Edwards: I'm 'Shocked' at Rep. Gordon's Comments on the THS Gay-Straight Alliance
Rep. John Edwards (Democrat - District 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) responds to Rep. Dan Gordon's comments left on Patch this week about a Tiverton High School senior starting the school's first Gay-Straight Alliance.
Rep. John Edwards addresses the Tiverton School Committee on Tuesday night, saying he would like more high school students taking advantage of the internships offered at the State House.
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To the Editor:
It was with great shock and dismay that I read ignorant and prejudicial comments from Representative Daniel Gordon Jr. in response to a recent Patch.com story highlighting a newly-established anti-bullying alliance at Tiverton High School. The story details the school’s first-ever “Gay-Straight Alliance,” established to promote acceptance and individuality among students.
While I cannot imagine how anyone could find a problem with high school students coming together to fight bullying, Representative Gordon issued the following response to the article posted on Patch.com: “And this is why if I have anything to say about it, Tiverton will lose school funding to local charter schools. It doesn’t matter if gay or straight, if sexual meet-up groups are being promoted in our schools rather than improving test scores, that school is failing. Is it really more important for our children to get ‘sexed-up’ than learning advanced math?”
I find Representative Gordon’s remarks to be not only offensive, but ludicrous. And I am not alone. In the past few days, I have received numerous emails from THS students, parents and constituents who are outraged by his insulting comments. At the very best, I consider Representative Gordon to be misinformed. To accuse students who are trying to promote acceptance of getting “sexed-up” at school and to suggest that the alliance has any impact on student test scores is inflammatory and downright immature.
It is disheartening that a state representative has shown such ignorance to social and educational realities. Perhaps he needs to be reminded that he represents all residents in his district- not just those who conform to his views. I am appalled that Representative Gordon threatened to cut school funding- in these dire economic times- simply because he disagrees with an anti-bullying group organized by children. The residents of Tiverton certainly deserve better.
In closing, although my actions speak for themselves, I would like to go on record and say that I commend Tiverton High School for establishing this organization and I will continue to support any program that promotes acceptance and diversity in our schools.
Sincerely,
John G. Edwards
Representative- Democrat - Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth
DSilva
8:21 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you Mr. Edwards.
I am proud to call you my Rep.
Jim L
12:07 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
If Mr Edwards stood for all the people he wouldn't have sungled out the TCC when talking about his bill, ask how he feels about 0794 Binding arbitrasion
Tiverton Dad
1:22 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Jim. Why are you trying to deflect the conversation away from the issue at hand?
Tiverton Dad
10:09 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you, representative Edwards. Mr. Gordon's intolerant remarks required a formal response. He also owes an apology to the Tiverton HS GSA.
RI Politics
10:11 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you Mr. Edwards! Is there any way to get this bone head Gordon recalled?
j michael
10:14 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you!
Linda Larsen
10:57 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you Representative Edwards. My entire family and many of those that live in District 71 wish you were our representative!
tim smith
11:33 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
A Gay-StraightAlliance equals getting "sexed up"?? Is this guy doing a Rip Van Winkle impression?
WOW. I commend Mr. Edwards for his comments. And I suggest "sentencing" the offender to spending ten hours doing community service by meeting and interacting with the students in this support group.
Denise
12:01 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you Representative Edwards! Thank you for being a leader who listens and truly cares about the people you serve.
The discourse that has occurred regarding Mr. Gordon's disturbing comments should serve as a reminder that when we as voters become complacent this is the quality of leadership we can end up with. We must pay attention and be active participants! We need to get out and vote! We need to know who we are voting for and what they stand for!
Jim L
1:45 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tiverton Dad, i,m not sure where you asked me about changeing the subject, yhat wasn't and isn't my purpose, as a former miltary brat i think i feel somewhat of this young lady and other went thru, everytime you go to a new school, new town, there is always someone that is going to pick on you, bully you, push you around, you can duck n cover, run and hide, or hit back.Moving often i learned it,s better to hit back, still got yer a kicked but felt better, i also learned to make as many friends as I could to, have stength in numbers. Most of this took place in CAlifornia, no gays in the open then, but if you were miltary, surfer, not mexican, mexican,were friendly withn't friendly with mexican, hell , just different even if you were the same. next page
Nicole Drapeau
1:47 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank you rep. Edwards!!!!! You have my admiration and my trust thank you for being a great man!!!!
Robert Thibault
1:51 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Indeed, Thank you Rep. Edwards. You are a man to trust, and I hope you do more to help us in the near and distant future (but, im sure you will help us :D )
Linda Larsen
3:35 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
I posted this on the other article. However I thought it appropriate to post here also:
Many of us here know the realities of the many hurdles that our students face every day along with the need for our teachers to bring a "large toolbox" into the classroom to deal with these issues. Let's not forget why that young lady started this group. It was to promote individuality and acceptance.
Tomorrow (April 1st) is now "April Friends Day". Student representatives from the Tiverton Middle School (7th and 8th grade) will be traveling to URI to take part in the Rhode Island Third Eye Project Youth Leadership Conference. April 1st is a day that is typically known for pulling pranks and bullying people. Many students all around the nation are scared to go to school that day because bullies supposedly have the right to bully them. This is something that Third Eye has taken a stand to change, because it is better to make a friend than to hurt one and possibly lose one. "We expect to have over 500 students” says John Mattson, founder of Third Eye. There will be skits, plays, presentations, special speakers and workshops, all aligned to prevent violence and make schools and communities safer. The best part is that it’s all youth-led!
Lets congratulate our Tiverton Middle School students for being selected and wish them well. When they get to high school, I can only hope this blog will read a lot different. And, I can only hope that Rep. Dan Gordon is no longer in office.
maureen
7:24 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Democratic party is unfortunately and solidly behind Abortion on demand, Partial-Birth Abortion, Redefining Marriage, Gay Marriage, Fetal Stem-Cell Reseach. What next in platform? Probably Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, if not already.
Platform is firmly aligned with leading us all further into a "Culture of Death".
Doesn't surprise me that this Democrat is denouncing Rep. Gordon. Rep. Edwards is following his own party platform.
I am a registered Democrat. Disheartened by party platform.
Jim L
7:37 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
So why be a registered democrat, vote the person, not the party
TivertonGirl
1:34 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Just because you're a registered Democrat doesn't mean you have to vote ALL Democrat. That's not how voting works....but it DOES explain how people like Gordon end up elected officials.
And why shouldn't Rep. Edwards denounce the words of a bigot? Have you read what that "representative" wrote out of pure homophobia and ignorance? I say good on you, Rep. Edwards for being a politician who truly cares about people and is in office for all the right reasons! We need more politicians like this guy!
Btw....before you make assumptions on where politicians stand...why not do some research? Most of them have websites, and all of them have ways to get in contact. It's called Google, and it's not that hard to use.
And as a final note, I'd rather get on board with abortion, gay marriage, and euthanasia(God forbid we let those dying a slow and painful death get some peace and relief! or treat others equally! or respect Roe v. Wade and let women have a right to make decisions regarding THEIR bodies!) then publicly bash high school students and blame them for being bullied....
maureen
9:02 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Thanks Jim L.
I have hope that by remaining with party I can help change platform.
Still get polled for political opinions, etc.
There are pro-life and pro-marriage Democrats, just in minority.
Not sure when party was hijacked by so many relativists.
And absolutely vote the person, not the party.
Democratic party is no longer my grandparents party.
j michael
9:28 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Democrat, and not a relativist. However, I accept that Maureen is morally superior based on a somewhat popular world view.
RI Politics
10:00 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Maureen no disrespect to your post regarding abortion, however, please try to stick to the subject matter here. This comment will spin off another hundred emails not related to the topic. And for the record I do agree with your abortion comments.
j michael
10:03 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Yes, Maureen -- your truth. Mine is different. And for the record, I disagree with your comments just so you don't assume silence means agreement :)
maureen
11:02 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Sorry j michael. that's what relativism is. There is no such thing as "my truth" and "your truth." There is natural moral law. The taking of innocent human life is wrong. Yes, we have federal laws that permit it. But that does not change the natural moral law. We all know, inherently, that it is wrong to take the life of an innocent human being.
And i am trying to stick to topic. I originally said that it is no big surprise that Rep. Edwards is defending the party platform. And then that the party platform is becoming more and more "relativistic".
j michael
11:55 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Sorry, Maureen, but you said..."Democratic party is unfortunately and solidly behind Abortion on demand, Partial-Birth Abortion, Redefining Marriage, Gay Marriage, Fetal Stem-Cell Reseach." You can't expect a comment like that to go unchallenged -- and you know it! You used the term "relativists" in your response comment. Don't play innocent. I see you've got the anti-abortion talking points down too. Not a life until it's out. That's when I'll do everything to protect it, but that's when anti-abortionists do everything to ignore it. Keep arguing. You will not silence me.
Jim L
10:17 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Not for nothing but you folks live in tiverton?See we were talking about gays and schools and education, and it seems 2 of you are from Portsmouth and 1 from everywhere
Jim L
10:18 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
AND getting way way off base
Sherry Raposa
11:16 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
I am happy to say that I have been lucky enough to have all kinds of people touch my life. A few relatives and yes many dear friends have been gay. The last thing that comes to my mind when having a conversation with any of my gay friends is "sex." Caring, compassionate, loving and sometimes troubled more often comes to mind. All of these qualities, I am happy to say, describe most of the people in my life whether they are gay or straight. People who automatically put a sexual sterotype on gay people are sadly misinformed about who they are. Unfortunately, this particular group has a more difficult time navigating through high school. This is not about religion. People, please educate yourselves about what this group is trying to accomplish. Again, I invite all to walk in the shoes of someone who has been bullied for just one day.
maureen
12:16 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
J Michael,
Not a life until it's out! ????
Can you explain the beating heart?
Simple biology tells us that it is life and .....it's human life.
a puppy is not about to be born. It's a baby.
According to your argument, human life is not existent or worth defending unless
the child has been born.
I am a constituent of Dan Gordon and I realize what the original topic of discussion was.
j michael
12:27 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Not here, Maureen. I've made my point and my argument. Like Dan Gordon, I stand by what I said. You may realize what the original topic if discussion was, but that doesn't stop you from trying to take it in a different direction.
By the way, Planned Parenthood thanks you. I just sent them a $100 contribution because you've annoyed me so much, and sent three $50 contributions: one to my pro-choice rep.; one to my pro-choice governor; and one to an openly-gay pro-choice rep. from another district. What can I say? You inspire me!
Robert E
5:10 am on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Apparently all life is precious to the god of the Bible, unless it is a fetus conceived out of wedlock or conception happens within an “enemy” nation that does not worship him. The Bible teaches that abortion is acceptable if God performs it or he commands it to be done through contaminated water or by violent force. The Bible doesn’t really specify on the modern surgical method of abortion.
Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, “If no other man has had sexual relations with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have made yourself impure by having sexual relations with a man other than your husband”— here the priest is to put the woman under this curse—“may the LORD cause you to become a curse[b] among your people when he makes your womb miscarry and your abdomen swell.
Numbers 5:19-21
The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open.
Hosea 13:16
Well, look at it this way. It’s already been suggested that Sin and Suffering is allowed if God allows it to happen. Abortion is just another example of this rule in effect.
j michael
12:57 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
No, it was someone else who asked you why you were a registered Democrat.
I know I didn't answer. I said "Not here, Maureen." This is not the place.
And I'm glad you stand by what you said too.
maureen
1:26 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Thanks j michael.
TivertonGirl
1:37 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Woohoo Rep. Edwards! Glad someone decided to address Gordon's pathetic attempts at online conversation!!!
Glad to have you as a politician in this town! We need more like you!
Joe Everyman
7:13 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Maybe the state doesn't want to sanction the extracurricular activity. That's at least debatable. Doesn't make Gordon a bigot or bully necessarily. Kids are in school to learn academics, after all.
Bob Williams
8:11 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Have either of these two knuckleheads noticed our state is on the verge of economic collapse? Stop it. Both of you ! Focus on our economy or get lost!
Rug Doctor
6:43 am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
As our state sinks deeper into debt Mr. Edwards has time to talk about this and legalizing pot. Nice job Jay. What is next on you agenda making it legal for 8 year olds to marry.
tiff
7:47 am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
Yeah, Rug Doctor, that's what he is talking about!!! So cleaver....
tiff
7:49 am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
oops!! clever!!!
Mike Mello
7:19 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
State Rep Edwards is a much better rep than Gordon will ever be! TCC go away, you and your endorsed candidates care nothing about this town, the schools or any town funded positions. You just look out for yourselves!
Robert Johnson
11:24 am on Monday, April 4, 2011
A couple of notes on Dan Gordon:
This is from Dan's Facebook:
“Elect Dan Gordon to RI House of Representatives District 71 I did not, Mr. Dafoe, use that language. An evil individual craftily through spoofing or PhotoShop used my page to create a lie. Then, an irresponsible reporter ran with the story without contacting me.
14 hours ago”.
Bill Rapleye, “irresponsible” reporter, says in the video, “We had no luck reaching Portsmouth Representative Dan Gordon today.” Did Bill Rapleye lie about that? Rapleye didn’t contact, or Dan didn’t take the call? Now that the story is out, has Dan contacted Mr. Rapleye to do an interview?
Watch “Dan Gordon defends his honor” on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCuXYOzsSqI&feature=related
Talk about spin. Dan says that Rep. Edwards, “called ME ignorant and prejudicial”. Rep. Edwards called Dan’s "COMMENTS ignorant and prejudicial.” There is a difference. Notice how Dan turns towards Rep. Edwards and was speaks directly to him in what I think is a very menacing way. What a bully.
Robert Johnson
11:33 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The following appears to have been removed from Dan Gordon's Facebook:
“Elect Dan Gordon to RI House of Representatives District 71 I did not, Mr. Dafoe, use that language. An evil individual craftily through spoofing or PhotoShop used my page to create a lie. Then, an irresponsible reporter ran with the story without contacting me.
14 hours ago”.
Bill Rapleye, “irresponsible” reporter, says in the video, “We had no luck reaching Portsmouth Representative Dan Gordon today.” Did Bill Rapleye lie about that? Rapleye didn’t contact, or Dan didn’t take the call? Now that the story is out, has Dan contacted Mr. Rapleye to do an interview?