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Daily Kos – Yes, Redstate – No

By: dvdmsr (Diary)  |  September 2nd, 2008 at 03:18 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

I teach U.S. Government and History at a small public high school in west Michigan. Today was the first day of the school, and to my surprise I discovered that the schools new internet filters block access to Redstate, but not the Daily Kos.

I was told that they could not unblock redstate w/o exposig all computers to inappropriate material. I was also informed by my vice principal that the filters obtain a list of so-called I appropriate sites from the State, but I am not so sure how true that last bit is. I believe the filter is called “Baracuda.”

I hope to find out more later. Are there other teachers out there that are having problems accessing and using Redstate or other conservative sites in their classes?

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  • jwebb

    It sounds like your school district has a Barracuda Networks appliance between the servers and hte internet. Not a bad idea to keep the malware out, but any web domains that are blocked, are blocked intentionally by someone.

    DailyKOS is filled with vile speech, and while RedState should be allowed, I would first try to get KOS blocked. To do this, you may need to enlist a concerned parent so as to not jeopardize your job. Have the parent present some excerpts from KOS at the next school board meeting. If there is no resolution, write a letter to the local paper. Perhaps, even alert the reporter that covers the board about the topic you plan to present at the meeting. Get more concerned parents informed. In the past, the libs have whined to everyone that would listen about their favorite topics. Now is the time for Conservatives to speak up in hte public forum and stop this erosion of common sense. Fight for the ‘little’ stuff – it matters!

    Ideally, the concept of not banning sites based on political philosophy, but on ‘smutiness’ would allow RedState, Rush and Hannity back in, but would forever keep out Kos.

    Good luck and keep us posted!

    • dvdmsr

      Be assured I tried to explain just how vulgar Kos is, and how political sites in general can be useful tools in the classroom, but I got no where at least in this first rounnd. Thanks in particular for the advice. I’m planning on organizing young Republicans to mobilize for McCain, and other Republicans in my State, so getting Kos blocked will definitely be on my agenda. I will post any news as I receive it.

      • itrytobenice

        This is the way to teach kids both politics and the power of democracy.

  • KBDay

    Education is so behind the DNC–it’s a blind following, and none of the principles are questioned. I’m astounded Kos is allowed and RS is blocked. That’s a scoop, really. Hopefully, some in media may learn about it.

    Is it okay if I deep link to this post from my own site you reckon, or should I just go to the front page?

    Thanx!
    Kay

  • wt259

    at an affluent, large district north of Grand Rapids. RS was not blocked on our server, don’t know about Kos cause I never went there.
    I agree, take some examples of what is posted on Kos to the pricipal, then the board if you get no joy from the principal. Better yet, have a parent file a complaint about Kos. It sounds like you’re stuck with someone in power who is totally in the pocket of the MEA and the dem party. They don’t want any views other than what the Michigan Dem party wants them to have.

  • rstreu

    RS doesn’t allow adult language. While Kos is filled with it.

    Since, you know, they generally have no point to make.

    That’s ridiculous. And on government funding too. Yup. Sounds like censorship to me. I’d sue.

  • Grimsbody

    When I worked at a school district for 18 months the censorship against conservative websites was all over. I was flat told that it was on purpose. Period, end of story.

    Likely, you’ll find that Rush, Powerline, Hannity, and likely others are also in that filter.

    Harry Truman said it best, “Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”

    –Harry S Truman, August 8, 1950

    I wish you the best of luck getting information from ALL sides.

  • MrMosis

    That’s very interesting to hear. I can’t wait to hear from the experience of others, if there are other teachers around. Thanks for bringing it out into the public record! Please keep this blog updated!