SECRETARY PAIGE ISSUES APOLOGY FOR 'TERROR' COMMENT ABOUT TEACHER'S UNION
Paige tells governors National Education Association is "terrorist organization''
It was an inappropriate choice of words to describe the obstructionist scare tactics the NEA's Washington lobbyists have employed against No Child Left Behind's historic education reforms. I also said, as I have repeatedly, that our nation's teachers, who have dedicated their lives to service in the classroom, are the real soldiers of democracy, whereas the NEA's high-priced Washington lobbyists have made no secret that they will fight against bringing real, rock-solid improvements in the way we educate all our children regardless of skin color, accent or where they live. But, as one who grew up on the receiving end of insensitive remarks, I should have chosen my words better.
- Secretary of Education Rodney Paige
There are few things in life that I find more entertaining than watching a public official put their foot in their mouth- up to their knee- and then furiously scramble to extract said limb. Rodney Paige is neither nimble nor gifted enough to pull his foot out quickly enough in this situation. No, Secretary Paige has just demonstrated how even the most accomplished, intelligent, and successful among us can be complete and total DUMB@$$E$ if given the opportunity and the audience.
Education Secretary Rod Paige called the nation's largest teachers union a "terrorist organization" during a private White House meeting with governors on Monday.
Democratic and Republican governors confirmed the education's secretary's remarks about the National Education Association.
"These were the words, 'The NEA is a terrorist organization,"' said Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin.
Several Democratic governors called the remarks inappropriate.
"He was making a joke, probably not a very good one," said Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania. "Of course he immediately divorced the NEA from ordinary teachers, who he said he supports."
"I don't think the NEA is a terrorist organization," said Rendell, who has butted heads with the group as well. "They're not a terrorist organization any more than the National Business Organization is a terrorist organization.
In our post-9.11 world, you would think that a Cabinet member would be cognizant of the gravity of tossing around words like "terrorist" with such ease and lack of forethought. Only a true DUMB@$$ would lob such a gratuitous insult at one of the largest and most politically powerful unions in the country. Nice going, Secretary Paige, but I'm not so sure that your boss will be so appreciative of your DUMB@$$ AWARD.
Time to fall on your sword, Mr. DUMB@$$...er, Mr. Secretary??
