Outpouring of support: Montanans rally to conservative who was blocked from talking to students

A low point in history of Ronan High School

The high school students at Ronan have been deprived of the privilege of hearing an address by Jerry Molen of Bigfork, known for his distinguished career in the motion picture field as the producer of Oscar-winning movies, such as “Schindler’s List” and other noteworthy films.

His invitation to speak to the students was abruptly canceled on the day of the event by the high school principal in response to objections by anonymous callers expressing concerns that Molen’s reputed conservative views would not be in the best interest of the students.

Without even knowing the contents of Molen’s prepared remarks, the assumption was that his views on the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of speech clause or the responsibilities of citizenship in a country divided by liberal and conservative values and beliefs were somehow deemed to be detrimental to the students.

The decision to ban Molen’s speaking engagement, while claiming to be in the best interest of the students, was clearly a matter of appeasing a cabal of callers in the town.

In the history of Ronan High School there are no doubt meritorious events and achievements that have earned respect and generated pride in the community.

The cashiering of Jerry Molen’s invitation to speak to the students has not been one of them. —Stan Stephens, Kalispell, former Montana governor (1989-1993)

Gerald Molen deserves apology

Gerald Molen’s piece in the Inter Lake on May 27 speaks for itself.

I can hardly wait for the yet-to-be-named principal at Ronan High School to speak for himself.

For myself, I am disappointed, shocked and, yes, amazed would best describe my reaction.

That Mr. Molen would be treated so rudely is inconceiveable and for what reason? Concern by “someone” that this patriotic American’s success story might somehow mislead or damage a group of graduating seniors? Really? He’s “too right wing?”

I hope we learn the end to this sad story. A profound apology and perhaps a “re-invitation” might be appropriate. —Nancy Idler, Bigfork

What about the students and their education?

As a student at the University of Montana and recent graduate from Flathead Valley Community College, I would love the opportunity to hear Jerry Molen speak.

I am trying to learn my personal political views, make my own choices, and be my own person. I came across the guest opinion written by Mr. Molen and read it because I admire his work in film so much. I was devastated!

What reason is there in denying a successful, educated, influential man to inspire young men and women? I can’t think about how betrayed the seniors at Ronan High School felt. I can imagine they were extremely excited to hear from someone who is so successful in such a difficult business. The worst part is that the decision was made with almost no consideration for any of the people involved. 

It would have been easy for the principal to ask to see the speech and perhaps keep some “potentially offensive” material out. The problem is that the principal was thinking of himself and protecting his reputation and administration. He was NOT thinking about the students’ education; isn’t that supposed to be our main priority?

Schools are supposed to develop intellectual, individual, free-thinkers and leaders, but all they’re doing is telling our kids, “keep your mouth shut and nobody gets hurt.” This is one of the most disrespectful and disgraceful events I’ve ever witnessed, and I pray that some justice can be served. —Jennifer M. Vail, Whitefish

Intolerance of conservatives in education system is nothing new

Examples of education’s intolerance of conservatives usually are not as overt as portrayed by the Ronan principal who refused to let the conservative Jerry Molen speak to the high school’s seniors. This refusal is shameful and obviously discriminatory yet not surprising given the dominance liberals have over our education system.

Ronan’s action is emblematic of our entire public educational system although, most of the time, the discrimination is far less obvious. That liberals no longer allow any conservative thought to be presented in K-12 is no longer questioned. Even Flathead Valley Community College, guided by Jane Karas, seldom allow conservative points of view via guest speakers or programs. However, liberals seem to have full rein to display their philosophies there without question.

All take a back seat to the crown jewel of far-left thought which oozes unmolested out of the confines of the University of Montana where intolerance of thought and discrimination against conservative political philosophies are encouraged and rewarded.

This type of discrimination must end! After all, whether from the right or the left, we all are forced to fund these institutions. As such, conservative thought deserves as much credence from these institutions as does that from the far left. Given the current state of affairs, it is surprising conservatives support public education at all.

However, it will take a lot of work to break up the iron-fisted control the left has on education. First of all, tenure, which promotes complacency and poor teaching practices, must be eliminated.  Secondly, right to work — which would give teachers a chance to voice their opinion by supporting or not supporting their unions — must be put in place. Third, private and/or home schools which educate our children at half the cost of public schools and which provide citizens an equal opportunity to support non-discriminating schools must be supported by some sort of tax credit.  

Finally, the funding of our university system must be changed to make these institutions more responsive to the public which funds them.

With these policies set in place, we may find our educational community would be more willing to expose our children to a full range of political philosophies. Who knows? Schools may even actively support the creation of jobs through the wise use of our natural resources which, if accomplished, would provide payrolls for people who may then vote in more for education.

But, if nothing else, such policies may once and for all do away with such obvious discrimination and intolerance as was exhibited by the principal of Ronan High School. It would be a refreshing change. —Mark Agather, Kalispell

What about freedom of speech?

After reading Jerry Molen’s letter in the Daily Inter Lake, I was saddened to hear that Ronan High School seniors will not have the pleasure and privilege of hearing Jerry Molen speak. 

This is the result of a cowardly school administrator, who did not even have the professional courtesy to read or speak to Mr. Molen about his speech before he banned him from speaking. This was apparently the result of someone complaining that some of Mr. Molen’s political views were too conservative.  

Whatever happened to the concept of freedom of speech? Has academic freedom become an oxymoron? Can a small minority of people dictate to the majority as to what may be said or heard? Let us not forget that Mr. Molen, a former Marine, produced the Academy Award-winning film, “Schindler’s List,” which is shown at high schools throughout Montana. This film reminds us of what horrors government tyranny can become when the people’s right of freedom of speech is forbidden. 

Mr. Molen is a well-respected Hollywood producer of many films that these students enjoy. The denial of giving these students a memorable opportunity of hearing Jerry speak is such a loss. This travesty comes just before Memorial Day, when we remember our men and women who fought and died for freedom, and who gave us all the right of freedom of speech. —John Vail, Whitefish

Jerry Molen is true Montanan

We read with great interest the guest opinion in the Daily Inter Lake published Sunday, May 27, in the Montana Perspectives section in which Mr. Molen was denied talking with the Ronan High School graduating class.

We don’t know if we were more upset over the principal not letting him speak or the fact the class was denied the opportunity to hear and benefit from his message.

Jerry, having been born in Great Falls, is a true Montanan who “came up the hard way” to become a famous movie producer and an outstanding personality representing Montana. He started at the very bottom driving a truck on the movie sets but ended up as a stellar movie producer responsible for many quality movies including “Schindler’s List,” “Jurassic Park,” “Twister,” and “Minority Report.”

In working on the movie “Schindler’s List,” he decided to go to Germany and other European countries and individually interview Holocaust victims. I can imagine the impact his talking to the Ronan students about his experience would have had on them. We know it affected us and others who were told about the Holocaust interviews.

We hope that in 2013 one of our more enlightened high schools will be allowed to hear the message Jerry was not allowed to give in Ronan. —Dick and Bev Sherman, Bigfork

What would founders say?

 A little over 200 years ago a remarkable group of individuals gathered to write our Constitution and set forth precedent for a nation like no other in history. The intellect and foresight of those individuals has not been rivaled since, and even though they did not always agree they were able to compromise, for the good of the country, and create a document that has stood with distinction ever since. 

I fear, however, that very document has been, and is now, in jeopardy of destruction from within.

At a very slow pace over the years, our Constitution, and the nation itself, has been attacked by those opposed to our capitalistic foundation set forth by the creators of that Constitution. Since the beginning of the 1960s, a faction of youth has advocated opposition to any and all influence of capitalistic authority and the basics of our Constitution which include freedom of speech and opinion. They were always quick to demand their own “freedom of speech” while trampling on the very words our founders created.

Those 1960s youths are now firmly entrenched in almost every leadership role of our educational system. They do not teach but they indoctrinate to the detriment of our Constitution and our country.

A recent case in point is the last-minute cancellation of a speech to the Ronan High School senior class by a respected Bigfork resident and longtime Hollywood film producer and recipient of a coveted Oscar. At the very last minute the Ronan High School principal bowed to the so-called “political correctness” of the school board or some higher authority which saw potential danger in the words of a successful businessman who believed capitalism was good. 

Could it be that the principal feared Mr. Molen, a former Marine, might counter the standard indoctrination in the current curriculum? It should be noted that at no time did the principal ask to review the speech prior to making that decision. I wonder if a review of the Ronan school board and the principal might be in order. —Robert A. Fraser, Somers

Don’t abuse our freedoms

I was appalled to learn that here in Western Montana, where our freedoms are as tenaciously embraced as anywhere in the world, some bigoted, academic administrator in Ronan chose to deny his students the exceptional opportunity to hear the wisdom of a celebrated man willing to share his story of rising from nothing to international fame through old-fashioned hard work and determination. 

How ironic that Mr. Jerry Molen, the Oscar-winning producer of “Schindler’s List,” would be subjected himself to the same discrimination and political judgment that led to so much angst as told in that remarkable movie.

This event brings to mind a newspaper interview with a river guide who had just spent a day, one-on-one, with then Vice President Dick Cheney. When asked what the two talked about while fishing on the Snake River, the egocentric young man replied, “We discussed nothing because I disagree with Mr. Cheney’s opinions.” I admittedly embrace conservative views myself and yet I wouldn’t hesitate to spend a day fishing and talking, one-on-one, with Hillary Clinton or even (deep breath here) President Obama.  

I know Mr. Molen personally and know that his presentation was not about pushing any political agenda on his audience, but was to be the sharing of his personal success story with the hope of instilling in the young people the motivation and desire to achieve all they are capable of and becoming respected contributors to their local community and country.

I understand that the principal of Ronan High School didn’t even show the courtesy to read Mr. Molen’s speech before denying the guest his First Amendment rights. Would this unremarkable coward have been so eager to wait for Sean Penn, George Clooney or Rosie O’Donnell to show up at the Ronan High School parking lot before telling  them to take a hike? 

America’s freedoms are not to be abused by anyone regardless of opinion or job description. This is a very serious matter because one minor slip now will surely lead to much greater prejudice and injustice later on. I am glad to hear that this unqualified administrator is not returning to Ronan High School next year. Let’s hope he is replaced with someone who read and understands the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights and has the courage to defend the law of the land. —John Merlette, Bigfork