More confusion on the rally.
First, The Associated Press said:
Hundreds of people, including many school children who arrived by the
busload, gathered at the Statehouse on Tuesday, rallying for
legislation that would help parents send their young ones to private
schools.
Later in the day, The Associated Press said:
Thousands of people, including many private school children who arrived
by the busload, gathered at the Statehouse on Tuesday, rallying for
legislation that would help parents send their young ones to private
schools.
Maybe the busloads of "private school children" arrived after the first version was filed. I don’t know. Note the AP picture above, which was taken from a rather different angle from mine. And possibly at a different time; I don’t know.
Anyway, remember — for the truth, in all its infinite variety, come to Brad Warthen’s Blog, which is always first with the burst.
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Brad, Brad, Brad…
And you were doing so well! Great editorials on DOT, lobbying…man, I was so impressed. So proud! I was like a new Papa!
Now it appears that Scoppee woman has slipped u a “Cindy”…and now u are back to harping about small issues concerning education. Come on now…don’t let me down.
Get off this meaningless stuff (does size matter?)…and get back to doing your best work.
Beggin you, as SC needs results, and as there are zillions of people that will harp on the small stuff,
Chris
Chris, let’s get it right, shall we? It’s a “CindI” with an emphasized ‘I’ at the end. Seriously, and in her defense, she inherited this name from her parents so we can’t and don’t hold it against her. The hyphenated last name she did NOT inherit however ~ no, she took this piece of snootiness and self-absorption upon herself. Puh-leeze, it’s like she thinks anybody besides her cares what her maiden name is or was. Cindi has taken some ridiculous editorial positions over the years, and she can be relied upon to regularly knee-cap those who disagree with her. But this hyphenated last name thing, more than anything else, tells me that she isn’t worth my time and is certainly no one to whom I need pay attention. Ed
Read my above post quickly, it will only be a few moments before Brad blows it up. After all, he’ll say, that’s not what what this blog is about. I assert however that having fun with Rosse-Scoppes’ name is at least as relevant and productive as is the morbid fixation with jaundiced view of any school-choice event that he and others at “The State” take. Hey Brad, choice is good for abortionists and those who may want an abortion, why isn’t it good for those who may actually want an education for their kids? Ed
Brad, did you communicate your misgivings about the numbers to anyone in the news department? I see that Lisa Michals went with the “3,500-4,000” estimate of the organizers.
Michals used as supporting evidence the organizers’ claim to have chartered 60 buses which could hold a total of 2,400 people. Frankly, downtown Columbia would have been flooded with buses if that were the case.
Of course, Andre Bauer was “overwhelmed”– but, he’s thrilled anytime more than a handful of people pay attention to him, anyway.
Hey,
I did not mean to start a disrespectful thread. I was trying to be funny…sorry it failed. But I was serious about you doing the big things, and leaving the little things to the worker bees…
Again, the DOT and Lobbying editorials were dead on, and had an impact. That is the kind of journalistic leadership SC needs. Guessing at crowds that don’t matter, about an issue that is so clouded, impedes progress in areas where progress can be made.
Keep banging away…
Chris
Lest anyone mistake the above bizarre comments about me as being based on facts (not that most people would actually care), my name is not and never has been hyphenated.
Fished in! Poor Cindi — she couldn’t hold back. Of course, she IS setting the record straight.
Speaking of that, Ed, go back and read my column. "Choice" is most assuredly NOT OK for pro-abortion folk, as far as I’m concerned.
Anybody who starts off saying their issue is really about "choice" stirs my suspicion immediately.
I couldn’t resist checking out the blog, Brad. I posted this on the State House site from The State about the “Save Our Money” rally:
“Interesting that they had a rally during a school day. Guess that highlights one of the big differences in public and private schools. Attendance. Just leave a day of school to go lobby for a savings for your family.
While I understand why the people want the break, it is for a system that is not accountable. You can’t use my tax money for that.”
I have to take a personal day to go to College of Charleston for Presidents’ Day Monday. (My daughter has received a Presidential Scholarship.) I wonder if the teachers at the private schools had to take a personal day to go to the State House.
Nah.
Susan,
Gimme a break!
Virtually the entire educational system was turned into a Jim Rex campaign effort in 06. The Floyd campaign has reams of information about the political use of school computers, fax machines, teacher lounges and meetings, phone systems, etc…by the Rex camp.
So please, don’t pretend tax dollars are not regularly spent for political purposes!
“virtually the entire educational system”? As active as I was in discussing the issue, I didn’t send any faxes or sit at my desk typing emails for Rex. My students worked hard. We covered all the material. Guess I was the only teacher who didn’t make the Hoover files.
Susan, to Bishop Baker’s credit this was not a recruiting endeavor but an issue of social justice. That is a big deal in our Catholic Faith.
Chris,
Nice use of hyperbole. I have no idea what you exactly heard about the classroom computers, faxes, lounges, etc. being hotbeds of discussion about Jim Rex. I use my computer at school for school communication as well as parent communication, attendance, and record-keeping. I have very little time for anything else. I’m not sure what district Floyd used to gather her information, but it wasn’t mine that I am aware of.
And I’m not sure what “tax dollars” have to do with it. I was observing that the private schools are a very different entity when it comes to attendance. If I had taken my classes over there to participate in a protest for the “other side,” someone would have roasted the public school teacher and students who came and missed a day of school for political purposes.
Kind of like you did.
Chris,
Nice use of hyperbole. I have no idea what you exactly heard about the classroom computers, faxes, lounges, etc. being hotbeds of discussion about Jim Rex. I use my computer at school for school communication as well as parent communication, attendance, and record-keeping. I have very little time for anything else. I’m not sure what district Floyd used to gather her information, but it wasn’t mine that I am aware of.
And I’m not sure what “tax dollars” have to do with it. I was observing that the private schools are a very different entity when it comes to attendance. If I had taken my classes over there to participate in a protest for the “other side,” someone would have roasted the public school teacher and students who came and missed a day of school for political purposes.
Kind of like you did.
Chris,
Nice use of hyperbole. I have no idea what you exactly heard about the classroom computers, faxes, lounges, etc. being hotbeds of discussion about Jim Rex. I use my computer at school for school communication as well as parent communication, attendance, and record-keeping. I have very little time for anything else. I’m not sure what district Floyd used to gather her information, but it wasn’t mine that I am aware of.
As for “teacher lounge talk,” I wasn’t aware that tax dollars controlled my conversation while I’m at school. That’s news. I guess students can only talk about school subjects while on campus, right?
And I’m not sure what “tax dollars” have to do with any of what I said. I was observing that the private schools are a very different entity when it comes to attendance. If I had taken my classes over there to participate in a protest for the “other side,” someone would have roasted the public school teacher and students who came and missed a day of school for political purposes.
Kind of like you did.
As always…there is no purity like that of a SC school teacher. That is why I have NO hope of reform of the system…everyone in it is the model of perfection.
I have seen with my own eyes the records of school resources used in the 08 race. So I remain unconvinced by your arguments.
Chris
And you seem to forget that private schools are not supported by tax dollars…and certainly go to the state hours or anywhere else for that matter…
Speaking of computers and teachers, what does everyone think of the substitute teacher in Massachusetts (I think) who was charged with exposing kids to computer porn. Her defense was she was told to never turn the computer off and was only abiding by the rules when all of a sudden these things started popping up while the kids were trying to link from an innocent web site on hair styles (or something benign like that). Her defense seems plausible, but I don’t know. The potential penalty, up to 40 years, really is absurd though. Perhaps a few months probation, even if she’s lying, would be appropriate.
Chris,
I’m not sure why you have so little respect for the public school teacher. Maybe it is justified, and I’m sorry for whatever has happened to make you feel that way.
I am not trying to “argue” my point. I was pointing out that your use of the term “virtually the entire system” was exaggerated. I didn’t, and I’m not aware of any teachers around me doing so. At least no one approached me with political materials at school. The other teacher on here seems unaware as well. So, maybe it was confined to the upstate. Who knows? If you saw the evidence, you saw it. But I think you are overgeneralizing.
“Purity” seems to be an odd choice of words, though. I never thought of myself that way, though I feel that we are often held to higher standards than people in some professions. I understand why, for the most part, since we work with children and teenagers.
But we are voters and taxpayers as well. My gasoline and food costs the same. I just would like some of the hypocrisy to abate. The higher standards for testing, attendance, etc. apply to my students but not to others? Yet they want tax money?
Susan, Chris explained a few weeks ago that he spent some time with Floyd and apparently this shaped his whole view of our system.
He does have a point though, he saw some evidence so clearly almost all of us were guilty – impressive use of inductive reasoning.
Randy,
There you go thinking again. Please revert back to your worker bee status. I said my piece, she said hers. No need for you to chime in.
We know that you and the rest of the school system are without sin, hence the inability for us to achieve meaningful reform. No matter what the criticism, there is always the same response…it is not our fault (or we don’t have a choice, or we did not do it, etc)
Of course, I overstated the case for arguments sake. But you two brilliant representatives of the educational system have made my case for me by declaring that there is no politics in the school system. Well, Randy and Susan…anyone that has ever been in state government, or education, knows otherwise. So…it is so. My point is made. Thanks.
Chris
Actually, Chris, you have made a point that I believe: too many people outside of education thinks he or she knows better than the people in it. Why, I’m not sure, though. I guess it is just because just about everyone has been in school in some fashion, which is fair to a certain extent.
I don’t know your background. If it’s education, I’d be interested in knowing at what level. Public or private? Politics? What level? City? County? State? I am interested. Really. I think experience colors the perception of a situation.
You may think Mr. Ewart and I are dogmatically in support of our profession. Honestly, should it be any other way? If I weren’t passionate about my job, why would I do it? If I didn’t read political discussions about my profession, my life would be easier. But I can’t be that apathetic. I think part of the problem is that many not in education think teachers, like children, are not to be heard. Is it that hard for you to listen to us?
My pet theory, Susan: it’s fear. Just like some men are personally afraid of smart women, many of the hoi polloi are afraid (or resentful) of teachers.
Teachers bossed them around for a dozen years– sometimes making them feel inadequate, inferior or stupid. Since the vast majority of teachers are women, maybe male feelings of inadequacy does play a role in the resentment/fear.
Of course, one insight (that many of the critics aren’t even sophisticated enough to consider) is that if educators were to organize (politically or union-wise) then they’d be quite a force to be reckoned with.
I’ve never quite understood why educators aren’t more organized and forceful– at least at the district level. If I had the opportunity to vote for the board of directors of my employer I’d be thrilled.
Susan,
In reading your comments, their words and tone, I suspect you are a fine teacher. While we may disagree, I respect what you have said.
(Ready to Hurl…don’t weaken her argument by agreeing with her, and using that inflammatory language. Susan may affect me on this issue. You have not a chance)
More later…I need coffee now.
Chris
RTH,
I hope I don’t ever make my students or anyone else fear me. I’m not sure that’s a good motivator. I have always just hoped for respect.
In the many years I have taught, though, I have noticed the amount of respect for the public classroom teacher has almost bottomed out. Now I don’t mean by everyone. The majority of the parents of my students are very respectful toward me. I have noticed, though, that more parents are extremely vocal about what they perceive as injustice toward their children and more will blame teachers first. I have been very lucky so far (knock on wood), but that spectre always hovers there in the offing. (Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever NOT feared my job. I don’t mean the students. They are great. Just the fear of getting that phone call from that parent to be called down to the office to meet with that principal who has received a call from that superintendent…and so on.)
So, ironically, I guess, the fear is in me,placed there by people who don’t even sit in my classroom and who don’t know me.
Chris,
I have also noticed that with more and more changes coming from the State Department (and when are we EVER going to just stay ONE course??) our district offices are becoming more controlling, not allowing teachers their autonomy in the classroom. If a teacher is not doing his or her job, deal with that teacher. Don’t monitor every teacher to the point of frustration and burn-out. The more this education debate rages, the more teachers who are going to say, “Screw it.” All of it boils down to lack of respect.
When you made your comments that sounded as if you thought we were organized in some cabal trying to influence to SoE race, I wanted to let you know that my district as far as I know did not send stuff out. I am too busy doing my job during the day for that.
Both of you,
I don’t think teachers ever will organize totally because they aren’t expected to. And they know it. God forbid a teacher should speak her opinion. We see how people will react when we do.
I may dress different from the frontier times, I have much more technology, but I’m not sure we have moved from the days of the one-room school house in some ways.
chrisw, I’m mystified. Where did you get the idea that my mission on this blog is to convince you of anything?
This isn’t kindergarten and I’m not angling for Miss Congeniality. I made an observation. You’re free to disagree and debate it.
Clucking like a mother hen over my “inflammatory” language is richly ironic given the lambasting that rightwing has reserved for anyone disagreeing with their viewpoint for the past dozen years, or so.
The mistake that liberals/progressives have only begun to rectify is that we’ve been too accommodating, too respectful of a ruthless movement that seeks permanent power by any means– including destroying the opposition.
RTH
You make my point. If you are not here to persuade…then why are u here?
As I said before…your comments are designed to make yourself feel good, oh so smart…and yes, …superior.
So with you there is no conversation, no persuasion…just emotional release, in some orgasmic flatulence enjoyable to no one but you.
So…what is the point?.
Nihilism is boring. And seldom productive.
Chris, the recent “flatulence” on this site has come from the vibrating sphincter channeling your “conservative” thoughts towards your keyboard.
Long ago you championed the position of Floyd and supported your reasoning by admitting you “spent some time around her”. You based your compreshensive view on education on what amounted to 5 minutes of chatting with her. You need not admit that you “overstate your case”. It’s been obvious that you mispresent facts, which you also admitted you have little use for.
Chris, the recent “flatulence” on this site has come from the vibrating sphincter channeling your “conservative” thoughts towards your keyboard.
Long ago you championed the position of Floyd and supported your reasoning by admitting you “spent some time around her”. You based your compreshensive view on education on what amounted to 5 minutes of chatting with her. You need not admit that you “overstate your case”. It’s been obvious that you mispresent facts, which you also admitted you have little use for.
Randy, Randy, Randy,
Where in the world did u get that last little thought? 5 minutes with Karen Floyd?
My opinion of educations comes from 2 successful careers, business ownership, property ownership, charity work, running organizations on 3 continents, and many friends INSIDE the educational systems of this country and others, and a whole lotta life in-between that stuff.
You, dear Randy, my little energetic worker bee, should be more careful with your facts, and that is, after all, what I hope you are imparting to your students.
You and I just see the world differently. I am ok with that.
Chris
Chris,
your experiencial based opinion on education reflects a Dickens quote; “A smattering of everything, and a knowledge of nothing.”
Randy,
So only teachers can speak to education?
Only people in the armed forces to war?
Only politicians to government?
Only policeman to crime?
etc, etc…
Successful people often times are successful for a reason…perhaps you should think about that a bit.
Randy…your world is different than mine. I am ok with that.
Chris
Randy,
Most people misunderstand the old saying: “no man is a hero to his valet”.
Most think it means that the servant sees the master when he is at his worst…ill, hung over, tired, angry, or otherwise not in his best form.
But the real meaning is that the master has a different world view than that of the servant. And the master’s world view is that usually expansive and enlightened, and demonstrates success and progress…and the servants view is smaller, rigid and simple.
I do not mean to imply that you and I have any such relationship. Nor do I mean to be insulting…but I do insist that certain world views make “things happen”, while others are better suited to following guidelines. Both world views are valid, and can be enjoyable for both men. But there is a reason why one man works for the other.
Our world views are quite different. And I am ok with that.
Chris
“Nor do I mean to be insulting…” – Chris
“Don’t pay much attention to it…I am sure it is a slip up. Lindsey usually hires graduates of SC public schools…” – Chris
“So with you there is no conversation, no persuasion…just emotional release, in some orgasmic flatulence enjoyable to no one but you.” – Chris
“There you go thinking again. Please revert back to your worker bee status.” – Chris
Chris, do you not read what you type? These are examples of your flimsy attempts to back track on what you’ve posted. It also reflects your hypocrisy as you chastise others for “inflammatory language”.
I was on drugs when I wrote that. I think.
Chris
I was on drugs when I wrote that. I think.
Chris
as if that was the cause