A Michigan elementary school is defending its decision to confiscate a third-graders batch of homemade cupcakes because the birthday treats were decorated with plastic green Army soldiers.
Casey Fountain tells me that the principal of his son's elementary school called the cupcakes "insensitive" -- in light of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
"It disgusted me," he said. "It's vile they lump true American heroes with psychopathic killers."
Fountain's wife made a batch of 30 chocolate cupcakes for their son Hunter's classmates at Schall Elementary School in the town of Caro. The 9-year-old helped decorate the treats with plastic figurines representing World War Two soldiers.
The following morning Fountain said his wife delivered the cupcakes to the front office. The secretary complimented her on the decorations and then took the cakes to Hunter's class.
"About 15 minutes later the school called my wife and told her the couldn't serve the cupcakes because the soldiers had guns," Fountain said. "My wife told them to remove the soldiers and serve the cupcakes anyway -- and I believe she may have used more colorful language."
The school complied and confiscated the soldiers -- sending them home with Hunter in a bag.
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"I was offended," Fountain said. "I support our soldiers and what they stand for. These (plastic soldiers) are representations of World War Two soldiers - our greatest generation. If they aren't allowed in our schools -- who is?"
Principal Susan Wright released a statement to local media defending the decision.
"These are toys that were commonplace in the past," she wrote. "However, some parents prohibit all guns as toys. In light of that difference, the school offered to replace the soldiers with another item and the soldiers were returned home with the student."
"Living in a democratic society entails respect for opposing opinions," she stated. "In the climate of recent events in schools we walk a delicate balance in teaching non-violence in our buildings and trying to ensure a safe, peaceful atmosphere."
Fountain said it was beyond outrageous to compare American soldiers to deranged mass murderers.
"In our politically correct society they can't separate the good from the bad," he said. "I'm sure hammers are allowed in schools -- although a lot of people are killed by hammers."
Principal Wright explained in her statement that she meant no disrespect to the military.
"By not permitting toy soldiers on cupcakes at school, no disrespect for our military or for the brave men and women who defend our rights to have our differences was intended," she wrote. "Our commitment is always to our children and creating a safe place for them to learn, grow and have respectful dialogues about their differences."
Fountain said his little boy is aware of the controversy but doesn't quite understand what all the fuss is about.
"He's nine-years-old," Fountain said. "He was just glad to get his soldiers back."
"It's not about a toy," he said. "It's not about a cupcake. It's what the toy represents -- and we're just taking political correctness too far."
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