sponsor cancels anti-"no child left behind" author at ed. conference

[villager]

don't you dare question the regime!

To All Educators, Librarians, and Media Specialists

Regarding the cancellation of my appearance at the IRA in Chicago for May 2 and 3, 2006

A few months ago I was approached by The Buchanan Associates in Dublin, OH to appear at the International Reading Association Conference in Chicago on May 2 and 3, 2006. I was to be part of 5 events. Speeches, 'meet and greet' and book signings. I was happy to accept the invitation which, I assumed, was coming from the I.R.A. and my publisher. It is always such an honor for me to speak and interact with teachers and librarians from around the country.

But, then, a very disturbing turn of events transpired. My staff started receiving phone calls and emails from this firm in Ohio requesting that I furnish them with a detailed written outline of what I intended to include in my speeches. I assumed, of course, that this was asked so that a synopsis of my content could be included in a printed broch ure furnished to the conferees.

You can imagine my astonishment when I finally called this firm and learned that this was not the reason. They requested my written outline because their 'client' wanted to make sure that I would not discuss my deep concern about NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND MANDATE...as well as my concern that there is a link between this mandate and the SRA/McGraw Hill Company who manufactures, prints, and profits from the sale of these tests to school systems all over our country. It was then that I closely reviewed all if the emails (I had not up until this time because I had been doing school visits and was not home until now) I then realized that the "client" that this firm referred to, but never names, was indeed, SRA/McGraw Hill! I also learned from the Officials of the IRA that SRA/McGraw Hill was indeed sponsoring the event that I had been invited to. I was shocked!

This "firm" insisted that my speech be "upbeat, non-controversial, and non-poli tical"...I countered with the fact that the plight of the American teacher is far from "upbeat" and they are caught in the vice grip of the most controversial and political LIE that has ever been perpetrated on the American teacher. I was also quite mystified as to why SRA/McGraw Hill would even select ME and invite me to be a part of their program knowing how strongly I feel about this entire situation.

<snip>

http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=402

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I am now glad I am no longer an IRA member

What a crock!

[villager]

2. maybe a mass IRA resignation is in order?

n/t

[SoCalDem]

3. Too bad he did not supply them with what they wanted, and then

give the speech he planned to make:(..

It's telling that we now have to plan guerrilla-type events to be "allowed" to speak..

That's what the 'so-called MSM' is missing in the Colbert event.. People with opposing viewpoints get so FEW opportunities to counter the spin, that they have to wait for live events and practice some deception. Even then, the "re-airing" can be censored, but at least when it was LIVE, they had their say..

[villager]

4. also why they want to "geld" the net, as it were...

controlling all means of distribution...

[IndyOp]

5. An EveryDay Heroine we have here....

Someone who refuses to play non-politics to make friends and maintain influence.

LEADER!! :applause:

[villager]

6. this is where our new "leaders" are coming from...

it sure ain't politics...

[villager]

7. More from Patricia Palaco:

To All Educators, Librarians, and Media Specialists
Regarding the cancellation of my appearance at the IRA in Chicago for
May 2 and 3, 2006

A few months ago I was approached by The Buchanan Associates in Dublin,
OH to appear at the International Reading Association Conference in
Chicago on May 2 and 3, 2006. I was to be part of 5 events. Speeches,
'meet and greet' and book signings.

I was happy to accept the invitation which, I assumed, was coming from
the I.R.A. and my publisher. It is always such an honor for me to speak
and interact with teachers and librarians from around the country.
But, then, a very disturbing turn of events transpired. My staff
started receiving phone calls and emails from this firm in Ohio
requesting that I furnish them with a detailed written outline of what
I intended to include in my speeches. I assumed, of course, that this
was asked so that a synopsis of my content could be included in a
printed broch ure furnished to the conferees.

You can imagine my astonishment when I finally called this firm and
learned that this was not the reason. They requested my written outline
because their 'client' wanted to make sure that I would not discuss my
deep concern about NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND MANDATE...as well as my concern
that there is a link between this mandate and the SRA/McGraw Hill
Company who manufactures, prints, and profits from the sale of these
tests to school systems all over our country.

It was then that I closely reviewed all if the emails (I had not up
until this time because I had been doing school visits and was not home
until now) I then realized that the "client" that this firm referred
to, but never names, was indeed, SRA/McGraw Hill! I also learned from
the Officials of the IRA that SRA/McGraw Hill was indeed sponsoring the
event that I had been invited to. I was shocked!

This "firm" insisted that my speech be "upbeat, non-controversial, and
non-poli tical"...I countered with the fact that the plight of the
American teacher is far from "upbeat" and they are caught in the vice
grip of the most controversial and political LIE that has ever been
perpetrated on the American teacher.

I was also quite mystified as to why SRA/McGraw Hill would even select
ME and invite me to be a part of their program knowing how strongly I
feel about this entire situation.

My speeches certainly do inspire teachers...I truly believe they are
among the last heroes we have in our country... but I always mention
the destructive path that is laying wasted to our schools and that is
the No Child Left Behind Mandate! I did mention to them that I
considered this broaching "censorship" and a violation of my freedom of
speech.

Finally, after receiving numerous emails from this 'firm' that got more
and more 'insistent'...I finally sent them a written refusal to alter
my speeches in any way. Certainly I can moderate their length, but I
refused to alter the content. I made them aware if they truly had a
problem with this, then they could "un-invite" me to be part of their
event.

Needless to say, SRA/McGraw Hill cancelled my programs within the hour!
My main concern here, is that I very much fear the conferees will be
led to believe that it is I who cancelled this event. The cancellation
was the choice of SRA/McGraw Hill and was generated by a blatant
attempt to CENSOR my remarks and the content of what I say to teachers.
Which is a clear infringement of my constitutional right to freedom of
speech. I pride myself on being an advocate for America's teachers as
well as being one of the most reliable speakers at conferences in our
country.

My lawyers and I have sent a formal request to SRA/McGraw Hill through
their representative, The Buchanan Associates in Dublin, Ohio, to post
the following signs outside of each venue at the conference where I am
schedules to speak:

DUE TO PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SRA/McGRAW HILL AND PATRICIA
POLACCO, SRA/McGRAW HILL HAS CHOSEN TO CANCEL ALL OF PATRICIA POLACCO'S
APPEARANCES AT THIS EVENT

Call anyone you know that was either going to attend my events, or that
did and was disappointed and tell them why this happened.

I am very disturbed by this on may levels. It seems that we Americans
are losing, by leaps and bounds, our constitution "guaranteed" rights.
I am insulted and very offended not only on my own behalf, but also
because of these various organizations that seek to profi from the
misery for our teachers and school children. Profits and money seem to
matter much more that truly making changes to our educational systems
that would truly help our children. I have to admit that I have a
certain amount of pride in taking this stand on your behalf.
Yours faithfully,

— Patricia Polacco
website

[countingbluecars]

8. This makes me ill.

I will pass it on to the teachers at my school. We need to keep this in mind when it comes time to adopt textbooks.

[villager]

9. yes!

thanks for passing this along...

[villager]

10. one more a.m. punt...

to spread the word...