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Written Responses: The Following are all the written responses to AWAAM’s Intifada Litmus Test as of 3-20-08 and are not the opinions of AWAAM. As AWAAM’s surveys are an open forum for discussion, no responses have been omitted.
1.
The DOE needs to protect its ass from critics like the NYPost and Daniel Pipes, and anything short of "intifada = terrorism = BAD" would not suffice. Because, you know, not condemning a word associated with terrorism is the same thing as supporting terrorism. At least when we're talking about Arabic people and/or Islam.
Sat, 1/19/08 2:05 AM
2.
Because the DOE supports the Israeli colonization of Palestinian lands.
Thu, 1/17/08 6:28 PM
3.
Would the DOE have given the job to an Arab or Muslim?
Wed, 1/16/08 1:55 PM
4.
They need to dehumanize the Palistinians' efforts to fight for independance by inflaming the word Intifada.
Mon, 1/14/08 9:30 PM
5.
Intifada represents the strugle, and resistance of the Palestinian people against Israeli state repression. In America, condemning Israel cannot be done publicly. The first amandement of the US Constitution, exculdes any critisism of Israel, therefore, your free speach myth doesn't cover it.
Mon, 1/14/08 6:36 PM
6.
The want a puppet who will do and say what they want. Wouldn't be surprised if they wrote her statement for her. Very sad day for anyone who believes in human rights.
Sun, 1/13/08 10:12 PM
7.
because they're xenophobic people who like to misinterpret things thanks to their ignorance of Islam. I bet more than half the people who came across the word never heard a Muslim defining it. Heck they most likely never heard the word "Intifada", but associated it with "terrorism". (my foot)...
Sun, 1/13/08 1:37 AM
8.
The DOE is reactionary and biased - their politics is blinding, and their choice of principal will reflect the message they want to send.
Sat, 1/12/08 11:39 PM
9.
The politics here have poisoned the well...ms. montraser gave t eproper definiiton o fthe word...it wa sthat definiiton that inspired its use by the palestinians...an effort to "shake off"...metaphorically, it could be appropiately used by women AND on a t-shirt...to set this up as a litmus test is ethically and morally inexcusable...Rev. Dr. Robert L. Brashear
Sat, 1/12/08 2:30 PM
10.
Everybody is forgetting that is about children and the Intifada. It shouldn't even be a question to a principal!
Fri, 1/11/08 7:06 PM
11.
the control over the discourse about Palestine in this country and consequent deliberate misrepresentation of what intifada means. FYI here is our logo for Radio Intifada, our weekly program on KPFK/Pacifica in Los Angeles: RADIO INTIFADA intifada=shaking off - oppression/silence Voices from Kolkata to Casablanca Voices of struggle, Voices for change Sherna Gluck
Fri, 1/11/08 6:30 PM
12.
Because they are politically "chicken". Rather than stand still and listen to an explanation they jump around reacting and squawking.
Fri, 1/11/08 3:55 PM
13.
because DOE stands for Destroyers of Education.
Fri, 1/11/08 3:54 PM
14.
Because they are biased in favor of Israel, Zionism, and the occupation and against Palestinians.
Fri, 1/11/08 3:45 PM
15.
At this point, the word "Intifada" and the T shirt have become too controversial for the DOE. They have let racist extremists set the standards for censorship. It is dangerous and sad to see this happen.
Fri, 1/11/08 3:42 PM
16.
I can't say what the DOE would do; but as an educator I can say that it is unacceptable for them to hire someone for an Arabic-language school who deliberately and politically MIS-translates a word in Arabic.
Fri, 1/11/08 1:08 PM
17.
First, because, the DOE of is turning to a political organization, and not a educational org. Second, it been control by Jew and Whites, but not the people of color. So the answer is clear.I just realized that we live in the so called state of Israel but not AMERICA!
Fri, 1/11/08 12:03 PM
18.
Unfortunately, the Department of Education is currently controlled by the most viciously divisive, amoral and blatantly chauvinistic band of pseudo American patriots in history. Therefore, the reason they wouldn't hire anyone who didn't condemn the word is because the Bush administration is filled with people who are too narrow minded to actually educate themselves to the real meaning of the word and it's historical context, which is quite benign and positive. Heaven forbid that we do or say anything that recognizes the legitimate morality and high standard of human values of any other religion besides Christianity and Judaism. Unfortunately, the Bush administration has successfully used fear and xenophobia as a weapon of mass deceit as a way to drive their rationale for various barbaric and counter-productive policies. I dare say, Joseph Goebbels would be quite proud of how well they have played America like a violin, using every naive, uneducated and prejudiced "string" on that instrument to hit the most destructive chord possible. Their repertoire consistently includes all the old favorite standards: racism and ethnocentrism, Christian chauvinism and many more. The music on the concert program coming from this White House is guaranteed to cause listeners to wince with painful, soul-wrenching cognitive dissonance. This latest composition is called, "Symphony of Disharmony, Distrust and Destruction of our most cherished American Values." Hopefully, this particular symphony is truly an "unfinished symphony" and there is hope still alive in the hearts of true American patriots that it can be rewritten in the near future so when America's "violin" is played in the future, the music will be far more harmonious than what has been coming out of Washington for the last seven years. Patriotically, I remain Sincerely, Carl Williams 261 N. Armour Wichita, KS 67206
Fri, 1/11/08 11:50 AM
19.
They've received too many messages that Intifada is something to be avoided - they're not willing to expose themselves to the criticism that they faced before.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:49 AM
20.
strange survery since we already know the answers to these questions from their own mouths. its why the previous principal was removed. no?
Fri, 1/11/08 11:43 AM
21.
Because they need someone who will justify their actions.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:41 AM
22.
Because the DOE is bowing to uninformed and ignorant criticism.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:37 AM
23.
This is the Reason they dont want Debbie to get her job back.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:32 AM
24.
They want somebody that will say what they want, to keep a powerful group of people happy, they don't care about been fare or truthful they believe that they can buy a person identety when they hire them. They are not about education.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:30 AM
25.
The intention of the DOE has been a bigoted, capricious all along. Had Debbie said "End the Occupation of the Palestine Territories, they would have gotten her for not saying ' Disputed territories.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:28 AM
26.
People have become so dumbed down that they must first ask the ADL for approval of what they can or can not say. Dumb people have no future.
Fri, 1/11/08 11:26 AM
27.
I do believe it has become a litmus test of sorts to come out with a strong repudiation of anything that appears to be controversial...even if appearances are incorrect.
Fri, 1/11/08 10:54 AM
28.
They hand picked this person and she knows just what to say to please them and keep her job.
Fri, 1/11/08 9:33 AM
29.
Because the DOE like many other government agencies, state and federal, is trying to silence all and any debate on the so-called War on Terrorism. Very soon we all will be silent when the bill "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Act" becomes law or else be transported to the concentration camps, excussse me, "detention centers" built by Halliburton, V.P. Cheney's favorite corporation. Don't think that this can happen in the U.S. of America? Then you haven’t been paying attention to the laws passed by both political parties in Congress and approved by the president that have directly destroyed your Constitutional rights as well as your human rights under international laws.
Fri, 1/11/08 2:03 AM
30.
this is the wrong question that plays into the hands of bigots Debbie A. was giving an educational definition..the issue is about education and free speech not who defends the first or second PALESTINIAN intifada.. RISE UP! However the fact that the appointee felt it necessary to make an anti T shirt statement on day one strongly suggests she felt she had to condemn the word on the T shirt Horrifying that she starts off this way condemning Debbie A.
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