Rod Paige criticizes teachers union [nation's largest teachers union a "terrorist organization"]

NJ.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

WASHINGTON (AP)

[thackney]

"maybe Paige isn't as bad as most thought" ping

[Clemenza]

"Gee our schools are swell. Junior gets As and his teachers are so nice to us." I've heard it all my life...

Meanwhile, test scores continue to fail and a large proportion of those who enter college can't even properly conjugate a sentence. It does not surprise me that my foreign colleaugues often get better grades than their American counterparts.

[oldironsides]

This man knows exactly who is holding back education. You cannot improve education when some of the teachers cannot (Massachusetts) pass a proficiency exam after graduation from college with a degree in elementary or secondary education. Protecting NEA members functioning at a substandard level is a cancer spreading through many school districts. Get the dead wood out, pay the good ones enough to keep them in place and watch the kids improve.

One thing I did note all through elementary school, all teachers children had the best and brightest teachers. They knew who was functioning at a high level and made sure their offspring got into the select classrooms of the ones they considered the best.

[MEG33]

He's a good man and made a real boo boo.This is just impolitic.The Dems will use this to their benefit nationwide.

[BykrBayb]

I don't understand why they're objecting to being called terrorists. I thought they liked terrorists, and our war against terrorists. I'm so confused!

[StriperSniper]

Oops! Did I say that? ;-)

[Tanniker Smith]

Holding back education? Sure. "Terrorists", I don't think so. It's explosive terminology. Believe me, I am not defending the NEA or any of the teachers unions.

And you can take from me -- I'm not just a critic, I'm also a member.

TS
...

[ovrtaxt]

This is from Newsmax-- it gives a more accurate (less slanted) picture of what was actually said.

---

Education Secretary Rod Paige called the nation's largest educrat union a "terrorist organization" during the White House's meeting with governors today.

Governors from both major parties confirmed his remarks about so-called National Education Association, which vehemently opposes school choice, pay based on merit, teacher accountability and other education reforms.


"He was making a joke, probably not a very good one," said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat. "Of course he immediately divorced the NEA from ordinary teachers, who he said he supports."


"He was implying that the NEA has not been one of the organizations that has been working with the administration to try to solve 'No Child Left Behind,'" said Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat.

President Bush was not present at the time Paige made the remark.


'Bad Joke' or 'Hate Speech'?


Reg Weaver, head of the anti-Republican union, called the comment "pathetic" and "not a laughing matter."


The secretary later told the Associated Press that his remark was "a bad joke; it was an inappropriate choice of words."


"As one who grew up on the receiving end of insensitive remarks, I should have chosen my words better," said Paige, the nation's first black secretary of education.

He said he had made clear to the governors that he was referring to the union, not its members.

"It's certainly not appropriate to use those kinds of comments for 2.7 million members who are trying to do the best they can to make sure that all children have access to a quality education," he said.


Terry McAuliffe, chairman of Democratic National Committee, accused Paige of using "the most vile and disgusting form of hate speech, comparing those who teach America's children to terrorists."

[ovrtaxt]

Terry McAuliffe, chairman of Democratic National Committee, accused Paige of using "the most vile and disgusting form of hate speech, comparing those who teach America's children to terrorists."

Someone needs to write and publish an article : Terry McAuliffe bashes black education leader

[oceanview]

a friend of mine knows a long island teacher, just retired at age 55 after 30 years service with a (are you sitting down): $95K per year pension. here on long island, they are bankrupting both the taxpayers and the school system of dollars for actual student needs, facilities, computers, etc.

[stevie_d_64]

Whether it was in context or taken out of context...This is more ammo for the very people he was intending the comment to be directed at...

Poor choice of wording there...And since I don't think (and there is evidence to support this) he did a very good job as the head of HISD either...

Up to this point he'd be in lock step with the boss on this important issue of this administration...

I think he's gone after the next election...Look for another Secretary of Education for the next 4 years...

I predict Rod Paige and Mineta (Sec. of Trans) are gone...

Later,
Steve

[Mulder]

What arrogrance.

While the NEA leadership does qualify as a "domestic enemy of the Constitution", to apply the label of "terrorist" is absurd, dishonest, and inflamatory.

It lends credence to those of us who have criticized the Patriot Act, Dept of Homeland Security, etc... by stating that the war on terrorism will be used for political purposes against those who are not in power at the moment.

Granted, no laws were used or abused in this case, but for a cabinet level official to make such an unsubstanted claim, (with all that it represents) is disturbing.

Also, it's interesting to note a double standard.

This bozo accuses a group of terrorism, then passes it off as a joke, and nothing happens. Joe SixPack makes a joke about terrorism at an airport and faces felony charges.

[fire_eye]

Still wasn't a smart thing to say with pinkocommirdraftdodgerliberals in the room.

What???

That's *exactly* the place to say it - right where lots of "Progressives" will be sure to go ballistic!! The fact that McAwful is calling this a "Hate Crime" indicates that Paige scored a direct hit right where it counts.

What's the matter with everyone here... did somebody hand out a bunch of weenie pills at the barbecue? This is exactly equivalent to Bush calling Clymer a... well, a Clymer, and Sen. Armey referring to Barney Frank as "Barney Fag"... etc.

And, like Bush and Armey, Paige now needs to apologize as profusely as possible and try to maintain a straight face while he's doing it. The "Progressives" at the NEA and the DNC and the etc. etc. can then go off howling and whining while half the country snickers in agreement with Paige, the way they did with Bush and Armey.

If Bush *fires* Paige as a result of this, the way people on this website are suggesting, I'm going to conclude HE'S gotten into the weenie pills too!!!

Furtherless, if the National-Socialist Education Association somehow manages to FORCE Paige's resignation, Bush should appoint Walter Williams in his place. Once Williams gets done with them, those sniveling brainwashers at the NEA will be off sacrificing chickens to the Moon Goddess or whatever it is "Progressives" are worshiping this week, *begging* for Paige to come back.

[MineralMan]

"Meanwhile, test scores continue to fail and a large proportion of those who enter college can't even properly conjugate a sentence. "

Really. Well, then, you must have gone to one of those terrible public schools. One conjugates VERBS, not sentences. One diagrams sentences.

[Clemenza]

Well, then, you must have gone to one of those terrible public schools.

I certainly did and am all the worse for it, wiseguy. :-(