Should S.F. Use Anti-War Text Book?

Feb. 7 - KGO (KGO) -- Reading, writing and anti-militarism? That may soon be the case in San Francisco where a new comic book pushing a political point of view is raising serious questions.

Ronald Reagan hugging Osama Bin Laden, corporate America celebrating the spoils of war, a cartoon view of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal isn't off limits in this comic book -- "Addicted to War -- Why the U.S. Can't Kick Militarism."

It's an undisputedly leftist view of the United States involvement in wars, and it may soon come to classrooms in San Francisco public schools.

Pete Hammer, San Francisco Unified School District: "The topic is one that a lot of teachers would have an interest in bringing into the classroom."

Pete Hammer reviews new materials for the school district. He gave "Addicted to War" a thumbs up for use in the classroom.

Pete Hammer: "It hasn't been adopted as material that every teacher has to use, teachers will have their choice about whether they want to use it or not."

Frank Dorrel, Publisher, "Addicted to War": "We're really glad that the San Francisco School District, which is apparently against the war in Iraq, well not apparently, obviously is, has chosen to do this."

Frank Dorrel is now helping to supply the San Francisco Unified School District with 4,000 copies of the book for use in high school social studies and history classes. The books are being donated by a local anti-war activist.

Frank Dorrel: "It's important to show once again - the alternative history of U.S. foreign policy -- of U.S. wars, of U.S. militarism."

Leo Lacayo: "You need to focus in on both sides of the issue in order for students to create their own opinion."

Leo Lacayo is with the San Francisco Republican Party -- he opposes the book's approval. Lacayo accuses the district of being anti-military.

Leo Lacayo: "If you just look at this -- it's a comic book with bad illustrations. It's obviously made to poke fun at a very serious situation."

Lacayo isn't alone.

Col. Robert Powell, S.F. Junior ROTC: "We wouldn't have this United States if it wasn't for this revolutionary army to fight against England to be the United States. And like I said we'd probably have slavery if we didn't have the civil war."

Colonel Powell has run the San Francisco Junior ROTC program since 1983.

The San Francisco School Board voted to phase out the program last November, the board, taking a political position, says public schools are no place for the military. Colonel Powell says "Addicted to War" could be a valuable classroom tool, but he's concerned purely political ideology may cloud how teachers present the book.

Robert Powell: "You can put this out to stimulate discussion, and in fact use it to get discussion going in a good civics class, you know what I mean, but you go to have two opposing points of view."

There is however, no prescribed book for the opposing perspective -- that will be up to teachers. The district says it is looking for books that will adequately present an opposing points of view.

Pete Hammer: "We recommend that if teachers use it in the classroom -- that teachers use it along with other materials along the same topic that have different perspectives."

Leo Lacayo: "We're not teaching them -- we're basically washing their brains with liberal mish-mash."

Frank Dorrel you can't make someone believe something -- you can offer them the information and that's what we are doing here."

There is no word when the book will make it into classrooms. The anti-war activist who pushed for the district to use the book, is still pulling together the cash for the purchase.

Once the books have been given to the district, they will be made available to teachers. Because the are a gift, there is no further action required by the San Francisco School Board.

Written and produced by Ken Miguel.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•