Teachers Union Demands End to War but Lobbies for Its Continued Funding
by Kyle OlsonMoney will make a whore out of just about anyone, apparently even unionized teachers.

The American Federation of Teachers recently passed a resolution at its annual convention which demands an immediate cessation of American activities in Afghanistan. From the Democratic Socialists of America website:
Delegates adopted a resolution that puts the giant teacher union on new ground in opposition to the war and occupation of Afghanistan, opposing any further escalation and calling for “rapid, orderly withdrawal of all armed forces and military contractors, to begin immediately.”
But what’s funny – not to mention hypocritical – is that the teachers union is also pushing the $80 billion war spending bill because it contains pork for public schools. The bill is now in the Senate where it faces likely changes or defeat altogether.
So on the one hand, the union opposes the war, but will push to continue funding it if it contains funds for its members.
We’d be willing to bet that if foreign assistance for Robert Mugabe’s regime would also be palatable to the AFT if it contained money for the union.
Where are the AFT’s principles? It has none. Revert back to our opening sentence.
The president’s and Congress’ financial backers are growing more and more impatient. From the Christian Science Monitor:
“Plain and simple – this is not the change I hoped for,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel in a fiery keynote [NEA convention] speech on July 3. “Our members feel betrayed and so do I. Our members are angry. So am I.”
Perhaps the unions would be willing to explain to their Democratic Socialists of America friends how continued funding of the Afghanistan war really means ending it.
**And to my haters and critics of Education Action Group’s work: please – please – tell me how the AFT’s actions are just. I’d love to hear it.**






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"Money will make a whore out of just about anyone, apparently even unionized teachers."
Is this supposed to be a surprise? It shouldn't be, not on this website.
**And to my haters and critics of Education Action Group’s work: please – please – tell me how the AFT’s actions are just. I’d love to hear it.**
I am sure there will be a long line of teachers, showing up to educate you, and indoctrinate you. It is their duty to show subversives the error of their ways, donchaknow?
Report to Room 101 immediately……….
Has anyone noticed how this Afghan war seems to be getting out of hand, yet besides just occasionally being mentioned sporadically, there is silence from the left? Is it that long ago under GWB, we would have daily "body bag" counts listed by the MSM? We used to get a dead count on TV and on the web. Does anyone know how many have died in Iraq and Afghanistan–? Of course not, they don't show it any longer.
We had demon-crat's speaking every day about the "unjust" war. We had Cindy Sheehan protesting and getting on the headline news at least once per week. We had the MSM questioning republicans who supported the "surge" in Iraq and getting grilled. The silence is deafening. Now I understand Sheehan is still out protesting. The only difference is that the MSM under obama don't see it as news-worthy.
Is it that a democrat president war is OK, but under a republican it is wrong? Sure seems like that. The bottom line here is that under this current appeasement president (the "o"), he will never put our troops in position to win. Three generals in command under obama in less than two years in power. That's got to be a record. We should just pull them all back home.
I posted a few links from the past 2 days.
24 hours in Afghanistan: 8 U.S. troops killed http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38239888/ns/world_new...
Clinton heads to Afghanistan as US war fears grow http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100717/ap_on_go_ca_s...
Roadside bombs kill 5 NATO troops in Afghanistan http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100717/ap_on_re_as/a...
Here are typical Union thugs at their best:
http://tpartyus2010.ning.com/video/video/show?id=...
How about a compromise?
I will support ending the war if we also end funding of teacher unions. Come on, make the sacrifice with us.
Will never happen.
In other words….
"I can't stand you but as long as your paying for lunch I'll tolerate you…."
Idiocracy…
The progressive/socialist teachers are taught that capitalism is bad, the United States is evil and racist, and the children need to be guided towards the progressive/socialist utopia illusion in the university. This means they will not compromise because they actually believe the socialist/progressive BS they are taught, and are single minded with the idea of the need to revise America. It is sad, but it is true and we as a society need to address it. Our children are being indoctrinated into a progressive/socialist mindset by these "teachers", who I might add call for more funds and do less work at teaching are children the basic educational skills they need (like yeah, I want my kid to do math, read, understand basic science and know his country's true history more then the Kama Sutra positions). It is time to address the problem from the root. The Universities teaching, and in the case of Minnosota U. affirming by oath, the progressive/socialist agenda.
I'll support the withdrawal from Afghanistan if the union will support my new health care "funding bill" for its immediate passage.
END TENURE!
PASS SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM!
DEFUND and DELETE THE FEDERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
REQUIRE ALL TEACHERS TO BE RECERTIFIED AND TEST THEM ALL ANNUALLY FOR COMPETANCE IN BASIC SKILLS.
I encourage all Americans to stop drinking the koolaid, and start to drink TEA. This will allow you to think for yourself, and find true freedom from federal tyranny.
Same as it ever was. http://vimeo.com/12934857
http://sponsorapatriot.org/
I am willing to bet the teachers unions are getting a slice of the funding pie, so of course they would support its funding
This is crazy. An 80 billion **WAR SPENDING** bill that gives money to schools? Is it a war spending bill or not? I don't get it.
Last word: The teachers union should pass a resolution condemning the state of American schools and call for the immediate withdrawal of unionized teachers.
Good post. However, let's be aware that it really is really union leadership acting almost autonomously here, and not the rank and file. Private sector unions have been in decline as members realized they were NOT acting in thier best interest. Instead of the Mafia it is now the Government. As we have seen in a recent article, unions have now had to resort to hiring non-union 'protesters'. That is in itself an indication that the union leaders are failing to 'motivate' thier 'base'. I have the feeling that not ALL teachers are left wing radicals and are dedicated to teaching as a job, not a lolipop! If I am wrong, our children are at a loss, since the teachers will be board to tears and feeling the slavery they are in for the $, rather than enjoying what they do.
In persuit of happiness! Most of us feel, "Ya gotta earn it to enjoy it"!. That's called Freedom and accomplishment!
Teachers are people, not a 'groupthink'.
It must be very difficult for the teachers who do not "drink the koolaid". There are some, I don't know how many, because I have met them over all the years I was raising children. StoryKeepers points are right on!
Hillary Clinton has just said that 'this war is not winnable'….makes you wonder exactly what is going on over there!
Thanks for sharing Tater.
The voucher system would put a lot of these morons out of the job of indoctrinating the youth of this country.
Ahhh…the, “what’s in it for me?” …crowd sucking on the government teat, in other words, "yours and mine." They don’t care where it comes from, “you and I,” …as long as it comes. Be damned whether Johnny or Suzy can read, they want their stuff, “our stuff,” and when do they want it? …now!
That is exactly why they will not go with vouchers. No job security that way. They actually might have to do what they were hired to do.
Teachers are no longer teachers they are government brain washers…Cut them off and allow vouchers for ALL students and see the teachers union cry,throw fits, and act like the pieces of money sucking dog squeeze they are
I know. Even though money following the child would benefit the kids instead of the child having to follow the money which benefits the unions, it probably will never happen. Unions, while once useful, have outlived their usefulness and are one of, if not the biggest strain on this country, financially and politically.
Could someone please tell me how funding for public schools and funding for our soldiers go together?
Seriously, this kind of Bravo Sierra should not be allowed to be lumped together in a bill
And outlaw teachers' unions.
“When school children start paying union dues, that’s when I’ll start representing the interests of school children.”
–AFT President Albert Shanker
Robert Gibbs Is Asked About Obama's Connecticut Social Security Number http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Aahw3NT6E
Obama's Social Security Number(s) – Jerome Corsi on the Jeff Kuhner Show – 5/18/10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRt64dO0opE&pl...
Way da go Hoss…….."call for the immediate withdrawal of UNIONIZED teachers"……….love it!!!!
Teachers' Unions are whores that care more about their own existance than the students they " teach". They need to be abolished along with the dept. of education and a program of school vouchers put into place. If the teachers formerly from the NEA or AFT are any good at what they do, then the market will allow them the PRIVILEDGE of continued employment.
Sorry ECEGa we can't allow any excuses, teachers should take responsibility for the actions of
their union, and hopefully make changes where they disagree. I think it's time we all step up.
“Our members feel betrayed and so do I. Our members are angry. So am I.”
As the frequent response to such whining on another site goes: What are they going to do? Vote Republican???
I want MY MONEY and I WANT IT NOW!!!—–>Teachers Unions
The American Federation of Teachers recently passed a resolution at its annual convention which demands an immediate cessation of American activities in Afghanistan.
It would be nice if these leftwing idiot parasites passed a resolution condemning the massive dropout rate [approx 50%] in the Los Angeles Unified School District and the fact that these kids graduate high school with a 7th grade education. A study was done several years ago and half of LA public school seniors could not pass an 8th grade exit exam, did not understand the arguments being made in an op-ed piece and could not conclude which of 3 credit card offers was the best one based on percentage rates, annual fees, etc. There aren't enough McDonald's to employ all these morons, so they work for the govt or "teach" in public schools. LA public schools are all the evidence you need as to why public sector unions should be abolished.
The teachers union has been far more damaging than any crime syndicate or mafia in American history.
Teacher unions are a waste….most especially, a waste of OUR money, but a waste of valuable resources that COULD be used to improve our educational infrastructure. The FIRST thing that needs to be done is the complete elimination of "Colleges of Education" in our university systems and the total abandonment of any Ed. "degrees" that they may have awarded. Some wag once opined back in the 1950's that "Colleges of Education should be, like small kittens, immediately drowned before they can do any further mischief." He was right. Colleges of education have become the repository of any student unable (or unwilling) to stand up to the rigors of other university disciplines. Can't "hack it" in computer science, medicine, pre-law, engineering? Change your major to "education." If you'll bother to check, you'll find that education majors have the lowest overall GPA's of all college students.
This is a disservice to those relatively few students who have a REAL urge to become teachers for altruistic reasons. Teachers should NEVER be permitted to teach a subject in which they have NO expertise themselves. The BEST teachers are always those who know and love the subject they teach and who challenge their students to actually LEARN about math, science, geography, history or English and, because of their thorough knowledge of the subject matter, can answer students' questions truthfully and with assurance.
Peace without liberty is to surrender to tyranny. Whether from Islamic fascist in Afghanistan or progressives here at home, all part of deal and they know it all so well.
I'm all for peace.
End the Democrat Party's War on Food !
And exactly how does NEA President Dennis Van Roekel think the rest of the country feels?
Incredible statement!
All sanctioned by our blood sucking Washington politicians, and their incessant need to get their grubby hands on other peoples stuff, too maintain power at any “cost,” …our cost.
Yup, that is how it works. Report to detention for your unscheduled, mandatory indoctrination. Pathetic…
and,…and,…can I pet the puppy.
It is definitely NOT WINNABLE, when you have Obama dictating the Rules of Engagement. I too have noticed that CNN no longer scrolls the tally of lost heroes. I guess it does not count when you have a prog/lib/bastard in office.
kinda says it all right there!
The nurses, the teachers, SEIU, AFLCIO etc are all Obama's army against the US. Shame on the members for not throwing their leadership out. But I think this is the reason people are running away from these thugs, so just keep on marching!
MyKu:
Does this nonsense mean
we will see hippies with signs –
"No Blood for Textbooks!"?
Cut off all funding to teachers unions. Nullify every contract with every teacher's union. If they object, fire them. If they attack, slaughter them. No mas.
There are plenty of qualified — and more educated — people who would love to teach, and who wouldn't expect a gold-plated retirement program and deferential treatment, as if their role in society was more important than others.
They can call me a meanie, as long as they are removed from teaching children.
You sound like a REAL MEANIE, flannigan! I nominate you to do battle with the AFT and counter their arguments!
But most of all, SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION! It is NOT just a friggin piece of paper. It is a contract between the governed and the governors. Uphold your oath to the people whom you serve. A person's word is their bond. If that person can't even uphold their oath, then how can we believe ANYTHING that comes out of their mouth? If you think China is neat, you shouldn't be teaching American children.
"Last word: The teachers union should pass a resolution condemning the state of American schools and call for the immediate withdrawal of unionized teachers."
You do realize how assinine that statement is, don't you? Thats like asking the mafia to condemn organized crime and call for the immediate withdrawl of all black market operations. Ain't gonna happen, buster. If we want to be rid of unions, we are going to have to make the enviroment inhospitable. By that, I mean attending PTA meetings, get involved with your children's teachers. Make sure you know what they are learning. When you have a child (and I'm sure most of you here know this) your duty and your responsibility is to your posterity. It's no longer about "YOU". It's about your child or children.
Anytime a group associates itself with another that has a name like "Democratic Socialists of America", people should be considered suspect of their true motives.
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