The indefinite suspension (firing) of five principals in Newark–who spoke out against the closure of their schools– by Chris Christie’s appointee Cami Anderson is going viral! Time for an anti-bullying program in New Jersey.
Jersey Jazzman shows in this post that the bullying agenda of Governor Chris Christie is advancing in many New Jersey towns, but it is no longer hidden.
Veteran journalist exposed it, I used Bob Braun’s expert reporting on the national “The Ed Show” on MSNBC, and the fight is on for the future of public education is on in New Jersey. Legislators from affected cities in NJ have introduced a proposal requiring that school closings have not only state, but local, approval. Call it the reverse-ALEC bill, since ALEC pushes legislation to override local control regarding school closings, charter schools, and privatization.
One other amazing fact: the NJ agenda of school closings and charterizing was underwritten by the ELI Broad Foundation in Los Angeles. The Broad money went to NJ with one restriction: it is contingent on Chris Christie remaining as governor. The bully foundation supporting the bully governor.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This “purse strings attached” style bullying has quite a history in many a “corporate ed reform” controlled areas of the country. I recall when DC Public Schools wanted to implement a raise for its teachers, the money came from (was it Gates.. I think but do correct me if I am wrong) the corporate world and it stipulated that if Rhee was no longer in office then the money for the raises would no longer be in the coffers. The chief financial officer stepped in and said.. “can’t do that”… Money is dictating policy and this completely destroys the checks and balances of democracy!
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In all humility, I call on Robert Rendo to provide us with a graphic [suitable for t-shirts and web pages] affirming solidarity with the Newark principals.
Perhaps featuring the above: “The Newark 5 Are Not Alone!”
Or maybe “Newark 5 and White Suburban Moms — You Are Not Alone!”
Or in memory of MLK: “Newark 5 — Injustice Anywhere Is A Threat To Justice Everywhere!”
Or rather than falling into the CC assumption of one-size-fits-all, others will suggest a variety of succinct statements and graphics that express the same, or other, thoughts and sentiments.
Thanking you in advance,
your local neighborhood KrazyTA.
😎
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Christie’s bullying tactics are variations on “pay to play,” for which IL Democratic governor Rod Blagojevich is currently in prison, due to his strong-arming of various people from a variety of organizations, in order to get returns for granting political favors, as well as boldly trying to sell an appointment to Obama’s vacated senate seat. His defense was basically that what he did was business as usual. And that is precisely the problem.
The IL governor who preceded Blago, Republican George Ryan, was imprisoned for corruption of a similar nature, so Blago was elected based on his promise to clean up government. That was never going to happen, because we have a long-standing political culture in America that is based on the adored wheeling and dealing business model, and cut-throat business practices are regularly employed to further political agendas and personal gain, all involving some form of “pay to play.”
What is particularly heinous today, as evidenced by the Fort Lee Washington bridge incident, the Hoboken Superstorm Sandy incident and the Newark principals incident, is that people are expected to play along with whomever is in power, regardless of their party affiliation and beliefs, or there will be serious retributions. “Pay to play or else…” takes the game to a whole new level and essentially amounts to government racketeering. It’s a good thing that Hoboken mayor Dawn Zimmer is working with the Feds to address this, because that’s what it took to bring down both corrupt Illinois governors.
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What representative government of, for, and by the people? We have corruption and moolah running this entire country…and the rest of us who contribute and care suffer. Pity this country.
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why is this legal? Can’t the FBI investigate?
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