Yes on 1: Situation with Guidance Counselor Worse Than We Thought
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NOTE: This item’s also posted for discussion in this ongoing thread here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2009
For More Information:
Scott K Fish, Communications Director
The following statement can be attributed to Stand for Marriage Maine Executive Committee member Bob Emrich:
(Portland, ME) – “Yesterday, Stand for Marriage Maine Yes on 1 released a statement on the disturbing development on the livelihood of Don Mendell, a Maine high school counselor who has had a complaint filed against him triggered by Don Mendell's appearance in a pro-traditional marriage Yes on 1 television ad.
“Additional information is coming to light and it’s worse than we thought.
“The redacted copy of the complaint against Mr. Mendell was filed by Ann Sullivan. Ms. Sullivan works for Randy Gould, who is the principal at Newport/Plymouth School. Mr. Gould’s wife, Sherri Gould, appeared in a NO on 1 campaign commercial. Nokomis High School has five stakeholders in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Youth Commission which recommends steps to aggressively push the gay agenda to toddlers through twelfth graders.
“It would appear that the education system is fine with one of their own appearing on TV in opposition to Question 1, but the system will come down on you – and hard – if you support Question 1 and favor traditional marriage, which is what Mr. Mendell did by appearing in our ad.
“This is a powerful example of how the gay marriage agenda will be forced on students. Those who object will be silenced and those in power will push it throughout the school system just as they have outlined in their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Youth Commission report, a copy of which is on Maine’s Children’s Cabinet website.
“No American should have his or her livelihood threatened for believing marriage is a union of one man and one woman. But this is precisely what legal scholars on both sides of the debate forecast would happen if same-sex marriage were to become legal in Maine. The difference between what they said earlier and today is that the predictions are coming true even without LD 1020 taking effect!
“This debate is about much more than protecting marriage. It is also about preserving free speech, freedom of conscience, and religious liberty and about what our children are taught in schools.
“Keep in mind that this situation deals with a school counselor. The complaint demands, in effect, that all school counselors support same-sex marriage. Otherwise, they should lose their licenses and be banished from the profession.
“This threat to Don, and his family and his livelihood, reveals that those who want to redefine marriage will try to punish and silence anyone who disagrees.
“Are the people of Maine even free to disagree without fear of harmful attack from those with whom they disagree? This attempt by someone aligned with same-sex marriage activists to strip a traditional marriage supporter of his livelihood suggests Mainers cannot. And that attitude is wholly contrary to Maine values.
“The opposition will stop at nothing – even threatening a man’s career and his family’s well-being – to silence dissent.
“It’s ironic that those who preach tolerance are so intolerant that they would threaten a father’s career and put his family’s future at risk. This latest attack reveals the true face of the opposition.
“When the people of Maine vote yes to protect marriage Tuesday, it will be a victory not only for marriage, but a victory for free speech and religious liberty. Otherwise, Don will only be the first victim of this much larger agenda.
“The Yes on 1 campaign has said and proved homosexual marriage will be a topic of discussion in Maine schools if it is legalized in Maine. Most recently, on Thursday, October 29, assembled Maine teachers and students joined Yes on 1 in showing:
“a. A Governor Baldacci Commission made up almost entirely (85-percent) of members of the No on 1 Coalition, the Maine Education establishment, and the Maine Attorney General's office are recommending Maine pre-K through college classrooms for eye-opening recommendations on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth issues.
“b. Maine's Family Life education courses, school Civil Rights teams, Diversity Teams, and Gay and Straight Alliances are in place for pervasive discussion in Maine schools on homosexual topics.
“Now, sadly, Maine guidance counselor Don Mendell is the latest proof from the Yes on 1 campaign that there will be horrendous consequences if Question 1 fails and same-sex marriage becomes legal.
“It is of no comfort to Mr. Mendell and his family that the No on 1 campaign is publicly trying to distance itself from Ms. Sullivan’s complaint. The fact is that this should deeply concern every Mainer, especially Mainers who, like Don Mendell, need government licensing for their livelihoods. Governor Baldacci and legislators who supported LD 1020 were warned many times the pending law has serious flaws with far-reaching, negative consequences for Mainers. It’s coming true today and homosexual marriage is not even Maine law.”
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morningsentinel.mainetoday.com
Complaint cites appearance in ad by Nokomis counselor
BY SCOTT MONROE AND SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writers Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 10/31/2009
Don Mendell, of Palmyra, is the subject of the complaint, filed Oct. 19 with the state Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. According to documents of the complaint, it was sent Oct. 19 by a person only identified as "Ann" and seeks to have Mendell's license as a social worker revoked.
"While Mr. Mendell is entitled to his own personal opinion," the complaint states, "he does not have the right as a licensed social worker to make public comments that can endanger or promote discrimination."
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/7038535.html
Charlotte, Domino, any comments.
Was this just a premature complaint of what is to come?
Media bias? Why not a single word on Mr. Mendell's plight in the Portland Press Herald?
The guy has a responsibility to the kids. While I think he should simply have a "talking to," heaven forbid this lead to some kid committing suicide....
"The complaint also cites an e-mail sent by a student "to another school social worker" that says, in part: "I sure hope some poor kid that loves and respects him hasn't been struggling with their own sexuality and thinking about coming out to him ... God only knows how that broadcast affected their decision. Some kid listening to some Vote Yes on 1 commercial that sees Mendell ... isn't going to think, 'Well, he still loves me and accepts me and my choices' ... they're going to think, 'Great, he hates me too.'"
In conclusion, the complaint says social workers need to offer support and a sense of safety to all students "regardless of our own views," and that Mendell's "decisions on this issue greatly undermine that responsibility."
dont let it bother you however that Sherri Goulds religious students might feel slighted because of their beliefs when she is promoting homosexuality diversity feel good crap in schools. Its politcally correct to attack christians...you ought to know. doesnt make it right however.
Although I am not a proponent of this type of action, and although lawsuits have out distanced baseball as the national passtime. Sometimes they are necessary to put things in perspective. That said, I hope Mr Mendell has things work out fine for him. When they do, I hope that he sues, with a vengence, all those who had any part in trying to ruin his career and life.
Domino, did he say he hated homosexuals or is he just against homosexual marriage or aren't they seperate issues in your mind?
Is he going to tell all the students that he is ok with gay people, just not gay MARRIAGE? Because, I am sure all of those kids will see the difference. They quoted a kid in the article.............
Did he say he hated homosexuals? And are hating homosexuals equal to being against homosexual marriage in your mind? An anonymous source overheard by someone, that's credibility for you. What could have been said also was gee Mr. Mendell must be a racist he disagrees with the ONE
Domino:
Is he going to tell all the students that he is ok with gay people, just not gay MARRIAGE? Because, I am sure all of those kids will see the difference.
Ary YOU going to tell us that you are okay with straight people, just not straight MARRIAGE? Because I am sure of all of AMG will see the difference.
Domino,
Your true colors are shining through. You are saying, Mr. Mendell and I differ on this issue, therefore, I'm okay with the government licensing board punishing him, possibly making it impossible for him to earn a living, to support a family in his chosen field. Thank you for lifting your mask. Voters, please take note...and Vote Yes on 1. The career you save may be your own.
I wonder where the student that was quoted learned to equate having a different point of view with hate. Since Mr. Mendell doesn't agree with homosexual marriage he hates gays.
So Dumino, it is OK for a pro-no teacher to appear - from the same school by the way - in an ad, but not a pro-yes counselor? Only certain speech can be tolerated. I get it.
Al
School employees have the legal right to speak their minds, but with that trip to the kitchen can come some heat.
However, I don't agree with the licensing complaint being made with regard to Mr. Mendell, and I suspect Ms. Sullivan will rapidly see that her actions were unwarranted and unnecessary.
If there's any repercussions from Mr. Mendell's statements, they would likely happen regardless, in the course of his professional occupation. Same for anyone on the other side who chooses to appear in a public advertisement.
Our former superintendent chose to make ads against TABOR, and he took significant heat for doing so. He's now living and working in Taiwan, and probably doesn't miss the political/education arena in Maine.
In these instances, as long as no laws are broken, I say let nature take its course.
Curious that the principal at complainant Ann Sullivan's Newport/Plymouth school is the husband of No on 1's t.v. ad teacher Sherri Gould.
Having just read the complaint, it occurs to me that this whole situation is a perfect argument for eliminating "social workers" from the public schools.
They are as great a force of indoctrination as any in the schools, and our "education dollars" have no reason to be used in social work programs. Just placing such workers in the school environment opens a pandora's box that would best be left for opening elsewhere.
I just love a large can of delicious irony!
From the complaint:
Don Mendell is a Licensed Social Worker...Don has a history of being unsupportive of GLTBQ issues. Recently Don appeared in a Vote YES o One commercial in which he implied that if the Marriage Equality Law was not overturned, schools would soon be forced to teach about homosexual marriage.Quote:
So, this school employee is now on the verge of losing his license and job with the school because he publicly "implied" that the new law would force school employees to pretend they agree with homosexual marriage??
Ms. lmGonnaPushMyValuesOnTheWorld goes on to quote NASW ethical principals: "Social workers elevate service to others above self interest..." No mention of the filer's magnificent display of self-interest with the very filing of this document! No mention that Christian kids are hurt by HER public stance and the public stance of her own boss and star of No On One commercials.
Ann Sullivan, surrogate for Randy Gould, principal at Newport/Plymouth School and star of a commercial where he violates virtually every one of the principles Ms. Sullivan accuses Mr. Mendell of violating, should be aware that her bigoted attitude toward those who dare to speak out on matters of conscience is a disgrace to the good name previously enjoyed by teachers including Helen Keller's.
Is the filing of these complaints limited to other LCSWs, or can any member of the public file one? If the former, how might I get my own surrogate -- a la Ann Sullivan -- to file one against Ms. Sullivan, the religious Secularist zealot who wishes to push her own religion on the rest of us?
As an aside, there is this sad statement i that complaint:
A student speaking to another school social worker- "I didn't know Mr. Mendell was racist against gays did you?"
First of all, are our high school students so uneducated that they don't understand the meaning of the word "racist"?
Secondly, would you not think that the school employee who allegedly heard this strange question might both answer the question and explain what racism is? As a woman of color, I object strenuously to these bigotted secularists allowing, once again, the civil rights movement and its achievements to be usurped in the name of people who advocate nothing more than bad behavior!
Thirdly, have we really devolved into a society where the badly expressed hearsay is now allowed in order to hang someone?
The guy has a responsibility to the kids. While I think he should simply have a "talking to," heaven forbid this lead to some kid committing suicide....
Domino, I do not know how old you are, nor do I care. I am a couple months shy of being 51. When I was in school, things were much better. The schools taught reading, writing and arithmetic, and the parents taught what was right and wrong. Kids went to school to learn. We learned, we played after school, and our parents took care of the rest. Kids did not think of suicide. There were a couple of homosexuals in town, they minded their business and everyone else minded theirs. There was no name calling or discrimination.
The suicides among our children started when the homosexual movement started to push their lifestyles on everyone. Total forced acceptance. The parent taught kids one thing, the homos, through the schools were pushing another thing. Kids are totally confused. Do not blame suicides on people like Mr. Mendell, if you need to blame someone, look in a mirror!
And those who will not look into mirror have given rise to having social workers in schools!
At least it appears the school gets a two for one by having the gentleman do two jobs!
Another mask lifted. Sympathy and understanding for gay me, not thee? This blogger has not even bothered to get his facts straight before lowering the ax on Mr. Mendell's neck.
www.tips-q.com
Poor, Poor Donald Mendell
Submitted by David Hart on Fri, 10/30/2009 - 13:21
Don Mendell Updated 10/31, Maine's Yes-On-1 campaign to ban same-sex marriage is short on coherent argument and long on victimization. Donald Mendell is a guidance counselor at Nokomis Regional High School in Maine. Mr. Mendell, who appeared in a Stand for Marriage Maine Commercial, made some extraordinarily ignorant and homophobic remarks in a letter to the editor of the Bangor Daily News.
And the blogger has posted some extraordinarily ignorant and Christophobic remarks.
It's hypocrisy of the highest order - some have said it was inappropiate for the fellow to involve himself in a poltical issue, but according to NASW's own website:
"...the Advancement of Political Social Work Practice at the University of Connecticut-School of Social Work. The Institute is dedicated to expanding the role of social workers in politics and public policy making."
I guess that's only LIBERAL policy making that's allowed!
Win or lose, this push for counterfeit marriage may well turn out to be the worst public relations debacle of the entire homosexual movement. They and their bleeding heart liberal sycophants, well-intended or otherwise, are showing themselves to be lying, conniving, cheating, sign-stealing and bogus lawsuit-bringing scoundrels. Any community-wide respect they hoped to gain from this legislative legerdemain will have to wait until they earn it... perhaps the next generation of LBGTQs will be brought up better.
You forgot the "W's"
When Don Mendell was awarded his second "Department of Education Commissioner's Recognition Award" (I don't believe any other educator has received this twice), here is what they said about him:
"We are pleased to recognize Donald Mendell as a recipient of the 2005 Commissioner’s Recognition Award. Don is the senior of two social workers at Nokomis, charged with a variety of duties including such things as liaison for the homeless, screener for Alternative Education Job Corps promoter, crisis counselor, and a member of PET’s. He is also the host of the “Breakfast Club” which is a hang-out for disenfranchised kids who connect with each other through rock music. He is member of the athletic eligibility committee, which adjudicates requests for exceptions to the eligibility rules, and a SAT founding member, to name just a few.
Don makes things happen. He advocates. He counsels. He calms. He chases kids down. He hosts the kids. He creates a small haven in his room for those kids who would otherwise have no real connection with adults in the school. Ultimately, that is the strongest drop-out prevention strategy one can offer. He connects with those kids who throw every barrier your way, because he refused to accept that the kid cannot be reached.
Kids trust him. Not because he is their buddy, but because he genuinely cares about them, leads them toward personal growth, and he calls it like it is. He reaches across those lines of mistrust that separate so many cliques of teenagers. When a school-phobic kid needs to be brought to school, Don goes to the house to coax him or her.
Our community is lucky to have a man of such skill and dedication working in our school on behalf of the lost and lonely."
Are we to believe that he has suddenly gone through a personality change and no longer cares about students? Or has something else changed?
I hope Yes on 1 features one more commercial in the next few days, with Don's story as the focus with a THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG at the end. I'm no advertising expert, but truth stated clearly and unambuigiously does well on it's own. Let the "yes on 1" folks say this is an "isolated insident" yeah...riiiight.
This not only shows how far they will go to be sure schools only teach their perspective.
It also reveals how they can/will silence counselors, doctors, lawyers, etc. Starting with anyone who requires a license from the state. Then who is next?
All those AMG arm-chair QBs who criticized the messaging of the SFMM ads should take note of this. It seems they were spot-on. My hope is that there are sufficient ads bought during these final days and that new spots are cut to run with this late-breaking realization of the inevitable outcome if Q1 is defeated. I know we can not count on the media to air this dirty little and poorly kept secret about the true agenda of the homosexual activists and their appeasers.
Domino said:
The guy has a responsibility to the kids. While I think he should simply have a "talking to," heaven forbid this lead to some kid committing suicide....
"The complaint also cites an e-mail sent by a student "to another school social worker" that says, in part: "I sure hope some poor kid that loves and respects him hasn't been struggling with their own sexuality and thinking about coming out to him ... God only knows how that broadcast affected their decision. Some kid listening to some Vote Yes on 1 commercial that sees Mendell ... isn't going to think, 'Well, he still loves me and accepts me and my choices' ... they're going to think, 'Great, he hates me too.'"
In conclusion, the complaint says social workers need to offer support and a sense of safety to all students "regardless of our own views," and that Mendell's "decisions on this issue greatly undermine that responsibility."
Domino,
Mendell didn't say he hated homosexuals, or even that he didn't respect them. He spoke out against gay marriage. If children struggling with their sexual identity think Mendell hates them it's because you and people like you have convinced them of it. Your insistence on stereotyping people against gay marriage as hate-filled bigots who believe gay kids are subhuman bears more responsibility for potential suicides than anything Mendell has said.
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Since it is double-posted (and deservedly so) I will double-post also (perhaps not so deservedly so)
Simply amazing! Do they already think they have the power to abuse their positions? Lying seems to be okay as long as you are for counterfeit marriage. Wow... If you know this, if you are in possession of this information and are not reconsidering your support for homosexual marriage, you simply can not be considered anything but intellectually dishonest to the highest degree.