A Florida teacher tells Obama he disappointed her

[Bluebear]

This was written by Miami public school teacher Jennie Smith, who attended President Obama’s speech last week at a Miami high school and a following education roundtable. Smith, incidentally, was the only teacher invited to the roundtable.

By Jennie Smith
I had the honor not only of attending President Obama’s speech at Miami Central High School, but also of participating in the President’s Education Roundtable following his speech. Of the 14 participants, I was the only teacher, and the only representative of a teacher’s union.

The president expressed respect for the teaching profession and he reiterated that teachers need to be honored for the challenging work that they do every day. As a teacher and a union member and activist in the audience at this speech, none of this stirred me much. What did create an impression--and not a positive one--was the fact that the president was sharing the stage with ex-governor Jeb Bush. He even congratulated Bush for his work in education reform:

"We are also honored to be joined here today by another champion of education reform, somebody who championed reform when he was in office, somebody who is now championing reform as a private citizen -- Jeb Bush...The truth is I’ve gotten to know Jeb because his family exemplifies public service. And we are so grateful to him for the work that he’s doing on behalf of education. So, thank you, Jeb."

My hackles went up immediately. In fact, I so resented hearing Jeb Bush lauded by the president -- for whom I voted and actively campaigned -- that during the Education Roundtable, I told the president directly that many of us teachers in Florida were very disappointed to see him sharing the stage with Jeb Bush and praising his education “reform” efforts, when the Bush agenda is really about privatization and destroying unions....THAT is why Florida teachers were disappointed in you, Mr. President, for sharing the stage with Jeb Bush. Public education is the foundation of democracy. Why are you betraying it for the foundation of a plutocracy?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/florida-teacher-tells-obama-yo.html

[notadmblnd]

1. The truth is that the only reason Jeb bush is for education reform

is because he plans on making $$$ on shit software his family plans to sell the government.

[DrDan]

2. "plans on making"???? the BFEE has been making money on that crap for years in Florida

[notadmblnd]

3. Of course, but still, there's more to be made.

they'll never be happy till they have it all.

[DrDan]

10. agree - that is their goal

[truedelphi]

4. Gee, Jenny, if only you were an executive

At AIG, Goldman Sachs, or several other notoriously "Too Big To Fail" outfits.

Why then the President might actually listen to you.

Your bad: you could have chosen to go into High Finance (And Pillaging and Debauchery.)

But no, you had to go and devote your life to the nation's school children.

You reap what you sow, kiddo.



<sarcasm intended>

[xchrom]

5. Recommend

[bvar22]

6. She never loved him.

:cry:

[katnapped]

9. Sounds like a racist too!

:sarcasm:

[bobbolink]

17. If she'd just give up on that pony!

[QC]

19. She's just jealous. n/t

[Bluebear]

26. She wants Pressszzzident Palllin!!!!

[Poboy]

7. Recommend

[VoteProgressive]

8. +1

[emilyg]

11. k/r

[lsewpershad]

12. Just wondering

what was his response?

[onethatcares]

13. what was his reply?

did he tell you that he'd put on comfortable shoes and walk the picket line with you?

I'm lost anymore with President Obama. I hear his words, I watch his actions and the two don't jibe.

Is it me? Is doublespeak the norm anymore?

I'm sorry, I didn't realize someone had just asked the same question (reason for edit)

[KurtNYC]

33. Education should not be a partisan issue, and we must work together in a bipartisan fashion to enact

more in the linked story. There is a sub head: "Obama's response ?"

[xchrom]

14. Kick

[QC]

15. K&R!

[Starry Messenger]

16. k&r

Only one teacher, doesn't that speak volumes.

[bobbolink]

18. Come now...he only has one ear!

Errr.....

[QC]

23. But being the only teacher there just makes her more special!

There, isn't that better?

[Starry Messenger]

24. She can be the one to train the robot replacements.

Maybe she'll get a plaque.

[QC]

25. Maybe she can be the voice in the earpiece.

You know, once she loses her real job.

[Bluebear]

28. +

[ReggieVeggie]

20. remember, she's NOT pissed

just `disappointed' :crazy:

[leftstreet]

21. K&R

[bigwillq]

22. K and R (nt)

[coalition_unwilling]

27. Obama lauding Bush is like Einstein lauding Hitler. Jesus, talk

about friggin tone deaf. Oh wait, Obama's going to take everyone left of center for granted and just court the right wing. Count me out. Won't get fooled again.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DirkGently]

29. Exactly. Don't know how Obama got on the Standardized Test Scam bandwagon, but there he is.

[Dappleganger]

30. Good for her!

It is very telling, who he chooses to listen to and who he pays only lip service.

[walldude]

31. K&R..

I'm surprised the "I have no kids in school and I'm not a teacher but I know everything about the issue" crowd hasn't been here yet...

[truebrit71]

34. "his family exemplifies public service"....oh for the love of Dog...

Are you fucking kidding me with this shit???


:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

Okay who pulled the switcheroo? Where's the guy from the campaign trail 'cos this guy is an imposter...