This is a strange but true story.
As you know, I have a new book coming out in mid-September, and I plan to visit several cities on the west coast.
A reader of the blog reached out to see if the Los Angeles World Affairs Council would host me to speak at a luncheon.
I will be in Los Angeles October 1 and 2. I am speaking at Cal State-Northridge on the evening of October 2. So I thought it would be a good idea to speak to LAWAC at lunch on October 2 or in the evening of October 1.
LAWAC has previously hosted Michelle Rhee, who was introduced by Eli Broad, the billionaire philanthropist.
The initial response from LAWAC was that it would be delighted to present me, that its members are very interested in education issues, and that we could work out the details.
I conveyed this information to my lecture agent, who is coordinating my travel arrangements. She asked for a fee, as is customary (I don’t know what she asked for). The response came back that LAWAC does not pay speaker fees.
I responded immediately, directly to the executive director of LAWAC and wrote that I would gladly speak for free. He replied that LAWAC does not pay speakers’ fees.
I thought maybe he missed my previous email, so I wrote again and said, clearly and in caps, I will speak for FREE, I require no fee, nothing at all, not even expenses. I am willing to speak for no fee. No fee, no fee, no fee. Do I make myself clear? No fee. Free.
Again came back the response. “LAWAC does not pay speakers’ fees.”
I think the message is: LAWAC does not want to hear anyone who disagrees with Michelle Rhee and Eli Broad. Or maybe LAWAC is no longer interested in hearing about education as it is no longer an important issue. But it cannot be about fees.
What do you think?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Eli told them NO!
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So does that mean Michelle Rhee spoke for no fee? I seriously doubt that.
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You’re probably correct. According to their Form 990, they spent $1.087,000. on 46 speaking events.
Click to access 95-1783788_990_201006.pdf
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Maybe English is a second language. (Joke.) Have you called and spoken to a human being?
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I wonder how many times you could write back saying you’ll speak for free and still get the same response. It might be fun to see. 🙂
Or perhaps offer to pay THEM? Haha!
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…you don’t charge enough… perhaps you should offer them, say $50.00? With so much corruption laying around, the entry level assistant secretary is determind to flip the script and make that bonus pay he/she was promised…and the REAL contact is unaware of your interest to speak….
Maybe a phone call to a director should be contemplated…
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If anyone doubts the importance of this blog, just consider that the LAWAC has seriously damaged its reputation by revealing to many thousands of people across this country [and some in other countries] that it is a crudely partisan organization.
That it is not to be taken seriously.
I would welcome a change of mind on the part of those who run the organization but I’m not holding my breath. For those who complain critics of self-styled “education reform” are unwilling to engage in public open dialogue with all parties: remember this moment.
Any wonder then that the leading charterites/privatizers are not just the “education establishment” but are literally part of “the establishment”?
Trying to engage edubullies in dialogue is, well, Voltaire had them pegged:
“It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.”
🙂
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They want to invest in education and profit from it, not profit as a nation from a public investment in it.
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It’s really quite simple, Dr. Rativch, they are afraid of you.
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Lawac is wacked. Don’t know them but they don’t support your message or a balanced view of the education issue. I’m sure some enlightened business org would love to hear you when you come to LA.
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Diane,
Will you post your full tour dates when they are available?
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When Eli is a Life Director…nary will be heard a discouraging word.
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Agree with Michael. I don’t think there is any way Rhee spoke for free. Very clear what happened…once they heard from powers-that-be that you don’t represent their reform-y interests, they had to ditch. I love that it rolled out the way it did. I love that you keep emailing to push back, to make it uncomfortable.
Hoping to see you in Atlanta!
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What else do you expect from the “Broadfather?” Have to keep their fantasy in order.
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Maybe he can’t distinguish FREE from FEE. You should rewrite the email saying…..
Since I do not want money, why are you not inviting me???? Then write the word Free in as many languages as possible.
And even if they don’t have fees, I bet their speakers get something in return, like a big donation to their anti public school organization.
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Spanish = gratis (not libre which means free in the sense of liberty)
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Did they pay Michelle Rhee?
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Diane you speak the TRUTH! No way do they want to hear you speak, not even for FREE!
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Write back: “That’s why I’m speaking WITHOUT COST. It’s also why my topics will include reading comprehension issues among adult professionals in LAWAC.”
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If you are allowed to speak, Diane, then they are under some obligation to respond or at least consider what you have to say.
By refusing to give you a platform, it’s far easier for them to maintain their so-called reform echo chamber.
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Write them a formal letter saying that you’ll be in LA and want to speak to them about some aspect of education. Send it with a “signature required.”…Also, call and speak to a “higher up,” whoever that may be. Don’t let this rest until you have a definite answer and even a given reason if possible. Try to find who is making this decision to ignore you.
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The LAWAC is just one of several organizations in the state that is supposed to be nonpartisan and open to the free exchange of ideas locally and internationally. We should protest to all the WACs in California that the Los Angeles chapter has been bought by moneyed interest. Maybe a national protest and inquiry, do you believe in public education or not.
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It doesn’t cost anything to be polite. It doesn’t cost anything to listen…hmmmm!! Maybe it would cost the organization a great deal of money if they defied the man who writes the check. There is power, and in some organizations there is absolute power. The times are telling us who are the powerful and must be obeyed. Not a lot of moral or courageous fiber to go around these days. In the face of your enemies you have been formidable. However, knowing who is at your back and finding out who is hoping to strike you from behind is another question and certainly another story. Not one they want you to tell.
You should consider this a huge compliment and even better it reveals once again their the thin skin of those who fear your message and those who have an achilles heel. They have once again exposed themselves.
The book Dirty Wars has given a birds eye view of the reason and movement behind the unraveling of every system in our country. It also reveals why government claims ignorance on far too many things as the decisions swirl around them and the execution of each move is enacted by another set of powers. You, Dr. Ravitch, have stepped dangerously close to these unscrupulous egomanical narcissistic mega power elite.
The proof is in the pudding which will be eaten at the events of the LAWAC. Your denial of invitation has served you better then a speaking engagement.
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Even better, it didn’t cost you anything and it cost them their reputation in the minds of thousands of citizens! Sweet justice!!
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Try this msg: “I will PAY YOU TO LET ME SPEAK! Just tell me how much and I’ll send a check!”
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Ira,
Great idea.
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Diane,
I don’t know if you have time or a want to attend as a participant, but it might be worth it just to show up and continue to make some of those folks uncomfortable. The thing that you really need to do is what you are doing, being the clear and concise voice for public education and that means education for all.
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If it quacks like a duck..,
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I think the people at LAWAC need a hearing aid, a lesson in semantics in the English language, or a brand new shiny cerebellum.
Maybe they can pick up a refurbished one at Sears?
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I think they also need some manners.
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Their web site does say that they do not pay honoraria or expenses to speakers. I searched the archives for Michelle Rhee. When she spoke, she was introduced by Ely Broad. Rhee is described in the archive with the usual rheeformy rhetoric.
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This quote from the Young Professional page of LAWAC’s web site:
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Mmmmmmmm………
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I can certainly agree with that, although I am not in general much of a fan of Nietzsche. Liberal group think is responsible for most of our current national troubles, in my (minority) view.
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Ms. Ravitch: We at Save The LA World Affairs Council apologize to you for the inexcusable manner in which you were dismissed. We encourage you to read more about the LAWAC at: http://preservethelawac.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/bad-press-spreads-about-the-los-angeles-world-affairs-council/. We regret we won’t have an opportunity to hear you speak, but if you will let us know where you will be in Southern California, we will be happy to post the information at our site for our readers.
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Thank you to those at Los Angeles World Affairs Council who wrote to me. I will be speaking at Occidental on October 1, where Steve Zimmer will be my host. On October 2, I speak at CSUN Northridge, hoping Monica Ratliff will be there.
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Ms. Ravitch: As promised, Save The Los Angeles World Affairs Council has posted your schedule for October 1-2 at
http://preservethelawac.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5058&action=edit
If this should change or if you add more appearances in the Los Angeles area, please let us know and we will pass the information on to our readers. There are many members of the LAWAC who have expressed an interest in attending and listening to you. Thank you and your supporters for your unwavering attention to the sad plight of the American educational system. -STLAWAC
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Thank you. I was unable to open the link.
To repeat, I will speak at Occidental College on October 1; board member Steve Zimmer will introduce me there.
On October 2, I speak at CSUN Northridge. I will be introduced by a special guest.
Those are my only appearances in Los Angeles.
In the few days before, I will be in Seattle, Sacramento, Berkeley, San Francisco, and Stanford.
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Sorry.
Should have been preservethelawac.wordpress.com
(I’m not as skilled at this blogging thing as you are!) 🙂
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