The Correct Word Is: Oops

A Vermont high school teacher is being called onto the carpet after giving a vocab quiz that included questions mocking the pres:

Bret Chenkin, a social studies and English teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School, said he gave the quiz to his students several months ago. The quiz asked students to pick the proper words to complete sentences.

One example: "I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican votes." "Coherent" is the right answer.

I like how the AP felt the need to offer up the correct answer.

Principal Sue Maguire said she hoped to speak to whomever complained about the quiz and any students who might be concerned. She said she also would talk with Chenkin. School Superintendent Wesley Knapp said he was taking the situation seriously.

"It's absolutely unacceptable," Knapp said. "They (teachers) don't have a license to hold forth on a particular standpoint."

Chenkin, 36, a teacher for seven years, said he isn't shy about sharing his liberal views with students as a way of prompting debate, but said the quizzes are being taken out of context.

"The kids know it's hyperbolic, so-to-speak," he said. "They know it's tongue in cheek." But he said he would change his teaching methods if some are concerned.

"I'll put in both sides," he said. "Especially if it's going to cause a lot of grief."

If we were all just a little more mature, and the nature of political debate hadn’t been reduced to a vice president telling a senator on the Senate floor to go fuck himself, and one congressperson calling another a coward on the House floor, there probably wouldn’t be any problem with the tone of this quiz. But because hysterical rantings now pass as legitimate political statements, even what ought to be obvious sarcasm is going to be taken at face value (by members on both sides of the aisle). Good for Chenkin for being mellow about it, while still making it clear he thinks it’s much ado about nothing.