Diantha Harris

Here is North Carolina fifth grade teacher Diantha Harris at work last May:



Michelle Malkin has an update.

ASHEVILLE -- The Cumberland County school system is investigating the actions of a former Asheville teacher criticized for “belittling” a student who voiced support for presidential candidate John McCain.

But the parents of that student, and the student herself, said Friday that teacher Diantha Harris did nothing wrong.

“She is usually messing around,” said Cathy Thompson, who was in Harris’ fifth-grade class in May when a Swedish film crew visited for a documentary on American politics. “When she said that, I knew she was messing around.”

What Harris said sparked the ire of conservative bloggers this week after a clip of her from the film “From Bill to Barack” made its way to YouTube. The film aired Monday on Finland’s Swedish language Channel 5.

“Oh Lord, John McCain,” she says in the film when one child voices support for the Republican nominee. “Oh Jesus.”

After a discussion with one student supporting Barack Obama because of his plan to end the war in Iraq, Harris turns to Cathy Thompson and asks her to speak up about her choice because her father is in the military

Cathy is shown biting her lip and looking upset. She remained silent.

“It's a senseless war,” Harris says in the film. “And by the way, Cathy, the person you are picking for president said that our troops will stay in Iraq for another 100 years if they need to.”

Thompson still didn't respond.

“So that means your daddy is going to be in the military for another hundred years,” she tells the child.

Cumberland County Schools Superintendent William Harrison called the statements inappropriate.

...Cumberland County is home to Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne.

Cathy Thompson said Friday she wasn’t upset at the time. Her parents, Angela Moore and Army Staff Sgt. Robert Thompson, also said they weren’t mad at the teacher.

Moore said her daughter never mentioned feeling as if she was being picked on.

“Mrs. Harris is always active with the children like that,” Moore said. “I have sat in her class when my Cathy was a student, and she was very active with the children. She tries to get them involved with everything.”

Robert Thompson said when he first watched the clip Friday, he understood why some would see it as Harris trying to change his daughter’s mind.

But after hearing Harris’ side and talking with his daughter, he now thinks Harris is “getting a rough deal.”

I'm glad that Cathy wasn't upset by Harris' behavior.

However, I don't understand why her parents are OK with it.

In the classroom, Harris said to the little girl, "And by the way, Cathy, the person you are picking for president said that our troops will stay in Iraq for another 100 years if they need to.

"So that means your daddy is going to be in the military for another hundred years."

First of all, Harris was repeating one of Obama's LIES. The press didn't call Obama on his complete distortion of McCain's words. Harris was teaching her class as fact the BS that Obama spewed and the lib media allowed.

Second, how can the parents brush off Harris lying to Cathy and her classmates?

Children in that classroom were told by Harris that Cathy's daddy would be in the military for another hundred years!

That's complete garbage.

As it is, the public school system in this country is failing our children.

It's frightening to think of the liberal turn it will take if Obama wants to follow the education agenda of his fellow board member and friend Bill Ayers.

For her part, Harris says the documentary footage of her classroom remarks are taken out of context.

In an interview with WRAL, Cathy Thompson and her parents sit beside Harris as she explains that she wasn't "browbeating" her student.

Video.

Harris says she does have one regret.

HARRIS: Now I did say one thing on the video that I wish that I could take back. But I've said it. I cannot take it back and I know that. But I have apologized to the parents for it. And that was when I said to Cathy, 'That, uh, so Cathy that means your father could stay in the military for a hundred years.' And I was wrong for saying that. And I was truly wrong for saying it. I would do nothing on this earth to hurt this child. Nothing.

Harris began to cry.

HARRIS: I don't want people lying on me and I don't want my character tarnished as a teacher. I do a good job and I know I do. And I teach all students wherever I am... I do my very best. And I teach all students and I give them whatever I have every day, 100 percent.

In effect, she says she is the victim of someone unfairly editing the video. She also is upset that people are bombarding the schools with angry calls and calling her home.

When Harris again expresses her regret over the "hundred years" comment, Cathy's mother, Angela Moore, is very supportive of Harris.

MOORE: But at the same time, that comment is very true, regardless of whether you said it or some else said it. He could be in the military for the next hundred years, and he could be over there in Iraq for the next hundred years. Nobody knows that.

______________

Wait...

In another WRAL interview, Cathy Thompson gives a very different impression about her reaction to Harris' comments. She says she was upset by what happened in the classroom.

CATHY: I was gonna start to cry because I was nervous 'cause I was worried about my dad when he was in Iraq.

She says she was on the verge of tears.

I don't know why that isn't mentioned in the other WRAL report.

Bottom line: No teacher should be pushing his or her political views on students.

As far as the angry callers to the schools and Harris' home, when people voice their concerns about an issue, they should do so respectfully. I especially think it's inappropriate to call and harass Harris at her home.

The power of the Internet allows cases like this one to explode. It's the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Internet.