Wednesday, May 20, 2015

1000 Words

Photographer Glenn Stubbe of the Star Tribune delivers a classic:

I hate people when they're not polite
Meanwhile, at least one Republican lawmaker wants an apology from Dayton:
A long-time teacher and state representative wants Gov. Mark Dayton to apologize for saying some Republican lawmakers “hate the public schools.”

Dayton’s remark came during a Tuesday news conference he called to discuss his plans to veto a education funding bill that passed the House and Senate Monday. The $400 million in new spending isn’t enough for Dayton and he’s frustrated it also omits his top priority of universal preschool.
Sondra Erickson, who is from Princeton, offered this statement:
“As a public school teacher with nearly four decades in public school classrooms, I am disappointed with Governor Dayton’s disrespectful remarks. Minnesotans expect their public officials to respectfully debate the issues facing our state without resorting to personal attacks. Republicans and Democrats passed a bipartisan budget that underscored our commitment to students and teachers including significant investments in proven early learning programs. Teachers deserve nothing but great respect because of their dedication to prepare our children with knowledge and skills for the future. Closing the achievement gap requires only the highest regard for those who teach and lead our children. I respectfully request that the governor apologize for his remarks.”
I would say this to Rep. Erickson -- the notion that "Minnesotans expect their public officials to respectfully debate the issues facing our state without resorting to personal attacks" is ludicrous. Erickson can't really believe that when she lives in a state that sent Al Franken back to Washington last year. Personal attacks work quite nicely in Minnesota. Instead of asking for an apology, it would make more sense to point out that the governor of this state has some, ahem, challenges of his own.

3 comments:

3john2 said...

Dayton's clearly bullying. We have laws against that kind of thing now.

Bike Bubba said...

Amen to the bullying thing. Perp walk him right out of the governor's mansion!

(seriously, I do have to wonder if our anti-bullying efforts are generating a generation of softies that can't handle bullying behavior like that of our governor or president....seems kinda self-serving that way)

It also strikes me that the legislature ought to play hardball and point out that there is no evidence that state funded preschool helps anyone in the long term, even when it is (Perry study, etc..) pretty gold plated. Smack him around until he thinks they spiked the kombucha.

Gino said...

The world is totally run by the bullies, and those who challenge them. It the order of things.