BY BUSTER SOUTHERLY
An apparent link between possible US Democrat vice-presidential candidate Bill Richardson and paramilitary activities in New Mexico's largest public high school has cast new light on the sacking of anti-war poet and teacher Bill Nevins.
Rancho High School is the largest public high school in the state of New Mexico, of which Richardson is governor. Rancho's military liaison officer, Lawrence Morrell, has now been revealed to be the "commanding general" of the New Mexico State Defense Force (NMSDF) — a paramilitary militia.
According to these websites, Morrell was discharged from the US Marine Corps in 1961 with the rank of sergeant. Since joining the NMSDF in 1990, Morrell has been given a rapid series of promotions in rank and now is described on the NMSDF website as a "Brigadier General". "General" Morrell became commanding general of the NMSDF on August 2, 2003.
While having assumed this role, Morrell continues to work fulltime as a counsellor and military liaison officer at Rio Rancho High.
Until March 2003, Nevins — a published poet, journalist and teacher — also worked at Rancho High School. He was assigned to teach at-risk and other students and to establish a student writing club and performance-poetry team. Nevins' work was highly successful, poetry readings were attended by hundreds of students and a slam poetry team was formed, performing original compositions in a range of forums.
In February 2003, however, a member of the school Write Club read her poem "Revolution X" over the school's PA system, as other poems had been read. Morrell publicly objected to the poem, because, among other things, it was disrespectful to the US government. The school administration questioned the student poet and "investigated" the poem for "profanity and incitement to violence"
Then in March, 2003, Nevins was suspended and the Write Club disbanded. Public poetry readings at the school were banned. Nevins contract was not renewed. Morrell, however, was permitted to read out a poem telling anti-war poets and protesters to "shut your faces", which was praised by the school's then-principal, Gary Tripp.
Nevins' case has become a touch point for many since Green Left Weekly first reported it in 2003. He has launched legal action against the state, and benefit concerts have been held in different US states.
Morrell is known to have demanded severe penalties be imposed upon Nevins. Morrell reportedly told the Rio Rancho Principal that the teacher who approved the reading of "Revolution X" should be flogged.
According to its website, the NMSDF reports directly to the governor, and may be directed by the governor to provide "Military Assistance" at any time. Richardson, who is being widely touted as a likely running mate for Democrat presidential candidate Senator John Kerry, is the current governor. Until now, Richardson's office has denied any connection to the growing scandal concerning Nevins's dismissal.
From Green Left Weekly, June 30, 2004.
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