As for the songs about the Obama inauguration and Michelle Obama, it takes a real grinch’s heart to take offense at songs celebrating the American political process or the First Lady encouraging children be good role models and dream big dreams. Why are so many Christian conservatives are such nasty people? Love your enemies? You disdain yours and you’re proud of it.

Also, “avoided the introduction of these phrases” doesn’t specify who actually introduced the phrases, just that Reisler, as the adult in the room, was ultimately responsible for them being there. Yet more basic logic.

Parents should request a criminal investigation.

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Their regret is for soiling the KPA name and reputation.

Where is Reisler’s regret for tainting the work of Woodbrook Elementary 3rd graders? For dishonestly putting his words into the mouths of eight and nine year olds to sing publicly in a school assembly? For allowing an entire week to pass before owning up to his responsibility? For putting the Albemarle County School Board in a volatile situation?

Of course, Steve Koleszar owns the egg he put on his own face by accepting KPA’s insistence of non-interference without proper investigation. As now proven – and as I and others insisted – the lyrics to “We Are the 99″ did not come exclusively from 3rd graders. I look forward to hearing from Mr. Koleszar and spokesperson Phil Giramarita about the KPA apology soon.

I hope that people will attend the next Albemarle County School Board meeting this Thursday, January 12 at Lane Auditorium in the County Office Building (401 McIntire Road) beginning at 6:30 p.m. and sign up to speak during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

Kudos to school board member Jason Buyaki for voicing his opposition and I encourage him to pursue the establishment of guidelines AND effective oversight to prevent a similar occurance in the future.

Finally, I have a side observation.

This is from the Kid Pan Alley website: “The songwriter asks for a tune to go with the words and writes the music to match a child’s suggestion – it’s always original.”

Listening to song in the recording provided by Rob, am I to believe that the 3rd graders wrote THIS tune? Really?
Of course, the controversy involving the lyrics is the critical issue at hand — but I am left to wonder just how much of the overall songwriting is the actual creative work of the kids? What is the fine line at KPA between “guiding” and “doing”? I think this is something to consider while trying to assess the educational value of this particular program.

One of the tenants of KPA’s mission is to “teach respect for intellectual property”. Based on what I am hearing, the definition of intellectual property at KPA seems rather vague.

I’d like to ask Mr. Koleszar, if these kids were workaholics also, as the song indicates?

Hank Martin is correct, the students were a captive audience, and we are captive subsidizers of reprehensible seditious activities.

As a parent. As a taxpayer. As a citizen in this county, I am angered, appalled, and ashamed, that such a subversive activity was allowed to take place in our schools. It is more than apparent that the implied trust that we parents are supposed to have fostered by our educators, is misplaced. A stem to stern scrutiny of policy and procedure, as well as educational objectives is certainly in order.

As a parent. As a taxpayer. As a citizen in this county, I am angered, appalled, and ashamed, that such a subversive activity was allowed to take place in our schools. It is more than apparent that the implied trust that we parents are supposed to have fostered by our educators, is misplaced. A stem to stern scrutiny of policy and procedure, as well as educational objectives is certainly in order.

While everyone else talks about it, you can actually hear it! Audio and analysis: http://wp.me/p1x2fK-1Bv.