"Had the father investigated with his daughter more on the song and its origins instead of passing off judgement and opinion, I'd have more respect for dogging the song. What did he teach his daughter? To immediately complain loudly to get your way?"

Perhaps. I think standing up and complaining about something is an important skill.   "Question Authority" was the the buzzwords of my generation and it seems to have been replaced by "Shut up and do as your are told".

Again, I point to the words of the school superintendt - "And while I believe very much that we need to continue the discussion on why this song evokes such strong reactions from people and what are the underlying causes for these reactions, I feel that this evening should be for enjoying our children's singing abilities."

I actually contacted Dr. Zumsteg and invited her on my radio show to discuss this. She declined because she felt that she is not an expert on folk music and could not add anything to her remarks. I do find it comforting to know that the song WILL be discussed and so will this incident.   I do think she made the right decision.

"Anybody see any hope in what we do, or does this one incident negate it all?"
The sky is NOT falling.   People tend to puff up their chests and jump to conclusions, but in reality we can and do make a difference.   If the only thing we do here at Mudcat is get someone to consider the alternate point of view, then we have accomplished something. I woudl not call our discussion an aruguement, and hopefully people have thicker skin than to think we are at odds with one another.   There is no right or wrong reaction to this story, but the discussion we have with each other and our children is incredibly valuable.

There are many shades of grey that we fail to see as we become set in our ways.