"...an utterly corrupt new religion called environmentalism..."
If the history of this planet's climate over millions of years is any guide, we are about to enter a new ice age.
CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper indicated in a 1993 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he wants to see the United States become a Muslim country.
The Culture War's Battle of Lexington
By Wendy McElroy (09/28/05)
On September 21st, David Parker was scheduled to go on trial in Lexington, Massachusetts for disputing the 'right' of a local public school to introduce his then-5-year-old son to the issue of homosexuality. The Parkers wanted to control the timing and content of that discussion.
His trial has been http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/212005a.asp delayed.
The Parker conflict, the ferocity of community reaction, and the trial's delay constitute a microcosm within the culture war raging between conservatives, liberals and everyone in between. Even kindergarten children are not spared.
Before exploring how the 2nd Battle of Lexington typifies the larger culture war, it is useful to sketch the specific conflict. (For the record, I believe Parker is overwhelmingly in the right.)
On Jan. 17th, Parker's son brought home a http://estabrook.ci.lexington.ma.us/Diversity/kindergartenbag.html Diversity Bookbag from kindergarten. It included http://www.tenspeedpress.com/catalog/tricycle/item.php3?id=818 "Who's In a Family?" which depicts same-sex parents alongside others.
By law, Massachusetts's schools must notify parents before discussing sexuality with children. The unnotified Parker immediately http://www.article8.org/docs/news_events/parker/timeline_events.htm emailed the principal of Estabrook Elementary to say he didn't wish his son to be taught that same-sex families are "a morally equal alternative to other family constructs." Parker espouses tolerance: the right of others to make peaceful choices. But he rejects 'diversity': the demand that he validate a particular choice through approval or acceptance.
On April 27th, Parker was arrested for criminal trespass when he refused to leave school property without an assurance of parental notification in the future. He is now barred from school property, which precludes him from attending events open to other parents or being a voice on school committees.
The 2nd Battle of Lexington illustrates several common characteristics of the culture war.
They include:
The conflict is fundamental and admits no compromise. Parker believes that parents, not government, have the right to teach moral and sexual values to their children. Estabrook assumes a duty to inculcate the values of 'diversity'. The adults involved have core beliefs that conflict, and there is only one child.
Short of a Solomon's Knife solution, which slices a baby in half, no compromise is possible. If the law enforces compromise, neither side will be satisfied and the fight for total victory will probably continue.
Another characteristic: agendas are attached to the dispute, drawing attention from the basic issue. Tammy Mosher from Concerned Women for America http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=8867&department=CFI&categoryid=family stated, "What's getting lost…is parental rights and parental notification as it pertains to education." The basic conflict is not over same-sex marriage, to which anti-Parker activists have shifted ground.
Indeed, some advocates of 'diversity' claim that Parker's demand for parental rights are nothing more than an expression of hatred toward gays. The accusation illustrates another characteristic of the culture war: arguments are mixed with vicious personal attacks and, often, overwhelmed by them. Each side ascribes the worst possible motives to the other. Neither acknowledges that the 'enemy' might be a decent human being who simply disagrees. Demonizing the enemy is another reason why compromise is not possible. It becomes a deal with the devil.
It also stokes the emotions, making physical violence more likely. On Sept. 6, Parker supporters rallied on the historic Lexington Battle Green. According to reports, pro-gay activists gathered in a counter demonstration. The media then arrived. The presence of media often acts as a catalyst because activists know it favors flash over substance, and tensions on the green became inflamed. Ultimately, the police were called to the scene.
Finally, culture warriors are often unwilling to work out difficulties privately, preferring to involve police and the courts almost from the word "go".
There is no way to accurately judge who's right in the culture war without examining the facts. Both sides can make valid points, and who's right often shifts with tactics employed.
Nevertheless, when I need to make a snap judgement -- one I discard upon deeper examination -- then I follow a few crude guidelines.
My preliminary bias is:
Against the first one to call the police (if no violence occurred);
Against anyone whose income depends on the outcome;
Against someone who attaches a broader agenda or shifts the ground of discussion;
For anyone who argues rather than insults;
For those calling for a private resolution.
My preliminary bias can easily dissolve in the presence of a compelling fact to the contrary.
Upon examining the Parker matter, my initial impression stood.
The Estabrook authorities, for whom 'diversity' is part of a paycheck, called the police on Parker. School supporters portray Parker as an anti-gay bigot and attach a same-sex agenda to his basic demand for parental rights, thus shifting the ground of debate.
Meanwhile, Parker argues without insults. He was the one arrested and in danger of physical violence. Moreover, Parker's lawyer is calling for a private resolution; that is, the school should drop the restraining order, which has become a pivotal point. Estabrook http://www.townonline.com/lexington/opinion/view.bg?articleid=324236&format=&page=1 refuses to negotiate.
A last word on the culture war. Most elected officials will hide from the controversy. http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/212005a.asp The most plausible explanation for the delay in Parker's trial comes from Agape Press. "The district attorney…is running for State Attorney General" and he wants to hammer out a plea bargain to make the controversy go away.
The resolution is unlikely. The Superintendent of Schools claims he's had no time to decide about the restraining order even the issue has dragged on for months.
For his part, Parker seems willing to go to the Supreme Court.
This returns to the culture war's first characteristic: no compromise.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Wendy McElroy
Wendy McElroy is a contributing editor to several other periodicals -- including The Freeman, Liberty and Free Inquiry -- and has published in such diverse magazines as National Review, Penthouse and Marie Claire. She lives with her husband in Canada.
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