Several upset Carlsbadistan parents made their kids stay home from school to protest a $1.25 million donation made to the “No on Prop. 8” campaign by the California Teachers Association, according to a story on NBC San Diego.
The parents are upset because they say the union should be fighting for legislation that will actually affect schools — legislation like the budget and class size — not gay marriage. . . Anita Kelley’s family is one of many who received e-mails about the protest and said she believes the teachers union has no business supporting a social issue that doesn’t affect schools. . . “It’s nothing that will benefit students or teachers. It was just wasteful spending,” said Kelley. “I think the money could be better used and spent in areas that would have benefited more kids.”
Maybe the union represents a lot of gay teachers. . . guess Mrs. Kelley didn’t really think of that one, huh?
[Link: NBC San Diego]
RSS Feed-Posts
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Of course there are a lot gay teachers. Do you really think she doesn’t know that? But there are probably a lot of teachers that will vote YES on prop 8 for moral reasons. I’m one of them and I disagree with the union.
I am a teacher. I am not gay, but I strongly oppose prop 8. I fully support CTA’s contribution in light of the fact that the pro-8 people have run a deceptive ad campaign centered on lying about schools.
Tim,
Specifically, what have they lied about? By the way, I agree with you that the events that have unfolded in Massachusetts are blown out of proportion by pro-prop 8 crowd but that’s how our political system works. For you to say you oppose prop 8 due to a deceptive campaign is a superficial stance on the issue.
1. I am against Prop 8. I believe it’s wrong, plain and simple. However…
2. California schools are suffering from godawful budget cuts. That $1.25 million donation could have actually been used to, you know, SUPPORT TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.
3. At the very least, the CTA could’ve used that $1.25 million to help pay off the massive debt it incurred in previous political campaigns (for even more causes unrelated to supporting teachers or students).
http://archive.desertdispatch.com/2005/112948021666737.html
The cause is just, but CTA’s donation to Prop 8 was inappropriate and ill-advised. CTA’s focus has become so broad it now neglects the very people from which it demands rather expensive association dues.
I agree with Bonnie Wren. I would add that the CTA’s involvement has fueled the hysterical catastrophization that some kind of loathsome pro-gay agenda is looming in the public schools which only Prop 8 can prevent. One of leading rationalizations cited for Prop 8 is the CTA donation! Prop 8 was bound to be a polarizing issue but the CTA move back-fired, turning Prop 8 into a firestorm.
Nice of these parents using kids as their political pawns. It seems to send a negative message about how to handle disagreements about your personal beliefs. And, it makes me wonder what this mom would do her child if he or she grew up to be gay and wanted to demonstrate their commitment to someone they love…she probably just wouldn’t show up.
Do I think that it made sense for the union to put up such a large amount of money to oppose prop 8 – probably not. But, the union wasn’t going to put that same money towards text books, or anything else that would directly benefit our students- that’s not what they do. They are a union – a political organization/lobby for the teachers.
Also, for every isolated event like the ones that the religious right is getting all worked up over (gay fairy tales, field trips to gay weddings), I’ll bet there are 1,000 incidents that have occurred way over on the other side of the spectrum that violate the separation of church and state, support intolerance, go against accepted scientific teachings, etc. They might make some pretty sensational commercials.
Have you heard about the Camilla Letter from the girl in Folsom?
California Teacher’s Association Responds to “Camilla Letter”
Board Member Jim Rogers responds directly to student letter with abrupt condescension, sparking local outrage
In a letter questioning CTA choices in this matter, Folsom High School student Camilla X, wrote to CTA officials protesting their use of teacher funds and received this shockingly worded reply from CTA/NEA coordinator, Jim Rogers….and this is a direct quote:
“Thanks, Sweetie, but it’s over for now. And it’s really none of your business.”
http://beetlebabee.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/cta-student-smack-down/