out of classes and rallied at City Hall in solidarity. Blogs like Occupy Education created a forum for “messages that dare public schools to serve students’ passions instead of politicians and vendors’ coffers,” and feature poignant student artwork displaying different “occupy” interpretations.
One of the most militant of the occupations occurred in Chicago, where more than 100 parents, youth, and community members staged a four-day sit-in at City Hall to protest Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “practice of maligning black and Latino neighborhoods by destabilizing their public schools and selling them off to the highest bidder.” Organized by the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), and supported by the Chicago Teachers Union, UNITE HERE, and other community groups, demonstrators demanded that the mayor meet with the community to discuss its well-researched alternative to the Chicago elite’s profit-driven school improvement plans.
We can’t speak for people who fire off sparklers, but we‘re fairly sure they’re less interested in destroying property and simulating war than people who try to violently shut down public facilities while announcing their intention to “fight back” against policies they don’t like.
And finally, while the authors here at the Blaze are not accredited teachers, we do have eyes, and as such, would like to get one particular bit of confusion cleared up. Mr. Bigelow thinks fireworks make people desensitized to the horrors and sounds of warfare by showing them explosions in the night sky accompanied by loud noises. Very well. We would love to hear his explanation for why any American cannot distinguish between this:
And this:
Aside from the fact that both look awesome in pictures, we know which one we’d be more likely to run from. Does Mr. Bigelow?
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Comments (165)
Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:23pmMr. Bigelow. You are sooooo deep. I would have never put it together without your insight.
Report Post »Ragnars Repos
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:53pmOur grandparents feared and loathed commies for good reason.
Apparently, Americans have forgotten what communists do when they rise to power.
Communists hate the U.S. We have a communist President. He is working to destroy this country.
Americans are thick-headed…fat, dumb, and happy…primed for the takeover and slaughter.
Won’t they be shocked in a few years when, instead of demanding “What is my government going to do for me?!”, they are asking, “What is my government going to do TO me?”
Shackles suck. Better get to saving yourselves from your power-mongering politicians, Americans. Before it’s too late.
Once freedom is gone it will take much bloodshed to get it back.
Report Post »brother_ed
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:02pm@RAGNARS REPOS
Right on!
Happy Independence Day!
Report Post »SnowKalBebes
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:42pmAsk a veteran with PTSD how they like fireworks…
Report Post »Cosmos102
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:33amThis guy must live in Depot Bay, Oregon.
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:01amIronic, Mr. Bigelow lives next to the biggest FIRECRACKER
Report Post »on the West Coast.. Mount Rainier, 13,000 ft of High Explosives.
Ya gotta’ LUV these deep thinkers, No common sense……
KoolAidDrinker
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:00amUuuuuugggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »king1
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:11amyes his head is deep up his A*S
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:09amTell this dopey TEACHER that Thomas Jefferson himself encouraged AMERICANS to Celebrate with games, music and celebration fires and gatherings of families –also worshiping GOD in thanksgiving for this glorious time (paraphrased) But he called for FIREWORKS.
Where do these Commie Teachers with bad teeth keep coming from??? OUR JOB ONE, people, is to get that dope out of the WH and then to focus on our LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; GOVTS.
Report Post »THANK YOU GOD for the GIFT of the US of A!!! PS did you know that our Declaration of Independence is not allowed to be read in Congress now !??? I don’t know about you, but I want the 10 Commandments on display in all of our Gov. Buildings; our Declaration of Independence too!!
Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:28amThe only good communist, is a dead communist. Bigelow.
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:24am@regnars
Agree 100%
Report Post »Dr. Ben Carson was on Fox News this morning and he said it well.
Happy Independence Day America!
starman70
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:53amI bet that this JACKWAGON is a union member. Please move to CHINA. Your views will be more welcome there.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:56pmIt’s about celebrating our traditions. This guy is a moron OR he doesn’t value our traditions. My guess is the latter. I don’t agree with the too frequent combination of excessive alcohol consumption combined with real fireworks. But like guns or driving or lawnmowing or bicycle riding or chopping the celery for the potato salad when done by an unimpaired reasonable person there is no problem. For those people who cause property damage charge them, oh wait, there are already laws for that.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:40pm.
Report Post »Commies never quit whining.
Fireworks are fun.
Grow a set, deal with it.
BeeDee
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:09pmBut someone, somewhere might, in some way get hurt, scared, or offended. Therefore we should never do anything that might, in any way, be construed as dangerous or offensive. Protect us all from well-meaning idiots! How about some personal responsibility?
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:18pmThis Guy’s a Real Buzzkill
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:14pmPretend war is far better than real war, but even war requires rehearsals.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:32pmThe practice was the American Revolution… where two kinds of Warfare were fought… in the North, Regulars & Militias confronted British Formations… and in the South, Neighbors secretly organized hit and run strikes against Tory-neighbors & British Troops.
Report Post »aChameleon
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:13pmChange for the sake of change is the liberal battle cry. They don’t necessarily want things to change for the better, just change. They claim Republicans are resistant to change. That’s not true. I think we’re for any change for the better. Killing fireworks and the July 4th holiday isn’t my idea of a change for the better.
Report Post »glashole
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:21pmYup, and the commie should be upset with his commie friends that make the fireworks. Typical hipocrate teacher who want everyone to live by his rules.
Report Post »quarando
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:29amReally? I know many liberals and I’ve never heard one support “change for the sake of change”. I think your problem is that you get your information on what liberals think for conservatives.
Report Post »BeeDee
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:13pmHope and change were the battle cry. But change was not defined. It was change for the sake of change, just as diversity is for the sake of diversity, not to strengthen our country but to weaken it.
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:11pmAnyone setting off fireworks should release at least one for Bill Bigelow. We’ll yell “Bill” at the point of explosion symbolically thanking him for making them that much more enjoyable.
Report Post »His stupidity = our amusement.
BryanB
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:05pmI like the 4th of July Fireworks.
Why do mean people always have to mess with stuff ????
Pray for Jett………..
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:28pmBecause libs/nut cases are always miserable and they like to spread the misery.
Report Post »BryanB
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:15pm@progressiveslayer
I know it’s all about just wanting to control people.
It reminds me of what my Great Grandmother use to say when she would see people do or talk stuff like this,
“You just want reach out and snatch them bald headed.”
Report Post »mapgirl10
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:01pmMaybe said teacher should read John Adams letter to Abigail about his thoughts on our celebration of God’s blessing on America! He wanted it to be very festive and part of our celebration with God.
Report Post »sfrich
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:44pmOr you could read Abigail‘s letters to John where she asks him to fight at the Constitutional Convention for women’s right to vote and he ignores her.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:00pmI have a monster rocket on which I have written Jesse Helms. Now there was a hero. Passed on Independence Day 2008. It will not be as much fun as blowing up terrorists, but it will be mighty purty.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:56pmthey know how to do fireworks in the middle east.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:31amAnd this pleases you because you are a troll? How are those college classes going? Learn how to spell yet? I guess college teaches you more important things like how protest with the OWS gang?
Doesn’t your college have a course in grammar? You should consider taking it. Oh, I’m sorry, you teach that class, right?
Report Post »Steelheadisadouche
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:52amWindyDualism
Report Post »Blah, blah blah ah blah blah. Blather blah, blah blah.
dealer@678
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:55pmThis guy would’nt last a day here in Texas. Somthin about yella teeth
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:26pmCoffee & Smokes are my excuse.
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:55pmWe have truly been invaded by golums who pretend to be human and he is a example
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:59pmIf his brain were to shrink any more, his ears would slap together with a thunderous clap.
Report Post »nightingayle
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:52pmThis guy is an idiot…Children LOVE fireworks.. Want to bet that if Obama is in another 4 years that he will take our holidays and change our country’s songs.
Report Post »He is probably one of those terrible teachers that teach socialism to our children.
showlocindy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:10pmProbably?? You know it!!
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:50pmMr. Professor, let me escort you into the combat zone so I can show you the difference btwn real fire-works & our celebratory entertainment fireworks.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:07pmWe can figure he’d be good with dependence day and firing squads, if dear leader gets ——– nov 7th will be dependence day, then of course all us individual liberty types are screwed.
RLTW
Report Post »Nehemiah6.3
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:16pmJohn Adams felt to celebrate with all enthusiasm and excitement that we had declared Independence. Even before we had even gone to war against Britain. He knew of the impending war to come and yet felt that way because of the freedom they had chosen.Today, there are many like this professor who have no idea what the loss of freedom would really feel or be like. They all make a fuss about conservative values and celebrate bigger government. They have the luxury of speaking against freedom now while they still have freedom, but when freedom is gone, they will not speak out again because the government will have rounded them up first, and disposed of them.
Report Post »God gave us our agency to choose. He wants us to choose freedom. But this entails choosing to be self restrained, not restrained by government. This professor is a man who cannot control himself, so he wants to control others.
Our country is in the condition it is because there are too many of its citizens who cannot control themselves, and they vote in people who cannot control themselves either.
This is the root of the problem.
dealer@678
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:49pmDon’t liberal people in Oregon brush their teeth
Report Post »snapperman
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:56pmMy thought too: this guy should be seeing a dentist rather than wringing his hands about fireworks.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:57pmProbably smokes too much….dope!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:58pmApparently not .. oh and btw .. I would like to PLACE SOME FIREWORKS .. where the sun don’t shine on this dude and LIGHT THEM UP!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:07pmSort of like a light at the end of his tunnel?
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:12pm@catb
I’d be thinking this dude lives in a cave, so there should be a lot of places to stick the fireworks!
Report Post »toiletclogga
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:29amEvery 4th day when they flush their commodes!
Report Post »toto
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:47pmBecause I am a conservative and would never really do intentional harm to another without good reason, I can only imagine what would be appropriate for this man, like a sparkler where the sun don’t shine.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:59pmLOL .. read what I just posted above on DEALERS post. I am not as nice as you!
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:46pmThink that he will blame the Chinese for introducing the world to these celebratory devices? I doubt it, more like Bush, or even George Washington. What an ENCINOM!
Report Post »michael7695
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:44pmBIg surprise…a progressive not liking something American. At least he has the ability, for now, to voice his opinion.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:54pmIf his hero gets another four years he will find out how tyranny works as and equal opportunity oppressor. Guys like this have no concept of how great it is to have freedom. Wonder if he has ever read or studied 1930′s Germany and how fast that changed.
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:42pmI won’t be celebrating because I will be in mourning for the loss of my freedom. It would be naive and hypocritical to celebrate the signing of the declaration when it what is means is now a lost pipe dream. I will not wave another American flag, nor place my hand over my heart, nor stand for the national anthem ever again until my freedoms from government are restored.
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:06pmI will always wave my American flag, place my hand over my heart and always stand for the pledge under God and our national anthem. I will fight to the death to defend the Constitution as much as I can. I always remember the Alamo and the Americans from many states who fought to the last man. Maybe it is because I am a Texan….just sayin.
Report Post »DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:35pm@granny
Report Post »In south Texas we fly “come & take it”
It fits to this also
michael7695
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:42pmBig surprise…a progressive not liking something American in nature. The cool thing about the USA, at least for now…is that he has the freedom to and can speak his mind and give his opinion.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:40pmMoron fireworks have been around for centuries.
Report Post »Gregb
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:40pmLove the sparkler up the butt comment.
Report Post »America is listening to way too many idiots. common sense has been thrown out the window.
stupid is as stupid does…and the left is demonstrating what stupid does.
Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:29pmIt’s a concerted movement among globalists to break down Nationalism however they can. It’s that simple.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:34pmThe sparkler in the ass seems to be a popular reaction. Ya think he needs police protection? At least a fire extinguisher perhaps.
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:40pmThe guy has the right to make a living “Rethinking” schools in the public sector. Get off the public dole and see how much you can earn thinking up your garbage.
Go Charters….
Report Post »purplehippo
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:38pmI think statistics now prove that there are more morons in America than sane people.
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:35pmSounds like a Ron Paul “FOLLOWER”
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:31pmSounds more like a progressive globalist. I bet he thinks he’s a purdy fart smeller too.
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:45pmNope, pure Ron Paul Pacifist.
Report Post »Re-Founding Sons
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:41amScrew you buddy. Ron Paul and his supporters love this country. And are a lot more patriotic than you. You don’t know anything about people who support Ron Paul.
Report Post »Re-Founding Sons
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:47amPlease don’t be ignorant. I know many people who support Ron and they are more conservative than you my friend. It’s annoying how people like you want to stereotype people who support Ron Paul as OWS or anything progressive/ liberal.
Report Post »This Bill fellow is an obvious commie Obama progressive .
Leave ron paul and the good people who support him out of it.
randy
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:33pmSomeone needs to shove a sparkler up this guys butt
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:01pmI would prefer a bottle rocket .. at the least!
Report Post »Lotus503
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:13pmBetter an M-80…
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:24pmdon’t forget to light it.
Report Post »king1
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:12amit wouldnt fit his head is in the way
Report Post »Steelheadisadouche
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:07pmDaisy chained roman candles at the very least.
Report Post »fullertonmark
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:35pmI am thinking more along the lines of tar and feathers for this POS
Report Post »