February 24, 2004

You've GOT to be kidding...
Posted by McQ

You know, sometimes people do things which are almost too stupid for words.

Education Secretary Roderick R. Paige yesterday told the nation's governors that the largest teachers union in the United States is a "terrorist organization" -- a remark that prompted a torrent of criticism and an apology by the end of the day.

There is no excuse for this. Its not like Paige isn't educated or politically aware enough to know the type of damage absurd remarks like this bring. This, of course, isn't the first time someone has characterized another group wrongly as "terrorists", but this may be one of the dumbest. While I have little use for the NEA or most of its policies, it is remarks like this which solidify opposition support and detract from real issues.

Paige needs to be sent to the principal's office and have his butt whipped.

UPDATE: This post from Balloon Juice graphically illustrates the point much better than I have. Paige's sort of nonsense needs to stop ... now. And that goes for BOTH sides.

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Comments

heh

Who says they ain't a terrorist organization?

Every time they don't get their way, they get in front a T.V. camera and tell me that children will die if they don't.

No better than the Palestinians if ya ask me.

Paul

Yeah, it is satire but like all good satire, there is a ring of truth to it.

Posted by: Paul at February 24, 2004 08:44 AM

When the Democrats start punishing their Congressmen for calling Republicans Nazis (and other bits of slander), then I'll call for Paige's punishment. Until then, turnabout is fair play.

(And Paul above makes an excellent point.)

Posted by: Steverino at February 24, 2004 09:15 AM

Its easy to rationalize this as "tit for tat", but it just isn't the adult thing to do.

The hyperbole in this case, especially that which compares a teacher's union to terrorists, has at least three effects. It makes the claimant look like a partisan dumb-ass, it belittles and distracts from the real threat of terrorism, and it hurts his bosses credibility for having hired such a dumb-ass. I'd bet the groans were audible from the press-secretary.

Naturally, the White House all but called him a dumb-ass and said he SHOULD have apologized.

I agree with the White House.

Posted by: McQ at February 24, 2004 11:01 AM

It was imperative that he - no matter the audience - rise above those he was ridiculing. No matter whether it was an accurate statement (I believe it is) the important thing is the goal - to make teachers liable for their performance. He, as a black man in a position of great power, could be a beacon to others like him. Instead, he gave the moron brigade ammunition. Foolish.

Posted by: LauraN at February 24, 2004 11:16 AM

It's not tit-for-tat, it's a question of why one side is allowed to use over-the-top hyperbole, and the other side gets called onto the carpet for it.

Drudge is reporting that back in 1996, John Kerry called Congressional Republicans "legislative terrorists". Where was the outcry then?

Maybe Paige said something stupid, but it's far more ridiculous to hear all the complaints about his statement. It's not like the Dems or the NEA or whatever leftish group you can name haven't done the very same thing, so their wailing is falling on deaf ears.

Posted by: Steverino at February 24, 2004 03:35 PM