W
6A - Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
FBI agent: informant paid *
$31K cash for tips on militia
G
pl
A school board meeting at the Anoka County School District headquarters in Coon Rapids, Minn. on Monday. A new policy
commits the district to providing "a safe and respectful learning environment for all students."
New policy requires teachers to
respect all sexual orientations
After controversy,
Minnesota school
board alters stance
COON RAPIDS, Minn. (AP)
- Leaders in Minnesota's larg-
est school district said the long
debate over how teachers should
handle discussions about sexual
orientation probably had a bigger
impact than a new policy will.
The Anoka-Hennepin School
District replaced a policy requir-
ing teachers to be neutral in dis-
cussions about sexual orientation
with a new one requiring them to
foster a respectful learning envi-
ronment for all students.
The change came after six
students in the Anoka-Hennepin
School District committed sui-
cide in less than two years. Some
had been bullied, and some were
either gay or seen as gay.
Julie Blaha, president of the
district teachers union, said the
debate over the old policy, which
was blamed for contributing to
the harassment of gay students,
may prove to be more important
than the new policy itself.
"It's got people thinking about,
'OK, what am I going to do in my
classroom differently?' ... We're
all thinking aboutthis more deep-
lynow," Blaha said.
The policy adopted Monday
night says teachers shouldn't try
to persuade students to adopt a
particular viewpoint when con-
tentious political, religious, social
or economic issues come up. It
calls for teachers instead to foster
respectful exchanges that affirm
the dignity and self-worth of all
students, regardless of race, reli-
gion, gender or sexual orienta-
tion.
The old policy said sexual ori-
entation wasn't part of the cur-
riculum and was best addressed
outside the schools, but teachers
should to stay neutral if it came
up in student-led discussions. The
policy had strong support from
some conservatives who believe
homosexual conduct is immoral
and don't want public schools to
teach their children it isn't, but it
also led to two lawsuits alleging
the policy was a gag order that
prevented teachers from taking
effective action against bullying.
Anoka High School senior
Rachael Hawley, who led a peti-
tion drive that collected more
than 350 signatures from stu-
dents opposed to the neutrality
policy, said she's not certain the
new policy will make a big differ-
ence because some teachers could
still feel constrained.
"Hopefully it will open the
door to more discussion," Hawley
said. "I think that would be the
best difference right now."
While the district's intdrnal
investigation found no evidence
that bullying contributed to the
suicides, the district amended its
anti-bullying policies in October
2010 to clearly state that harass-
ment or bullying of gay students
would not be tolerated.
The new policy may help clear
the way for a settlement in the
lawsuits, which were filed last
July by students and former stu-
dents who contend the district
failedto protect them from severe
physical and verbal abuse.
"The repeal of this policy is an
important first step, but the Dis-
trict must do much more to create
a safe, welcoming, and respect-
ful learning environment for all
students, including LGBT and
gender non-conforming students,
and those perceived as such,"
said a statement from the South-
ern Poverty Law Center and
the National Center for Lesbian
Rights, which are representing
the plaintiffs.
The original lawsuits sought
not only an end to the neutral-
ity policy but asked the court to
award unspecified cash damages
and order more effective protec-
tions, such as better training.
Both sides have been keeping the
settlement discussions confiden-
tial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven
Rau has scheduled the next round
for March land 2.
Superintendent Dennis Carl-
son and Blaha said they expect
long discussions ahead as admin-
istrators and teachers figure out
what the new policy means in
practice.
District spokesman Brett
Johnson said yesterday that
teachers are already trained to
manage classroom discussions.
"You're going to have times
when kids go off topic and you've
got to get them refocused. That's
a basic teaching skill," Johnson
said.
DE
cover
$31,0
role i
to ch
a Mi
plotti
U.S.,,
terda
Ag
the fi
long
a so
called
series
a fec
descr
2008
tain
Lai
Murr
versat
he tra
with
David
$25,0
400
expet
tent,
Lai
the F
roup accused of said she didn't know if Murray
reported the money to the Inter-
otting rebellian nal Revenue Service or paid
taxes. Murray will be a key wit-
against federal ness later in the trial.
Militia members from
government Michigan, Indiana and Ohio
are accused of conspiring to
TROIT (AP) - An under- ambush and kill a police officer,
'informant was paid about then attack the funeral proces-
00 in cash for his critical sion with explosives and trig-
n an investigation that led ger a broader revolt against the
arges against members of U.S. government. They deny the
dwest militia accused of charges and claim authorities
ng rebellion against the overreached.
an FBI agent testified yes- "A new president comes into
y. office. The agencies that are
ent Leslie Larsen was sworn to investigate and protect
rst witness at the weeks- him are very, very curious about
trial of seven members of what's going on out there,"
uthern Michigan militia defense attorney James Thomas
I Hutaree. She answered a told jurors in his opening state-
of friendly questions from ment. "That premise - that
deral prosecutor, mostly somebody would be out there
ibing the timeline of the who is going to be a danger,
-10 investigation and cer- either to the country or to the
milestones in the case. president of the United States -
rsen said informant Dan got distorted.
ay secretly recorded con- "It was a conclusion that
tions with the militia while was brought to be supported by
ained or attended meetings facts, facts that were manipu-
members, especially leader lated," Thomas said.
I Stone. Murray received Another defense attorney,
00 for his time - 300 to Mark Satawa, signaled to the
hours - and $5,600 for jury that Murray's credibility
tses, such as his cellphone, will be under intense scrutiny.
mileage and sleeping bags. "There was not a single act of
rsen wasn't asked how violence perpetrated by a single
BI determined his pay but individual sitting over here.
... Don't let fear be the thing
you fear," Satawa told jurors,
a day after prosecutors during
their opening statement held
up weapons and military-style
equipment seized during the
2010 arrests.
During her testimony, Larsen
said Murray was paid $12,700
for work ahead of the Huta-
ree investigation. She said he
attended meetings of at least
one other militia but there were
no indications of illegal activity.
Larsen said the FBI removed
Murray from the Hutaree in
January 2010, more than two
months before charges were
filed, because an undercover
agent had been securely planted
inside the group.
Murray had his own prob-
lems in February of that year
when he fired a gun toward his
wife and, in a separate incident,
attempted suicide, according to
court records. Defense lawyers
have suggested that the infor-
mant's personal problems may
have motivated the government
to round up Hutaree members,
not because of some threat
against police as authorities
have insisted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shel-
don Light told the judge there's
no evidence that the govern-
ment intervened with local
prosecutors to help Murray.
No suspect after justice robbed by
a machete wielding man in Nevis *
Local gov't officials
assure island is safe
after items stolen
from Stephen Breyer
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (AP)
- The head of the local govern-
ment in Nevis sought yesterday
to assure the public that the
island is safe despite the fact
that U.S. Supreme Court Jus-
tice Stephen Breyer was robbed
in his vacation home by a man
wielding a machete.
Nevis Premier Joseph Parry
said police are taking the mat-
ter seriously and he said that
he visited Breyer at his home
the day after Thursday night's
attack.
"The police have been very
much involved from the very
beginning," Parry said in an
interview with radio station
WINN 98.9 in the capital of St.
Ritts. "I am satisfied that the
police have been doing every-
thing within their power to
deal with the situation."
A government official said
that authorities have a sus-
pect but no one has yet been
detained. The official spoke on
condition of anonymity because
he was not authorized to reveal
information about the inves-
tigation. The government of
RELEASE DATE- Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS DOWN 37 Snare 49 Practice opening?
1 Superfluous thing 1 Turn tomwine, as 38 "Oh, for pity's _" 50 *One paying a flat
6 Copyroom unit grape juice 39 "Must-see" fee?
10 Good-sized 2 *Nuclear plant review 55 Pierre, to Pierre
building site sight 40 Scholarly 57 Tequila sunrise
14._, meenie ... 3 Home to Purdue 41 *Broke uplate, as direction
15 Best wayto make 4 Full deck at a meeting 58 Bassoon kin
amistake Caesar's palace? 42 3-Down's region 61 Indian rulefrom
16 Like afly ball that 5 "Seinfeld" uncle 45 "And Still I Rise" 1858to 1947
hitsthefoul pole, 6 *uitcase lugger's p 62.spdead IsCit d
ironically . aa 40 Short-antlered 03 Hoop. heartwardl
17 *Classic little red 7'"Shepherd animal 64 Ring victories,
wagon Moons" Grammy 47 "Forgive me" briefly
19 Thomas. winner
Edison 8 Unreturnable ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
2t Okworker'sgp. 9Sea, in Paris 0 E N P S A L M S C O W
22 Signof the Ram. 10Out yonder OV A I N T O U C H A L E
23 Tchotchke stand 11 Actress Flockhart C A P S I N G S T 0 D E L
26 O'er and o'er 12 *Rosie's role P O O H P O O H V O O D O O
28 VW forerunners? 13 Puzzle solver's G E L T S S N P H I L S
arianonical smudge O R E O S THIE N E E T
hour 10 Commonlp
30 *Memorable, as a decorated tree o onoon oo
day 22 Consumed ANN PRO C R T M G M
33Partof DOT: 24Columbus, by C H1o0o C H O O G U R U
Abbr. birth MACEH SIMA S U S A N
34MarinorMajors a5"MiCasa - Casa" I G L O O P A D A C T I
H5 ers's rioer 2aeScarteddown too FROUFROn
36 They're not in the much, with "on"
in-crowd ... and 27 Run for the hills F E W F I L L I N S L I E
readdifferently, 31In-crowd E E N S C I E N C E A T V
what each starred 32 Busy employee of D DS H O T T E R R Y E
answer has two a paranoid king xwordeditor@aol.com 02/15/12
o mot a a 4 5 a n a 10 11 12 13a
Bombeck 14 15 1
44 Video game 17 18n19
pioneer
48 *One seeding 20 21 n
clouds
51 Animaltoxin 23 2an 2 5 2 27 23
52 Berlin
conjunction 29 o 31 32
53 Tarzan raiser an a4 as
54 Comes outoft
hiding an 37 38 3
56 Wooden peg
58 Yoko from Tokyo 4 a a2 43 4a 45 46 47
59 Tokyo, before
1868 4 9 0 5
60Currier's p are 62 5 54 5
1 *Knee- sapper a2 na a4 an
65 Experiment 56 7 5 59
66 Soothing additive
67 Dong aunt, no1 n2 s 4
68 Art Deco master on 5 667
69Heckle
70 Mre than6n
reasonable
1C12012T'abaun, Medi Series, Inc. 0/5
|
! STERLING 411 LOFTS - Reserve
now for 2012 (Spring or Fall). U-M's.
BEST housing sold out early for 2010
and 2011, reserve your space for 2012
today. Sign a lease on or before Febru-
ary 29, 2012 and play to win for one of
the following: $50, $100, $150, $200,
no money down until April 2012 or
FREE laundry for a year (value of
$312). 2 blocks from Central Campus
and downtown. I to 4 bedroom, private
baths available. Rates from $660.
734-998-4400 www.4elevenlots.com
411 HIGH ST. APARTMENTS
2 Bedrooms
Kerry Town-North Campus!
Quiet Neighborhood!
Heat &' Water Included
Cover Parking Available
$895-$925
734-761-8000
primesh.com
AVAILABLE FALL. FOUR and five
bedroom duplex in a quiet neighbor-
hood. Walk to football games ad
Kroger. Call Michigon Commaercial
Realty. 734-662-5500.
www.michcomrealty.com
! STERLING 411 LOFTS - Reserve
a summer only bed space at U-M's
Best housing. Leases will run from
April 30, 2012 - August 13, 2012. 2
blocks from Central Campus and down-
town. Private baths available. Rates
starting at $660.
734-998-440 www.4elevenlofts.com
ARBOR PROPERTIES. DISTINC-
TIVE Award-Winning rentals in Kerry-
town, Central Campus, Old West Side,
Burns Park. Now Renting for 2012.
734-994-3157. www.arborprops.com
AVAILABLE FALL. STUDIOS, One
& Two bedroom apartments loctaed
on UJM Campas. Call Michigan
Conercial Realty. 734-62-5500.
www.michcomrealty.com
close to U of M North Campus
affordable rates
great location to everything
MICHSTUDENTHOUSING.COM
277 AN AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITY WS
HAVE YOU HEARD...
We have BRAND NEW LUXURY
APARTMENTS ON
The 2nd Floor
We are now taking reservations for
Spring/Fall 2012
University Towers & The 2nd Floor
are right on Central Campus with
the best amenities,
the best service and
the best pricest
Call us for a tour today
734-761-2680
www.UniversityTowers-MI.com
WWW.800FULLER.COM
(734) 769-7520
1 & 2 bdrm., modern, clean, quiet
5 min. walk. Free Wi-Fl.
AVAILABLE FALL, 6 bedroom
houses near central and north campus.
Call Michigan Realty at 734-662-5500
or www.michcomrealty.com
I NORTH CAMPUS 1-2 Bdrm. !
! Riverfront/Heat/Water/Parking. !
! www.HRPAA.com 996-4992 !
**BARTENDING** $300/DAY PO-
TENTIAL. No exp. nec., training
avail. AGE 18+ 800-965-6520x125
CHILDCARE/HOME HELP
NEEDED: Mornings before school.
Must drive. tassavat@comcast.net
734-747-9484
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDI-
NATOR. Pediatric Orthopaedic
Surgery. Full-Time. Position isperfect
for a medical school/residency candi-
date interested in bolstering his/her CV
and is willing to dedicate at least two
years before applying for medical
school/residency. You will need to in-
teract well with patients, particularly
children. To learn more/to apply visit
umjobs.org. Job ID #66469
WORK ON MACKINAC Island This
Summer - Make lifelong friends. The
Island House Hotel and Ryba's Fudge
Shops are looking for help in all areas:
Front Desk, Bell Staff, Wait Staff,
Sales Clerks, Kitchen, Baristas. Hous-
ing, bonus, and discounted meals.(906)
847-7196. www.theislandhouse.com
DOMINICK'S NOW HIRING all po-
sitions for Spring/Summer/Fall F/PT.
Call 734-323-5021.
STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM
Paid survey takers need in A2.
100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.
the twin-island of St. Kitts and
Nevis was expected to issue'a
formal statement later.
The .73-year-old Breyer,
his wife Joanna and guests
were confronted by the robber
around 9 p.m. EST Thursday
in the home Breyer owns on
the Caribbean island of Nevis,
Supreme Court spokeswoman
Kathy Arberg said. The intrud-
er took about $1,000 in cash
and no one was hurt.
The U.S. Marshals Service,
the FBI and the Supreme Court
Police are assisting the inves-
tigation, officials said. FBI
spokesman Paul Bresson said
no one has been arrested.
"It's still an ongoing investi-
gation," he said.
Breyer reported on his most
recent annual disclosure in June
that property he owns on Nevis
is worth between $100,000 and
$250,000. The home is in the
hills in the Golden Rock area of
the island, which home to nearly
13,000 people.
Breyer has kept a low-profile
in Nevis and few people in the
country were apparently aware
he frequents the island.
Parry noted that tourism is
important to the local economy
and he appealed for witnesses or
anyone else with information to
come forward.
"I want to appeal to the pop-
ulation that we need to be very
careful how we conduct our-
selves," he said. "I want to make
an appeal to the people of Nevis
when people are acting out of
line that we inform the police.
WE USE THE
INTERNET.
FOLLOW US ON
TWITTER:
@MICHIGANDAILY
@MICH DA LYNEWS
@M [CH DA LYOPED
AND LIKETHE *
DAILY ON
FACEBOOK
I
t 4