Public Schools Need to Stick to Reading, Writing and Math All Conducted In The English Language To Accepted State Standards

On Friday, the embattled principal of an Arabic-themed public school in New York resigned after coming under fire for failing to condemn the use of the highly charged word "intifada" on T-shirts.

Soap Box Ravings can't help but wonder how many Puerto Rican, Haitian, Native American or Hindu themed schools exist in the New York City school system. But I point out for example: a school that is 100 per cent full of students of Puerto Rican ethnicity is not the same thing as a Puerto Rican themed school. Soap Box ravings says "Some folks in the leadership positions of the New York City school system should also be resigning for wasting government funds."

Debbie Almontaser was supposed to oversee the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn. The New York City's Department of Education says it remains committed to launching the school in September.

A number of conservative Web sites, blogs and other publications have come out against the school. Some have questioned Almontaser's character and tried to paint her as a radical Muslim with a dangerous agenda.

Soap Box Ravings is of the belief that an Arab does not necessarily have to be Muslim. He also believes that all who are believers in the Muslim religion are taught the same things; therefore all who profess to be believers have all the knowledge they need to become "radical Muslims."

Almontaser has said the school will be teaching culture, not religion. The academy, named after the famed Lebanese-American Christian poet who promoted peace, would be one of a few in this country that incorporate the Arabic language and culture.

Soap Box Ravings opinion is if you live in this country, you should learn our culture. If the parents of Arabic children want them to learn the Arabic culture, they should teach them. If the decide they do not like our culture, the entrance door opens both ways. We do not force immigrants who do not like it here to stay here.

Almontaser's departure comes on the heels of an editorial flaying in the New York Post and an article this week that connected Almontaser to Arab Women Active in Art and Media.

That group, Arab Women Active in Art and Media, is selling shirts imprinted with the words "Intifada NYC." It shares office space with the Saba Association of American Yemenis, which counts Almontaser among its board members.

The (unidentified) tabloid asserted the shirts had a subversive meaning: "The inflammatory tees boldly declare 'Intifada NYC' — apparently a call for a Gaza-style uprising in the Big Apple."

Almontaser, a public school teacher with 15 years of experience, told the paper that was a stretch and defined intifada as basically meaning "shaking off." However, in this country the word is most often associated with the violent Palestinian uprising against the Israelis.

She said the shirts provided an "opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society ... and shaking off oppression."

Mayor Bloomberg said on his radio show that "she's certainly not a terrorist" but called her resignation the "right thing to do."

Soap Box Ravings wonders how Mayor Bloomberg can state so positively that "she's certainly not a terrorist." As a retired police officer, I know that many of my peers would like to know how to positively identify whether some one is or is not a terrorist.

So far, 45 students have enrolled in the school, which will eventually cover middle and high school.

Soap Box Ravings wonders what the cost is to the educational system in the State of New York to set up this school for 45 students. I bet there are lot of groups in New York State that could cough up 45 or so students for their own educational system. Somehow, I would bet there are at least 45 Nepalese in need of an eduction. Just think about all the themed schools there could be: misplaced red necks, maple syrup makers, steel workers, street kids, hot rod lovers, biker groups, etc.