Comments on: Anonymous source leads to 'black bag' find

By: Sophie, Surrey, UK

Sophie, Surrey, UK — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:48:36 +0000

Yes – I’m reading everyone’s comments on my PC here in England, having browsed over from The Guardian’s web site where, as you say, Mount Vernon is news.

Here’s the link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/10/brand-cross-christian-science-teacher

Looks as though reason is winning the field in Mount Vernon: good for you. There have been casualties though, not least the Dennis family who, we hear, have had to leave town. Tough.

Anyway – nice to visit (feel I should wave, or something…)

By: Freshwater's Ploy

Freshwater's Ploy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:27:23 +0000

is to threaten the Board. He and his helpers are the only ones who wants to keep dragging this out. The rest of us want it over. So read the last three sentences of his ultimatum to the Board at its recent meeting:

“My attorney has indicated with the new anonymous materials being delivered there is no way of knowing when this case might end because he has to examine the materials and bring in more witnesses. I estimate Mr. Short has over 1,000 items from my classroom that my attorney will review. I am willing to explore a resolution before I learn the identity of the anonymous sender if the board so chooses. You can reach me by calling my house.”

He wants a settlement according to HIS terms, sounds like.

By: PridewithoutPrejudice

PridewithoutPrejudice — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:10:47 +0000

It is dumbfounding to me that there seems to be an abundant amout of arrogance in the Mt. Vernon community pertaining to children. Have you lost your minds? You are talking about a child, not an animal. You all should be ashamed of yourselves who hold up your arms in support of Mr.Freshwater. I had seen once within these forums that a particular person said,” Mr. Freshwater seems to a part of this christian clique that because they are christians can do just about anything they want as long as they claim it to be in regards to their faith.” I have never read anything more true in these forums.

The simple facts remain:
1. He used an electrostatic device on a young child, that caused burns to the childs skin.
2. He disobeyed his superiors by not removing religious items from his classroom.
3. He has lied, and withheld incriminating testimony during his hearing.
4. He has single handedly caused the Mt. Vernon school district to lose approximately a half million dollars because of these hearings trying to rebute the FACTS!!!That is how much he cares about the children of this community!

By: drd

drd — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:11:19 +0000

It was performed with a generator that says DO NOT TOUCH THE OUTPUT. What would happen if you had a pacemaker?

By: JRE

JRE — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:38:34 +0000

Wow!

Nope, not sure where you’re getting your information. You say your mind will not be changed by anything I or anyone else will say, so please research a bit or attend the hearing. There are various local sites following this hearing (pro-Freshwater, pro-firing, and neutral).

By: PL

PL — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:06:28 +0000

Freshwater conducted a science expieriment with a student volunteer, he did not harm a soul (no pun intended). I’d like to shock some common sence into you fools. It was no different than when i was in school, maybe your children are too soft.

By: drd

drd — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:17:56 +0000

Are you kidding? You didn’t see the signs around town? You didn’t read the articles stating how kids at the schools were treated if they didn’t “support” Mr Freshwater? You didn’t see that the family had a protective order to keep the childs name anonymous, then it was forced to be released in the adminisrtative hearing? No child or teenager should have to go though that!
read the dispatch today. A man tatooed a one year olds bottom, and it is going away. He is in jail, yet the childs bottom didn’t fall off. How ignorant to say everything is OK because the childs arm didn’t fall off. I really am worried for this county!

By: april

april — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:48:07 +0000

hazeleyes, I appreciate your concern over the hatred that has been evident in this community since the Freshwater business began. I also find it interesting when supporters quote the First Amendment as if this issue was REALLY about a Bible.

Teachers are bound by a Professional Code of Conduct. Are we to assume that you either dismiss the burning of a child or that you, somehow, believe THIS action is protected by the First Amendment and should not be considered a serious breech of this professional code?

I support First Amendment rights. However, I also support educating yourself on real facts before you speak.

By: hazeleyes

hazeleyes — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:18:36 +0000

It seems to me that you don’t want the facts about the Bible on the desk! I hope we are reading the same news, because that is what I have read over and over. Other teacher’s had Bible’s on their desks as well but this man was singled out according to what I have read also, and I have followed this like most of you. I posted the 2nd Amendment that should be enough, but no one is satisfied with that either, you have that taken away, then don’t go crying to your government , because you will never get it back! Its kind of like depicting parts of the Bible scriptures,, you take out certain parts that you see fit for your life, or what makes you feel comfortable for your life, to ease your conscience, and the heck with everything else. Now if we were talking about the book of satan, there would be no problem here , now would there? As far as the child being injured, did he lose an arm? Is he scarred for life? Maybe mentally , because his parents jumped the gun on all of this! Who forced them to leave? I do not believe that there was an angry mob sitting outside there home chanting at them, like what Mr Freshwater has been getting. I believe this was the family’s choice to do so. We all have choice’s to make and they did what they chose to do, maybe d/t their attorney’s advise?? Who knows? A form of pity? They didn’t get run out of town. No matter what anyone says to me on here it will not change how I feel. So you may as well give give up. You can voice all your opinions as I will do the same. But I stand fast on mine!!

By: David

David — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:03:17 +0000

When you harm a child in the manner John Freshwater did, you don’t get a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates.