The War on Opera

**Lemur** · 02-04-2006, 07:19

I don't understand why the blow-hards at Fox haven't caught on to the war on opera. Why can't we protect our children from this heinous art form? And while we're at it, why on earth are we teaching school children to read stuff about teen sex and suicide, e.g., Romeo and Juliet?

'Faust' Opera Video Stirs Angry Parents

Some parents in this prairie town are angry with an elementary school music teacher for showing pupils a video about the opera "Faust," whose title character sells his soul to the devil in exchange for being young again.

"Any adult with common sense would not think that video was appropriate for a young person to see. I'm not sure it's appropriate for a high school student," Robby Warner said after two of her children saw the video.

Another parent, Casey Goodwin, said, "I think it glorifies Satan in some way."

Tresa Waggoner showed approximately 250 first-, second- and third-graders at Bennett Elementary portions of a 33-year-old series titled "Who's Afraid of Opera" a few weeks ago.

The video features the soprano Dame Joan Sutherland and three puppet friends discussing Gounod's "Faust." Waggoner thought it would be a good introduction to opera.

Her critics questioned the decision to show children a portrayal of the devil, Mephistopheles, along with a scene showing a man being killed by a sword and a reference to suicide.

School Superintendent George Sauter said the teacher should not have shown the video to children below the fourth grade but will not lose her job. She has sent letter of apology to all elementary school parents in Bennett, population 2,400 and about 25 miles east of Denver on Colorado's eastern plains.

"I was definitely not sensitive to the conservative nature of the community, and I've learned that," Waggoner said in Sunday's editions of The Denver Post. "However, from what has been said about me, that I'm a Satan worshipper, my character, I can't believe all of this. My intention was just to expose the kids to opera."

Waggoner, who is in her first year teaching vocal music in Bennett, said she doesn't expect to stay in town.

"I know I'm not accepted here, that I'm not welcome here by the parents," she said. "It's a very uncomfortable position."

**Sasaki Kojiro** · 02-04-2006, 07:21

1st 2nd and 3rd grade? And they think the kids actually watched the opera?

**Spetulhu** · 02-04-2006, 07:39

Originally Posted by Lemur

Another parent, Casey Goodwin, said, "I think it glorifies Satan in some way."

Opera is devil worship? I'll have to show my representatives this so they'll stop public funding for opera! Then the millions we save can be used for something sensible, like aiding young musicians who might some day become great export items.

Nah, rock and heavy metal are satanic too. Let's just drink the money.

**Divinus Arma** · 02-04-2006, 07:53

It so absolutely clear that religion is ultimately a destructive force.

**AntiochusIII** · 02-04-2006, 08:45

Originally Posted by Divinus Arma

It so absolutely clear that religion is ultimately a destructive force.

From DA's mouth!!!

Wow, it MUST be destructive, then. And in this case...dumbasses they are, doubting centuries-old folklore-based literature for freaking satanism.

"Now on FOXNEWS...British magical star Harry Potter is charged with satanism...AGAIN...along with David Copperfield..."

**Divinus Arma** · 02-04-2006, 09:06

Originally Posted by AntiochusIII

From DA's mouth!!!

What the hell are you talking about? I never pretended to be a zealot.

I am a constitutional conservative only. I abhor the religious hijacking of the Republican Party by the "religious right" and the consequential transformation from constitutional conservatism to social conservatism.

Social conservatism is crap. It goes back to the monkey/banana/cage theory; doing things because that is just the way it has always been done.

**AntiochusIII** · 02-04-2006, 09:48

Originally Posted by Divinus Arma

What the hell are you talking about? I never pretended to be a zealot.

I am a constitutional conservative only. I abhor the religious hijacking of the Republican Party by the "religious right" and the consequential transformation from constitutional conservatism to social conservatism.

Social conservatism is crap. It goes back to the monkey/banana/cage theory; doing things because that is just the way it has always been done.

Oh...

wow. You learn something new everyday and night. Sorry, then. Don't take offense.