CRUSADER INVESTIGATION
CRUSADER INVESTIGATION . . . Investigation in Progress
In an obvious example of those who claim to be “Tolerant and Understanding” of other peoples views and opinions unless they disagree with those views and opinions, I started to look into something that occurred in October of 2011, but came back to life this morning.
Viki Knox, a Special Education Teacher in Union, NJ became personally embroiled in a fire storm of activity when it was discovered that she posted what some people consider to be "Anti-Gay" posts expressing her personal views on Facebook. It once again became a topic of discussion on a New Jersey radio station, so I decided to look into the case.
Apparently, a Mr. John Paragano, who is an attorney and former Union Township Municipal Judge found the Facebook post while probably trolling for ambulance cases like the one where he posted on his Twitter account about a woman who fell out of her car, wrote to Union Township Schools Superintendent Patrick Martin, requesting that action be taken against Ms. Knox.
According to The Star Ledger, Pagagano is quoted to have said, "Hateful public comments from a teacher cannot be tolerated," and continued with "She has a right to say it. But she does not have a right to keep her job after saying it." which in my view is very bizarre coming from a man who has at best a checkered past and has been known to, shall we say, "pushing people around", for example his ex-wife Diane Prior, a New York radio disc jockey. Mr. Paragano apparently also has a history of posting "objectionable" comments himself, and in the earliest research phase of this investigation noticed that his Twitter tag line reads " I am coming for blood....No code of conduct.....No law!" Sounds kind of "threatening" doesn't it? It does to me.
Now why would a guy who has nothing to do with or any association with the Union School District start trouble for something that is prima fascia none of his business? Well the Crusader wants to know!
This morning I will be making requests for information under FOIA (The Freedom of Information Act) as it relates to Ms. Knox's status with the Union School District, and inquires into the checkered past of Mr. Paragano himself.
I find it a bit strange that it appears the School District (from what I can decipher in news accounts) is utilizing New Jersey's newly implemented anti-bullying law which protects free speech where it does not interfere with educating students, yet according to Steven Goldstein said that "this incident isn't a question of legality," "but this situation also calls for the school to look at the big picture" as to the appropriateness of having Ms. Knox –- if she did write these posts –- teach our youth," Goldstein noted that "The posts even say, ‘…That’s what I teach and preach.’ and continues "It is one thing to hold anti-gay views –- that’s protected in America –- but it would be another thing to vow to teach them in the classroom in a public school." I'm wondering if this remark is being taken out of context, and if a claim can be adjudicated in court. In other words, can the Union School District prove that she was teaching her view to her students even though it appears that the School District is apparently pushing a pro-homosexual agenda (my opinion) with tax payer funds to boot.
Back to Paragano. He has the right to say what he says, but we have the right to shine a spotlight into the darkness too, and chase away the rats and cockroaches that hide in the corners. I wonder why Paragano would risk not keeping a low profile and why the Union School District would so quickly "bend over" for this guy. Let's see where this goes folks.
THE NEWS STORY AS IT APPEARED WHEN UPDATED. . .
Union Township New Jersey Teacher, Investigated For Alleged Anti-Gay Facebook
Posts
A New Jersey teacher is under investigation for anti-gay remarks she allegedly posted on her Facebook that criticize a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history month display at her school.
Viki Knox, a 49-year-old special education teacher at Union High School and adviser to the school's student prayer group, reportedly posted on Facebook that homosexuality is "a perverted spirit that has existed from the beginning of creation," and a "sin" that "breeds like cancer," the Star-Ledger reports.
"Union is not South Orange/Maplewood where one out of four families consist of two Mommies or daddies… Why parade your unnatural immoral behaviors before the rest of us?" Knox wrote. "I/we do not have to accept anything, anyone, any behavior or any choices! I do not have to tolerate anything others wish to do."
The Facebook thread has since been removed from the site, but New Jersey LGBT rights group Garden State Equality has obtained a PDF copy of the Facebook exchange, as well as an image of the school display, from John paragon, a lawyer and former Union Township councilman and municipal judge, according to a statement GSE issued Thursday on its Facebook page.
Paragano came across Knox's comments on Facebook over the weekend and wrote to Union Township Schools Superintendent Patrick Martin, requesting action. "Hateful public comments from a teacher cannot be tolerated," Paragano wrote, according to the Star-Ledger. "She has a right to say it. But she does not have a right to keep her job after saying it."
Knox was escorted from school property, but Martin declined to confirm whether the teacher was suspended, 1010 WINS reports. Knox also had no defending comments. New Jersey's newly implemented anti-bullying law protects free speech where it does not interfere with educating students, GSE Chair Steven Goldstein notes in a statement, adding that this incident isn't a question of legality.
"But this situation also calls for the school to look at the big picture as to the appropriateness of having Ms. Knox –- if she did write these posts –- teach our youth," Goldstein said. "The posts even say, ‘…That’s what I teach and preach.’ It is one thing to hold anti-gay views –- that’s protected in America –- but it would be another thing to vow to teach them in the classroom in a public school."
Expressing personal opinions on Facebook has proved a delicate issue among teachers, students, parents and school administrators. In August, Florida high school "Teacher of the Year" Jerry Buell was suspended for an anti-gay post he wrote on his Facebook page denouncing New York's decision to allow same-sex marriage. He was reinstated shortly following school investigations.
Huffingt Post - First on Posted: 10/13/11 04:52 PM ET Updated: 12/13/11 05:12 AM ET In addition to national and local media reports.
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