$CHOOL HOLY WAR (Atheist Gives $22.5 Million for Catholic School Fund; Rips Public ED)

NY Post ^ | May 24, 2007 | DAN MANGAN

[NYer]

The atheist philanthropist who gave the New York Archdiocese $22.5 million for Catholic school scholarships yesterday blasted the city's public school system as "lousy."

Robert Wilson laid the blame for the state of the public schools on the United Federation of Teachers, the union that represents teachers at city schools.

Wilson, 80, told Bloomberg News that his huge donation "was a chance for a very modest amount of money to get kids out of a lousy school system, and into a good school system."

Wilson's remarks came as the renowned former Wall Street investor and the archdiocese announced his donation to the Cardinal's Scholarship Fund, a pool of cash that subsidizes the education of inner-city kids in Catholic schools.

UFT President Randi Weingarten said, "It is too bad that Mr. Wilson, who did a wonderful thing by donating $22.5 million to the Archdiocese for Catholic schools, chose to taint it with an attack on New York City's public-school teachers and their union.

"Our dedicated men and women work hard every day to provide the best possible education to our more than 1.1 million students. They should be celebrated, not excoriated."

Wilson's gift - the largest such ever in the archdiocese's history - will allow 3,000 children to attend inner-city Catholic elementary schools of their choice.

Edward Cardinal Egan praised the philanthropist for his "historic and farsighted support."

Another Wall Street investor, who requested anonymity, has also given $4.5 million to the scholarship program upon hearing of Wilson's gift, according to archdiocese spokesman Joe Zwilling.

The archdiocese has now raised $97 million toward a $158 million goal for the Cardinal's Scholarship Program.

[NYer]

Wilson, 80, said in a phone interview today that although he is an atheist, he has no problem donating money to a fund linked to Catholic schools.

``Let's face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,'' Wilson said. ``Shunning religious organizations would be abhorrent. Keep in mind, I'm helping to pay tuition. The money isn't going directly to the schools.''

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[Rummyfan]

The atheist philanthropist who gave the New York Archdiocese $22.5 million for Catholic school scholarships yesterday blasted the city's public school system as "lousy."

Robert Wilson

I see Mr Wilson has a talent for understatement.....

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Thank God for atheists.

[taildragger]

Oprah, Bill and Melinda Gates have made it known they are not fond of public education, and now Mr. Wilson.

Ouch, all three have left a mark.....

[hunter112]

Can we atheists get a break around here for a week or two?

[MEGoody]

As long as there are no strings attached to this money. . .

[Always Right]

UFT President Randi Weingarten said, "It is too bad that Mr. Wilson, who did a wonderful thing by donating $22.5 million to the Archdiocese for Catholic schools, chose to taint it with an attack on New York City's public-school teachers and their union.

It's too bad the attack was well deserved.

[Romulus]

Thank God for atheists.

A man's immortal soul is worth a lot more than $22.5 million.

[ClearCase_guy]

Maybe Bill Gates has done more than I think he has -- I don't follow him all that closely. I keep hearing about him giving vast amounts to Africa and to AIDS charities and I always wish he'd give a couple billion toward some US Education solution.

If he's actually involvled in that sort of effort, I take my hat off to him.

[dashing doofus]

Well, atheist though he is, God bless Mr. Wilson for his generosity and right-headed remarks about NYC schools.

The AFT/NEA gang use the children argument as shamelessly as some politicians, IMO.

[Incorrigible]

LOL! Even godless heathens need respite.

[dashing doofus]

Oprah, Bill and Melinda Gates have made it known they are not fond of public education

I have heard "public education" described as "government schools." I like that description better....

[gjones77]

Honestly, I have no problem with atheists, many are fine people, some are not, just like religious people.

I believe it God, but I actually can’t stand those that throw their beliefs in you face and expect you to be the same or you’re going to hell.

They’re far worse in my mind.

None the less, it was a very generous gift on his part, and further proof that our public school system is junk.

[marshmallow]

I think many who describe themselves as atheists are actually agnostics. This man may be one.

[reagan_fanatic]

Can we atheists get a break around here for a week or two?

Make it a day or two and you've got a deal.

[Incorrigible]

The Gates Foundation gives way too much money to the public scholl systems around the country and New York City in particular.

Now they usually do so for experimental or magnet schools but the money they give frees up cash to enable the “lousy” school system to continue on.

Teaching is a difficult and honorable profession and yes there are plenty of bad teachers, administrators and especially union heads. But when it comes right down to it, itls clear that a majority of parents just don’t care.

[angcat]

LOL

[Raymann]

I’ve been here for years and I’ve never gotten a break. It’s funny though, I was just having a debate on another board with another atheist about the benefits of private education. Our conclusion was that even though it’s religious, most Catholic schools don’t indoctrinate their students and they offer a far superior education.

[Antoninus]

``Let's face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,'' Wilson said. ``Shunning religious organizations would be abhorrent. Keep in mind, I'm helping to pay tuition. The money isn't going directly to the schools."

This guy may be an atheist, but he's not stupid.

I pray that at the hour of his death, he may not be an atheist, either.