Invisible Children, and an assault on freedom of association.

[Nate SY]

Today my high school had an assembly to hear about "Invisible Children". There were a few speakers, a video, all that. Unfortunately, the mission statement they seemed to have was to get the government to help in Uganda. After being forced by staff to stay and watch this presentation, the speakers explained a kind of drive thing they're doing. The idea is that people record themselves asking celebrities and politicians to "free" them and put the videos on youtube. Then on a specific day they go to a "camp" and wait for a celebrity/politician to come and show "free" them. The entire idea (according to the people who spoke at my school.) Is that this will show the degree of public support for interfering with the wars in Uganda.

Up to this point I was completely fine with the assembly, even though I disagree with their mission.

However, then a teacher informed us that our entire school was going to do one large youtube video to address all the celebrities/politicians on the subject.

Now I, as I'm sure many of you are, am a non-interventionalist. On this idea, I don't believe our government has ANY right to interfere in other countries issues. I had been discussing this with a friend through a large portion of the assembly. My friend and I both decided we wouldn't be in the video, as we view it as compromising our values. So we got up and left, while walking down the bleachers, the teacher with the mic yelled "Sit down and participate!", to which I responded with a "This is a political position, to which I disagree, and I WILL leave!". My friend and I were then escorted to the office to the quite loud booing of our entire school.

Just in the walk from the office to my classroom I was cursed at, and mocked.

I see it this way, my school tried to force me to associate myself with an Interest Group I disagree with, and then presented me with two choices. A) Stay and conform to a position I oppose, or B) Leave and be ridiculed by a teacher in front of my entire school.

I'm also fairly sure I would have had a suspension if it hadn't been for the fact that I know my rights, and I showed the staff that I knew them, and also let them know any punishments to me would result in an immediate lawsuit.

I have decided that I will file a complaint with the Principle, and if that doesn't work the Superintendent, and demand an apology for that teacher forcing me into such a position.

But now to the important part of my post, I have decided that due to this I want to do something tomorrow to represent my non-interventionalist opinions. So I'd like to know if any of you know of any arm-bands or anything like that for me to use?

[tangent4ronpaul]

In the entire history of Africa - there has not been 3 weeks when some country has not been at war. It's gotten to the point of "yawn". Don't buy into t - there is a hidden agenda.

-t

[micahnelson]

You should write an essay detailing the effects of government intervention in africa. Start with Ethiopia.

Then, suggest alternative solutions that don't require the government.

[nate895]

Hahaha, I almost had to do this same exact thing at a Model UN state conference, luckily the room was bigger and attendance was voluntary. I got out of MUN the next year because of the ridiculousness of the whole thing. I am an opponent of the UN with no country that has the same view.

As for your ordeal, I'd simply make sure to get your friends to stick up for you, and to try to get others on board. Use this as an opportunity to get your point across. If I were you, when the kids were booing and hissing, I'd have picked one and told them loud enough for the others to hear your position that intervening causes more harm than good.

I am your age, but I don't have these problems because everyone considers me the "smart guy" at school, kids often adopt my view just because I said it.

[GBurr]

Good job sticking up for yourself.

I was recently detained by TSA while on my Senior Trip. I defended my First and Fourth Amendment rights. Now I have to deal with an Administrator is threatening me with not walking at graduation because i was "disrespectful to authority'. I go to a private school so I totally defend their right to not let me walk. However, that doesn't me I won't cause an uproar if they don't let me.

Stay strong and good luck.

[nate895]

Good job sticking up for yourself.

I was recently detained by TSA while on my Senior Trip. I defended my First and Fourth Amendment rights. Now I have to deal with an Administrator is threatening me with not walking at graduation because i was "disrespectful to authority'. I go to a private school so I totally defend their right to not let me walk. However, that doesn't me I won't cause an uproar if they don't let me.

Stay strong and good luck.

If your private school is religious, respond with "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God!"

[silverhawks]

Good job on standing up for your rights.

In all seriousness though - go to the Superintendent anyway. I would even go so far as contacting the AG for your state. As you've quite rightly said, schools are not meant to push their students into supporting political opinions, and that needs to be nipped in the bud.

If anyone hassles you further over it, or if public officials snub you, don't hesitate to go to local newspapers.

[Nate SY]

Thanks for the support. I'm currently under the impression (from talking with other teachers at the school) that the video was a last minute addition decide on by the woman who yelled at me to "Sit down and participate!" and it was never approved by anyone else. Since it was just her, my friend and I are going to have a meeting with the principle and insist upon that apology. Should the principle fail to take action, I will continue onwards, to the superintendent, and should that fail the news. (as silverhawks suggested)

I guess a positive liner to this is it's created quite a stir in the kids at my school. The ones actually sensible enough to ask why I left before condemning me are learning all about the issues of interventionalist policy, and why I (and all of you) oppose it. Also, they're getting a lesson on the role of charity and private organizations in major problems like Uganda.

I shall have my apology though, I know that I have the right to both freedom of association and speech, and she attempted to infringe upon both of them.

[Reason]

Today my high school had an assembly to hear about "Invisible Children". There were a few speakers, a video, all that. Unfortunately, the mission statement they seemed to have was to get the government to help in Uganda. After being forced by staff to stay and watch this presentation, the speakers explained a kind of drive thing they're doing. The idea is that people record themselves asking celebrities and politicians to "free" them and put the videos on youtube. Then on a specific day they go to a "camp" and wait for a celebrity/politician to come and show "free" them. The entire idea (according to the people who spoke at my school.) Is that this will show the degree of public support for interfering with the wars in Uganda.

Up to this point I was completely fine with the assembly, even though I disagree with their mission.

However, then a teacher informed us that our entire school was going to do one large youtube video to address all the celebrities/politicians on the subject.

Now I, as I'm sure many of you are, am a non-interventionalist. On this idea, I don't believe our government has ANY right to interfere in other countries issues. I had been discussing this with a friend through a large portion of the assembly. My friend and I both decided we wouldn't be in the video, as we view it as compromising our values. So we got up and left, while walking down the bleachers, the teacher with the mic yelled "Sit down and participate!", to which I responded with a "This is a political position, to which I disagree, and I WILL leave!". My friend and I were then escorted to the office to the quite loud booing of our entire school.

Just in the walk from the office to my classroom I was cursed at, and mocked.

I see it this way, my school tried to force me to associate myself with an Interest Group I disagree with, and then presented me with two choices. A) Stay and conform to a position I oppose, or B) Leave and be ridiculed by a teacher in front of my entire school.

I'm also fairly sure I would have had a suspension if it hadn't been for the fact that I know my rights, and I showed the staff that I knew them, and also let them know any punishments to me would result in an immediate lawsuit.

I have decided that I will file a complaint with the Principle, and if that doesn't work the Superintendent, and demand an apology for that teacher forcing me into such a position.

But now to the important part of my post, I have decided that due to this I want to do something tomorrow to represent my non-interventionalist opinions. So I'd like to know if any of you know of any arm-bands or anything like that for me to use?

I would have done exactly the same thing.

Good job!

[JoshLowry]

I guess a positive liner to this is it's created quite a stir in the kids at my school. The ones actually sensible enough to ask why I left before condemning me are learning all about the issues of interventionalist policy, and why I (and all of you) oppose it. Also, they're getting a lesson on the role of charity and private organizations in major problems like Uganda.

That's really cool. :cool:

If someone asked me what non interventionism was when I was in high school my eyes would have glazed over.

Stay humble and you'll go far!

[krazy kaju]

How exactly was the presentation promoting government action and/or the Ugandan government?

Point out that free trade would benefit Uganda's economy, meaning better lives for "invisible children" and less revolutionaries in the LRA. Also point out that a major reason why there is a revolution in the first place is because the Ugandan government has backwards economic policies which make it hard for the poor to start businesses, own land, and get jobs. More poverty means more people are willing to overthrow the government.

You might also want to use some evidence from the Heritage Index of Economic Freedom (http://www.heritage.org/index/Country/Uganda):

Uganda's business freedom is only 58.7%

The overall freedom to start, operate, and close a business is limited by Uganda's regulatory environment. Starting a business takes an average of 28 days, compared to the world average of 38 days. Obtaining a business license takes less than the world average of 18 procedures and 225 days, but costs are high. Bankruptcy proceedings are fairly straightforward but costly.

Investment freedom is only 50%

Foreign investors do not receive equal treatment and may face a number of performance obligations as conditions for gaining required business licenses. Foreign investment is allowed in most sectors, and foreign investors may form 100 percent foreign-owned companies and majority or minority joint ventures with local investors and may acquire or take over domestic enterprises. Dispute resolution can be lengthy and politicized. Regulation can be non-transparent, ad hoc, inconsistent, and subject to corruption. Residents and non-residents may hold foreign exchange accounts. There are no restrictions or controls on payments, transactions, or transfers. A slow registry and complex regulations make land acquisition difficult.

Property rights are only 30%

Uganda opened its first commercial court about seven years ago, but a shortage of judges and funding drives most commercial cases to outside arbitration or settlement. The judiciary suffers from corruption. Domestic private entities may own and dispose of property and other businesses. Foreign private entities share these rights, but there are restrictions on land ownership. Ugandan laws protect intellectual property in theory but rarely act as a deterrent to counterfeiters and pirates.

Freedom from corruption is only 28%

Corruption is perceived as widespread. Uganda ranks 111th out of 179 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2007. The will to combat corruption at the highest levels of government remains weak. In addition to demands for and acceptance of bribes, bureaucratic apathy and ignorance of rules within public organizations contribute to perceptions of corruption. Foreign businesses report some difficulties due to lack of transparency and possible collusion between competing business interests and government officials.

The power of the LRA is solely due to ridiculous Ugandan government policy. If they decided to modernize and free their economy, revolutionary groups would shrink into the background as people would become wealthy, prosperous, and have no reason to revolt.

[acptulsa]

Sweet! Nice job! I would be tempted to walk around the next week or so wearing a sign that says 'Politically Repressed' or 'I am not free', but then I got in trouble a lot, too...

Still do, for that matter.

[euphemia]

I hope you find some sympathy in the media because your story deserves to be told. I hope you talked to your parents and that they are as outraged as all of us.

I was in high school in the 1970s, and living in a military community, the opinion was pretty one sided, but at that time I didn't have enough information to form any opinion other than pro- or anti-war. I think my parents voted for George Wallace in 1968, if that is helpful.

Anyway, what I want to say, is that I applaud your maturity and your courage. Students should never have to participate in that kind of feel-good propaganda. It is pointless.

Be strong and courageous.

[euphemia]

But now to the important part of my post, I have decided that due to this I want to do something tomorrow to represent my non-interventionalist opinions. So I'd like to know if any of you know of any arm-bands or anything like that for me to use?

This is meant only partially tongue-in-cheek, but I think you should invoke the Fairness Doctrine. Since an hour or two were taken from your instructional time to subject you to propaganda, I would suggest that your school either allow you 5 minutes on the public address for rebuttal, or that you make a 5 minute video explaining your point of view and that it be shown in the cafeteria during lunch and be kept as a catalogued resource in your school library.

[acptulsa]

This is meant only partially tongue-in-cheek, but I think you should invoke the Fairness Doctrine. Since an hour or two were taken from your instructional time to be subjected to propaganda, I would suggest that your school either allow you 5 minutes on the public address for rebuttal, or that you make a 5 minute video explaining your point of view and that it be shown in the cafeteria during lunch and be kept as a catalogued resource in your school library.

And if they actually go for it, be funny as hell in making your points so they not only don't get mad at you, but come over to your side!

[Bill M DC]

Let's FAX Bomb the school!

[Nate SY]

How exactly was the presentation promoting government action and/or the Ugandan government?

We'll, the presentation shows these children with guns, then talks about how the LRA kidnaps them and forces them into military roles. Then they tell us how the Ugandan government has been trying to establish peace with the LRA, but how Kony doesn't want peace, and just enjoys murder and kidnapping. Then they tell us that we need to press our government to address this issue and stop it (with other nations).

Never says how the government should stop it, just says it's there job and that we should make them do it. Everything you posted, about the Ugandan repression isn't mentioned at all. It's made to look like the only reason for the fight is one mans sick joy in death.

I do think it's horrid that Kony kidnaps kids btw. Don't think I said that before, I truly do feel bad for them, I'd donate to help them. But I don't think our government should be doing the helping.


This is meant only partially tongue-in-cheek, but I think you should invoke the Fairness Doctrine. Since an hour or two were taken from your instructional time to subject you to propaganda, I would suggest that your school either allow you 5 minutes on the public address for rebuttal, or that you make a 5 minute video explaining your point of view and that it be shown in the cafeteria during lunch and be kept as a catalogued resource in your school library.

Actually very tempted to do this, I think I'll talk it over with my friend who left with me. But fairly positive this is the course we're going to take.


Let's FAX Bomb the school!

Ah... lol, well I do believe that would be nice if the school fails to do anything to right the situation. We actually had a meeting today between administration, me, and my friend, looks like it was just the one ladies last minute addition. They said they'll take action, but we shall see. If they fail to... then maybe I might just ask for some help in something along those lines.

[AutoDas]

Peter Thomas Bauer is an economist of the Austrian persuasion who does an excellent job of debunking the myth that foreign aid through the compulsion of the state does not help developing countries.

[Kraig]

to which I responded with a "This is a political position, to which I disagree, and I WILL leave!"

Good job man!