Jon Pelto on the Arrogance of Power

June 28, 2013 //

More than anyone else other than the plaintiffs, Jonathan Pelto has been a persistent critic of Paul Vallas, Stefan Pryor, and their indifference to “legalities,” I.e. the law.

Pelto’s blog has the full story.

Categories Connecticut, Vallas, Paul

13 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

Castles Burning says:

June 28, 2013 at 10:59 pm

Yes, he has, indeed, and we are very grateful to him. Countless times has he reminded them of what the law says.

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Yvonne Siu-Runyan says:

June 28, 2013 at 11:11 pm

Finally…and yeah. Now the FEDs and governors need the same.

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2old2tch says:

June 28, 2013 at 11:18 pm

Don’t we all have stories about someone who was hired or promoted over more qualified candidates who didn’t have crony clout? It is more sickening when those who hold a lot of power just pass positions around among their own “elite” friends, but it happens at all levels. “It’s not what you know but who you know” may sound very cynical, but it is more true than we would like to think. At some point, however, some demonstration of competence is usually required. Vallas’ connections got him several jobs for which he was poorly prepared. I wonder where he will land next?

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Jon Awbrey says:

June 28, 2013 at 11:38 pm

We are either going to live in a society where knowing the job and doing gets you appreciated and rewarded or we are going to live in a society where knowing the job and doing the job gets you abused and fired.

A nation that chooses the latter course will spiral downward and crash.

It has happened before …

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- TC says:
  
  June 29, 2013 at 12:19 am
  
  Good point.
  
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ronee groff says:

June 29, 2013 at 2:42 am

Many years ago I heard Rush Limbaugh (this was at the peak of his rantings and ratings, pontification and arrogance) making the comment that he was invited to the Bush compound in Texas. That he was asked for his advice on matters of the government and the future of the country. He remarked that his advise was that they should steam ahead with any plans they may have and worry about the consequences later. I almost ran my car up a pole!!! All I could think of was the audacity of this buffoon to be so simplistic and arrogant to think they could disregard law to suit their purposes, goals and objectives because, oh well…….because they could…and just should.
Little did I realize that the message was put out on the airwaves as an absolute warning that’s exactly what was being done. Full steam ahead and to hell with a concern for the legal or moral particulars of getting their purposes accomplished.

But then there was the reminder of President Clinton when he violated the dignity and concern for his office when he engaged in sex in the oval office with a paramour and asked why he did it and he simply said…. because I could….. Really?!!
Just because he could…to hell with what is right on any level.

Lowering standards to meet wants. Much like a child who asks for the car keys before he has learned to drive or read the manual to know the laws that govern the rules of the road. And he takes the keys and goes out endangering himself and everyone else.

Read Dirty Wars and see where the arrogance of a Vallas and others stems from. We could call it the Cheney Way for purposes of a Midas Age. Just act as if you live in a parrallel universe, a parrallel government with your own rules (to hell with the laws of the land), where you can do what you want without regard for anyone other then the interests of yourself and your cohorts. Like declaring war on another country and getting others to go along with it for purposes outside of their understanding or the truth of the facts needed to make the decision.Thousands have died, because the king wasn’t wearing any clothes, and the advisors lied and because…. they could and they did!!!

These things don’t happen in a vacuum, they happen because people are too lazy, scared, or willing to compromise themselves and endanger others for self interest. They happen all the time and often escalate, like a little white lie that becomes a whopper.
A lie is a lie!!! Anyone who does not confront it is a party to it.

The judge, and the courageous persons who took this on in the great State of Connecticut should be emmulated. They cetainly have my respect and appreciation.
For a rare moment I feel like I am breathing clean air and I can continue to believe in Hope and Justice…. they are still alive and living in Connecticut.

In my opinion the Education Reform movement is built on a lie and has been moved by those… that can…. without regard and with the manipulation of others. The arrogance is in the paternalistic attitude of the perceived belief that money and power supercedes all and everyone else. The architects of this have now been reminded that they have failed the test and do have to be accountable. Sweet Justice!!!

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- Duane Swacker says:
  
  June 29, 2013 at 12:48 pm
  
  “But then there was the reminder of President Clinton when he violated the dignity and concern for his office when he engaged in sex in the oval office with a paramour. . . .”
  
  I guess that paramour couldn’t resist the evil powers of a man in a high position, or is it that the man in a high position couldn’t resist the evil charms of that lady of the night/day?? Takes two to tango!
  
  Who cares about the sexual dalliances of anyone. Now the lying and obfuscating by Clinton reveals a whole lot more than the dalliance.
  
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- Duane Swacker says:
  
  June 29, 2013 at 12:50 pm
  
  “A lie is a lie!!! Anyone who does not confront it is a party to it.”
  
  Totally agree, such as the lies and falsehoods that are educational standards and standardized testing. All those who have gone along to get along is a party to the harming, causing injustice to the most innocent, the children.
  
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George Buzzetti says:

June 29, 2013 at 3:01 am

I agree with everything Ronee said. The most important one for winning this case is that it is being brought forward by a former judge. He is presenting in front of his former brotherhood. This is really unique. If he is the kind of legal scholar which he seems to be in the legal game ensued most doors have been welded shut and all legal arguments closed up and by the defense of Vallas and his lawyers and such they appear to be lies and weak at best and certainly not within the stated law in the decision. This is a strong case to survive appeals. Vallas and backers are caught with their pants down this time.

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- Maria Pereira says:
  
  June 29, 2013 at 7:41 am
  
  He is a brilliant she.
  
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- msavage says:
  
  June 29, 2013 at 9:04 am
  
  “These things don’t happen in a vacuum, they happen because people are too lazy, scared, or willing to compromise themselves and endanger others for self interest. They happen all the time and often escalate, like a little white lie that becomes a whopper.
  A lie is a lie!!! Anyone who does not confront it is a party to it.”
  
  This is an important point. There were a very few people here who were willing to stick their necks out to stand up for what’s right in Bridgeport. A few out of many–and thank goodness for them! Let them be an example to the many, many more who were too “lazy, scared or willing to compromise themselves.” Maybe this victory will serve as an inspiration? It can! It must! And George Buzzetti–the former judge of whom you speak is a WOMAN. Brotherhood? Hmmm…doesn’t really work here. The deciding judge was a WOMAN as well.
  
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schoolgal says:

June 29, 2013 at 6:53 am

I hope this decision is not overturned. Too many city and state chancellors, and even The Secretary of Education, are not qualified. But, they were hired to privatize the school system and run it into the ground so charters could take over.
What background did Klein have? What background did Cathie Black have? And look at the backgrounds of so many Broad Academy/TFAs who have risen to get the jobs to run school systems when they have no background in the field. It’s disgusting. Lawyers and Wall Street are now running (ruining) public ed.

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- ronee groff says:
  
  June 29, 2013 at 8:32 am
  
  You make the case!!! A story for media covering all of the players and qualifications. Schools opened for profit without track records and advertised with fluff and public relations. Promises made but not kept. Media hype for Rheeformers before they performed, so on and so forth. Or maybe I should say they performed too well and played a smoke and screen act that dazzled the best of magicians.
  
  But then we did have a President of the United States brag about being a C student with an in your face attitude. Who made plain reading was not his game but we built a library in his name. Should I continue to rap it out?!!
  
  A very select group of mega narcissists are leading the way while the children are no longer having fun at play. Measurement of every breath taken and tested and forsaken!!!
  
  Do No Harm?!!! An unkept promise. This is medias chance to undo their part in this as there is enough proof in this pudding to public unravel the Truth and change some of this misguided direction. The courts may well be a place for some possibility of hope.
  
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