With A Cast of Thousands

graphic by david b

Bloomie and Mugabe: Perfect Together

Michael Bloomberg's Velvet Coup

Is Mayor Mugabe an outrageous comparison?

By Tom Robbins
Village Voice
published: October 22, 2008

Mugabe? OK, it's an outrageous comparison. Forgive me. Mike Bloomberg would never shut down newspapers or use brutal thugs against dissenters in order to hold onto power. He doesn't have to. He buys them. MORE

The Next Education Secretary: Another Horror Story?

UPDATE: Buried in this post and the comments section is my comment that Bill Ayres was an anti-union leftist (based on the elitism of the weather underground). Fred Klonsky disputed that. I backed off. Then Michael Fiorillo followed up and nailed Ayres as an arrogant elitist supporter of the Chicago school model of "reform". I'm posting Michael's comment as a stand alone right above this.

Susan Ohanian posted this Cleveland Plain Dealer article dealing with the next Education secretary with this comment:

On education, attention is focused on who McCain, Obama would name education secretary. We know McCain's possibilities are scary and most of Obama's are too. Just enter the names in a 'search'.

Susan has been a major supporter of George Schmidt's struggle against the Chicago 14 years of the mayoral control/corporate model of educational reform. The very same basis of the Educational Equality Project being trumpeted by Al Sharpton, Joel Klein, Mike Bloomberg, and John McCain. Obama hasn't signed onto it but supports some of the thrust.

Remember, his connections with Bill Ayres* was due to serving on an educational commission that has supported this Chicago model.

Underlying much of these "reforms" is removing schools from union influence (closing schools, creating charters, forced school choice that destroys neighborhood schools, etc., etc.) The two Chicago Superintendents in all these years have been Paul Vallas (failure in Philly and now heading the New Orleans mess that resulted in firing just about every union teacher) and former pro basketball player Arne Duncan whose mom had influence.

So I'm scratching my head over these excerpts from the Plain Dealer:

In a city where so much works well, Chicago's public schools seem to have improved little since the days a decade ago when Obama headed a philanthropic drive here that spent $150 million but did little to improve the educational opportunities for the city's children.

And don't forget Chicago schools CEO Arne Duncan [for Ed Secty], a friend and adviser with whom Obama often plays basketball. Obama recently accompanied Duncan on a visit to Dodge Renaissance Academy...

You mean the same Obama's buddy Arne Duncan who has been in charge of a school system that is still failing under mayoral control after all these years?

In spite of the dismay people involved with education in NYC at all levels feel about the prospect of another 4 years of BloomKlein, one of the positives will be the loss of their legacy as having improved the schools as the number of better performing kids are wrung out of the system and into charter schools. What happens when most of the large large high schools are closed and there are few union rules left, if any and there's no one to blame? There's only so much manipulation of statistics and phony grad rates they can squeeze out. Kids who were in the 1st grade when they took over will supposedly be graduating from high school in 2013. If researchers explore this cohort they will discover the true horrors of the BloomKlein years when many of these high school "graduates" will find themselves in remedial college programs and the very same business community that supports Bloomberg with such fervor will find their potential hires with as few real skills as they had 12 years ago.

See Manhattan Panel for Educational Policy (Bloomberg's illegal renaming of the Board of Education) Patrick Sullivan, the only BloomKlein critic, outline what he sees for a Bloomberg 3rd term at the NYC Public School Parents blog.

Oh, there's one more nugget in the Plain Dealer article:

"Now you have an interesting array of people whom you can't really characterize," [Randi] Weingarten said. "You have to talk in shades of gray. Things never get implemented in education when you talk about litmus tests." That's why Weingarten is spending every weekend on the road campaigning for a guy who talks about performance pay.


*Bill Ayres [probably one of those anti-teacher union lefties- I jumped the gun on this one - see Fred Klonsky comment and my reply. I took some license here based on some of the attacks I've seen on teachers by the so-called progressive left. I accept Fred's point of view.]

UFT Gives Up the Ship on Term Limits

Personally, I have always been opposed to term limits, as has this union. I am also, as are so many people, very concerned about the economy, and I am grateful the mayor is willing to step up. – Randi Weingarten

Of course Randi is opposed to term limits. She intends to be UFT and AFT president for life.

But that is not this is about.

There has been speculation (in former NY Sun reporter Elizabeth Green's guest blog at Eduwonk "Randi on a Tightrope") on the UFT position on Bloomberg's attempt to overturn term limits. Or “extend” it to 12 years in his words. I wrote a piece about this issue yesterday based on former NY Sun reporter Green's analysis.

Randi's initial reaction in the lead quote was a strong indication that she would straddle the fence and not openly oppose the mayor's plan but call for the voters to decide. Which they have already done. Twice. Maybe 3 times is a charm.

Hey Randi, can we have another vote on the 2005 contract?

It is extremely unlikely there will be a referendum, which Bloomberg would win anyway. The UFT will do little to make it happen and will not hold any of the members of the City Council accountable for their actions. (Note how UFT uber ally Christine Quinn gave up the ship.) They are using the excuse that they need to focus on preventing budget cuts. Sure. We know where Bloomberg with a guaranteed 3rd term will cut: classroom services while keeping all the pet projects: ARIS, high priced consultants, the leadership academy, and a cast of thousands at Tweed. Want to really fight cuts? Get rid of Bloomberg.

Randi's so-called "tightrope" is how to sell the members who despise BloomKlein that she was putting up a fight to stop Bloomberg in the midst of her capitulation to the mayor. The Mad Men (and Women) at the UFT have been using Klein as the bad guy, making it seem he was not attached at the hip to Bloomberg. They may even try to convince the members that they made a secret deal with Bloomie to dump Klein.Unless Klein wants to leave (like for a cabinet position) why would Bloomberg dump the guy who has so successfully outwitted the UFT at every turn and use brilliant tactics to eliminate resistance at the ground level (the chapters)?

Just watch the marketing campaign to the rank and file, who despise BloomKlein, that our priority is to fight the cuts, not stop Bloomberg's bid. What balderdash.

The UFT has been telling the members for two years, "We just have to wait BloomKlein out and get a friendlier mayor," as a way to explain Weingarten's support for mayoral control since 2001.

The current Teachers for a Just Contract (TJC) leaflet nails Weingarten:

Weingarten told us it was all figured out. Our next contract would be negotiated under the next mayor. She accepted the change in the school funding formula, claiming senior teachers would be protected because, if they were already in a school, that school would not be charged for their higher salaries until 2010. Weingarten assumed that then, with Bloomberg gone, the DoE would go back to the old rules. If he is re-elected, all senior teachers will soon become cash liabilities for their schools. Also, the agreement that test scores cannot be used for tenure decisions expires in 2010. Weingarten accepted this, too, based on her assumption that when Bloomberg was gone, it would be a whole new ball game.

Bloomberg has done and end run around Weingarten’s strategy of waiting out unfriendly
politicians. Based on these risky assumptions, she's let the union's muscles go flabby, putting all her faith in the "next mayor." The union held only one street action in the past five years.

Now, her folly is clear. Bloomberg has done an end run around term limits, and around Weingarten's "easy" strategy of waiting out unfriendly politicians. Bloomberg will be hard to beat, and chances are that we will be negotiating our next deal with him and Klein. Thanks to Weingarten, we are in no condition for the tough fight he will put up.

(See complete 2 page leaflet at Norms Notes.)

It all came to pass at last night's (Oct. 14) Executive Board meeting with a convoluted 2 page resolution that will be presented to today's Delegate Assembly with a call to let the voters decide buried in the body. Or rather, the body of resistance to Bloomberg's plans is just plain buried. This is a clear wink to City Council members there would be no UFT battle to stop Bloomberg. Of course, the UFT leadership will do little or nothing to make a voters' choice happen.

A Gotham Schools post before last night's meeting proclaimed,

Whatever they decide, it will be a bombshell, since Randi Weingarten and the union could hold substantial sway over the undecided City Council members who will determine whether Mayor Bloomberg gets an open door to the mayoralty or not.

Bombshell? More like the last chirp of a cricket about to be gobbled up by a lizard.

A correspondent sent the following report from the Exec. Bd meeting

It is a weak reso and a long one. Basically, Uft support and participate in the one NY -fighting for fairness coalition-more than 55 unions and social service organ to protect safety net programs and affirms its belief in the importance of respecting the democratic will of the people and calls for the submission of any change in the term limits law to popular referendum and elect Obama! Doug Haines (New Action) tried to strengthen it - added an amendment- (Mike) Shulman supported him saying the reso as presented would anger the members tomorrow. (Leo) Casey said we have to stay focused on protecting our members and kids because of the attacks and financial crisis. Someone else said that we can't make the council members angry with us-so we can't take to the streets on this. The whole reso is almost 2 pages long.

Go Doug. Some action from New Action. Finally. And someone should look back at Casey's and Peter Goodman's attacks on Klein on Edwize to see just how intellectually dishonest they are.

Today Casey talks about the greed on Wall St. Readers of Ed Notes may remember our challenge to the UFT in April when they held their rally against a paltry millions of dollars in budget cuts. We called on them to march a few blocks away to protest the Bear Sterns $30 billion bail out. But what do you expect when your picture appears in the dictionary under the words "intellectually dishonesty?"

Back to term limits. How about this resolution (if it comes up today, I urge all delegates to support it.)

WHEREAS the voters have spoken (twice) on limiting terms in office to two and there should be no more do overs,

RESOLVED, that the UFT unequivocally oppose the City Council''s bill to extend term limits and the UFT will seriously consider withholding endorsement and COPE money from any Council member who votes in favor of this legislation that circumvents the will of the people.

Elizabeth Green, from her new job at Gotham Schools (congrats Elizabeth) sent this link to a follow-up story today. Joining Kelly Vaughan and Philissa Kramer, Elizabeth brings a new angle to Gotham's coverage and expect to see more reporting on the actions of the UFT, hopefully with the voices of dissidents included.


This Just in
Another report from the Exec bd meeting with my comments:

Casey and Mulgrew (after last nite's performance-our next uft pres. fur sure! [NOT FOR MULGREW WHO] ) made a real issue of the most important issues to this union - protection of members and the kids we teach who have no choice but the publc schools. They painted this against a very bleak picture of the economy- they spoke of it as tho they were giving us inside information that we didn't know - a hot tip- and we better believe it. It was brought up twice-pres report and on the term limits reso.

Sandy March said that members hate Klein but like Mike. - thought Mike would get rid of Joel.
[SHE HAS GOT TO BE KIDDING]

Perhaps I am mistaken, but the message was-don't expect nuttin' from us except if he challenges us or our kids. Nuttin' else matters. Casey made a point of saying that the ATR situation is important because it harms our members.
[SURE LEO. NOW IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE ATRs ARE ORGANIZING]

Green on Randi and Bloomie Term Limits

There's lots of speculation as to whether Bloomberg can have his cake (a 3rd term) and eat it too (renewal of mayoral control of the schools.) Bet he can. And he can expect no more than proforma opposition, if that, from the UFT. Already the governance committee of the UFT has postponed its report on where the UFT stand on mayoral control due to the 3rd term issue.

Why that has anything to do with the concept of mayoral control is beyond me. But you know we have said all along the UFT was in favor (since 2001) no matter what they come out with (as a sop to the members) but have no real intention of fighting for much change other than some tweaks.

Elizabeth Green, former NY Sun ed reporter extraordinaire has been a guest blogger at Edwonk, a place I visit only when someone has a blade planted in my gut, but to read her I will.
Full post here.

Green has an interesting take on Randi's position on Bloomberg and extending term limits. Some think she will try to make a deal in exchange for Klein's head.

Yes, she is relentless in her criticism of Joel Klein, the man much-disliked by her members. But Randi does not just attack; she also tries to work as a partner on school reform. And the man she always publicly declares her partner is Bloomberg.

Of course Randi is Bloomberg's collaborator and partner but I hope Green isn't buying the UFT sham that somehow BloomKlein are not separated at the hip. He is a faithful Bloomie lapdog. Arf! If Bloomberg is a partner, Klein is no less one too.

Here is where Green is off when she says:

... Randi often holds off on taking a position until her union delegates have voted.

In fact Randi decides on her position and then uses her total power and the Unity Caucus political machine, which stacks the delegate assembly and has total control over the Executive Board, to turn that into official union policy.

Green is half right when she says

But another thing Randi often does is make deals, and it is hard to imagine that she will not try to use this time of vulnerability for Mayor Bloomberg to strike a bargain with him — to pledge some kind of support in exchange for some kind of win.

Yes, Randi makes deals. Green is wrong if she think Bloomberg is vulnerable and needs Randi. In their collaborative deals, Bloomberg comes out ahead by buying her off with more money for salaries (of which there will be precious little). But if any bargain is struck UFT members will come out the losers just as they have on all the other "bargains" - loads of givebacks and working longer for "raises."

Bloomberg and Joel Klein have UFT members on the run with ATR brush fires breaking out all over the place and Randi not being able to spend much time doing whatever AFT presidents do while she runs around putting them out.

Like she had to run over to Canarsie HS last week after angry ATRs practically ran District Rep Charlie Turner out of the building. I guess the Unity hacks' whine, "Why blame us. Klein changed the funding formula" followed by "Why are you complaining that a first year teacher has a position while you are a sub, be glad you're getting paid?" are just not working.

After calming the troops (she will defend ATRs "over my dead body") she sent poor Turner back in there the next day. He hasn't been heard from since.

Where was UFT COO (Chief Operating Officer), Mulgrew Who? (I told Green months ago that Mulgrew would not be the president of the UFT.) Wanna bet Randi is running again in 2010 for UFT Pres? She can substitute her name on Bloomberg's press release about how in these economic times yada yada yada the UFT needs her yada yada yada experienced leadership.

After Green's post on Edwonk she got this goodie from a UFT source - which I'll bet is from a certain UFT/AFT president's horse's mouth. You know the old diddie: a source is a horse is a horse is a horse.

Just got a reply on the post below from a UFT source, who adds of the line Randi is walking, “It’s not a tightrope, it’s a micro filament!” The source also sizes up Randi’s next steps by saying there are too many factors for a final deal to be brokered. “The best strategy … wait,” the source says. “No one can deliver on promises at this moment in time.”

Sure. Micro filament. We need to wait, not act. This is what the Executive Board will decide tonight and pass on to the Delegate Assembly on Wed. Wait.

With the membership despising BloomKlein so much Randi might have a bit of a sell but she'll pull it off by using the economic crisis and any other scare tactics she can think of. Maybe throw Bill Ayres name in somewhere to scare 'em.

Instead of doing a full court UFT political press on the city council members to vote Bloomie down, they'll punt. They'll throw a bone to the rank and file by calling for the voters to decide knowing full well that won't happen.

Of course the poor Unity schnooks who went around schools telling people we just have to wait out BloomKlein for the short time remaining and put the next mayor (the preferred Bill Thompson) into power will have to hope the rank and file won't remember that one.

Weingarten & Bloomberg to Extend Terms to Life - and Beyond

In a late breaking story, Ed Notes News has learned that Mayor Bloomberg and UFT President Randi Weingarten will soon make a joint statement announcing they will seek to extend their terms in office. Bloomberg, headed for a 3rd term in 2009 and Weingarten for a 5th term (or is it a 6th? they do so run together) have discovered the joys of collaboration and plan to stay in office for life – and beyond.

Weingarten declared:
"Personally, I have always been opposed to term limits, as has this union. I am also, as are so many people, very concerned about the economy, and I am grateful the mayor is willing to step up."

A number of UFT'ers who have lost seniority, basic contract protections, (even parking permits) and seen a massive deterioration in their working conditions under a decade of Weingarten rule, had been looking forward to a new regime in the UFT since Weingarten's elevation to the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers and her appointment of Mike (Who) Mulgrew as Chief Operating Officer (COO,) are no longer cooing about his appointment 'cause as he tries to take the field, Weingarten's marching band refuses to yield.

I am Grateful the Mayor is Willing to Step Up: Randi Weingarten

WOW! Two Randiisms in one day. It doesn't get any better than this.

Of course Randi opposes term limits. She can be AFT/UFT president for life (bet ya she is already running for UFT re-election in 2010 - Mulgew who?)

Note the typical disclaimer showing her "concern" so she can appear to support both sides. By the way, one sticking point in any merger with the NEA which has term limits.

Remember how Unity hacks went around schools telling people we only have to wait out Bloomberg to get changes.

Go to the people? No group more than teachers should be leading the charge to stop Bloomberg. Instead Randi will sit this one out and leave it to the people when we know Bloomberg has already bought the election.

From: UFT Press [mailto:UFTPress@uft.org] (WHY NOT SEND THEM AN EMAIL?)
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:14 PM
Subject: United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten re term limits:

Personally, I have always been opposed to term limits, as has this union. I am also, as are so many people, very concerned about the economy, and I am grateful the mayor is willing to step up. That said, I am very concerned, given that New Yorkers have twice spoken about this issue in referendums, and because of that, I think the most democratic way to change term limits is to go back to the people.”