The Mis- Education of black/brown/poor students in Huntsville, AL continues

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Students marched from the current Lee High School to the new one this morning in reaction to a proposal to eliminate the Lee High School name when a newly constructed replacement school opens in the fall.
"students plan to walk outside during today's lunch period and sing the school's Alma Mater in a show of solidarity, then march at 5 p.m. from the Sonic Drive-In on Pratt Avenue to the Annie Merts Center at 200 White St., where the school board will meet at 5:30 p.m."

Does anybody else see the humor in this? Employing a civil right styled march to save the name of Robert E. Lee? I wonder if Hank, Jr is going to join them.

I don't see the humor, I see the miseducation of the negro African American historian Carter G. Woodson wrote about.

The Mis-Education of the Negro is a book originally published in 1933 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson[1]. The thesis of Dr. Woodson's book is that African-Americans of his day were being culturally indoctrinated, rather than taught, in American schools. This conditioning, he claims, causes African-Americans to become dependent and to seek out inferior places in the greater society of which they are a part. He challenges his readers to become autodidacts and to "do for themselves", regardless of what they were taught

Case in point, the majority-black student population organized a protest to keep a school named after a Confederate Civil War General and they think they are doing something???!!!! Ain't that a dip? I mean, really, we must laugh to keep from crying at the irony. It's like chickens marching in support of Colonel Sanders.

So, while majority black/brown/poor students were out there singing and marching about a proposed name change, a name change I support 100%, Teach for America is coming to black/brown/poor schools in Huntsville, thanks to Three Stooges despite One Brave Lady.

Using the logic of the Huntsville City Board of Education, University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban should only use his youngest, most inexperienced players when his team plays a Top Ten opponent.

Anyone who pays attention to education knows that the most persistently poor-performing schools are those in impoverished neighborhoods. For example, there are nine schools in the Huntsville system where more than 90 percent of students receive free-reduced lunches. According to an analysis by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, none of these schools have reading and math scores where all grades (three through eight) are equal to or above state average.

By comparison, of the five schools where all grades are above state average, free-reduced lunches range from 4 to 25 percent.

But in spite of this, the Board of Education plans to hire 110 Teach for America teachers over the next three years and put them in schools in poor neighborhoods. These are recent college graduates, most of whom got degrees in something other than education and will receive a five-week crash course in how to teach before being sent off to work in the city’s most challenging schools.

I don’t believe this is the way Coach Saban thinks.

Nick Saben doesn't think that way because he wasn't mis-educated. He had access to the best education his parent's tax dollars could buy.

There is no HOPE for black/brown/poor students in Huntsville. I wish the people that were so so adamant about the name change at Lee High School use their influence and focus attention on the issues/policies/actions by the school board and the Superintendent that matter because they have a real impact on the future generations.

F the dumb stuff. Children are our future. Education is the HOPE of the republic. It's our only HOPE for CHANGE we can Believe in.
History shows that it does not matter who is in power... those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.
When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."[2]Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Redeye's Week in Review

O-M-G. The right christian conservative Alabama republican party is standing in the need of much prayer. The Rev. Wesley is doubtless spinning in his grave with sufficient velocity to register on the seismograph at nearby King’s College.

Wesley’s eternal rest has certainly been disturbed by the actions of one of his ministers in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. This comes about because the contest for the seat in House District 12 features not one, but two ordained Methodist ministers. The Democratic incumbent, the Rev. Rep. James Fields, made national news, being noted in The New York Times. This spotlight came because Fields, an African American, won the seat in a 2008 special election in a district that is 98% white. Fields is a retired state employment service staffer who is active as a Methodist minister.

Field Negro notes it's that time again...

As we get closer to November 2nd, his O ness and the dems are making their usual push for votes from the usual suspects. Old reliable. Black folks. Truth is, if black folks actually get out and vote come Tuesday, that well touted republican tsunami will be more like a huge wave.

What's the matter with Florida democrats? Is the possibility of an African American Senator just too much for them to swallow? Instead of pressuring Kendrick Meeks to drop out of the race they should be pressuring Charlie Crist to drop out and throw his support to Meeks. But nooooo, that would be too much like right (pun intended). White Florida democrats would rather lose than support a black man. We shall overcome someday. Sigh* Kendricks Meeks was right (no pun) not to quit. He is the kind of democratic candidate/elected official I wish we had instead of the democratic candidates/elected officials we have.

Meek showed a lot of backbone in declining the suggestion. I have no doubt it was tempting. After all, Clinton could argue that unless Meek got out (and endorsed Crist), the Republican will win. Presumably, Meek could be blamed for electing Rubio. Quitting could make him a "hero," while refusing to bow out could make him seem selfish or stubborn.

But Meek made the right move for his party and for his career.

First, it's important to note that Meek's exit might have also impacted the Florida gubernatorial campaign, which is very tight. Depressing the Democratic base -- especially African-Americans who are likely to turn out for Meek -- could have cost Democrats the governorship (an especially big deal this year as states are about to reapportion and redistrict congressional seats).

What's more, quitting now would be a disservice to all the Democrats who contributed financially to, and volunteered for, Meek. And never mind all the people who may have already "wasted" their votes on him during early voting.

But it's also important to note that this was the right move for Kendrick Meek, too. As Winston Churchill said, "Nations which went down fighting rose again, but those which surrender tamely are finished." I suspect the same could be said for political candidates.

Uh Oh, here comes the race baiting gop to Meeks rescue.

MEEK'S REPUBLICAN CHAMPIONS EMERGE.... It was always the scenario Republicans feared. The only development likely to prevent Marco Rubio (R) from winning Florida's U.S. Senate race fairly easily is if Kendrick Meek (D) stepped aside, and his supporters shifted to Gov. Charlie Crist (I). And as we learned overnight, as of a week ago, that very nearly happened.

But now that the deal appears to have fallen through, Republicans have a new message: the entire effort is evidence of some kind of racism. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement:

"President Clinton's actions to have Kendrick Meek withdraw from the campaign sends a chilling signal to all voters, but especially African Americans. One can only imagine the response if Republican leadership tried to force out of the race -- in the 11th hour -- a qualified black candidate like Kendrick Meek."

I can only shake my head...

party unity isn't something that just happens, it requires communication, a certain amount of give and take and respect for a diversity of opinions says the person who banned me from the front pages of right leaning Left in Alabama. Big D Democrat Representative Randy Hinshaw called for democrats to circle the wagons and pull together in November. With all due respect to Rep. Hinshaw, it's kind of hard to support a party that takes your vote for granted. I am the kind of democrat that always votes a straight ticket, but I'm putting party leadership on notice, this is the last year I will vote for candidates who pander to the right at the expense of the base to get elected then govern like republicans. I will either under vote or write in a name. I'm tired of being thrown under the bus. If I wanted a republican representative I would vote republican. You got that? What CPL said;

What I'm really not liking is that our votes are being used as food stamps - then we get flung under the bus when the elections are over.

We don't get seats at the table; we have virtually no input in policy making; but they want us to get the hell out and vote like we have influence on outcomes. We DO; don't get me wrong, but I'm tired of being called up like some kind of trick - good for a vote and nothing more.

gop state Senator Paul Sandford lost no time in using the recent bribery convictions for his political gain. He is running TeeVee ads dressed in a black apron pushing a wheelbarrow full of black trash bags and dumping them in a dumpster. Uh, who are you calling "trash" Senator Sanford? Democrats? Black democrats? Using convictions for political gain are nothing new for Sanford, he used Sue Schmitz conviction in his previous race. Speaking of Sue Schmitz she will celebrate her 65th birthday on November 3, 2010. In honor of her birthday please Vote for democrats on November 2 and send her a birthday card to let her know we remember her for her contributions and her public service on behalf of ALL the constituents in her district.

SUZANNE L SCHMITZ
#26831-001
FMC LEXINGTON
SATELLITE CAMP
P.O. BOX 14525
LEXINGTON, KY 40512

I will be off line this weekend attending the Coal Bowl at Legion Field. Full report when I return.

VOTE like your lives depend on it.

PAC Hypocrisy Edition

What's that you say? Republicans are a bunch of two faced, hypocrites? I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you! Not.

Republicans use PACs. And they run them, too.
Here in Alabama, Republican officeholders even run PACs while holding very high public office:
Governor Bob Riley chairs GOV PAC
House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard is Treasurer of Network Political Action PAC, which his wife chairs
Up until 3 weeks ago Senate candidate Gerald Dial (R) chaired the TIF (Trust Integrity and Fairness) PAC
J.T. Waggoner (I believe that would be Senate Minority Leader "Jabo" Waggoner) chairs the New Alabama Leadership PAC.

Right wing republicans don't have a plan so they create Weapons of Mass Distractions like labeling PAC to PAC transfers as the root of all evil, claiming corrupt democrats are responsible and benefiting from legal bribery/money laundering. Well, real, unashamed, brave, bold, big D Democrat Representative Randy Hinshaw called their bluff and told them to PTFU or STFU. Now that's what I'm talking about!

The Governor needs to call a special session Monday to take up one bill: Jeff Mclaughlins bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers. Will he GOP?

Hell NO Governor Riley will not call a special session Monday to take up the bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers. I wonder why? *Snark*

Of course the righty's response is to attack Randy Hinshaw and demand he return all his PAC donations. Now why would he do something stupid like that? The logic, for lack of a better word, of the right wing defies me.

I've said before, and I will say it again. I don't have a problem with PACs or PAC to PAC transfers. Political Action Committees is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation.[1] Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a matter of state and federal law. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, an organization becomes a "political committee" by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election.District 5 Democratic Congressional nominee Steve Raby said it best, Political Actions Committees are a reality of politics.

I'm a member of several PAC's. I am not a large corporation with millions of dollars to contribute or to hire lobbyist, being a member of a PAC which pools resources is the only way I can compete with the big guys and gals. Without Political Action Committees the little guys and gals wouldn't have a voice. For example,the Confederate Heritage PAC transfers some money to the South Huntsville Civic Association PAC to give to the Mo Brooks/Paul Sanford Campaign.

Everyone knows that PAC-to-PAC money launderers do what are are told.

According to the righty's there are good PACs (gop) and bad PACs (Democratic). fundmaker at leaning LiA compiled a list of PACs primarily servicing Democrats vs. Republicans and identified the sources who contribute to those PACs. It's very e very enlightening. And they say there is no transparency? *Snicker*

Now what everyone needs to focus on is The Chamber is spending 75 million dollars to try to help the Republicans retake Congress The Chamber of Commerce/foreign money disease in America is not limited to or enabled by any one party. They all do it. We all need it to stop.

Obama's attempt to ACORN the Chamber of Commerce is a breach of etiquette for the New Dems and Blue Dogs, some of whom have actually won the Chamber's endorsement. Most of these fools were going to lose their seats anyway, mainly because they watered down the president's agenda which made his policies less popular. And then they failed to defend the unpopular policies that they helped to make unpopular. On top of that, in an election cycle where conservatives are highly motivated, these corporate Dems eschewed the one thing that could save them: criticizing the Republicans' plutocratic agenda by taking on the Big Banks, Big Oil Spillers, Big Insurers, and the Fat Cats asking for tax relief.
They're not too different from Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) who famously told us to stop being mean to BP during the catastrophe in the Gulf.

Taking on the Chamber is a no-brainer, unless you plan on doing their bidding and winning their support.

There is more than a whiff of hypocrisy.