January 19, 2010
Milwaukee and Haiti
I really enjoy articles by John Smart. See his posting this morning, urging us to give the proposed Duncan/Doyle/Evers/Barrett MPS takeover a chance. Understandable that Smart, a champion of public education, would urge us to try.
The issue has thoroughly divided the Barrett base in Milwaukee. One reason is the vehemence of the governor, who comes off as bully not as a teacher-leader. Wisconsin Eye captured Doyle's attitude problem at his news conference. The camera captured the moment.
For months Doyle has warned us that unless we permit the state to take over MPS, the Obama folks will punish us. No specifics, no explanation of why Mayor Barrett would do a better job than board president Bonds, but Doyle says, in essence, if the Wisconsin proposal fails, blame those who "cling to the status quo." In Doyle's world there is "his way" or the "status quo." If you support the "antiquated notion" of democratic elections of your school board, you are in favor of achievement gaps, poor reading skills, and you are not part of the solution--you are the problem.
Doyle finally tells us that he is asking Arne for $254 million, $68 million of which would go to Milwaukee. The balance to the rest of the state. No indication if other districts will be forced to allow the mayor to make all decisions--but Doyle, who is not winning the battle in Milwaukee, suddenly warns Kenosha, Beloit, Superior that they will also lose if the "status quo" forces convince Arne that Wisconsin is not in favor of better schools!
Before Wisconsin Eye covered the Doyle "news" conference, the testimony from more than 100 Milwaukee teachers, parents, community activists, on Eye was riveting. (A few of the passionate comments in opposition to the Doyle/Barrett takeover note that it is odd that the takeover comes just as the first African-American is elected president of the board, that teachers are doing well, and that the state should give the new leadership in Milwaukee a chance.)
Doyle continues to make "Race to the Top" a new game. He explains that while Wisconsin consistently ranks one or two in the country, we must do better if we want to win the Arne race! I am not making this up. The message is clear: We have the money and the power, if you doubt us, lookout! A disappointing performance at best.
Haitian/American Dissonance: Millions of dollars are flowing into Haiti from the U.S. Our armed forces are working night and day, volunteers are risking their lives to save Haitian lives--this is America at its best. Read all about it on page one.
The dissonance is on page A17 of the New York Times: "Homeless Haitians Told Not to Try to Flee to U.S." Every day, a U.S. cargo plane broadcasts for five hours a message from the Haitian ambassador to Washington warning people that if they try to escape to America they "will be intercepted and returned to Haiti." The U.S. has started a campaign to persuade Haitians to stay put! I am not kidding.
Who is responsible for the pre-quake economic disaster in Haiti? You decide. Which America is on display?
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Haiti like Iraq has both suffered and benefited from the United States military in both destroying and rebuilding the countries.
We would save the American taxpayers a great deal of money if we were not so insistent on destruction prior to construction.
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | January 19, 2010
Throwing food and money at the Haitian people will not rebuild that small impoverished country. What is needed is a system which will bring the Haitian people out of poverty, provide education and be with them all the way on their way to success.
We live in a big country, one with broad shoulders. There are no good reasons why we cannot provide Haitians with a new life here. Were the Haitians Europeans, I often wonder how the scenario might change.
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | January 19, 2010
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