Bush official calls teachers union a "terrorist organization"

[numediaman]

Paige tells governors NEA is 'terrorist organization'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Education Secretary Rod Paige called the nation's largest teachers union a "terrorist organization" during a private White House meeting with governors on Monday.

Democratic and Republican governors confirmed Paige's remarks about the 2.7-million-member National Education Association.

"These were the words, 'The NEA is a terrorist organization,'" said Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin.

"He was making a joke, probably not a very good one," said Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania. "Of course he immediately divorced the NEA from ordinary teachers, who he said he supports."

"I don't think the NEA is a terrorist organization," said Rendell, who has butted heads with the group as well. "They're not a terrorist organization any more than the National Business Organization is a terrorist organization.

Neither the Education Department nor NEA had an immediate comment on Paige's comments. Both indicated that statements were forthcoming.

Education has been a top issue for governors, who have sought more flexibility from the administration on President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law, which seeks to improve school performance in part by allowing parents to move their children from poorly performing schools.

[zimv20]

even if said in jest, that word is thrown around a little too casually, imo. kind of the way 'communist' was thrown around in the 50s, to punish those w/ whom one disagrees.

[numediaman]

The NEA responds:

NEA President Calls
Education Secretary’s Comments
About NEA 'Morally Repugnant'

NEA President Reg Weaver issued the following statement regarding Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige's reference to the NEA as a "terrorist organization" today at a private meeting of governors at the White House.

Weaver said, "It is morally repugnant to equate those who teach America's children with terrorists._ NEA is 2.7 million teachers and educators who are fighting for children and public education._ Yet this is the kind of rhetoric we have come to expect from this Administration whenever one challenges its worldview."

[mactastic]

Thouroughly innappropriate. Paige should resign. If he won't Bush should fire him in order to disassociate himself with the words of one of his own cabinet members. If neither of those things happens, I have to conclude Bush agrees with what Paige said.

[Savage Henry]

Originally posted by mactastic
Thouroughly innappropriate. Paige should resign. If he won't Bush should fire him in order to disassociate himself with the words of one of his own cabinet members. If neither of those things happens, I have to conclude Bush agrees with what Paige said.

That will never happen. If everyone in the Republican organisation resigned when they said something so biggoted then there would be no one left.

It'll be bounced back about miscontextualised, misquotes or misunderstandings, but definately no mistakes on their part.