The most important part of the story is this: Where did those kids hear that phrase? I doubt they came up with it on their own. I hope the Secret Service interviews the parents of every single child on that bus, because those kids were repeating something they heard someone else say. There's no such thing as "only joking" in this situation; statements such as this are threats against the President-Elect of the United States and must not be tolerated. Plain & simple. Report Reply 1 reply · active 41 weeks ago
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WildWest 33p · 43 weeks ago
Wow, and Idahoans wonder why the people of this State are looked at as racist, I don't care if they were adults, this kind of willful act to threaten any president must be taken very seriously.
Some person taught those children the words and they must be exposed and lose there job or be suspended for a long time. I have lived and own a business in Idaho for many years and racism is strong in our state, it is built in and always ignored by public officials, school district and parents, it is never dealt with.
The day has come Idaho, we now have a bi-racial president in a multi-cultural society and actions such as these in Madison County must be dealt with immediacy, racism and death threats are serious and call for very strict response not just an email to teachers and parents that such chants are respectful to elected officials.
Time for a wake up call Idaho are we really that intolerant and discriminating, I certainly hope not. Report Reply 1 reply · active 42 weeks ago
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mjoo 1p · 43 weeks ago
I'm born in southeastern Idaho and raised in southwestern. Even if I've been gone from Idaho for 40 years, this report made me feel ashamed and very saddened. I remember going to school and some adults indeed taught hate, fear and lies -- "Soviet Subs in the Snake River; Eisenhower is a Communist sympathizer." At the same time I had my family, and other adults including some teachers who taught me to think good thoughts, get involved in giving to the community, and love the Bill of Rights. What legacy do we leave behind us? It will come out of the young people's mouths and with their actions. My prayers are with these young children from Rexburg, that they will have adults in their lives like I did who will take this as a good teachable moment and care for them so they do not grow up stunted. They're children. And my prayers go with President Elect Barack Obama and his family and for this country -- that we can leave behind the ugly slave legacy of hate, ignorance and fear and stand proudly in this world. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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TremblinginUtah 2p · 43 weeks ago
My 2nd grade grandson came home frightened and in tears on election day. His teacher had allowed a conversation in her classroom about Obama. One student said, "Somebody should shoot him". He (Obama) was called "evil" and a "terrorist". The teacher has admitted to saying that she "couldn't stand to look at him" (Obama).
Are the terrorists in our U.S.A. homegrown? Should I be reporting this to the Secret Service?
(The school's reaction to my complaint about this was lukewarm at best.) Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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realchristian 1p · 43 weeks ago
Oh yeah.
There's no hate like good old fake-Christian hate.
The people that are calling for the parents that taught these children how to hate like this to be ashamed should just save their breath.
As if any adult who would intentionally teach their children to hate others because they are different is even capable of shame.
God bless their pitiful diseased souls.... Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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theocrazyland 1p · 43 weeks ago
If you want to know what America would be like under a Theocracy -move to Rexburg. Unabashedly 99% Mormon and there is nothing that goes on that doesn't benefit 'the Church'.
I agree that the Secret Service should be called in as I heard disparaging remarks about Obama's lead while I was voting-with my polling place being in one of 'the Church's' Stake Centers. From the ones working the polling place.
I presumed that it was more of the fact that their revered leaders were on their way out-a Democrat v a half black man winning made for lots of sour grapes.
I don't know why they're so Republican but they are. Decent people in the majority would have run Larry Craig out of office on a handrail. Denial is a river bigger than the Snake in SE Idaho.
The ACLU would have a field day in this area as there is no separation of church and state and they're so comfortable being the majority that they aren't even too covert about it either. "What ward are you in? Who's your bishop?" should never be a question anyone applying for a city job should be asked.
I'm glad these parents took umbrage, complained and the media has picked up on it. There are a lot of people moving here that are used to the 21rst century civil rights and being held responsible for your words and actions. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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joeblow 20p · 43 weeks ago
Mormons: thinking your way out of the religion is as easy as reading Fawn Brodie's "No Man Knows My History." I would know. I was raised Mormon. It's simple to cleanse your mind of the silliness and absurdity. Maybe the rest of us should buy the Brodie book and start going door to door in Mormon country. We'll memorize select passages that debunk the Book of Mormon claims and convert people one by one to non-Mormon reality. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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notfromhere 1p · 43 weeks ago
It's ironic that such hateful comments would be coming from a city that boasts one of the highest per capita Mormon populations in the U.S. They hold themselves up to be on a higher moral ground than other people, yet this kind of despicable behavior is acceptable in their community. Not to mention how incredibly anti-American and unpatriotic it is to speak in such a way about our president-elect.
The parents should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the youth in their community to spew such vile hatred. I hope a spotlight is brought to this story by the national media and that some serious discussions about tolerance are had in Rexburg during their next Sunday church services. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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Marker 2p · 43 weeks ago
"I'm assuming if it were, 'Assassinate McCain' you'd feel the same way?"
__________
What?? Really?
WHY was that question even asked? Nice job, Nate. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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Marker 2p · 43 weeks ago
"The Whoolery's moved to Rexburg a year ago."
Translation: They're not from around here, are they?
And Nate, do you mean "The Whoolerys"? (The Whoolery's what moved to Rexburg a year ago?) Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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TremblinginUtah 2p · 43 weeks ago
I was surprised at the tone of this report. I figured it was written by a new, young (read immature) reporter. The subject is assassination of a president-elect, but it begins: "Controversial words..." and goes on: "...parents need to be careful". Then the district superintendent says, "... all students should show proper respect for elected officials."
No doubt, profanity would have gotten a stronger response. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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realamerican 15p · 43 weeks ago
wow, when will people learn? this is so sad. you know during the campaign we moderate independents saw and heard all the shouts of kill him at the McCain & Palin rallies. That was such a big turn off and spoke volumes about what is going on in the heartland. the racism of his supporters helped cost him the election. Mormons = jihad muslims - a bunch of misguided religious thugs trying to inflict their will on the world. They need to be stopped of their toxic ways. If this is Sarah's real america then they need to be fixed. Hate is not patriotic nor Godly and we shall overcome. Yes we can. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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crazyspud 1p · 43 weeks ago
This is not unique to Southern Idaho. Up here in the panhandle, I've heard plenty of hyperbole regarding Obama: he's goin' use his ( hypothetical brownshirts) CDF folks to round up all the guns, strip whites of all civil liberties, put '******s' in charge of all state goverments, etc. Some of it is probably gunshop owners trying to generate sales, but as I also here a lot of it out of some of my college students, no doubt represents the views of many parents. Extremism and fear of change: the hallmarks of the small mind. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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DanM 1p · 43 weeks ago
I guess none of you will have any way of confirming this is true but:
Matt Whoolery, the father whose complaint led to this article is a devout mormon who grew up in rural utah. I know the man and his family, and I guarantee you his behaviour would have been identical no matter the proper noun that followed the chant of "Assassinate..."
Anyone who uses this incident to make blanket condemnations about mormons, or people of faith more generally, are not thinking deeply enough. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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mkeuse 1p · 43 weeks ago
This is simply awful. Idaho should be very ashamed to part of our Union. Please open your hearts and minds as Christ commanded. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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ImFromIdaho 1p · 43 weeks ago
God, it's stories like this that make me ashamed to be a native Idahoan. Racism is not what this wonderful State is known for, but unfortunatly it is. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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pjnunleys 1p · 43 weeks ago
Wow! Just wow! Are people from Idaho this bad off that they would actually allow this to happen without consequences? This is preceived as normal - for real? I want the secret service in your town immediately. This is dangerous. How unChristian like. How truly scary! I want my president, duly elected by the people, protected from these people. I've never been to Idaho, and now I certainly have no wish to ever come. I don't even want to eat your potatoes anymore! Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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ohleslie 1p · 43 weeks ago
A good chance to add tolerance to the school's curriculum
Lesson 1: You've Got to Be Taught to Hate and Fear
You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught
You’ve got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You’ve got to be taught
From year to year,
It’s got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You’ve got to be carefully taught!
Taken from South Pacific Report Reply 0 replies · active 41 weeks ago
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noone009 1p · 43 weeks ago
It's interesting to see those of whom will tout their high esteem for "morals" and "values" will decide to totally neglect such rhetoric. It must be easier to simply say that you're "righteous" and "moral" than it is to actually live up to those claims. How can a group of overtly religious people who preach that the lord loves and accepts all, be hard-pressed to accept equality themselves? Where is the responsibility? Where is the humility? The blatant lack of embracing equality is a contributing factor to the near-collapse of the neo-con movement. You have no one to blame, but your own bigoted selves. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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NO2WAR 31p · 43 weeks ago
These kids must have learned this hatred from parents who listen to conservative talk radio like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. It is sad that some in Idaho think this way, but it helps explain why people I know here in Portland moved here from Idaho to "get away". Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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rexburg 1p · 43 weeks ago
I live in Rexburg. This is not an isolated incident. I used to be a member of the LDS Church, but I left it because it no longer made sense to me. I can tell you that the Madison County School District has a discriminatory hiring policy that basically bars alternative opinion from even existing at its schools. That's why this happened: Intolerance and bigotry is protected and allowed in the Madison County school system and at BYU-Idaho.
But this story about a few ignorant kids should not take away from the fact that Rexburg is an awesome place to live. If you want more information about this area, please email me at wcsl.02@gmail.com. We are in the process of moving a more progressive agenda into this area, and we feel confident that the outdated and racial ideas of the people who have called this place home for the last 80 years or so will eventually be gone from this area.
Don't spread gossip on the internet about this town, just pray for it. Thank you. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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timberagain 1p · 43 weeks ago
And this school differs from a madrassa .... how?
Religious extremism - there's NO PLACE for it. Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago
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torrent 1p · 43 weeks ago
Is there a problem with racial, political, and religious intolerence in Idaho. Yes.
Are some of the people who have this problem Mormon? Yes.
Are they idiots? Yes.
Does that mean all Idahoans and Mormons are idiots? No.
Let's be careful that we don't assasinate the character of the entire State of Idaho and the Mormon Church based on some foolish words by a few foolish kids. Stereotyping Idahoans and Mormons as racists based on this incident is not too different than saying, "Muslims support terrorism because a handful of them blow stuff up on occasion."
I don't mean to suggest this news article attributed these statements to Idaho and the Mormons--what I take issue with is the one-size-fits-all comments that have been posted by the readers.
Do you know what scares me more than these kids on the bus being stupid? The mind that makes sweeping generalizations. Report Reply 2 replies · active 41 weeks ago
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Dianne 1p · 43 weeks ago
I think the students are not old enough to know what they are saying. They are listening to ignorant parents who are biased and racist. This is not the time for such hate. This country needs to come together and fix what is wrong. We are headed for a great depression that none of us have ever seen before. It will make the depression of the 20's look like a walk in the park. Everyone needs to put their support behind the president elect and maybe we can avoid the rocky road ahead. Report Reply 1 reply · active 41 weeks ago
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temi227 2p · 43 weeks ago
i wish all you commentors were as worried about the assasination of the unborn as you are the already born! Report Reply 0 replies · active 43 weeks ago 12Next »
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