I spoke at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania on February 10. Originally Lehigh invited me and Michelle Rhee to debate, but after long and fruitless negotiations, she dropped out. (First she wanted a second on the stage; I agreed. Then she wanted a third on the stage; I agreed. Then she said she couldn’t find a third, and she canceled). So I decided to present a mock debate between me and “Mr. Reformer.” Of course, I had all the best lines and more of them; as I explained, that’s what happens to the side that doesn’t show up.
Lehigh made a video, which Is here. If you prefer to read instead of watch, this is a very good summary of the main points.
Lehigh plans to invite Mr. or Ms. Reformer to speak in a future session, in which he or she will get all the good lines.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Why would she debate?
She is not ENTIRELY stupid. Only a nonentity.
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Rhee was simply too chicken to debate a real educator. When Rhee was a guest on Bill Maher’s HBO show last fall, he showed her for the phony she is.
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Thank you again, Dr. Ravitch, for your cogent, researched, and common sensical arguments. And your humor, by the way! You give me confidence and hope to go forward. I appreciate everything you do.
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Thanks for giving voice to the middle class, democracy and education.
Ravitch is more than educator of the year, she is American of the Decade.
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“The Chickorhee”
The chickorhee
Is bound to flee
Whenever she’s invited
By ravitch hawk
Who makes her balk
As if she’d been indicted
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She wasn’t getting paid enough? Sent from iCloud
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Dear Dr. Ravitch:
You are more than American of the Decade, you are truly American with the spirit of kindness and caring for the Public Education. You represent for America with only 200 years young civilization in terms of land, but more than 5000 years old civilization in term of humanity.
I profoundly appreciate your spirit (=sainthood and angelic protection belief in my heart and my mind) which has given me a courage to escape from Communist in a fragile wooden boat, not once but twice.
Western people are very gullible and naive with words from Communist, Fascist, and Capitalist without conscience. People cannot truly feel first degree of burnt in order to aware the pain and sorrow of a burnt victim. We always sympathize, but cannot empathize until we live in it. Most importantly, we should sympathize with the unfortunates BUT please be aware of CON ARTIST, Communist hard-core, Fascist, and Capitalist without conscience.
It is VERY SIMPLE to observe people’s behavior, action, educational background, and religious belief. If people say one thing and do the opposite what they say, then we should not believe in, or sympathize, or try to submit to these con artists’ demand regardless of whether they are rich (speculated Warren Buffett), or powerful philanthropist (Gates foundation), or intellectual figure (Pearson publisher), or national public relation/ media/ radio/ TV host (under GREEDY business corporate control).
I am here for 40 years because I TRUST and BELIEVE in HUMANITY and CIVILITY that Dr. Ravitch’s spirit stands for. Please acknowledge my heartfelt appreciation for your kindred spirit.
Very respectfully yours,
May King from Canada.
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Thank you, May King, for your kind words.
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May,
Beautifully written. Canada is lucky you made their shores, your destination.
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Thanks for your wisdom, dignity and knowledge. I am sure the audience benefited from the evening.
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From the Lehigh article:
“In an effort to find common ground, Sasso said the College of Education also planned to host a speaker who presents an opposing view in the fall.”
Finding “common ground” with those whose goals are the destruction of and privatization of public education is called collaboration, Vichy type collaboration.
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