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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."