Why is Shirley Dang saying the petition is anonymous? Mine came with the name of the person who started it and where to return it. I won't mention the name of the person though because that person should do it on their own. It was discussed at the Rocco's meeting though, I don't think it's any big secret.
Anonymous, you're exactly right. I think that person is not comfortable having her name and address everywhere in cyberspace, but its up to her. I talked to her yesterday and she will likely call Shirley Dang today. And you're right it was said publicly at Rocco's... so its no mystery. But it seems something sinister would be much more exciting. In fact, I conversed in email yesterday with Sue Berg.. she never once asked me about the petition, yet she's quoted as saying "Who's behind it?" If she really wanted to know, she could've asked, but instead she seems to have preferred a sound bite in the paper insinuating "someone else."
I think that everyone learned something from the movement to modify the school districts:
Whoever leads the charge is subjected to personal ridicule and ad hominem attacks on their character, as a way of sidestepping discussion of the real issue.
In the previous discussion of consolidating Walnut Creek into a single school district, Ms. Carver had to tolerate anonymous (always) accusations of elitism, selfishness, and slurs against her parenting and character.
This is, of course, the lowbrow way that folks without a coherent argument attack - but it somehow has become de rigueur in our country's media. It's become fashionable.
Of course, this pushes our society towards Orwellian faceless decision makers and unnamed "groups" that try to create or influence public policy. Can you really tell what group is behind this or any other political movement by the name of the organization?
We reap what we sow. As long as individual efforts to make change are met with insults on the character of the speaker - and previous efforts to make change in MDUSD were rife with that sort of vulgarity - things like this (a petition without a visible sponsor) will be the method that's preferred.
You are totally wrong. What we need is lead petitioners who are competent and honest. If these petitioners are honest and up front about what they are doing, they won't receive nearly the attacks that Ruthie did. She simply misstated the fact so many times she deserved what she got. She also was doing something that was going to affect a specific group of students and families. Her approach came across as elitist because she was not trying to fix the district for everyone. These parents have taken a different approach, fix the district for everyone.
Mrs. Mayo said, "It is not appropriate for the board of education to evaluate personnel in the press or on a blog." I think what she meant was "It is not appropriate to evaluate personnel."
I think you're right anonymous 8:59. It doesn't seem they have any issues with the way this district has been run. I think Linda Mayo has been trying to lay low.. but I think her absences and her silence speaks volumes. She either a) doesn't care about the district, b) doesn't care about public concerns or c) is so blindly loyal to McHenry that she's like a kid with her hands on her ears hummming so she can't hear the outside world.
Linda, come out come out where ever you are... speak an opinion. I mean WE elected these people.. and we can't get three of them to voice any PUBLIC opinion of anything? April's double/corporate speak is impossible to understand. Dick is just too nice for his own good but its not clear he understands the magnitude of the public unrest and Linda.. well , heck , I have no idea about Linda... she's just checked out apparantly.
Fearing retribution, I do wish to remain anonymous. Although many have reassured me that my kids would not be singled out, I have seen and continue to see otherwise with other familes who have expressed concerns at our school.
I hope we can continue to focus on the fact that McHenry is not doing his job and move forward with an action plan to correct the problem, instead of wasting our energy on figuring out who is responsible for the petition.
Does it even matter? If signatures get put on these petitions circulated by other parents, or employees, what does it matter? I know it was started by parents.. .but who really cares? In the end it is the result that matters.
Ok, finally.. I couldn't figure out who Anonymous 1:11 (momx3 )was referring to... and I finally found some exchanges with a mdusdmomx3 on the Times comments? If that is who Anon is talking about it doesn't sound pro-district to me at all.
Why is Shirley Dang saying the petition is anonymous? Mine came with the name of the person who started it and where to return it. I won't mention the name of the person though because that person should do it on their own. It was discussed at the Rocco's meeting though, I don't think it's any big secret.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you're exactly right. I think that person is not comfortable having her name and address everywhere in cyberspace, but its up to her. I talked to her yesterday and she will likely call Shirley Dang today. And you're right it was said publicly at Rocco's... so its no mystery. But it seems something sinister would be much more exciting. In fact, I conversed in email yesterday with Sue Berg.. she never once asked me about the petition, yet she's quoted as saying "Who's behind it?" If she really wanted to know, she could've asked, but instead she seems to have preferred a sound bite in the paper insinuating "someone else."
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone learned something from the movement to modify the school districts:
ReplyDeleteWhoever leads the charge is subjected to personal ridicule and ad hominem attacks on their character, as a way of sidestepping discussion of the real issue.
In the previous discussion of consolidating Walnut Creek into a single school district, Ms. Carver had to tolerate anonymous (always) accusations of elitism, selfishness, and slurs against her parenting and character.
This is, of course, the lowbrow way that folks without a coherent argument attack - but it somehow has become de rigueur in our country's media. It's become fashionable.
Of course, this pushes our society towards Orwellian faceless decision makers and unnamed "groups" that try to create or influence public policy. Can you really tell what group is behind this or any other political movement by the name of the organization?
We reap what we sow. As long as individual efforts to make change are met with insults on the character of the speaker - and previous efforts to make change in MDUSD were rife with that sort of vulgarity - things like this (a petition without a visible sponsor) will be the method that's preferred.
You are totally wrong. What we need is lead petitioners who are competent and honest. If these petitioners are honest and up front about what they are doing, they won't receive nearly the attacks that Ruthie did. She simply misstated the fact so many times she deserved what she got. She also was doing something that was going to affect a specific group of students and families. Her approach came across as elitist because she was not trying to fix the district for everyone. These parents have taken a different approach, fix the district for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou post anonymously, and refer to Ms. Carver as "Ruthie" - and think that you're credible.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Mayo said, "It is not appropriate for the board of education to evaluate personnel in the press or on a blog." I think what she meant was "It is not appropriate to evaluate personnel."
ReplyDeleteI think you're right anonymous 8:59. It doesn't seem they have any issues with the way this district has been run. I think Linda Mayo has been trying to lay low.. but I think her absences and her silence speaks volumes. She either a) doesn't care about the district, b) doesn't care about public concerns or c) is so blindly loyal to McHenry that she's like a kid with her hands on her ears hummming so she can't hear the outside world.
ReplyDeleteLinda, come out come out where ever you are... speak an opinion. I mean WE elected these people.. and we can't get three of them to voice any PUBLIC opinion of anything? April's double/corporate speak is impossible to understand. Dick is just too nice for his own good but its not clear he understands the magnitude of the public unrest and Linda.. well , heck , I have no idea about Linda... she's just checked out apparantly.
Fearing retribution, I do wish to remain anonymous. Although many have reassured me that my kids would not be singled out, I have seen and continue to see otherwise with other familes who have expressed concerns at our school.
ReplyDeleteI hope we can continue to focus on the fact that McHenry is not doing his job and move forward with an action plan to correct the problem, instead of wasting our energy on figuring out who is responsible for the petition.
Does it even matter? If signatures get put on these petitions circulated by other parents, or employees, what does it matter? I know it was started by parents.. .but who really cares? In the end it is the result that matters.
ReplyDeletemomx3 is posting on the Times report of the petition - you know, the pro district rhetoric we heard on these blogs last week.
ReplyDeletewhat pro district rhetoric was "heard on these blogs" last week?
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:11,
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about? momx3 is clearly not a pro-district poster. What do you mean?
dmax
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely!
Ok, finally.. I couldn't figure out who Anonymous 1:11 (momx3 )was referring to... and I finally found some exchanges with a mdusdmomx3 on the Times comments? If that is who Anon is talking about it doesn't sound pro-district to me at all.
ReplyDelete