A Metro State Professor required students to write an essay undermining Palin's "fairytale image".
He also allowed ridicule and bashing of students who disagreed. The assignment was later changed to allow students to write a essay criticizing any candidate.
This is not an isolated incident. Nor are all the incidents opposed to Palin. In my neck of the woods, it is quite the opposite. Even in my children's homeschool classes there have been conversations regarding politics that my kids vehemently disagree with. I have said nothing because I think it is healthy to hear opposing views and even if you don't feel empowered to speak up, you can at least analyze what is said and test your own convictions. Still, there is the question of fairness.
If and when politics are discussed in a school situation, each side has the right to be heard, and expressed, or teachers should stay silent on the subject.