Re: Response to Wall Street Journal editorial on Michelle Rhee

[monicalucido@comcast.net]

Tauna,

Thanks for writing this response. The article was absolutely enraging. When terms like "holding feet to the fire" and "If they're feeling the pressure--good!" are used, the focus is on maintaining fear and intimidation at the school site. Notice on how she never met with her prize teachers for any input. It was all focused on administration. She also states, "I would never, as long as I am in this role, do anything to limit another parent's ability to make a choice for their child. " Yet when the COMMUNITY is "screaming bloody murder" at the ludicrousness of the situation, Klein and friends support her and IGNORE THEIR WISHES. This is almost as if to say, "You parents, bah! You don't know what's good for you. We'll show you what's right for your child, even if we have to manipulate you to get our way." As if parents don't know what is healthy for their kids. What she is is a soldier, and she's following orders from the Fourth Reich---Corporate Undemocracy. Truly maddening!

Thanks,
Joe Lucido
EPATA
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Tauna Rogers" <taunar@plateautel.net>
> The article I responded to:
> http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110011029
> 
> You must read it to appreciate how awful it really is.
> 
> Here's what I just sent in response. Of course I seriously doubt they'll post 
> it:
> 
> My, what a hotbed of privatization and opportunism D.C. public schools are! For 
> the children, yes. 
> 
> I'm thinking of a poem or song. Maybe I'll title it "Waves of Nausea" in honor 
> of the many, many opportunists lining up to cash in on public school 'failure'. 
> For the children, yes.
> 
> I just cannot tell you how impressed I am that Rhee's first act as Chancellor 
> was to get rid of a couch, chair, and TV. Indeed, when does an accountability 
> Nazi ever "have time to sit"? And while I'm doling out compliments, let me 
> commend the Wall Street Journal for your always truthful and balanced reporting 
> about public education. You guys have really made a practice of digging for the 
> truth, haven't ya? Is this what they call investigative journalism? Guess so, 
> John Stossel style. Cowards! 
> 
> But back to Rhee. An accountability chief (yet another) who herself lasted a 
> mere three years in the classroom before discovering her real $value$ "was as an 
> external player". For the children.
> 
> In the spirit of Christmas, may I say that those who really have the interest of 
> children at heart rather than an agenda do not feel compelled to market 
> themselves as saviors of disadvantaged children. Nor does a heart with pure 
> intentions glory in the business of demeaning, oppressing, and demoralizing the 
> very people actually on the ground and in the trenches with the children.  
> 
> But let it not go unsaid that the destruction of public education, our greatest 
> civic institution, is not about the truth. It is about marketing. 
> Externals, yes. For the children. May Rhee and Co. receive their reward in full.
>