Today on CNN Newsroom
Elected Offical's Use of Facebook
Arkansas Department of Education condemned, Clint McCance, Vice President of the Midland School District for his outrageous comments he posted on his Facebook page. “Queer” and “fag” were used repeatedly in McCance’s post on Facebook which he goes on to state that he would disown his kids if they were gay. McCance also is quoted from his post as saying he enjoys, “the fact that (gay people) often give each other AIDS and die.” The Arkansas Department of Education is not allowed to disavow McCance since he is an elected official.
Is a reprimand from the Department of Education enough of a punishment? Do you think the Midland School District should get involved and dismiss McCance because of his actions, even though it was done on his personal Facebook page?
We want to hear from you! Leave your comments and Kyra Phillips will read some of your responses during the 10 o’clock hour.
On Twitter
My wife is a teacher and at the beginning of every year they tell the teachers to be careful about what they put on their facebook profiles. The teachers are told that anything they post there, pictures, posts, etc., can be used in justifying termination, This man should be removed from his post immediately.
I think it's unfortunate that McCance was elected and feels this way about the world. However, America is dedicated to free speech and he chose to voice his opinions on facebook; to poison the rest of us.
The good thing about this is that voters now know the real McCance and will hopefully vote accordingly next time.
These remarks are an outrage coming from anyone, let alone a school official who's job it is to protect and educate students. This action has proven that he doesn't have the best interest of all students in mind and just the heterosexual ones. He should step down from his elected post. If he doesn't, the people of the Midland should work to have this person removed before he continues to spread hate onto an already impressionable youth.
Rich
Schenectady, NY
This man needs help! I feel sorry for his children being raised in such a mans home.
Clint McCance should be dismissed immediately for his posts on facebook! It doesn't matter that it was on his personal facebook page, he is in the business of educating and protecting our children and instead he is spreading his ignorance and hate. He should not in any way be involved in educating our youth!
It's unfortunate that people as uneducated as this are serving as officials on a public school board. There should be clauses on grounds such as these which allow for the dismissal of a elected official by the dept of education. Personal Facebook or not, its a public medium and in my oppinion he's publicly admitting his ignorance, bigotry, and lack of qualification to educate. – Woody from Michigan
The problem with legislating speech is that restricted speech is subjective in offensiveness. What you and I want to express may be counted as worthy of legal recourse, tomorrow.
I disagree with Mr. McCance's opinions and find his remarks reprehensible however, he should be free to express them. Free speech is meant to address free public speech.
McCance needs to be relieved of his position as a Board of Ed. member. There are guidelines of acceptable conduct for elected officials, and the Board can relieve him of his duties – as it should do. What a horror, and how scary that when people like McCance pull back the cover and allow us into their mind's world, we find such an extreme hatred. It is frightening that this man was elected to a position of importance – can you imagine how his irrational bias and hatred have influenced his decisions???? I blame the "religious right" for giving voice to tyrants like this man. Many who profess they believe in Christ are not living a Christian life at all.
What an ignorant, hateful person. I would be curious to know what skeletons he has in his closet to behave in this matter. I am always suspicious of people that are this hateful. He needs to resign immediately.
This “individual” should be disciplined with as much gumption as a student would be subjected to, including involving law enforcement. Hate, bigotry and bullying should be zero tolerance in schools to allow all children to have a safe learning environment.
I am amount a small group of LGBT members that have more conservative views. I served me country in the military. Consider myself a Christian and strongly believe in the fundamentals of the First Amendment. Freedom of speech should not be restricted because of an obvious ignorance. However, when it comes to the development of the next generation of American citizens school officials should be held to a high standard than the average public. If the people running our country, teachers, and parents don't change their discrimination and bias towards the LGBT community how can we expect children to stop the bullying?
Here's the thing...
People like Clint should NOT be allowed to teach in schools. Teachers are some of the most influential people on a child's/teen's mentality...
I'm not even gay, but to hear that someone in his position (let alone someone in general) say such things is absolutely ridiculous. There are still people like that in this world... so sad.. Wake up, dude..
How scary is this?! Someone employed by a school, throwing out hate like this...
Get rid of him!
Free speech is great, but in his position his speech has to be moderated. If a teacher said such things they would be fired immediately, as they should be. I am appalled at his speech and at his attitude of hate. But since I was raised in the deep south, I am not surprised people like him still exist. Just surprised they are allowed to serve on a school board.
No place for elected officials who hate, no "private" social networking for elected officials, and their elected office is no pulpit from which to spew their hate. He has every right to say and post these hateful tirades. This is America. Equal rights for haters. But he gets to do it from the private sector and as a hateful pariah.
I trust the local district attorney will file appropriate charges against Clint McCance should any harm whatsoever come to any gay, lesbian or transgender person in the area.
Hatred and discrimination in any form is wrong. Be it on a personal network page or in the classroom, it is WRONG. Teaching our young people to hate in amy fashion should bring about his dismissal NOW.
He is not an honorable man, so don't wait for him to resign on his own. Get rid of him any way you can.
I'm so sad that he did this as it puts all Christians in a bad light to those who aren't. I am, however, thankful that the editor of the newspaper specified that it was Protestants that have these issues. Catholics are taught and are aware that homosexuality, in its ACT, is a sin, but u hate the sin, not the sinner. Unfortunately, when so much hatred is expressed, doesn't it require a look at how the person feels about themselves? He needs our prayers.
If potential employees can be eliminated from jobs for their personal facebook accounts then ignorant and irresponsible school official should be relieved of their duties as well. This man is not mentally competent to be an elected school official. His comment should be offense to all students and parents no matter what their sexual orientation is. Our leaders should be sympathetic towards all issues facing our youth.
This is a no-brainer. McCance needs to step down from his post and seek professional help. Only someone who has serious mental issues would think in such hateful ways. To write it publicly, sounds like a cry for help to me.
McCance is a Board of Education member and is making anti-gay comments? He has the right to free speech, however, his position as a leader of our schools makes him accountable to parents as their children will be affected by his hateful comments. The religious right have made their voices amplified through people like him and he is a danger to our communities. The Board of Education absolutely should relieve him of his duties! I certainly hope the parents of that community get rid of this bigot.
I obviously have a strong opinion about these comments and strongly disagree with what he said. I do believe he should be fired for comments on his personal social networking page. Facebook is a public domain and no employer, even in an elected position, should allow someone to work after posting such comments. Facebook is used by a lot of employer's as a reason for termination because at the end of the day anyone can see what this guy is writing. Most employer's have a zero tolerance policy against harassment and if he worked for me, he would be fired by that policy. You obviously have to be careful with what you post on facebook and I'm sure this guy has been warned before. And didn't this happen three days ago? Still no apology?
Kyra, If this is not enough evidence to spark a Major debate about what innocent gay kids have to endure especially in schools and now even from schools officials, I don't know what will!
First of all why is this situation national news? Though i don't side with what this man says but ill fight and die for his right to say it. Hey can rant and rave abot gays all he wants thats why this is america because in his private social life it does not matter what he says, freedom of speech.
He needs to resign or be fired; I know he can't be fired due to the laws there. The children are our future and if he is molding our future were in big trouble. He is a bully of hatred!
I share Mr. McCance's belief that homosexual behavior is sinful. However, I also know that the same Book that defines it so, also defines self-righteousness and hatred of our brothers and sisters as sinful. It makes me sad that so many have forgotten how to disagree and yet still show love and compassion. I condemn this man's hateful speech. I hope that Mr. McCance comes to understand how destructive and hurtful his rantings are. He should be removed from his position, most certainly.
Mr. McCance claims to be a Christian man. He needs to fall down on his knees and beg forgiveness. He has no right to be near children of any type much less gay children. How can gay children feel safe in this school district? He needs to man-up and step down.
I am also saddened by the fact that he is a father. Is he teaching this type of hate to his own children?
This was truly disturbing. Typical of some southern religous attitudes but hard to believe from a public school official. NOW the BIG DEAL here was that during this story CCN used the 'f' word on several occasions. My question is this – if the 'n' word is not to be used during news casts due to its offensive nature – why did CNN use the 'f' word several times? Is it not just as offensive? POLITICALLY CORRECT? i dont think so!!!
Mr. McCance is the epitomy of what is wrong with this country. It is people like him who spread hate and intolerance in this world. We've all seen lately the accounts of bullying in schools, who knew that some of the ones doing the bullying were the very same educators that are supposed to protect ALL of our children. I'm sure he is probably not the only educator with the same kind of negative feelings, whether it be toward gays, muslims, etc. They should all be weeded out for they have no business educating our children. Truly Christian people show tolerance, patience, and love towards others, regardless of who they are, where they come, sexual orientation, or different faith.
McCance should absolutely be relieved of his position. Just recently you covered a story on a girl that was being banned from her cheerleading squad due to a controversial picture posted on facebook. These sorts of circumstances occur in high schools all across the nation more often than people think. If minors can be held accountable for their actions in this high of a regard, an adult who should very well know how to conduct himself properly(seeing as how high of a position he holds in his community) should absolutely lose his position on the school board. This nation has been built on freedom of expression and our next generation should have open-minded and accepting individuals to look up to and make the decisions that mold their educational environment, not openly prejudiced ones.
I will never forget, when I was 7 years old, here in the deep south, when I heard the first "racial" slur toward a black person, in my life !! My family was one of the few that were not predjudice then. the same goes for now – I nor anyone in my family are gay, but, we love the persons, not their lifestyle !! To think this Ron McCance is in charge of the body of school students, in that little town in Arkansas, is indeed frightening !! I think he should be dismissed, and someone who can be trusted, put in charge of keeping an eye on him for awhile !! Any gay student there, in his district, must be very nervous right now, waiting to see how many join in his views, and what they are in for !! God bless and protect each one of them !!
Ernestine Nagell
Hendersonville, N.C.
Why should free individuals be held to different standards compared to the entertainment sector? I hear derogatory words in movies, TV shows, music, etc all the time. When did "Freedom of Speech" stop applying to free individuals? What he said was wrong, but he has every right to say it. America, the land of free.
Not only should Mr. McCance be relieved of his duties, but his comments on FaceBook are no longer just his personal opinion. Once the words are shown around or discussed at school and affects the students' safety, it is Cyber-bullying. Students can be cited for this behavior and standard, so can school personell and officials. Cyber-bullying is a deep pockets issues which can cost the district, Board, all the way down to teachers who allow such behavior. McCance is writing checks the district cannot afford to cash! His position is to provide a safe environment for all students. His behavior goes against federal/state non-discrimination policies. If he cannot provide a safe environment for all; he should find an environment that matches his views and serve there. The school environment is difficult enough without Board members creating such a horid threat.
It's a Double edged sword! I don't fault the man for his personal opinion however, he holds a professional position where by his actions affect our young peoples moral "compass". He must sincerely have remorse for these words, or he must seek a position whereby his words/actions don't affect the charactre building of our youth. We must hold our educators to a higher standard if we expect our youth to succeed in this Global Economy.
I have read the responses for and against McCance being forced to resign over what he said on FB and I think for the most part, the point is being missed. Regardless of what we think of what he said, there is no doubt that he has the right to express his views. And he should be allowed to continue to do so, however he agreed to a Code of Conduct when he ran for his publicly elected office. He violated that code – end of story, he should be fired.
The fact that he wasn't fired immediately shows that the same protections provided to various racial and ethnic groups are not in place to protect homosexuals.
It is this lack of protection and the general feeling that it is still ok to use the "F" word that has created the environment in our schools that allowed so many young Americans to be the victims of bullying – and we have all seen the serious consequences of this.
The only positive side to his comments are that they clearly highlighted his utter ignorance, i.e "thereselves"
This guy should be removed immediately from office and forced to undergo an examination to determine his mental stability. Arkansas is not such a backward place any more, what rock did he crawl out from under?
kyra, i watch you faithfully every morning. your personally is so soothing. i am home on disability. pertaining to that gentle man from arkansas ( the school representative), its very scary that our kids have to be expose to such behaviour. i think that a public apology is in order.
I want to start out by saying that I do not condone in any way this mans actions being a school board member, but I want to shed some light on to what may have motivated his actions. There are millions of Americans out there who feel that Homosexuality in unatural and perverse. I include myself in the number of Americans who are frustrated at the Homoesexual agenda and how daily it is thrust in my face. From gay marriage being accepted as the American way state after state while the majority of these states citizens cry out against it ,to the forced apologies and labels put on those who use their right as human beings to voice their opinions against what they truly feel. There is frustration in it's truest form growing quickly in this Country and it isn't going to stop here.
On another note...the fact that he is an elected official has absolutely NO bearing on this at all! Look at our Government!! It's chock-full of this type of hypocrisy!
personally I find it disturbing that the individual is not allowed their opinion, public or private, and we have become a society of finger pointers, and in a nation that claims to be morally responsible, we seem to be ever so willing to toss all Christian morals and ethics for something that is clearly wrong.
The way homosexuality is being pushed up America and Americans to be openly received and accepted is much as the way Corporate America has demonstrated that they can do what they want or will and there is nothing the consuming and voting public can do about, referring to BP, and how politicians are not being held to the same set of standards, statutes and accountability as everyone else, and how the media is quick to report thoroughly and completely for those willing to shell out the money for such coverage and the attempt to be sold as absolute and true.
If you are a Christian, then you know homosexuality is wrong, and you can not be one and believe in the other as this makes you a liar and hypocrite, but to be be crucified for one expressing the view and opinion publicly or privately, this to is wrong.
He should be removed from his position with the school board and district. He contradicts any role as "ambassador" for children and adolescents. This cancerous cell of hate should be removed before it infects, hurts, or kills anyone else.
As a resident of Arkansas, and as an advocate of the gay community, I'm offended that this man thinks it is justifiable to encourage young people to kill themselves. We our in the process of counteracting this great loss, and I personally do not appreciate this bigoted hate. The mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends of the teens who lost their lives, do not appreciate this hate. We have to have hope. We have to give the young people hope.
This comment will say the same thing: How did this uneducated bigot find his way into the VP of the board of education? There are hundreds of more qualified, educated, and RESPECTFUL individuals that deserve to be in his position.
Clint McCance is calling 'people stupid' and saying 'what is the world coming to?' Well the same thing comes to mind when reading McCance's post.
What did a homosexual ever do to ruin his life? Make him uncomfortable because he's insecure? This is another piece of evidence that some grown men can still have the mind and intelligence of a child.
Kyra,
If a social network can be a factor in determining whether or not a company chooses to hire you the same should be said for firing you. Of course Clint McCance should be fired. No questions asked.
You have got to be kidding, to think in a day and age where people in alot of states are allowed to get married, and finally get equal protection under the law you would have someone like this teaching our children that it is ok to hate other people because they are different, hate speech leads to hate crimes. If just one person commits anytype of self harm caused by this mans actions he should be charged for causing said harm to this person. One would think if you dug deeper into the persons back ground you'll probably find he is a member of the local KKK or something. My wife and I have raised 16 children and granted I am not gay, but some of our children are bi-sexual and you know what we love them the same as we love all our children, what a persons sexual preference is does not make the person, and we would never disown or not love any of our friends, children or even strangers whom have become friends due to the fact that they where gay, lesibain, or bi-sexual. this person should be fired period he has endangered every child in that school district.
Of course he should be fired – this is not a random citizen that can recklessly take the first amendment to extremes.This is a person that has chosen to be a leader for children in a PUBLIC school system. It is possible these days to choose who sees your comments. If he wanted this to be a personal matter between himself and other adults, he could have done so but he did not. Using the "good ol' boy" excuse is a flimsy defense at best as this is no longer the 1800's. As for the question of whether he should be allowed to maintain the privileged position of community leader.. I'm not clear on why this is even up for debate.
Is this McCance man beyodn redemption? Civil rights and CIVILITY are for all. This really twisted my brain. I'm glad you aired it.
No, he should not lose his job for expressing his right – ful view about an issue that is important to any decent, moralistic human being. Two men or two woman having a sexual encounter is animalistic, and the laws of sodomy in United States, should be enforce. In the days of sodomy and gomorrah, the world was destroyed, the days are back again. In the days of Norah, one of his sons, was an albino who picture himself having sex with his own father, when Norah was aboard the ark in this drunken sleep. This son the albino, was cursed into leprosy, (the curse race), him and his sister sarah after the flood lived in the caucasus mountains, having sex with animals
for hundredths of years. In United States, when their are gays and lesbians, in the fore front of human nature, it is not a decent place to raise children, their well – being should be the most important. The gay people is bringing destruction to this country and the earth, amonst other things. The creator is not going to tolerate this type of behavior, forced upon good, decent people who morals are in jeopardy.
I can't believe the schoolboard has not already gotten rid of this guy. While freedom of speech is a basic right and everyone should be able to voice their opinion, Mr. McCance is spouting hatred in it's ugliest form. His statement about 'being happy' when gays give each other AIDS and die is deplorable for anyone to say. And to think this guy is on the schoolboard – it's scary! I feel sorry for any gay kids that attend school there. BTW Mr. McCance, items posted on your social networking page are not private as you can see now – they travel the world at the speed of light.
If this isn't insanity...all that came to my mind when I was listening was the report of the teacher who went to a brewery and had pics. taken and she put them on facebook and she got fired for it because kids could see the pics.....well this man works for the school district too, and they can't do anything because it was done on his off time.....what is the difference.....which one is really influencing are children more.......please, please help me understand this insanity.
what i find strange about all of this is that it's not all that strange. alot of people are not going to say it on facebook but alot of people in the south do not like gay people. parents still kick kids out of the house for coming out. lots of people lose jobs for being out, and people see nothing wrong with it.
As a 52 year old gay man, I have to say that what he says is true...from the christian perspective. That is the nature of his god and his religion. We are abominations to his god, and that will never change. If the members of his community are majority christian, then why should they get rid of him, when he is just expressing the views of that community? While I don't like it, I have to accept that is the nature of his faith. Christianity cannot change in this regard, no matter what some of the more "liberal" backsliders in their faith say...they can change their minds in a heartbeat...their bible, and the nature of their god, can never change.
Gains in gay civil rights have increased as christianity has decreased...there is a reason for that.
I think it was wrong to say he was glad they died and that he used hateful terms but it is his opinion so he has the right to say it. It was said on his on personal facebook page, where anyone is allowed to post whatever they want.
I don't however think it's ok that you, another public figure, are coming on and condoning homosexuality when in fact some people think that it is wrong. I think that when reporting the news you should be unbiased and just state the facts but you are blatantly saying it's ok to be that way and in doing so your letting other people believe that yes it is okay even though it isn't.
CNN is not your personal facebook where you can express your own incorrect beliefs.
Kyra: I wonder how permissive our society has evoloved into where everything goes, nothing matters, nothing is sacred or private anymore. I don't think this is a promising foundation for a brave and upright new world. This fearful chase after material ease must surely be tempered by peace of mind, by conscience, by moral values, which must be resuscitated. If not, man will simply have converted the animal instinct of feeding himself before others and even at the expense of others, into perhaps a more barbaric instinct of feeding himself and then hoarding all he can at the cost of the poor, the sick and the less fortunate.
Freedom of Speech is one of the greatest achievements of western society. We must make sure that it doesn't become a license.
Just a thought.
Hello Kyra, this is in regards to Mr. Clint McCance Facebook post about his antigay statements. I agree that his statements are straight-out wrong, but I feel that freedom of speech is important, in particular for the non-popular and even offensive topics; or otherwise, if free speech is only for the political correct and popular views, then what’s the point of having free speech? Tolerance is a, or should be a two way street –not only people like Mr. McCance should be tolerant of gays and other minorities, but we should be tolerant of people like Mr. McCane. My fear is that little by little the right of free speech is being eroded in this country; and that thanks in part by the media, because each time when the media takes sides and pursues its agenda of political correctness, it also in a subtle way sets a precedence towards the erosion of free speech, to the point that at the end the only free speech that will be allowed, will be the one approved by the general consensus. Ronnie, California
As an outside observer America used to be seen a shining example of tolerance. However now it would appear that applies to those that are, Christian, white, straight and conservative in your politics.
Not being gay or of colour I have not experienced a hatred for being different. McCance’s pathetic exhibition of intolerance is surely is the end result of his own ignorance. While that is both saddening and maddening, it is proof that the more things change-the more they stay the same.
what i find strange about all of this is that it's not all that strange at all. alot of people in the south think the same as this guy. they may not post it on their facebook pages but they do agree with it. kids are still getting kicked out of their homes for coming out .people still lose their jobs for being out at work. transgender people are still having trouble with the police. when you think things should be getting better they are not. it's time that people stop acting like there's nothing wrong. there's more than kids getting hurt here.
It is incredible to see we all have an ignorant as the vice president of the midland school discrict
These comments are unacceptable from anyone and especially from someone in such a high educational position. I am appalled that more immediate drastic actions cannot be taken to force Mr. McCance to step down. He's an embarrassment to the American educational system. I certainly hope the attention CNN has brought to this situation will impress upon Mr. McCance to step down now.
Mr. Clint McCance, these individuals that have spoken against your "Right" to say what you want say and where you want to say it, are soft and gay loving. For many of us, you are a "HERO" for speaking your mind about these people.
Free Speech means that he has the right to say those things but it does not mean that we are obligated to support him or keep him in his public service position. He has exercised his right to say what he wants, as a society it's time for us to exercise our right to remove such malignant attitudes from our children. He is a public servant and clearly there is part of the public and I don't just mean homosexuals, I mean anyone who doesn't share his beliefs, so if he doesn't want to represent and serve the public – time to find another line of work.
Marty Martinez,
Mr McCance has the right to say what he wants to say, I agree with you there. However, he only has the right to say what he wants, he has no right to be free from the consequences of what he says. He said what he said, and those expressing displeasure at what he says have every right to say what they want to say, just like Mr. McCance.
Mr. McCance is an elected official, so his job is safe until the next election. Knowing Arkansas, he will be re-elected...the people in his community have every right to elect who they want. Those outside their community have no right to demand he step down, only those in the community that elected him have that right. The rest of us have every right to deduce the nature of the community that elected him, however. We have every right to see the Midland AR area as a redneck, christian hell hole. If you are a redneck christian, then that is the place to go. Not that those beliefs on our part will affect them...nobody goes there that is outside that little hamlet.
I live in Little Rock, AR. I am openly gay and have been for only six months. It has been an extremely difficult time but I am fortunate to have accepting friends and family surrounding me and supporting me. I know what it's like to be a gay kid and a gay young adult. I know the thoughts that come to mind and I remember being bullied or made fun of. It can be very damaging. "Leaders" like Clint McCance absolutely cannot make these violent, harsh, and inappropriate remarks. This can be so devasting to a gay kid or gay teen who is already facing his or her own battles every day. It's sad, embarrassing and makes me extremely concerned. Being gay is not a choice. It's not a decision. It's okay if you don't understand "being gay," but it's not okay to deliver such a violent message. I challenge Clint McCance to re-evaluate his thoughts, ask some questions, and become educated on "gay people."
McCance was posting messages to the parents in his school board district who let him run unopposed that he will continue to represent their heterosupremacist tyrannical theocRAT agenda. His supporters waved their kill-gays bibles at gay rights protesters in front of Midland High School today.
This guy has serious emotional problems. It certainly seems like this man is crying out for some help. He's obviously in a state of turmoil with regard to his own sexuality, otherwise it wouldn't matter to him that others are gay. The shame is that he is on the school board. This guy needs to resign and seek help. Serious help. And stay away from children. Tony
Pack the school committee meetings with vocal protesters, be vocally disruptive and bring the business of the school committee to a grinding halt until McCance resigns. Maybe the official body doesn't have the power to remove him, but people power can effect change.
"Do you think the Midland School District should get involved and dismiss McCance because of his actions, even though it was done on his personal Facebook page?"
I'll answer the question with another question: If McCance was a racist and made a post saying that he wished all African Americans would commit suicide, would you even be questioning whether or not he should resign?
McCance is Vice President of a school board, and his attitude towards gay kids *will* inform his actions towards them.
Mr. McCance should be removed from the school board. It is wrong to have a person wanting the death of all LGBT students serve in a position of authority over these students. He is a danger to the community & a danger to the LGBT children of his school district. If any LGBT child dies under his watch on the school board, he should be held responsible for their death. He has incited & encouraged violence against these children. Basically, he is a homophobic monster.
Its sad that this is the type of behavior the youth of America is subjected to. Even though he posted on his PRIVATE facebook profile, the forum is PUBLIC. Therefore he knew of the possibility of his opinion getting out to the public. Also, for the people saying that he is protected under the first amendment, I would like to ask if it would be okay for me to write vile remarks about your family and your children's friends? Of course not! And as a member of the school board, Clint McCance needs to face serious consequences for his actions. The hypocrisy of people these days is unbelievable.
Mr. McCance's comments are disgusting, reprehensible, and utterly contemptible. There is no question about that. That having been said, however, it must also be said that we do have freedom of speech in this country. We may (and definitely do in this case) disagree wholeheartedly with what he says, but we cannot deny him his right to say it.
It's people like mccance that make me proud not to be a part of the childish, bonehead religion that is christianity.
The First Amendment grants everyone the freedom of speech–not freedom from accountability.
First of all, I wonder how deep the "Good ol' Boy" mentality goes in this School District. If the Arkansas Department of Education is unwilling to do anything about this, my guess is that the local School District will do likewise. Gosh, half the School Board may be Hunting Buddies and we wouldn't want to mess up a good hunt over something as silly as this now would we??. . .hmmm? I'd like to think that someone would have the guts to stand up to this Bully and show him for what he is, but I doubt it will come from those with whom he serves.
The fact that his statements were made on Facebook shouldn't even be an issue. . .they're obviously public now and at the very least he should be charged with a hate crime. Is it any wonder children are being bullied in school when you have parents who harbor this kind of hatred for anyone who doesn't fit into their warped concept of a perfect world?
Why is it that the President of the United States can be impeached but nothing can be done to some backwoods Arkansas school distict VP? Who cares what your personal opinion is, your job is to ensure that KIDS get a proper education in a SAFE enviornoment, regardless of who they are. When does is become acceptable in the US, regardless of one's own personal doctrine or ignorace, for a public official to spread hatred and hope for genocide? If that is truely what the voters want, then beware. Got books to burn, a special needs person to institutionalize, a female to overpower, a person with a different belief system to shoot, a person with a different skin color to chain up? Then move to Arkansas! This is about young people. If you want to subject you own children to hatred, violence and massive death, so be it, maybe they will grow a conscience or a respect for life, despite your efforts. But, don't subject a school system to your overendulged, exaggerated, weak point of view. Just what are you hiding mr vp?
.
Free speech means exactly that...free speech. It means you can say whatever you want without fear of retribution from the government. However it does not mean that there are not other consequences to what you say. You can't go up to your boss and call him a idiot or a moron and expect to keep your job. You have the right to say it, but your boss also has the right to fire you. People have abused the freedom of speech. They expect to be able to say the most hateful things and then hide behind "free speech". It doesn't work that way.
This is so sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the LGBT students and to the parents of these students of the Midland School District. This stage in these students life are the most cruicial. They are learning more and more about who they are as individuals, and with authority figures like Mr McCance in their lives, I'm almost 100% certain they are scared to death to be open about themselves. Shame on you Mr McCance!! It seems like Midland needs some tolerance training.