I am very thankful to the adults who are stepping in to help me. And especially thank you to my friends who vote Democrat who talked with me and are willing to step up to help.
As was stated in my letter, (March 4) Dispatch, having the Gay/Straight Alliance recruiting our eighth-graders at the high school orientation wasn’t the only problem — the bigger problem is, as a Christian community our values/lifestyle were not represented.
I really do applaud you who realize this is not a “Republican, Democrat, independent or whatever” issue, it is an issue of our voice and our values not being represented to our eighth-12th-grade children. This will change as adults and youth pastors step up to help me. Contact me at djkern@charter.net.
And a special thanks to Mike O’Rourke for printing the letter, with my party title on it, after I requested it not be on. Seeing this is the rule at the Dispatch (editor’s discretion/policy) I will have to put my titles on this one, in order of relevance, even though it is not a political issue and I am not looking for your vote, just support — it is about our children.
Doug Kern
Parent
Brainerd Resident
Chair, Crow Wing
Republicans
Comments (25)
Add commentGay bashing appears to be a Republican plank
Just as Democrats are often on the wrong side of energy issues(as I frequently point out in print), Republicans appear to be on the wrong side of tolerance issues. If you want to be a missionary for anti-gay movements, you should be proud to acknowledge your party affiliation.
I can understand your concern, however. The huge Democrat majorities among minority voters, blacks, Latins, gays, etc, are certainly a cause for your concern. They are likely to play a major part in a Republican defeat in November. We pure white caucasians tend give a modest edge to Republicans, but minorities give big margins to Democrats.
Rolf Westgard
Democrat
btw, doug
I see you still haven't updated the Crow Wing County
Republican Party website for over two years.
Right on, Rolf!
Republicans on the wrong side of tolerance issues ????
It would seem that Mr. Kern was commenting as a parent and not as a Republican. All this because the man, who it appears is a Christian, found it odd that many groups were represented at the high school orientation, and although there are many Christians in the community they were not represented there. Since when is it wrong for a person to stand up to the principles of his faith and to express his desire that some representation be given to some church organization(s)? I find it interesting that the first three responses to his post had nothing to do with the post but to a surmised problem spread to anyone of the political position of Mr. Kern. Shame on all of you !!
Real shame
The real shame is intolerance, whether you are a parent or a politician.
Finally the Dispatch is ID'ing the GOP
like they do the DFL leadership. This is a political issue.
If he were writing a letter about gardening, he would not be ID'd as the GOP Chairperson.
Fair is Fair.
Actually mars, he would, because the Dispatch
is a liberal paper. Oldandretired is right that this is about Christians not being represented at school. It seems God is out, gay is in. And we wonder why our schools are in trouble? Maybe because we spend to much time worrying about our kid's sexuality than preparing them for adulthood and the work force. Or do we just show them how to get welfare?
Mr. Kern
ID'd himself marsbar. Comprehension courses are available.
sign yourself up first, fnb
Kern stated: "And a special thanks to Mike O’Rourke for printing the letter, with my party title on it, after I requested it not be on. Seeing this is the rule at the Dispatch (editor’s discretion/policy) I will have to put my titles on this one, in order of relevance, even though it is not a political issue."
Ask Mike O' why there is such a policy. That is why Doug signed the article that way, not because he actually wanted to.
I think he forgot the title "Husband". Oops.
The GSA and LGBT have taken over bullying
the same way Susan G. Komen has taken over cancer. Not all bullying is gay related anymore than all cancer is breast cancer!
J0hn Galt,,,,,,sp0t 0n! Keep
J0hn Galt,,,,,,sp0t 0n! Keep em d0wn keep em p00r! Democrat way!
Democrats are for raising up the status of the poor
Unlike the GOP, Democrats don't like slave labor.
Democrats believe that people should be able to access a good education and to find a living wage job where they can support their family. Oh, and affordable health care is a part of that American Dream.
Got a problem with that?
snow
"Democrats are for raising up the status of the poor", but only at the expense of others, while they themselves reap what the have not earned! So yes, I do have a problem with that. And the poor don't wory about affordable health because someone else always ends up paying the tab---The TAXPAYER!!
pdnet
so do billionaires "earn" their beaucoup bucks from the poor or not? The WalMart owners benefit if their customer base is wider. No?
With separation of church and
With separation of church and state, how can anyone start a Christian church group or do recruiting for that group in a school? And should they be allowed to?
I mean, if we can't say "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, can we really start a Christian youth group at school?
And if you want more God in your school, there are opportunities; Lake Region Christian School, St. Francis School, Family of Christ School, or Oak Street Christian School. All provide education and religious instruction in one package.
Otherwise, church youth groups should be an activity promoted and sponsored by CHURCHES.
Teach your kids the right values and morals at church and at home, and you don't need to worry about them making good choices at school.
I'm not opposed to faith based youth groups or other gatherings to promote religion for kids (any religion). But I don't think public school is the appropriate venue for them. That is the job of the church and family.
JohnGalt
I am Catholic. I attended Mass and Catechism, and Confirmation. I was in the youth group sponsored by my Church.
I prayed plenty in school (don't we all?). I followed the teachings of my parents and my church in school. I used the morals and ethics I learned in church while I was at school. But I never felt the need to push my religious beliefs on others in school, because I knew it was not the proper venue for it.
Let others see the Lord in you by how you choose to live, and allow others to find their path. Some will follow the same path you do, and some will go another way. And that's OK.
Heck, some may join the gay/straight anti-bullying alliance. Oh my....what WILL we do?
I agree, okeydokey.
I learned much about religion from my diverse high school population years ago. We had about 15-20% who were Jewish. That strengthened all of us. We had many churches in our town who supported the schools. It was a good educational experience. We had extra holidays for some of these churches and synagogues that we all enjoyed!
If we allow religion at school...
can any church come in and proselytize then?
I do not think Mr.Kern wants to open that door.
Bet he's not a fan of Paganism, Satanism, Islam, etc.
They are religions. Probably not his.
My family gets their needs met at church.
Buttttt, minnesnowda,
they teach the Muslim religion in schools in Kalifornia now. Why is that allowed?
Look everyone, God is in
Look everyone, God is in school already and there is prayer in school. Why all the repercussion over a Christian group in school, if your child does not want to join who is going to force her, it is just another group.