One person who leans left called the comments here a "cesspool" and stated the following: "You run a board full of racism, sexism, anti-unionism, and hatred of children. I find it abhorrent." I don't agree but I have heard sentiments like this, maybe not to this extreme, before. Some of you really know how to agitate which isn't necessarily bad but does need to stay in bounds.
Someone who I think is more from the right said about the recent removal of certain comments, "Only one point of view. Sad, sad. Free speech finally ended. You had a good run James." I disagree here too. The last thing I want here is an echo chamber. Disagree all you want and tell us what you think conditions are like in the schools or in the union.
Since nobody seems happy, let me state the comment policy that I will try to monitor more closely.
- Please try not to make it too personal with each other. I don't care if you want to attack me or attack anyone in the union. We are telling you our ideas in the public domain. We are in union positions or want to be there. If you want to tell us we are a**holes or full of s**t, go right ahead. I can't say calling Mulgrew or Randi names is ok but calling Norm or me names is out of bounds.
- Be careful about using profanity as kids do read this stuff and let's try to keep it as clean as possible. (Note how I bleeped myself above.)
- No hijacking the blog. This is where I am drawing the line for real. There is someone here who takes our pieces on whatever topic they are on and then copies a provocative article from the NY Post or some other publication and puts it in the comments and then for the next two days people are responding to the Post piece in the comments and not the original posting. That has to stop. It makes me feel like I wasted my time writing the original piece (very damaging to my fragile ego). Please stay on topic. Some of these pieces are broad enough where you can throw your world views in but some really are not.
If there are controversial comments, I have established an ICEUFT blog Comment Committee consisting of my wife Camille, Norm Scott and me to settle disputes.
I hope you find this policy fair. If not, as Norm says, start your own blog and cut out the middleman. We want to continue providing union and education news and opinion and we definitely hope to hear from everyone who reads this but please be fair.
Thanks.
Yeah now norm Scott is going to be the politically correct police. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteYour rules seem fair. I trust you and Norm to be fair and assume your wife will be fair as well. Roseanne McCosh
ReplyDeleteThe rules are acceptable. One of the things I frequent remind my students to do is stay on topic. In fact we have had lessons on how to do just that using a self check guide to remind them during class discussions.
ReplyDeleteI wish someone would start a full blown message forum for people to post questions and answers. With so many teachers it would be somewhat well trafficked. If I knew how to I would create one.
ReplyDeleteEmail iceuft@gmail.com. Happy to help on email.
ReplyDeleteI have a legit question and just wanted your input. Censorship sucks. Your getting cranky in your old age
ReplyDeleteWe are not going to have every post be about your favorite issue. Stop it.
ReplyDeleteI guess you are going to make me really work at this. The comment rules are clear to stay on topic. Are you going to go at this all day and all night? Please email me offlist and we can discuss it further.
ReplyDeleteI’m done censorship wins good luck posting about the same crap. We all know why the schools are failing and our students are not getting the education and proper emotional foundation they deserve. Bye
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteAs a long-time reader of your blog for over a decade, I very much appreciate the work you do to advocate for NYC teachers and the information you share here. Lately, however, I've been getting disheartened by the repeated hateful comments that are being left by one anonymous commenter who is not only blatantly racist, but proud of his blatant racism. I applaud you for stepping up to the task of keeping this a space to talk about real issues in the UFT and not letting some idiot hijack it so he can repeatedly tell us how much he hates black kids.
Off topic James. You need to remove the previous post. In response what’s blatantly racists my misguided friend? Who hates black kids? Give me one sentence, one word my intellectually superior colleague? Just the opposite, I wouldn’t call you. Racists and welcome and intelligent discussion on the many, numerous, abundant, and overwhelming challenges faced by us as teachers, and especially the students, many of whom most likely but not always black and Hispanic. The policies we have used for the past 75-100yrs has not only not helped but hurt their educational, economic and social progress. One last thing, just like you James I took the time and limited intellectual ability to write this post the least you can do is let it be read, and like you and many others we have a different point of view to fix our numerous problems which doesn’t make us racists, racists, kkk or anything else. We too have children, go to church and try to lead an honorable hard working life and to throw out the race card is beneath the many who type it and think it. I may be wrong in my beliefs and I’m willing to respectfully listen to other points of view. I welcome those other points of view. God bless
ReplyDeleteI haven't checked the email but I am guessing that 1:55 has not emailed iceuft@gmail.com. However, your creds are a little low because you said you were done and obviously came back as 5:43.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you have me do 4:54? If I remove the last two comments that are somewhat on topic, then 5:43 will cry censorship because we disagree with him. If I don't, then people on the left will say I am running a board that they think tolerates racists spreading their poison. I'm in a no win situation but at least there is no article from the Post so that is a slight gain today.
I’m not going to let someone call me a racists when they haven’t any proof. I realize liberals love calling people racists it’s their favorite thing to do. Let the ones on the left think what they want it’s what you think that matters. And if you think my posts and only my posts are racists give me proof. They may be somewhat off topic but racists? Come on. Just to let you know I’m not the one reposting articles from the NY Post. I wouldn’t even know how to do that. Nothing on the merits of my post? not surprising. God bless
DeleteOh by the way no ones crying James
DeleteCry censorship does not mean you are in tears. Still hoping for that email.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer but not going to happen. In this environment being anonymous is a blessing. Only 2 yrs until retirement.
DeleteJames you are a hypocrite. You have no problem "exposing" people and labeling them whatever you want but now you want to regulate when we want to label you and your garbage wife, website, and Norm too!
ReplyDeleteStop trolling ...the only garbage here are you dumbass comments...so go take your trashy garbage and stick it where the sun never shines..
Delete@8:26...why are you so mad? Calm down...
DeleteRidiculous post, James has done more for teachers than most. Disagree with some of his positions but to use the term garbage is totally out of line and you should be ashamed. God bless
ReplyDeleteI am hurt about what you said about Camille but rules are rules so have a blast criticizing us.
ReplyDeleteNow some well meaning reader is going to say that by allowing the garbage comment not to be censored, I tolerate racism and misogyny. I can't win.
If you think Camille is garbage then I am garbage too. But pray tell why do you label Camille garbage? it fits right in with your general racist view. Do deny deny deny all you want. Everyone who reads this blog knows you are racist adn you are the only one who doesn't recognize that.
ReplyDeleteAnd word to Unity hacks and slugs - stop reading this blog and mine. I am worried about your blood pressure.
Wrong person my friend. God bless
Delete@11:41...how could anyone tell it's the wrong person?
DeleteWaiting for Support the person who wrote the garbage comment was not the same person that all of you call a racist. Totally different style and viewpoint.
DeleteIt’s a shame James they all jumped to their liberal conclusion he had to be me. I forgive them and thanks for attempting to clarify the correct person responsibly for the disgraceful attack on you and your wife. The jury is still out on norm though. Lol God bless
DeleteNorm is a real trade unionist and strong supporter of public education. Camille and I will have the honor of being at the award ceremony on Tuesday when Leonie Haimson honors Norm.
DeleteYou may disagree with some of his politics but you cannot deny the work he has done on behalf of teachers, students and public schools for five decades.
ReplyDeleteNorm, It was not the guy you all call the racist who wrote that stupid garbage comment. It's someone connected to Camille's former principal at Humanities and the Arts.
Thanks James, as an atr I’ve rotated into your wife’s old school and was even placed in her class to sort of co teacher for a week a few yrs back. I even helped her break up a fight. She’s a lovely person and great teacher. You definitely married up. God bless
DeleteI certainly did marry up.
DeleteJust to be clear I was referring to all three of you as garbage, James, Camille, and Norm. I was not singling out Camille. The UFT is garbage too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that clarification. You sound like a CSA star or Unity riser.
ReplyDeleteGarbage recognizes garbage
ReplyDelete