Letter to President Bush, from the Teacher Union President: We Support You in the War on Terrorism

Teachers' Union -- NEA -- Online ^ | Undated, but similiar letters to others dated: Oct. 5, 2001 | NEA President Bob Chase

[summer]

Letter to President Bush
from NEA President Bob Chase

Dear Mr. President:

We Americans are a diverse and often divided family, but at this time of tragedy we stand united - one nation indivisible. We are united by our shared grief, and also by our resolve to root out and punish those who have attacked our homeland.

Nearly one in one hundred Americans is a member of the National Education Association. I want you to know that, as President and Commander in Chief, you have our wholehearted support at this time of crisis. You should also know that, in recent days, teacher unions from around the world have expressed their strong solidarity with America. Those who love freedom and democracy are rallying to America's flag and to your leadership as President in the war on terrorism.

You have our strong support - and our prayers - as you make the fateful decisions necessary for America to prevail. The 2.6 million members of the National Education Association stand with you, and we stand ready to assist you in any way we can.

May God give you wisdom and strength, Mr. President, and may God bless our great nation.

Sincerely,

Bob Chase
President

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Letter to NEA Board of Directors
from NEA President Bob Chase
October 5, 2001

Dear NEA Board of Directors Member:

As President Bush so compellingly argued in his speech to Congress, the terrorists attacked America because they despise our values. We will defeat this enemy by arms and law, but also by holding fast to the core values that define us as Americans: our freedom, our liberties, our commitment to an open, tolerant, democratic society.

Of necessity, public schools will be a frontline institution in this new era. America's domestic security will depend on more than metal detectors and sky marshals. It also will depend on the values taught in America's public schools. In the months and years ahead, it is our challenge as educators to guide an entire generation of young Americans to understand the freedom and democratic ideals that are at stake in this struggle.

With this in mind, I am passing along this packet of source materials that I hope you will find useful - and inspiring. Included are America's founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. There are also backgrounders on Islam and the Arab world; resource lists on school safety and helping children cope with loss; a booklet titled "The Bible & Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide;" and much more.

When you get back home to your schools and communities, I encourage you to reproduce and disseminate items in this packet that you find especially useful. If there are other ways that we at NEA headquarters can assist you in responding to the events of September 11, don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Bob Chase
NEA President

[summer]

As some of you know, I am a FL certified teacher, a lifelong former Dem and now an independent voter. I am also a former member of the teachers' union.

I have my own gripes about the union, and I discussed such in a PRO-Jeb Bush editorial I wrote, available on my profile page, called: "The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 1." You can click on my screen name if you want to see this editorial.

The reason I posted this letter I found on the NEA's web site is because:

If there are some "anti-war [despite the fact we've been attacked] teachers" lurking or posting on this site, who happen to be unaware of the teacher union president's official position with respect to this war we are fighting as a result of having been attacked, then, it is my sincere hope such teachers will find out, here on FR:

The teacher union president officially supports GW in this war on terrorism [even though I myself have never seen nor heard this supportive position mentioned to date in any mainstream media].

[summer]

To ALL: It's a little early for me, but of course, you know what I meant to say about myself is: I am formerly a lifelong Dem.

[summer]

Thanks again for your help. :)

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

FYI.

[oc-flyfish]

No problem. My pleasure.

[summer]

:)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Mr. Mulliner]

I have to say that I'm a little surprised by this strong show of support by the NEA. Even a cynic would have a hard time criticizing this kind of support from the teachers' union. Still, I bet there are more than a few political leaders in the NEA who are in anguish over this vocal show of support by their union.

[abclily]

If the NEA truly wished success for this country, they would have supported Bush in the general election. Now they want on the winning side. The NEA undermines our nation by campaigning against quality education for our younger citizens. The NEA is not about education. The NEA is about money, as they rake in a share of each member's paycheck. Each time a member gets a raise the dues in NEA increase.

[Miss Marple]

Thank you for posting this. It is obvious the media are trying to divide the nation. At every turn we must keep the unity going and debunk the lies that we hear over the airways.

Peter Jennings and the ABC president are first on my list of those who must go.

[dwbh]

Well summer, this is a nice sentiment, but teachers with independent minds are not going to blindly follow the NEA when it comes to subjects that are not related to education. If they criticize the war, most likely they are doing it out of their own moral convictions.

[summer]

My pleasure. Thank you for your post.

And, I agree with you: the nation IS united, and the media should be reporting THAT.

Also, IMO, Peter Jennings is long overdue for retirement or being fired.

[In mourning for six years]

Dear Summer: While I am impressed by this unprecendented show of support for a Republican president, I will reserve my judgement for later. There are far too many public school teachers who embrace their college brainwashing for them to suddenly see the light and become sane. During the 1992 election teachers were "encouraged" to watch a campaign video for Clinton/Gore. After watching the video they were "encouraged" to make a donation by signing a paper and making a pledge. If they did not they were visited by their unon reps. Once again they were "encouraged," most forcibly to participate. I knew a few who were Republican but gave any way in order to avoid ostracism by their rabid dem colleagues.

[JohnGalt]

Those who love freedom and democracy are rallying to America's flag and to your leadership as President in the war on terrorism.

I would rather this man love his freedom and our Republic...and these people are in charge of teaching our children?

[summer]

Still, I bet there are more than a few political leaders in the NEA who are in anguish over this vocal show of support by their union.

Dear Singapore_Yank,

Thank you for posting. I agree with you. My advice to those NEA leaders in anguish over this show of support for GW is this:

(1) Look, again, at the new NY skyline;

(2) Recall how innocent civilians were forced to leap to their death of the WTC;

(3) Take two aspirin; and

(4) Start publicly supporting your own union president and our nation's president a lot more vigorously than you are right now.

[summer]

death of the WTC; = death from the WTC

[Alas]

Also, IMO, Peter Jennings is long overdue for retirement or being fired.

petey jenning should be tried for and then shot for his out and out teasonous behaoviour. The least that shuld happen is that he be deportd in disgrace.

Nukem

[summer]

Thank you for posting. I understand your concerns, and that is why I was so specific in posting my reasons for publicly sharing this info. I also greatly appreciate that you acknowledge such support for a GOP president, though, again, I remind you: I myself have my own gripes with this union! Sincerely, summer :)

[summer]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this thread. :)