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]

Yes, I agree with you, JohnGalt: the word "Republic" would have REALLY raised some eyebrows -- and impressed people! :)

[AmericaUnited]

Did aliens take over this guys body and mind?

[In mourning for six years]

Dear Summer: Thank you for posting the information--maybe there is hope after all. Sadly, the teacher's union here in NY is equivalent to the Gestapo. It is either their way or no way.

[I am still Casey]

Aw come on, fellow posters. Why all the cynicism?

The words written by NEA President Bob Chase certainly sound sincere to me. Will you not concede that the attack of 9/11 served to knock some sense into a lot of heads?

Granted there are undoubtedly many among us who will never give up their ultimate agenda, but then there's nothing like a severe bolt of reality to cause many others to pause and question that which is really important when a nation is threatened en masse.

We should welcome any and all who finally recognize we are stronger as "one" than as "many".

[summer]

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.

Dear dwbh,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post and respond.

And, I agree with you, in that: teachers with independent minds are NOT going to blindly follow the NEA -- yes, dwbh, many of those teachers already left the union. That's why I'm addressing my post to those still in the union. Still blindly voting for whatever candidate appears on the NEA endorsement mailings, even when the candidate has not done anything to help teachers ever.

But, here is what you said that I strongly DISAGREE with: "subjects that are not related to education." What do you mean by this? Are you saying that "current events," "American History," and other such subjects have no place in the classroom? Really?

Finally, if teachers are criticizing this war -- this war that we are fighting as a result of having been attacked -- then, in my opinion, such teachers have NO "moral convictions" -- and, consequently, should not be teaching in the first place.

dwbh, you know I enjoy chatting with you, even when we disagree. If you care to elaborate on your response, I would be interested in hearing what else you have to say, as you have not swayed me one bit.

Sincerely,

An independent-minded, FL certified teacher

[summer]

We should welcome any and all who finally recognize we are stronger as "one" than as "many".

A huge BTTT for you! :)

[summer]

Sadly, the teacher's union here in NY is equivalent to the Gestapo. It is either their way or no way.

LOL, because I know you are correct....I often read the public statements of the union president.

But, here is a dream I keep having lately: In November 2004, GW wins NY by a LANDSLIDE -- much to the shock of the teacher union president. And, one of his strongest blocks of support comes from outstanding teachers, the firefighters, the policemen, etc. The real people of New York.

[summer]

LOL!

[KC_for_Freedom]

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, I have not seen this either, but a liberal friend at work is confused and angry that this attack has forced him to re-examine his principles and join with conservatives in supporting this president and war. It is interesting to watch as he twists and turns to spin any scrap of data that he can find to cling to the idea that multiculturalism, gun control, open borders, or Clinton have actually been good for the country.

I hope the present leads to a future where the above "issues" continue to decline until they are finally recognized for the frauds that they are. If the teacher's union president recognizes even part of this perhaps the anti-american sentiment in our educational institutions can also be overturned.

PS, I had another class to teach, (as part of my job) Its was great. Keep up the good work.

[summer]

BTW, I love your screen name. :)

[summer]

If the teacher's union president recognizes even part of this perhaps the anti-american sentiment in our educational institutions can also be overturned.

PS, I had another class to teach, (as part of my job) Its was great. Keep up the good work.

KC, Thanks, and great to hear from you. I'm so glad you are teaching! :)

[In mourning for six years]

Now that would be a "dream" indeed! LOL! The police and fireman supported Bush in this election, unfortunately there are far too few of them. Add that to the massive population of liberal New York City and voter fraud, we are usually stuck with what ever Democrats want to throw at us. Hillary, Chuckie, Maloney, McCarthy, Rangel, Owens, Weiner, well the list goes on and on and on........

[summer]

....true, but in real life, and not in a dream -- I saw and heard the standing ovation and wild, loud cheering of New Yorkers when GW came out to throw the first ball at Yankee Stadium (which, BTW, holds 56,000 people). THAT was a microcosim of the REAL New York! :)

[OldFriend]

Seems to me this is just a bit too clintonesque.

[Gumption]

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.

Holy yaktibay! I almost dropped my kids Halloween candy when I got to this part.

Noooo I'm not searching for the good candy while they're at school. What? Why do I have it? ... ummm ... I gotta go now.

[dwbh]

And, I agree with you, in that: teachers with independent minds are NOT going to blindly follow the NEA -- yes, dwbh, many of those teachers already left the union. That's why I'm addressing my post to those still in the union. Still blindly voting for whatever candidate appears on the NEA endorsement mailings, even when the candidate has not done anything to help teachers ever.

You can't make the assumption that everyone that supports the NEA platform is doing so "blindly". Agreement is not the same as willful ignorance.

But, here is what you said that I strongly DISAGREE with: "subjects that are not related to education." What do you mean by this? Are you saying that "current events," "American History," and other such subjects have no place in the classroom? Really?

Of course not. There is a separation between how a teacher feels about current events and how the teacher teaches those current events. It's not impossible to teach a subject objectively while feeling very strongly one way or the other about it. In fact, I would say that ability would be what separates those who teach from those who proselytize.

Finally, if teachers are criticizing this war -- this war that we are fighting as a result of having been attacked -- then, in my opinion, such teachers have NO "moral convictions" -- and, consequently, should not be teaching in the first place.

I think being a pacifist at a time when 90% of the country strongly disagrees with you shows a huge amount of moral conviction. Regardless of whether you think they're right or wrong for feeling the way they do, at least they are standing up for the way they feel, which is the very definition of conviction.

[summer]

You can't make the assumption that everyone that supports the NEA platform is doing so "blindly". Agreement is not the same as willful ignorance.

Great point, dbwh: you CAN'T make the assumption that "everyone that supports the NEA platform is doing do 'blindly.'

To advance that thought one step further:

The NEA's official "platform" at this moment in time is, in fact:

"TEACHERS: SUPPORT GW IN THIS WAR ON TERRORISM,"

as per my lead -- me, the president of your union, Bob Chase.

So, dwbh, whether one listens to Bob Chase or not, one can now assume what you imply:

Teachers -- in the union or not -- DO exist who support GW, and: do NOT offer their support "blindly." In conclusion, whether union or non-union, teachers may be WILLFULLY agreeing with GW and NEA President Bob Chase not out of "ignorance" as you presume, but because they are: "patriotic."

This "patriotism" is what I believe GW and the First Lady assume about teachers, as well as the president of the NEA, Bob Chase -- since he calls his packet of info for teachers: "The Patriot Packet." (And, NOT: "How to show some sympathy to Terrorists at this moment in time.")

Again, as you pointed out:

Agreement with the NEA president's support of GW does not indicate "blind acceptance" nor willful "ignorance".

And, as I extended your thoughts:

Such agreement, by teachers, may indicate: willfull patriotism.

Excellent point, dwbh!

Thanks!

Now, I will read the rest of your most recent post.... :)

[summer]

"subjects that are not related to education."

As for your original comment above -- are you saying "subject" to mean: the teacher's "feelings"?

Well, like it or not, the teacher's "feelings" often impact what information is disseminated by a teacher to students, and what information is omitted or downplayed by a teacher. That's a fact, dwbh. Like it or not.

So, when the NEA President Bob Chase PUBLICLY says:

TEACHERS, SUPPORT GW IN THIS WAR ON TERRORISM,

then, perhaps "anti-war teachers" will set aside their adverse feelings about war, and teach students more about the relationship between war and this country's very existence.

Some teachers do NOT teach the history of our country this way. It's like the difference between teaching your own child about the actual reproduction systems of the birds, the bees, and humans; or: clinging to that stork story for as long as possible.

[summer]

"subjects that are not related to education."

As for your original comment above -- are you saying "subject" to mean: the teacher's "feelings"?

Well, like it or not, the teacher's "feelings" often impact what information is disseminated by a teacher to students, and what information is omitted or downplayed by a teacher. That's a fact, dwbh. Like it or not.

So, when the NEA President Bob Chase PUBLICLY says:

TEACHERS, SUPPORT GW IN THIS WAR ON TERRORISM,

then, perhaps "anti-war teachers" will set aside their adverse feelings about war, and teach students more about the relationship between war and this country's very existence.

Some teachers do NOT teach the history of our country this way. It's like the difference between teaching your own child about the actual reproduction systems of the birds, the bees, and humans; or: clinging to that stork story for as long as possible.

[summer]

To ALL: sorry for the above double-post. I meant to post my reply only to dwbh.