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Boucher is Not a Fan of MN State Senator Michele Bachmann

Bachmann's alleged involvement with Teenage Republican's "Witchhunt" particularly tightens his jaws

On May 12, 2005, Boucher's byline appeared on the Star Tribune editorial page, where he expressed concern over an email that was posted on the MN Teenage Republicans website. The email urged high school students who believe that they have been persecuted for their conservative viewpoints to email information about the incident(s), "even if it is just a small story," to MN State Senator Michele Bachmann. Boucher believes that this effort would amount to little more than a witch hunt, and he proposes that readers send Bachmann information on hardworking teachers who do their job well to counter the emails she may or may not be getting from Teenage Republicans. Click here to read Boucher's opinions on the Bachmann email campaign.

Commentary: Although Bachmann has claimed in published reports to be uninvolved in this email campaign, it's really hard to know. Other reports have placed Bachmann in the bushes spying on a gay pride rally as well as at light rail stations videotaping people she believed had not paid any fare (she apparently didn't bother to confront any of those people; truth is, they may have indeed paid for their rides, but just didn't need to buy a light rail ticket--for example, many people have monthly passes or transfers from buses). In light of these incidents, it doesn't seem too far fetched that Bachmann may be involved in something like this. That said, there's nothing wrong with contacting a politician about problems that you may be having in school. On the other hand, less than 2% of the state's population is actually represented by Bachmann--and what would Bachmann be able to do to rectify individual situations in local schools anyway? Wouldn't it be better to complain to the school board or the local media? Basically, this is probably just another boring campaign tactic that can be used to win an election and then will be forgot about if and when Bachmann wins the next election. Either that, or Boucher is right and Bachmann plans to take her folder of complaints to Washington, D. C. to help her pass bills to shut the mouths of those she disagrees with. But she'll still probably do nothing to stop the garbage broadcast daily on pop stations such as KDWB, which does far more damage than almost any political speech.

Brief Bio on Bachmann

Bachmann (R-Stillwater), who serves as Assistant Minority Leader, has made a name for herself by supporting measures such as the Academic Bill of Rights, which would supposedly ban all bias in all public educational institutions. She also is a staunch supporter of the drive to pass a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Bachmann is using her growing name recognition as a controversial politician to make a run at the U. S. House from Minnesota's 6^th District, an effort that has garnered regular criticism on the satirical "Minnesota Morality Minute" on Air America Minnesota's "Wendy Wilde Show," which airs Weekdays from 9-11am and 5-6pm on AM-950 in the Twin Cities.--Dr. Vinny, Founder & Publisher

South High's Michael Boucher Wants Cheri Yecke Ousted

Social Studies teacher Michael Boucher has an oped piece published in Sunday's (April 11, 2004) Star Tribune that basically stated the general argument of people who want Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke to be voted out in the State Senate's confirmation hearings. Read the oped here, and when you do, please remember that Pawlenty has said he intends to appoint a similar person should Yecke be ousted. Our position is that Yecke is off her medication, but we don't know if we'll get anyone better, or if we'll get someone worse. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. In any event, Boucher is certainly keeping his name in the press--I wonder if he wants to be the Commish.--Dr. Vinny, Founder & Publisher

Michael Boucher's Views on Proposed MN State Social Studies Standards

South High's own Michael Boucher got his opinion of Cheri Yecke's social studies standards published in the Pioneer Press recently. The analysis is actually quite good--and many of Boucher's points are valid, but he does make an error in part of his piece by suggesting that each standard will end up needing to be learned by the student in 119 minutes. More accurately, the average class time allowed for the standard would be 119 minutes, but I'm sure anyone who has attended school--especially Boucher's classes--knows that that is not counting the homework assigned on these subjects. Surely the homework will help teach the subjects--if it doesn't, then we should get rid of it! To read Boucher's article, please click here. Also, comment on this and other topics in our Visitor Forum--and thanks for visiting.--Dr. Vinny, Founder & Publisher

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