View Full Version : Memo hints at NJ gov's death; union apologizes
Absolutely DASTARDLY!! I bet Governor Christie and his family are fearing for their safety, the are probably afraid to answer the phone or send the kids to school.....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/09/AR2010040901505.html
Memo hints at NJ gov's death; union apologizes
By GEOFF MULVIHILL and ANGELA DELLI SANTI
The Associated Press
Friday, April 9, 2010; 4:28 PM
TRENTON, N.J. -- A teacher union's memo hinting that New Jersey's governor should die has escalated a war of words in a state already squabbling about public schools and how much they cost.
The memo from the Bergen County Education Association to its locals reads in part: "Dear Lord this year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Chris Christie is my favorite governor."
Association president Joe Coppola said the "prayer" was a joke and was never meant to be made public. Friday, he apologized, saying he'd made an error in judgment.
The New Jersey Education Association was also contrite. It issued an apology Friday, saying the attack wasn't funny and that it takes away from the more serious discussion the group would like to have with the governor. NJEA President Barbara Keshishian said she would try to apologize personally to Christie.
At an appearance in New Brunswick on Friday, Christie didn't see any humor in the memo - and used it as another chance to blast the teachers unions.
"They said they didn't intend it to be public," said Christie, a Republican. "So, private prayer for my death would have been OK?"
One Republican lawmaker even called for the state attorney general to investigate.
The memo - even if it was a joke - escalates an ongoing war of words.
During the Republican Christie's run for governor last year, he didn't mind offending the teachers union.
He refused to meet with the NJEA as it interviewed candidates to consider whom to endorse. And he attacked the union on the campaign trail. In July, he said: "Frequently, the leadership of the NJEA has been a strong advocate for the status quo, whether the status quo is succeeding or failing."
The union endorsed incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine in the election - and paid for fliers, staffed phone banks and knocked on doors on his behalf.
This year, the state education association has aired television commercials critical of the governor.
The friction intensified last month when Christie proposed a state budget that called for state and federal aid to school districts to be cut about 11 percent. Many districts are getting cuts deeper than that - and most say they expect to lay off staff.
Christie, though, says that he'll give extra aid to any district where educators agree to freeze their salaries for the year and start paying a portion of their health insurance costs. Any layoffs, he says, will be the fault of the unions - not him.
Steve Baker, an NJEA spokesman, said the group hopes the memo dustup will create an opportunity for the group to meet with Christie to talk about the future of the state's schools.
"Frankly, we have been talking at each other and we haven't been talking with each other," he said.
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Mulvihill reported from Philadelphia.
What would be the response if the Small Business Association issued a memo to it's members: Dear Lord this year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Obama is my favorite President. ;)
ZonieDiver
04-09-2010, 18:59
Absolutely DASTARDLY!! I bet Governor Christie and his family are fearing for their safety, the are probably afraid to answer the phone or send the kids to school.....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/09/AR2010040901505.html
What would be the response if the Small Business Association issued a memo to it's members: Dear Lord this year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Obama is my favorite President. ;)
Though I am a teacher - even if not a member of any union or association - I find that funny! If the governor can't... screw him. Perhaps he needs another job. Governors, leaders of any sort, need "iron underwear"! That was pretty mild...imho.
rubberneck
04-09-2010, 19:07
The teachers union here in NJ is filled with some of the biggest dirtbags you'll ever find. They really are like the mob in some respect and for the past 20 years they have gotten every single thing they have asked for from the state including an annual COLA adjustment on their healthcare benefits from the day they retire to the day they qualify for medicare.
Because of state budget cuts my school district just had to lay off 16 good teachers because the union would not, under any circumstance agree too forgo their annual 4% raise for this year. The district went to the union three times and were dismissed out of hand three times. Because they refused to see reality of the situation 16 families lost, on average, $130,000 a year in salary and benefits. I'd have a hard time sleeping at night if I knew my 4% raise cost a family an income and benefits in this economy.
ZonieDiver
04-09-2010, 19:18
Don't tell me, Rubberneck! I was a "Rep" in our local teacher's union until two years ago. I had the temerity to suggest that because 60% of our members had 3 or less years of seniority in the district, that, perhaps, seniority was NOT the "do or die" card that the membership would want played in a "reduction in force"!
Said RIF is here. The only saving grace I can see is that for two years, I saved the $600. in union (ooops, excuse me... professional association) dues.
Though I am a teacher - even if not a member of any union or association - I find that funny! If the governor can't... screw him. Perhaps he needs another job. Governors, leaders of any sort, need "iron underwear"! That was pretty mild...imho.
I agree. But higher up the food chain it doesn't work that way, maligned wishes of strokes, heart attacks on certain parties is likely to get you a visit from the MiB to check you out as a possible threat. And secondly this is the stuff SPLC and ADL are warning us about if it comes from 'The Other side'.
rubberneck
04-09-2010, 20:04
ZonieDiver, to clarify I didn't mean to imply that all teachers unions are the same. I have dealt with unions my entire adult life and have found that the NJEA is much closer to the longshoreman than the UAW.
One of the reasons why the joke is getting such coverage in these parts is because there have been threats made against out Governor by people in the union. So when one of the heads of the union jokes about the Governor dying isn't as funny as it might seem in a different context.
These unions sound dangerous, they really have threatened the Governor?
I would consider it a innuendo.
We'll see what pleasantries Gov. Crist receives over this:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-merit-pay-house-vote-04-09-2010-20100408,0,2736075,full.story
Saturation
04-09-2010, 21:41
This swings both ways- I can remember getting this same email several months ago but it was sent privately (not an organization) and was aimed at a Democrat as the last line.
Can't remember which one though....
Either way it's the same old, same old to me.
Saturation
04-09-2010, 21:46
We'll see what pleasantries Gov. Crist receives over this:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-merit-pay-house-vote-04-09-2010-20100408,0,2736075,full.story
From what I'm hearing here in Florida, Crist is going to veto this and may be 'pushed ' out of the Republican party. He would have the option to run as an Independent- I believe he has 2 months before he'll have to make that choice.
Apparently the money and support are all swinging in Rubio's favor.
To really understand what the NJEA is all about I think you have to watch the movie the Cartel. That is unless you pay NJ property taxes, then you already understand all too well what they are all about.
http://www.thecartelmovie.com/
To really understand what the NJEA is all about I think you have to watch the movie the Cartel. That is unless you pay NJ property taxes, then you already understand all too well what they are all about.
http://www.thecartelmovie.com/
Our local cartel is in Kansas City, MO it starts at City Hall, includes the School Board and Kansas City Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel, Local 691.
It all started with Government intervention (kind of like HCR) and became a cash cow http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-298.html
(http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-298.html)
The Cartel: But a destructive pattern of mismanagement, infighting and racial tension on the school board and inside the district's administration guaranteed failure.
Superintendents were brought to town and run out. "Activists" staged unseemly demonstrations. The issue of race lurked always around the corner.
Fiefdoms developed. Patrons of the Montessori and foreign language programs fought to keep them going. A vocal contingent demanded African-centered education. Outside groups wrangled contracts from the district. School board members hitched their allegiance to factions instead of working for the good of students. All of that goes on today.
With boards and administrations always in upheaval, little attention was paid to a sustained plan for teaching and learning. Because of poor academic performance and other issues, the state of Missouri revoked the district's accreditation in 1999. It has never regained full accreditation.
Read more: http://voices.kansascity.com/node/8115#ixzz0khCsrQvN
Vision Statement: Kansas City Missouri School District: The premier School District, recognized as the most valuable asset of the community, delivering quality education and thriving on diversity.
The Truth: With boards and administrations always in upheaval, little attention was paid to a sustained plan for teaching and learning. Because of poor academic performance and other issues, the state of Missouri revoked the district's accreditation in 1999. It has never regained full accreditation.
Utah Bob
04-10-2010, 15:45
Union Prez to Governor
(With nosed pushed to one side) Yo yerhonor! It would be a terrible ting if sometin was to happen. Like da state was to suddenly boin down. Ya know like a accident. Terrible ting.
I'm just sayin.
Gotta love Jersey.:eek::D
ZonieDiver
04-10-2010, 18:29
I would consider it a innuendo.
Isn't "innuendo" the Italian word for "enema"? :D
robert2854
04-10-2010, 20:08
I have about had it with these union thugs. I am sure it was a joke, but then again the SEIU(Service Employee I--- Union) is the most regtistered visitor to POTUS. They are golden.
Isn't "innuendo" the Italian word for "enema"? :D
an indirect remark about somebody or something, usually suggesting something bad, mean or rude; the use of remarks like this: innuendoes about her private life or The song is full of sexual innuendo.
I believe clistere is the Italian translation for enema, but a enema could fall into that category of a innuendo depending on it's use.
Living in NJ, under 2 Dem Governors, I thought NJ was the most corrupt state government there was, until I moved to IL....
Having grown up in CO, where a school district encompassed well over 50 schools, depending on what part of the city you lived in ( I was in District 11), I was a bit shell shocked moving to my little town in NJ (Shamong) to find that our school district encompassed 1 elementary school, and one Jr High. No High School, as that was a school district all by itself. The next few little towns over (Tabernacle, Medford, Medford Lakes.....) each the same thing. And each "school district" had a superintendent and staff.
You wouldn't believe the hubbabaloo that would occur every year when the people paying property taxes would ask that the districts be combined to form one for the area. Can't do that because then you have 5-6 supers making almost 250K a year out of a job!!!
Pretty much the same thing goes on here in my little neck of the woods in IL.
Utah Bob
04-12-2010, 10:10
Living in NJ, under 2 Dem Governors, I thought NJ was the most corrupt state government there was, until I moved to IL....
Having grown up in CO, where a school district encompassed well over 50 schools, depending on what part of the city you lived in ( I was in District 11), I was a bit shell shocked moving to my little town in NJ (Shamong) to find that our school district encompassed 1 elementary school, and one Jr High. No High School, as that was a school district all by itself. The next few little towns over (Tabernacle, Medford, Medford Lakes.....) each the same thing. And each "school district" had a superintendent and staff.
You wouldn't believe the hubbabaloo that would occur every year when the people paying property taxes would ask that the districts be combined to form one for the area. Can't do that because then you have 5-6 supers making almost 250K a year out of a job!!!
Pretty much the same thing goes on here in my little neck of the woods in IL.
50 schools?
You must have been in Denver.:D
ZonieDiver
04-12-2010, 12:25
50 schools?
You must have been in Denver.:D
Isn't District 11 in Colo. Springs???
Arizona tried to "unify-combine" some districts last year. It needs to be done - even though it doesn't sound as bad here as in NJ. The committee put together to get the recommendation on the ballot did such a horrible job, one almost suspects it was done on purpose.
You are right about "Big" administrators not wanting to lose their jobs. My district has a "RIF" list of approximately 170 people, or about 6-7% of our total number of employees. The ONLY administrators on it are four "deans" - the lowest level of administrator. There are NONE from district "HQ" - even though three or four positions in the $85,000 - 150,000 range have been created in the past 2-3 years.
Colorado Springs is correct. District 11 was (and may still be) the largest district in the city. I can't recall the number of elementary schools, but there were 10 Jr Highs and approx 12 high schools. Redistricitng may have taken place since I graduated in '90.
Dozer might remember the numbers, we went to the same Jr. High, albeit a few years apart!!:p
ZonieDiver
04-13-2010, 09:47
Dozer might remember the numbers, we went to the same Jr. High, albeit a few years apart!!
How many is a 'few'? :D (I know what it means when I tell someone I "had a few beers"!)
How many is a 'few'? :D (I know what it means when I tell someone I "had a few beers"!)
You'lll have to ask him. If I talk out of school I may lose my "in" for baseball tickets this year!!!;)
You'lll have to ask him. If I talk out of school I may lose my "in" for baseball tickets this year!!!;)
If that happens, you can always come back to Colorado. I hear they're handing out Rockies tickets if you get caught speeding. :rolleyes: