I am extremely disconcerted when I hear about “educators” such as Cynthia Richardson, who cannot tell the difference between gang bangers and US Marines in the field who are risking their lives for freedom. It makes me worry about their “critical thinking” skills. It causes me to question every other decision they make.

This sets the definition of political correctness as “Stifling anything you personally don’t like in the name of diversity.”

What happened to common sense? I am fairly sure no school district bans that. Am I wrong?

Unbelievable.

A sister’s pride in her brother. A weapon in the defense of democracy, held by US Marines. Common Sense. Pride in country.

Sacrifice. Courage.

No greater love hath he, than to lay down his life for his brother.

Please tell me this situation has been rectified

J Brock
Major
USMCR Ret

After seeing the article at http://michellemalkin.com/archives/001931.htm I feel compelled to write and say that the photo absolutely SHOULD be displayed at the school. For that matter, it should not only be displayed; it should be PROUDLY and PROMINENTLY displayed. In any case, the entire USA knows about the photo and the school handling of it now, so what harm is there in displaying it? Louis Wilen Olney, Maryland

Dear Ms. Richardson & Baker:

As a Marine Vietnam Veteran, I know we have fought for our freedom and
for the freedoms of many nations in this world. These men and women
who lay down their lives for our freedoms need to be recognized.
Certainly if they are one of our own school alma maters. What High
School would not be proud to count themselves worthy of being one of
the mentoring groups which developed this great American? Apparently
yours.

I am astounded the Salem educational system is bereft of sound
guidelines to know how to Honor a Great American, in this day and age.
This is not the '60's and '70's, unless you're still thinking that's
the way to treat our troops. To only be able to honor Bill Riecke by
digitally removing the American weapon which he uses to protect us,
himself, his fellow warriors and to serve our free Nation is
ridiculous.

With your logic, one would then think we could not show Firefighters
holding axes, or Police with their SWAT gear or K-9 units, etc., etc.

We need to be honoring our Marines and troops who serve us. Why not
provide a "Heroes Wall" at your school and enlist all the relatives to
place their photos to give thanks for their service????

Now, that would be an American thing....

Sincerely,
william halvorsen

BTW, here's a great poll:

http://www.katu.com/news/news_poll_soldier_in_school.asp

Please tell me this is NOT true … a picture of a GUN (yes I have seen the photo in question) is not a graphic display of violence or even an un-graphic depiction of something evil any more than a picture of a cheerleader is a display of softcore porn …. or anything else evil even though we know that some individuals MIGHT get that impression or thought in their heads. As a veteran of 10 years I am outraged. Pictures of weapons in the hands of brave young man and women fighting and dying in some cases appear through out our history books, and rightfully so … to dishonor the actions of these young men by removing the weapon from the picture in the name of ZERO TOLERANCE is absurdity in the extreme.

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. In the first stage of life the mind is frivolous and easily distracted, it misses progress by failing in consecutiveness and persistence. This is the condition of children and barbarians, in which instinct has learned nothing from experience. - George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905 US (Spanish-born) philosopher (1863 - 1952)

L. S. Hicks

I have been and remain a part-time teacher. My mother was a long time teacher. My wife has taught. So has my sister and two sisters-in-law. I remain very active in the academic community at various levels and capacities. I am one of 5 children, all with extensive backgrounds in education. I am the father of two children, one in public high school and the other a recent high school graduate.

I am sure you have received a flood of e-mail on this. I’ll be short. You’re completely wrong on this issue and your position is so inherently flawed that it is abundantly clear that your good intentions and otherwise clear thinking have been horribly corrupted by living in the bubble of academia. No amount of logic, illustration or rational argument is really going to help you see this at this point.

Take some time off and refresh yourself before you do any more damage. Go do something else for awhile and then come back to academia when you can do more good than harm.

K. Howard
Oldwick, NJ

Dear Enlightened Administrators.

I'd say just GO for it. Ban the Marine photo and suspend the kid for trying to display a half-nude male figure. Gin up the local politicians to get some cover! You know the folks. Children: Yes, half-nude Marines with disgusting, immoral, tools-of-the-Chimperor fully automatic death spurting machines: NO! Stand up and be counted! Who the heck do these folks think they are fooling with? You're a PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, for Gaias sake!

Not only do that Scot's shield and sword have to go, but the Scot as well. Who is he supposed to be fighting, anyway? If your students fight or carry weapons, don't they get dumped back on their parents laps until they have been to peer anger counseling? And what's with the HE? Isn't that a little suppressive of your female and future transgendered students? And what is a SCOT doing in Oregon? Can't you get a shaman or an indigenous person as some sort as a mascot? Or forget this homosapien centric kind of thinking. Isn't there a snail or a mushroom that can be adopted as an inspiration to learning? The ecosystem is loaded with cedars, breaking waves, gravel, organic substrates, tectonic plates, asexual fungi, and the best you can do is an underwear-free European male swinging a rapier? Someone thought this was GOOD? You could out-patriot these folks by adopting the TSA or a metal detector as the school mascot. How about hybrid cars or the 1040 EZ? Think, people, THINK. At LEAST let's go with a shorebird!

Let's show a little liberal backbone up there!

Robert Langham
Tyler, Texas

When Cpl. Riecke finishes his active duty with the Marines he should consider a film career. Definitely movie star material.

Your principal is a bufoon & I'm so glad you have used your site to highlight the absurdity in her position. Thank you to you, your son, and all the brave servicemen and their families.

Sincerely,
Mary D.

During an interview with KATU News, the school's principal, Cynthia Richardson, asked, "What message am I sending to my students if I post that picture?"

The message this picture sends is that brave young American men are willing to take up arms, go into harm's way, and be ready to do violence to defend the principles that make this country the greatest country in the history of the world, spread freedom through this miserable world, and stand on the wall in the dark of the cold night so that we--even people like Cynthia Richardson--can sleep safe in our beds.

This is nothing new. As a Marine veteran, though, I couldn't let it go without putting in my two-cents worth. (I probably even would've chipped in if your son had gone into the Army!)

Please give my best regards and a hearty Oooo-RAH! to Cpl. Riecke.

Semper Fi,

Bob Engler
USMC (1970-1978)
Newark, Delaware

Dear Ms. Richardson, I have been following the story of the young Marines you refused to honor by rejecting a request to place their photo in your school. Today I finally saw the picture. As the father of a young Marine who served in Iraq all I can say is that seeing that picture shook me deeply and I would like to share this perspective with you. There is not a Marine family member who has not seen their loved one in a similar pose taken during down time in the combat zone with close buddies they lived with and depended upon for their very lives. There is also not a Marine family member who does not feel as I do about their own picture - feelings of deep pride mixed with memories of long days and longer nights fearing for the safety of their own loved one, dreading that knock on the door that might come at any moment. I would not hesitate to say that for most of us this picture is among our most personal and cherished possessions. It is for this reason that I feel the need to voice my own opinion on your refusal to allow this Marine's family to share their own experiences that are embodied in that picture. I find it difficult to put the words together in a way that truly conveys my sentiments other than to say your machine-like allegiance to some arbitrary, unthinking and unfeeling bureaucratic policy is of truly immense proportions. I find your willingness to hide behind these arbitrary regulations despicable and incredibly inhuman. That you are in a position to influence young children on a day to day basis is a crime.

Dan Dumarot

Having become aware of the controversy over the posting of your son's photo at his old school, I wanted to contact you to offer my support. I'm certain that you are justifiably proud of both your children - as you should be. As the father of two bold paratroopers, I know I would be equally appalled should their service be denigrated as your son's has been. Rest assured that your family is in my prayers.

William R. Bridgeman
LTC, USAR, Retired

1st Bde (Abn), 1st Cav Div, RVN, 1965-6
HQ, XVIII Airborne Corps, Gulf, 1990-91

I would definatley put my life in these young mens hands before I would trust my life with any bureaucrat, especially if that bureaucrap had a black robe on.

Principal Richardson,

Are there any text books or books in the school library that contains a picture of members of the military or law enforcement carrying a firearm? If so why haven't these pictures been removed from the school in accordance with your policy? What about a picture of Bonnie and Clyde? Is it acceptable to show a picture of a criminal holding a firearm but not someone in the military?

Joseph O'Neill
Groton, CT

Perhaps your son's photograph will not be displayed at McKay High School, but it is now displayed on Michelle Malkin's website, imported as the background for my computer screen, printed on my printer and will now hang in my office. I can't be the only one who had the impulse to do that. Isn't it interesting how the high school administration's attempt to censor an image has caused the image to spread far and wide? Thank your son for me. We appreciate his service. I hope someday he walks back into his old high school recognized as the hero he is. Wayne Kraft

Good Afternoon, I'm sure you are getting hundreds of emails, at least I hope we can depend on others to stand up for the men and women who are standing up for us by sending you emails concerning your school not posting a picture of a Marine that is holding his rifle. Is this not History? Are these wars and death not discussed in your history classes? Are these men and women not over there defending our freedom, freedom of speech? I'm sure if you sat down and looked through the history books you may find some pictures of Military men and women holding rifles. What is the harm of posting this Marines photo? Isn't it true that your school mascot is holding a sword? What kind of message does that send to your students? It just doesn't make any sense to me. I think your school should be honored and proud to have a graduate such as this young man turn into a fine Marine. This is the real life. War happens in real life. Thank you, Dawn C. Gillespie, Illinois

Why should the school administrators object to a photograph of American workers and taxpayers posing with the tools of their trade just because their trade involves a certain level of danger or violence? Is it any different than showing a mechanic with a wrench, a doctor with a scalpel, an IT specialist with a computer, or a judge with a gavel? Isn't it possible that the mechanic builds tanks, the doctor performs abortions, the IT specialist programs nuclear missile trajectories, or a judge sentences the defenseless to death (RIP Terri Schiavo)? The school administrators should be proud that one of their graduates is risking his life to defend his alma mater and everyone connected with it. Would the school administrators prefer photos of graduates waving white flags to Osama bin Laden, or saluting the U.N. flag. Let all Americans show dignity and pride in their country and chosen profession.

Hi!

First, let me say that I applaud your daughter's pride in her brother's mission on our behalf. And I salute your decision to back her, and, of course, your son.

Second, let me say that I see no reason that a picture of a man with a gun cannot be displayed for whatever reason, in a school.

However, I think that this particular picture just borders on the sensational; and might even cause problems for younger, or less mature students than your 15 - year daughter.

Perhaps a picture of them, in Iraq, but in a more relaxed (unarmed)
pose, like one of the pictures here would have been more appropriate.

If it were necesary for a picture of her brother to include arms, a different picture could still have been used

Thanks,

Frank DiSalle
Viet Nam veteran '69 - '70
New Rochelle NY