" Are there no students/former teachers that maybe are glad that he is gone? Maybe the reporter is planning a follow-up story (yeah, that's probably the case). (Great to see Anderson piping up again, from out of state no less, with his unbiased and intellectually challenging views...."reminds me of Vietnam"...give me a break.) Seems pretty odd that we only report the 'horrors' of losing this supposed quality educator. If he was so fair/balanced in his teaching and presenting of viewpoints for the sake of critical thinking, maybe he should have study-planned and then presented a documentary of all of the positive things that the soldiers are accomplishing in the war. I know that there are at least a few of them out there. I'm sure that missing in the discussion after viewing the piece in question was the fact that our soldiers, high-quality volunters mind you, are risking their life and limbs in the attempt prevent another horrific occurence such as the 9-11 attacks. Sadly, we soon forget. Agree with the war or don't, but if you are truly looking to stimulate critical thinking in the environs of the classroom, you must first honestly present all sides of the argument not just the political view you are trying to promote. "

" Well, here we go again. LPS Human Resources displays why we can't trust their decision making. The time has passed for a much needed turnover in the asst. superintendent office at the HR level. We simply have poor decision making with an overly cautious and conservative law firm. As a result, we have lost many of the freedoms that our constitution had guaranteed. Among them, academic freedom and freedom of speech. The way the the HR office goes about their discipline is nothing less than pathetic. The public never gets the truth, they simply get the watered down version with the standard line..."its a personnel matter". To the Journal staff, I challenge you to investigate this matter fully. Look into how the East Principal and Social Studies Chair did a smear campaign on this teacher over the past few years. Then look at how one parent's complaint will be taken as the "final word" over the many years of service that a professional educator had provided to thousands of young people. In LPS its always the needs of the few (or one complaining parent/student) out way the needs of the many. "

" Baker's antics have been known for many years. His "retirement" is long overdue. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, because we are blessed to live in the USA. BUT, he is not entitled to stray from the LPS curriculum, and preach his political views to the students in the school building on school time. Glad to him gone... "

" a graphic video? war is graphic! it's not like these are elementary or middle school students. they're in high school, and they should learn the truth. why water down their education and shelter them from understanding all that our world's history entails? as a teacher, i applaud baker for being progressive and controversial in his methods. it sounds like he's a more effective teacher than most. "

" So, the schools giving names of students to military recruiters in order that they may contact them and come to schools to try to sign them up is fine, but a teacher exposing students to the stark reality of war is forbidden and punishable by suspension? In an era when Americans are not allowed to see the caskets of dead soldiers returning from Iraq because that bit of truth might actually make us confront reality and jar us out of the far more comfortable fantasy world where they prefer to keep us, I guess it's no surprise that those maintaining the status quo of power at LPS have deemed it proper to push Michael Baker out of teaching for having the temerity to actually TEACH his students, and to struggle to give them the means for intellectual self defense as they prepare to enter an exceedingly complex world. School administrators would much prefer that Baker crank out the non-thinking, non-questioning automatons that LPS is much more comfortable with who will do well on standardized tests and become predictable corporate drones. By the way, are the LPS administrative geniuses aware that the thematic approach to history dominates the profession, and Mr. Baker's attempt to begin in the present and move backward through time in an effort to contemplate how the present does and does not reflect the past was an innovative attempt to engage student intellect with history in a way to make it more meaningful, and certainly more thoughtful, than the simplistic "history as progress" drivel that's typically taught in our schools? Certainly, what he was attempting to do was exceedingly more difficult than the typical chronological approach, and instead of applauding his effort to get students to engage with history at a higher level the administration ordered him to cease and desist, and go back to the droning standard curriculum? Mr. Baker teaches high school. He is preparing students for their adult lives. They will be voting soon, if they're not already eligible, and they will be making decisions about things like whether or not to join the military. These young people have every right to understand the world they're entering as well as they possibly can in order that they may best make informed decisions both for their own lives and the good of our society. That is the reason we have schools, and the reason we pay property taxes to maintain a high level of quality in our schools. It's the reason Thomas Jefferson pushed for education for all citizens. Citizens, after all, must be able to think. Subjects of monarchies, which it appears the LPS administration would be much more adept at educating, need only follow orders. It's very easy to find non-thinking teachers to prepare students to take exams. It's very difficult to find passionate teachers who are constantly trying to find innovative ways to challenge students to confront both the realities of history and their own time and place in the world. Censorship of those who would dare expose citizens to the harsh reality of war has a long and sad history in the United States. Dalton Trumbo's powerful "Johnny Got His Gun" was banned, and the author blacklisted, for its effort to get people to strip away the romance from war and stare at its sober reality in a way similar to what Mr. Baker was attempting. Sad to contemplate that we're quite willing to show students grizzly driver's ed videos of what can happen in auto accidents, but we're not willing to show them disturbing video of what might happen in war. Do our schools exist for hypocritical propagandizing, or are we really interested in education? Mr. Baker, like him or not, is pushing students to be thinking adults, challenging them to look beyond the surface of their world to its deeper realities and meanings so that they may be more effective citizens in our society, and better thinkers in the conduct of their own lives. I applaud his efforts, and I condemn the timid censors at LPS who would prefer to shield high school students from the reality of their world and then give them diplomas at the end of 12 years, pretending they're educated. The world is a better place for all of your efforts over the years, Michael Baker, and I hope you can take some solace, comfort, and pride in that. We live in a most unfortunate time, and you're teaching in a community and state that is an increasingly unfortunate place. Your intelligence, dedication, and passion will not be replaced, and I hope that you will again find your way into a classroom, perhaps in a community that is not afraid of its young people possessing the ability to think. Godspeed to you. "

" LPS did this my junior year at LHS. I had an economics teacher that, please forgive me here, actually educated his students in economics! They did everything they could to push him out, and eventually did. I had him for one semester, but those days that administration was in the room with us still stick out in my mind. One day he lectured about what would happen in the US economy if everyone bought plain cake doughnuts to eat and nothing else. Drove the administrator NUTS. However, I can still claim (and it's been 13 years) that I learned more about economics in that one 50 minute lecture than I did in a whole semester at the university! However, the best choice in LPS's mind was to push him out! Makes no sense to me. Push out those that actually accomplish something in their job, and leave the drones alone. That's what we need in the USA, more drones. I'm sure that's why they pushed Baker out too. "

" Baker is an anti-American socialist who has been using his classes to attack capitalism and democracy. There are many students who were unhappy with him, but apparently the LJS author wasn't looking for those. An example of how completely dedicated to this movement is that he was showing a war movie in a GEOGRAPHY class. Without even discussing why a "Peace Class" would even be offered at a High School, this is a teacher who should have been fired a long time ago. This is a good day for Lincoln. "

" THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!! THATS IT. BRING HIM BACK! NOW! "

" As a member of one of Mr. Baker's Peace Studies classes, I feel obligated to thank you for writing this article. The public needs to be aware of this situation and how unfair it is. In response to some of the comments that Mr. Baker's teaching is one-sided or so forth, this is completely untrue. Baker always did a good job of providing both sides of an argument, even if he did not personally agree with one side of it. Lincoln East and LPS have lost a great teacher, one that will not be replaced so easily. "

" Please .... I'm glad to see this guy go. I couldn't stand him when I had him before all this war dramma has be hyped up and I probably couldn't control my gag reflexs now if I had to sit through 50 minutes of this guy again. "

" Punishing an educator for thinking outside the box? I am not surprised. I am saddened - I do not know Mr. Baker, but he sounds like an inspiration to many students. I suspect many of his students were able to learn, because he didn't follow traditional teaching methods. Guess what -- not everyone learns the same either. He took a different approach and was singled out. Too bad. "

" For the one commenting that it's not appropriate to address the topic of war in a geography class, are you aware that wars are often fought for reasons of geography (can you think of a reason we might have a particular interest in the Middle East?), and that, in turn, war has significant impact on geography? It is exactly that type of greater insight that teachers like Baker offer for intelligent students, and why they are sorely needed. "

" What does “Baghdad ER.” have to do with geography? Maybe he should have shown his movie in his peace studies class. "

" I don't agree with Baker on just about anything, but back in the mid-90's when I was in several of his classes, he never once faulted me for having a different opinion than his own. In fact, he encouraged diversity of thought. In addition, I had a little trouble getting up in the morning back then; Mr. Baker would personally drive to my house and give me a ride to school to ensure that I would be in his 1st period class. I am certain that no one was forced to watch this film or forced to believe anything he taught them. Something is very wrong with this situation. "

" Apparently its ok to TEACH democracy in High Schools, but its NOT ok to BE a democracy in High School. Lets keep these kids dumb and sheltered so that when the Recruiters show up, they can volunteer themselves for the meat grinder in Iraq. And Board Members can smile while patting each other on the back. "

" Is it possible, how is showing an actual documentary only presenting one side of the story? I've seen the show, it is true reality tv, that is what is happening to our highly-qualified volunteers. I could not see any slant one way or the other. It shows exactly what our troops are doing day in and day out. Any show about Iraq that does not show blood shed is a lie. "

" Gosh -- a teacher exposing his students to a wider view of the world? The travesty of it all. And Nebraskans wonder why there is such a brain drain. Nebraska high school students deserve better. While they are trying to do what's best for their students, LPS needs to look at the wider view of the world and realize their students need to be prepared in more ways than test scores alone. "

" If Baker showed a graphic abortion video and was a pro-lifer, I suspect he would have suffered the same fate. Perhaps, however, he would have been fired years ago. I have no problem with teachers who teach both sides of controversial issues and encourage students to draw conclusions based on empirical evidence. Baker has demonstrated for years, though, that he is one-sided. He has taught a leftist, socialist agenda as absolute truth. Now, I ask you, is that education or indoctrination? "

" i love my teacher, mr baker. bring him back. "

" People that criticize LPS for getting rid of this guy must have a lot of inside information about procedures and policies at the district office, or they can read minds. Wow! In either case, where can I learn how to implement your investigative techniques? "

" ABOUT TIME! I had this guy for a week in the 90s and it was LONG enough. He is as anti-American as you can get. His class was a guaranteed A because you did nothing except listen to CDs and Baker's ranting and raving about how terrible the USA is. I switched to another class as did several others who actually wanted to learn American History. There was no peace studies class then either, but why am I not surprised he's teaching it. I use the term "teaching" loosely. EHS has really had some good ones over the years...yeah right. "

" Geez! Get some perspective people. I am confident that MOST teachers in LPS are balanced. I suspect MOST teachers expose their students to a variety of view points. MOST teachers want their students to be critical thinkers and life-long learners. I believe that MOST teachers care about their students. I am sure that MOST administrators make decisions based on what is best for kids. This dude just crossed the line too many times. Conspiracy theorists, pessimists and drama queens seem to frequent comment boards. "

" I'm sitting here chuckling to myself because of all the critics saying he has to go. This guy sounds like he is more on the level of a college professor than a high school teacher. To the critics, I don't know if you have gone to college or will have children doing so, but Mr, Baker sounds like 90% of the professors I have ever had. And a Peace Studies class...yes, there is an important role for such a class. I had a Peace Studies course at university, and it taught many things such as the economic benefits of peace, conflict avoidence etc. It was more than just a tree-hugging hippie class. For those who didn't like him because of his opinions, well it's an excellent and enriching experience to be exposed to differening opinions, and I hoped that you sharpened your debating skills by arguing with him rather than sitting in the back of the class stewing. As a history major and the daughter of a history teacher, I am sad to see someone who has an innovative approach go. The teachers that did so have made such a bigger impression upon me than ones that droned on in the traditional way. "

" I see in the photo that Mr. Baker has a problem dressing professionally.If he wants us/LPS to take him seriously, then present yourself as such. I've seen enough of these "I'm trying to change the world by being a provocative role model/teacher types"--they're so full of themselves and their "mission", that they become semi-paranoid about any criticism. I also see a photo of Che Guevarra on his bulletin board--the murderous mascot of all failed revolutionaries. "Peace studies"! This guy is a joke. If he was such a good teacher, how would his students know of his opinions? I somehow doubt that "peace studies" include "peace through military strength" modules. "Thematic" approach? Yeah sure--THEMES that Mr. Baker thinks are important! I'm sure Mr. Baker with find a job with Nebraskans for Peace, or some such group. We need TEACHERS--not indoctrination disguised as education. I've been in education throughtoutthe past 20+years--I've seen scores of Mr. Baker-on-a-mission-types,and our kids cannot afford to waste their high school years with teachers like Mr. Baker. Bye. "

" Craig says: "Baker is an anti-American socialist who has been using his classes to attack capitalism and democracy." You have examples I presume. Please enlighten us.. Give us one concrete example of his anti-American socialist teaching? Did you know Mr. Baker is a Vietnam veteran? Did you know he loves this country? I know Mr. Baker. Do you? Look forward to your reply, Craig.. I really do. LPS.. Once white bread, always white bread. No surprise there.. It's serves as another example of just how provincial Lincoln really is. It's sad, really, that a town with a large university remains at the core so insular and narrow minded. The 14 families controlling Lincoln like it that way.. Kind of like Venezuela. Is it possible? you are Nancy Biggs and "Anderson piping up again" freaks you out a little bit? "

" Class of ’99 I am a former student of Mr. Baker, and I have been inspired and touched more than most I am sure. I am the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, who spent most of her young adult life trying to reach my distant father. My father and I did eventually connect due to Mr. Baker’s curriculum, and vastly unique approach to teaching. Connecting with an alcoholic Vietnam Veteran was not exactly an easy thing to do, but thanks to being pushed into reading Howard Zinn, The Prince, Communist Manifesto and much more, I was given academic aide from my father. Tragically I lost my father way too soon, at seventeen scared and alone I buried him, not quiet sure what my future held for a less than bright student. I graduated from East High School uncertain of what the future had to offer a near high school drop out. I enrolled in classes at SCC and even took a history class. I found I was one of the only students in the room who had the ability to answer the teacher. (Thanks to Mr. Baker’s policy of “I don’t know is a child’s answer!”) You see Baker, you push us students to answer you no matter what. We were able to answer you regardless of whether or not we knew the answers, because you loved us, and you made each of us feel safe and confident enough to try and answer you. It was with this concept, that I began to realize what separated me from most of the other students, and as my collegiate career advanced it suddenly became clear to me what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to teach, and after six long years of doubt concern trial and error, I did it! I graduated as a social science teacher from a prestigious institution. Not only did I make it, but I also graduated Cume Laude! Me, an uncertain girl from Lincoln East High School, who wanted nothing more in life than to drop out of high school! So Baker, I hope you read this, and I hope you understand, what lies ahead of you! You are not done yet!!!!!!!!! You have so much work to do, so don’t unpack those bags, keep your Baker’s time clock hanging, and start applying at the college level, and continue down the path god has made for you! With out you the last year of my dad’s life would have been meaningless to me! I went to his house each day after school and got help from him for you class. Thank you Michael Baker, you have impacted me more than you will ever know, you are a true A+ effective master teacher, and NO ONE will ever take that away from you! Your truly, A former student "

" Once upon a time, long before TV's there was a World War II. I was a kid in school. Rarely did my parents let me go to the movies except maybe a Shirley Temple movie. But all the class mates went to the movies, Fri. Sat & Sunday nights. Before the movie was alway the war films of the current going ons, as current as they could be then. On Monday morning at school all the kids & teachers were discussing the WWII news films and I had absolutely no idea of what they were talking about, or how really bad the war was or what the soldiers went thru, other than the pieces I listened to from the kids & teachers at school. To this day, I always felt, like at that age I really missed out on what really was going on in the world. Yeah, I watched the troop trains in North Platte and the mothers and friends cry their hearts out when one of the area boys were killed, but I never knew the nitty gritty until after the war, the whys or what until I saw movies after I graduated from school. "

" Same LPS as 20 years ago. I remember the fights Mike Ware had to fight just to teach a curriculum on creative thinking! God forbid Lincoln students should have their eyes opened and horizons widened. Let's all stamp out a bunch of cookie cutter, brain dead 18-year-olds who can't think for themselves! Hooray, East High and LPS. It's no wonder so many grads leave the area for less suffocating cities. It's time a for a big change at LPS. "

" First anyone who does not understand what war has to do with Geography needs to go back to school and retake geography and history. You know you only can believe a small percentage of what you read and I do not know the whole story. However my initial take is one of sadness. I also had a teacher from my high school who alone made probably the most significant impact on me to this day. He too use a critical thinking concept. I swear it has brough me most of the success I have had today. I only hope my child has the opportunity to experience an educator like this some day. "

" What in the world is wrong here goes another good teacher. As long as he was taking the time to teach the kids I don't see the problem. A man who taught with a vision. My 5 year old has seen shows on Iraq. I don't hide it but instead take the time to talk about it. Too many people are blaming the teacher. When you point your finger, three more are pointing back to you. "

" I like the comment Chip. I wonder how many left-wingers would be arguing, in the interest of presenting a "wider world view" and opening up young minds to truth, for showing abortion videos in the classroom. I mean you could teach this as part of the history of Roe v. Wade. The same argument made to support Baker's movie could be used: "why water down their education and shelter them from understanding all that our world's history entails."? "

" Is it possible, if you bothered to watch "Baghdad ER", you would find out that is does show BOTH sides of the current situation in Irag. Not only does it show the carnage war causes, it also shows the soldiers as decent human beings, attempting some normalcy in a situation I can't even begin to fathom. If we could have more open honest discussions about not only the war, but about everything else going on in this country and the world, then maybe we could actually start to resolve some of these problems. However, if you can't even have civil discourse on a newspaper website, I don't know what will ever be accomplished. Better to stick our heads in the sand, close our minds to opinions we don't agree with, and everything will be hunky dory. "

" These students could be in Baghdad in a couple years. They should get an unfiltered view of the war so they can really decide if they want to be a part of it or suppport it. Censorship is unAmerican. "

" Miraculously, I was able to take instruction from Mike Baker without be indoctrinated in a leftist socialist ideaology; I was also able to take history instruction from R.B. Hughes at Irving Jr. High without being indoctrinated into a right-wing, Paul Harvey loving conservative. What a shame for a creative teacher like Mr. Baker to be stifled and, apparently, forced out - as for the graphic war video, surely it it not lost on the students who saw it that people getting killed, and doing the killing in Baghdad are about their age? "

" What is education about? History's most common topic is war. Geography and the zany borders are a function of war. Peace studies must deal with war at some point. Students who may choose to put their lives at risk in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, or whereever, need to be exposed to the horrors of war. They have the choice of whether to enlist or not; let's make certain that this is an enlightened choice. Mr. Baker may be a liberal, but I would guess that students at East are also exposed to some fairly conservative views as well, as it should be. Present the alternatives systematically, and let people choose for themselves.Let's not stifle controversy, especially if it results in deeper thought. "

" My grreat grandfather fought in the Vietnam War and I was always told by my mother, "your grandfather fought to protect us from seeing the horrors of war". He didn't want the bloody scenes of war to be on the front page of the paper or all over the television, so he went and saw it so we DIDN'T have to!!!!!!!!!!!! There are a lot of graphic shows out today...why don't they have a live Baghdad ER show........on tv.......probably because we DON'T want our children to be exposed to such graphic scenes unless they REGISTER for war themselves and CHOOSE to see it! This is my view and you have a right to yours. I feel as a previous student of a combined class taught by Baker and Flowerday I have a right to state my mind. "

" Do you know how many Vietnam Veterans are now anti-war, anti-American protesters? You point is not taken. This is not about one incident. Baker is a self proclaimed Communist. That makes him an enemy of the state and LPS should not be his media for reaching young impressionable minds. That is what they make the public television channel for that nobody watches. I am in Iraq and I see much more than the bloody ER show. I see children laughing and playing and enjoying newfound freedoms. I see Iraqi adults able to hold real jobs and make real lifes for themselves and their families. This was not possible under Saddam. The price of freedom is not free. We have our freedom, you should be thankful for that. Until you see what it is like to not have freedoms, you wouldn't know what I mean. "

" I think you misinterpreted your Mother's colloquialism. It wasn't meant to be taken literally. "

" Wonder if he took his picture of Che Guevera with him. Or did tax dollars purchase the photo prominently visible on his classroom wall. "

" Do you stop your children from watching the TV news at night? And btw, this documnetary was has been on TV. and you do know that Vietnam was only 40 years ago and was on the TV news every night, including body counts. "

" After reading all of the opinions on this article, I don't believe there is anything left for me to say except "Bravo Mr. Baker for providing an exceptional education for the young adults of our community". On behalf of our community, I apologize to you that LPS and the school board continues to play politics with our educators and finds ways to get rid of the teachers that choose to actually teach rather than sit in the room while the students read the chapter and answer the questions provided at the end of the chapter. I assure you that I for one will be changing my vote when it's time to re-elect our school board and will ensure to lobby against their re-election efforts. Thank you for your service to our community Mr. Baker and for trying to prepare our children for their future place in our country. You are a true patriot in every sense of the word. Keep the faith. "

" LPS what a shame. You won't be getting any donations from this East alumn. "

" Thank you, LPS administrators, for ensuring there won't be any critical-thinking, leftist, liberal, commie-socialistic-fascist, green, tree-hugging hippies coming out of the Lincoln Public Schools! (If I didn't include your favorite choice of epithet for anyone with a viewpoint to the left of Rush Limbaugh, please insert it above.) Thanks, LPS, for ensuring our children will grow up to be the mindless, never question authority robots this country was founded by! (For people whose sarcasm detectors are broken, yes, that was sarcasm.) "

" I've gotten to know Mike Baker through common friends and as a parent of a current 8th grader that will feed into East HS I'm saddened to see him go before my child had the opportunity to attend any of his classes. Having been through the LPS system and recalling the scarcity of truly engaging teachers, I was really looking forward towards my child attending his classes. LPS you can't just put an add in the paper and replace teachers like Mike Baker, he's the type of teacher I want my children to learn from, not some cardboard cutout that teaches a textbook till the bell rings. "

" It's hilarious to me that someone will accuse a person of hating America if that person ever points out any of the bad things this country does. That's absurd- we can still love our country while hating what the leaders of this nation do from time to time... it gives us cause to work hard to make a difference, to change things for the better in this country we love. "

" Why is it that the right says, "Thank God this commie is out of the classroom before he destroys civilization as we know it," and the left says, "Since you took this man out of the classroom it is now the end of civilization as we know it?" "

" Henry Reichman, Ph.D., chair of the history department and professor of history at California State University at Hayward says, censorship "produce(s) a sterile conformity and a lack of intellectual and emotional growth in students." Are we to believe Ms. Biggs is in the business of stifling intellectual and emotional growth? Will we get an answer from Ms. Biggs or will she continue to ignore these types of questions knowing full and well it will all blow over and she can get back to the business of protecting the children, rather than ensuring for them a well-rounded education? "

" I remember Michael Baker from my Lincoln High School days. He spoke the truth then and I'm glad that he never "toned down" his message. Thanks to "No Child," our public schools have become prep schools for the military meat grinder. Since when was showing both sides of that grinder "biased"? Students aren't stupid. "

" Thank goodness this guy is finally gone. I spent two semesters at East in the mid 90's watching him isolate, intimidate, and belittle any student who dared offer an opinion different that his own. His classroom was unstructured, the lessons unorganized at best. It was hard for me to learn history from a teacher constantly referring to two decades of his life as "hazy." Thank you LPS. "

" So, you're willing to fight for freedom, so long as that "freedom" does not include any idea that you find disagreeable? I'm not sure that's what the Founders had in mind. Perhaps if you had a teacher like Mr. Baker who actually attempted to get his students to think you wouldn't commit such an egregious error in logic, the type also seen here in those who equate the showing of 'Baghdad ER' with an abortion film. Mr. Baker might have taught you that an error in the premise of a syllogism leads to a necessarily faulty conclusion, resulting in an unavoidably specious argument. Consider, for example, that recruiters do not show up at schools trying to seduce students into abortions with the promises of travel and further education. Abortion is not romanticized by out culture as a way to become a hero, attract a partner who just can't resist you in uniform, and make your parent and country proud of you. Abortions are a right of personal choice between a woman and her physician. It's this type of weak logic that too seldom comes under question these days, and serves as a wonderful example of why LPS deserves condemnation for this act of censorship. There's nothing overly 'dramatic' about this debate. This is a man's career, livelihood, and legacy we're talking about here. This is a man who has provided invaluable service to his community and his country, and this is not the way he deserves to go out. Beyond that, as has been stated by many above who know Baker, we're depriving children in our community the opportunity to learn from a uniquely gifted educator. As many of us know, there are few of those around, and their impact on our lives can be profound. Mr. Baker has not 'crossed the line' one too many times. As Ty Webb once stated so eloquently to Danny in Caddyshack, 'Is this Russia? This isn't Russia, is it?' "

" Ask Mr. Baker how he prefaced the movie, ask about his insightful dialoged after the movie, ask Mr. Baker how he warned the class of the upcoming graphic footage, ask about the parental notification notes home. Remember, 14-15 year olds. Let me answer for you: none, none, none, none. The very things that made him a cutting edge teacher ultimately lead to his dismissal. LPS did not do this to Mr. Baker, Mr. Baker did this to himself. He gave them little option. CYA Baker....liberal lesson number 1. Of all people I thought you would have learned this lesson well. What are you doing next April 18th? Happy Retirement "

" For one. During vietnam I was decidedly against the peace mongers as I was a soldier at the time and bought into everything my government told me. I thought we were fighting a just war. Now after many years out of vietnam and retiring from military service I feel somewhat different. The kids need to see what really happens in combat. This teacher was doing the public schools a service in this endeavor. I guess it does go out of bounds by the Bush administration standards. Has no one noticed that you don't see cargo planes with flag draped coffins on the news? Even during vietnam the public was shown every day several silver coffins being unloaded. Some one is stopping this side of the news. A retired gunny sgt. pointed this out to me one day. We agree that either show war the way it is or don't show it at all. The young people need to know. It isn't a game. Wishing the best to this teacher. "

" I hope anyone who doesn't want their kids to see "graphic" material, such as a war documentary, also keeps their kids from watching "CSI: Miami" or other Jerry Bruckheimer fare on primetime TV. Graphic murder reenactments, bloody bodies, autopsies. No, it isn't real, but it might as well be. "

" First off, NO TEACHER IS GOING TO LOSE A JOB OVER ONE VIDEO. Teachers often sign contracts that say that they can be dismissed for unethical or immoral behavior and insubordination. (This is paraphrased). "

" Since when is speaking out against a war unpatriotic or coummunistic? A true patriot has an obligation to speak out when he sees the government doing something wrong. Remember Hitler? He was able to do all the atrocities like the Holocaust because he silenced or imprisoned any and all who spoke against him and his henchmen. Now, if you want to live in a country like Nazi Germany, silence all like Michael Baker who are willing to speak out. I know Michael Baker and have spoken at his classes when he taught history of the Vietnam war, the only one at that time. He brought in veterans to speak and give their take on the Vietnam war. He never asked if you were for or against the war, only that you come out and talk to his students. The students were free to ask any question they wanted, no censorship. As for the movie, I saw that movie when it aired some months ago on HBO and I thought it gave a balanced report of what it is like to work in a military hospital during war time. Michael Baker will be missed. He was a true educator in every sense of the word. "

" FYI, you can read a glowing review of 'Baghdad ER" in the ultra conservative "National Review" magazine, so I'm a bit puzzled how showing it makes Mr. Baker a Communist (wow, it really is the fifties again in Nebraska!). Although you did not make it clear how you're privy to how Mr. Baker taught 'Baghdad ER,' even if what you say is true it is absolutely no reason to condemn him. As a professional educator Mr. Baker has every right to teach the program however he sees fit. He's under no pedagogical requirement to prep his students before the video or discuss it immediately afterward. There are times when silence speaks much more eloquently and more powerfully than words. I recall being in a history classroom at the ivy league university I was attending the day after 9/11. The professor, who was brilliant, said nothing about it. After class we all discussed his silence. When I later asked him about it he replied that there was simply nothing he could have said about the event that would not have been trite. So too, perhaps, is the case with a powerful documentary like Baghdad ER. It is a piece of art that speaks for itself. The way he handled it might have worked for some students, might have driven other students crazy. That's the way it is with teaching. And, 14 and 15 year olds who are only a few short years away from attempts at recruitment, not to mention voting, are old enough to face reality. "

" One less burned out hippy poluting our kids minds. When will you flower childeren learn that the 70's are over and you lost. This is not the Viet Nam era, and by the way it took a conservative Republican to get us OUT of that one after a socialist Democrat got us into it. "

" So its ok to have sharply dressed, quota driven Armed Forces Recruiters strolling around the halls of our High Schools and soliciting young men and women with slick, PR created films and slogans, but its NOT ok to show these same students the REALITY of what they are signing up for? Of course its not! Our next "christian" President could throw a war and chances are nobody would come! "

" What is wrong with you people? You think this only happens in Lincoln? You should live somewhere else for a while, might make you really think for once in your lives. This is nothing more than an attempt to force the teaching of republicanism. Pure and simple. This country is in trouble. "

" "Baker is an anti-American socialist who has been using his classes to attack capitalism and democracy." Do people who think like this ever hear yourselves? You sound ridiculous. A teacher presenting many sides of an issue and letting the students figure out the truth on their own does not an "anti-American socialist" make. Where do you conservatives come up with such garbage? I think Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Rilley has rotted the brains of about a quarter of this country's male white population. "

" It happened in North Platte when a teacher showed a video clip brought in by a student of one of the beheadings that was televised on Al Jazeera a year or more ago. This was for a Senior current events class that had at least one student that was early enlisted. The teacher warned the student body first. So, long/short, yes- teachers will be fired for the stupidest things. I had a teacher in HS that got in trouble for showing Schindler's List-OUTSIDE of class not for credit. "

" It happened in North Platte when a teacher showed a video clip brought in by a student of one of the beheadings that was televised on Al Jazeera a year or more ago. This was for a Senior current events class that had at least one student that was early enlisted. The teacher warned the student body first. So, long/short, yes- teachers will be fired for the stupidest things. I had a teacher in HS that got in trouble for showing Schindler's List-OUTSIDE of class not for credit. Here is a link to this horrible, socialist, anti-war film, Baghdad ER. http://imdb.com/title/tt0802944/ "

" I wish I'd more teachers like Mr. Baker. Engage me, don't bore me to sleep with pointless drivel. Backwards history sounds great to me. Kids today live in the present not the past. Sounds like Mr. Baker understood that. And for you "former" students of his who've posted negatively, you probably were lazy middle of the road students anyway. No loss to society I'm sure. Ween yourselves off Mommy and Daddy yet??? "

" Before I jump into the debate, I'd like to know exactly what led to this course of events. My guess is that Mr. Baker neglected to follow district policy regarding parental notification about controversial videos. I'd sure like to know....but we'll probably never know exactly what happened. "

" I wonder how many LEHS students went onto a computer on school property and watched the same documentary online while skipping some other class? Are they going to be suspended? Doubtful, they'll just become "Super Seniors" because they're our future leaders! "

" Baker's suspension and ultimate forced retirement is a statement from LPS administrators that creative teaching is a thing of the past. The principal and social studies chair of this building targeted Baker for his innovative and sometimes out-of-the-box teaching strategies and were out to see him outsed for several years. Who needs to be accountable at Lincoln East? How about a principal explaining why there is no attendance policy, how 9th graders leave for lunch off campus, how cell phones are being used in classes, and why most seniors are out of the building by noon? For an administrative team so critical of liberal teaching why are they so liberal enforcing district policy? And for people so concerned with forcing Baker to heed by district policy, why aren't they held accountable for enforcing attendance and other policies set forth by the district? "

" In my lifetime thus far, I have learned something beneficial from every teacher, upon which to ponder life...such as which is best, sugarcoating to make something acceptable, or brutal reality. Learning the tactics of amazingly good teachers and realizing the tactics of those who were unfair, ill prepared, etc., admiring those who knew their subject without constantly consulting the book vs. disdaining those who seemingly wanted themselves and all the students to adhere only to what was printed in that textbook and not have any original thoughts - it was always an education. I certainly remember the most graphic and life-changing bit of reality I ever saw in class (don't know if they do it anymore). During driver's training, we saw a state patrol film of blood, gore, mangled bodies and lives ended in an instant...the result of poor decisions made while driving. Some kids got sick to their stomachs, but no one could leave - and I think it made a real difference in our level of responsibility, caution, and wisdom. "

" It is time for Mr. Baker to get a "real job." Anyone can spew a bunch of propaganda about anything. It takes a lot more for someone to have and hold a job. "

" I had Mr. Baker in high school...about 12 years ago, and am still so surprised that his style of teaching is news to the people at the district office. He was engaging, funny, open to all opinions and people. He would not let his students rest on their laurels and would make them think for themselves. Some people will just be judgemental...Drewman. Making judhements about a person's character based on their dress and what is hanging in the background? But, I guess if you didn't have Mr. Baker you probably don't realize why that is completely wrong, and ignorant at the same time. So Mr. Baker, I am sorry. Sorry that Lincoln has become so narrow-minded that the "powers that be" cannot see how important you are. "

" Like all censorship, LPS's forced retirement of Mr. Baker will impact not only him and his students, but all other teachers in the district. Any other teacher thinking about stepping out of tightly prescribed parameters to seize the teachable moment and challenge students to really think will, if they've families to provide for, hold back and play it safe. That's the last thing our country needs right now, and the type of mediocrity that is the last thing a school district with very high taxes should be encouraging. I'm glad I presently have no children in the district's schools, and am concerned that my niece and nephew attend LPS if this is the way the district discourages rigorous intellectual grappling with vital issues. Shame on them, and shame on Lincoln taxpayers if there's no outcry to right this wrong. "

" I am so happy to see that Micheal Baker has been let go. I dont fault him for having his own opinion, but bringing that into the classroom and then grading them on whether they agree with him or not, is not right, that is not a teacher that is a dictator. I had him for one semester and I am a senior now, and that one semester I was with him, I was genuinley afraid to voice my support for bush or the war because of the jokes he would make and the grading backlash i would recieve. I had worked on a paper about my support for the war and how i believed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and he handed me back the paper with a 10 out of 20 for saying that i believed there were wmd's in Iraq and that i needed to check my sources because he said that there were absolutley none in Iraq and there never was any. He grades to his opinion, i am so worked up i cant convey how much he made those who were conservatives and bush supporters felt. He would have anti republican signs up and anti bush signs up. I am so happy he is gone, now students can learn without an agenda being pushed on them. "

" Dan Cramer - I am not sure if you have ever had Mr. Baker, but he doesn't grade you. The students grade themselves and explain why they deserve that grade. Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. "

" When you peel the onion back, look beyond the rehetoric and see this story from a broader lens, it's a sad day for our students and our educators. This is where the education rubber meets the road--in the classroom. This marvelous teacher was taken away from the kids, for what purpose? Just a couple weeks ago, he's being honored for his National Board Certification, and now suspended, forced to retire. Where's the justice? As a parent, I can say I have done my job if my child can go out into this world and be a productive, upstanding citizen. This doesn't happen by limiting their thinking or being a "helicopter" parent. I believe this is a tipping point in our LPS direction---I challenge the School Board and our new Mayor to seriously consider where our property tax dollars are going. Shouldn't we be trying to attract National Board Certified teachers? Take a good hard look at the dollars spent to staff and manage the district office. I can't help but think that shifting dollars to the classroom will be much better spent. We owe it to our kids. "