DeKalb school board has forfeited right to office

Two rules of good governance:

Rule No. 1) It is never a good idea to let unelected people sit in judgment of and even remove officials who have been put into public office by the vote of the people. The practice contradicts the entire concept of self-government and undermines accountability. If voters elect bad officials, they ought to live with the consequences of doing so.

Rule No. 2) In case of a true emergency, Rule No. 1 can and must be broken.

The DeKalb County School Board is the perfect case study of why Rule No. 2 exists. The board and the district that it is supposed to oversee are not merely dysfunctional; they have been dysfunctional for years. Superintendents have come and gone, often walking away with nice payoffs and in one case with a corruption indictment. Studies and audits have been authorized, conducted and then buried. Pledges have been made that this time, things will finally change, and time and again the change has been for the worse.

Millions of dollars in taxpayer money have been wasted. Precious years have been wasted. More important, tens of thousands of students have passed through a school system that did not treat their education as its top priority. There is too little sign that is changing.

Quite the contrary. Since December, when the DeKalb school system was notified that its repeated misbehavior had put its accreditation in danger, board members have made it more clear than ever that their top priority is maintaining their own power and authority. They have hired outside legal counsel, at considerable taxpayer expense, to protect their own jobs. They have filed state and federal lawsuits, again at considerable expense, challenging the state’s right to remove them.

Had they shown similar initiative and energy in fixing the district’s problems, they would not find themselves in this situation.

In another step to deflect criticism, the board has hired former state legislator and labor commissioner Michael Thurmond to serve as its interim superintendent. Thurmond is a good man and is generally well respected by both Republicans and Democrats. By nature and experience, he is well-suited to bridge the geographic, racial and economic divides that make DeKalb such a complicated place to govern.

In a marathon meeting of the state Board of Education on Thursday, Thurmond committed himself to changing the district’s direction and leadership.

“This is the job of a lifetime,” he said to the state board, telling them that he would not have been lured out of his private law practice by anything less than than the opportunity to solve a major crisis.

Thurmond also vouched strongly for the current DeKalb board’s willingness to help him. The problem is, as an employee of the DeKalb board, he cannot fix the board. His own competence, reputation and experience have no real relevance to the board’s fate. Furthermore, it is unfair and inappropriate for the board to use Thurmond as a mouthpiece to plead publicly on their behalf. His job as interim superintendent is to improve the education being offered to DeKalb students, not to preserve the jobs of the board members who hired him.

Last night, the state board voted unanimously to recommend removal of most of the DeKalb board. Sadly, the district’s issues are too profound to be solved by that step alone. But if Gov. Nathan Deal ends up following that recommendation, and if the courts decide that he has the authority to do so, progress can begin.

– Jay Bookman

601 comments Add your comment

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
9:49 am

First and foremost to be a board member you MUST be loyal to Atlanta’s political mafia. Corruption and incompetence overseeing corruption and incompetence sounds a lot like the formula used in D.C. On another note: Andrew Cook finally got what he deserved for murdering two humans – and it is about time. 20 + years of tax payers paying to house and feed this scum is 20 years to long. Cook finally got COOKED!

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
9:49 am

Keep in mind that many studies argue…

Keep in mind that many studies argue that I will be the Braves starting pitcher on opening day.

HDB

February 22nd, 2013
9:49 am

FUN GUY
February 22nd, 2013
8:58 am

Do you REALLY want to go there??

1) “You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you.. so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?” Lest you forget….the ghetto was where whites first segregated against Jews….then they amplified the segregation against blacks and other minorities…..When you deny economic opportunity to a certain segment, that segment goes into survival mode..and by whatever means……..

“You have the United Negro College Fund.” A conservative answer to the lack of educational funding for blacks and other minorities!

” You have Martin Luther King Day.” You have George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Confederate monuments…….are you afraid to honor a major minority force in American history??

“You have Black History Month.” You have American History in perpetuity….and the distortions and omissions therein; are you afraid to fill in the blanks??

“You have Cesar Chavez Day.” — See above

“You have Yom Hashoah. You have Ma’uled Al-Nabi.” — see previous two

“You have the NAACP.” An organization that was founded to gain the CONSTITUTIONAL protections for minorities that they majority ALREADY HAD!! Also remember that the GOP was first founded by freed blacks…but now, it has been co-opted by racist whites (also known as conservatives….check your history)

” You have BET.” BET is owned by Viacom…..

” If we had WET (White Entertainment Television), we’d be racists.” You have NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX…and look how the preponderance of minorities is portrayed in the media…….not especially friendly, is it??

” If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists” How about Confederate Memorial Day??.

“If we had White History Month, we’d be racists.” You have American History…which tends to marginalize the minority effect upon the American paradigm…….

“If we had any organization for only whites to ‘advance’ OUR lives, we’d be racists.” Try the KKK, John Birch Society, the Tea Party……

“We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that??” …and how long were minorities kept OUT of those organizations?? How long has minority speeding power been ignored by the majority??

“A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.” Really?? Remember, Vanessa Williams didn’t get crowned Miss America until 1983…..and she was the FIRST to be ALLOWED…..and to WIN!!! What took so long??

“If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships… You know we’d be racists.” You do…try LEGACIES!!

“There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US …” A conservative answer to being denied entrance to predominately white colleges until the late 60’s

” Yet if there were ‘White colleges’, that would be a racist college.” Did you forget Bob Jones University……..

“In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.” You forgot all the crosses that were burned to pronounce “white rights”…..you forget the aspects of the KKK, John Birch Society, Skinheads, and the Tea Party……

WAKE UP, my friend….there’s more to the story than what you’re being told!!!

alex

February 22nd, 2013
9:50 am

2 Gt the money from the federal govt. issue is complex and the money is temporary with a decline in these “grants” after 2 years, clearly a long term fix is necessary.. Clearly the Ga. govenor should have qualms about relying on future money from a financial strapped federal govt. As for Dem opening and back to Dekalb co., what are the party affiliations of the school board ? I doubt either party has much to crow about , Unfortunately we will see only what we want to see in terms of party problems….

barking frog

February 22nd, 2013
9:50 am

Without criminal complaints I don’t think an elected official
can be removed from office but the attempt may bring about
a change in the voters selections but that does not insure that
the choices will be wise ones. However charter schools and
scholarships will eventually change the situation.

Peadawg

February 22nd, 2013
9:51 am

“Keep in mind that many studies argue that I will be the Braves starting pitcher on opening day.”

Got a link to back that up? Or rather than argue his point, you spam Jay’s blog?

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
9:51 am

Finally some relief for the family of the young girl murdered by Andrew Cook – and the world won’t shed a tear for his passing – rest in HELL Andrew Cook.

kayaker 71

February 22nd, 2013
9:52 am

Keep, 9:42,

I am not saying either of these. But the obvious is being ignored. Most responsible people who have some desire to join the mainstream have a few prerequisites that any society demands of them. A job, some desire to obey the law, a responsibility to pay your own bills and being responsible for your own bad choices in life. These things have nothing to do with race. You could be green with pink polka dots and the rules are still the same. There’s nothing wrong with being different. There’s nothing wrong with being the individual that you want to be. But in an organized society, there are certain obligations that anyone, regardless of their color, have to others in that same society. And when your identity gets more important than that, someone is not going to accept that. This is not a broad brush of racial ignorance…… just some common sense that is being ignored.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
9:53 am

Right on cue, I can make the puppy piddle.

Pavlovian.

Peadawg

February 22nd, 2013
9:53 am

my 9:15 should be:

…Or rather than argue his point like an adult,….

Thomas Heyward Jr

February 22nd, 2013
9:53 am

First Bookman wants to depose the duly elected Sheriff.
Now the school board.
.
What’s up with these Obama Totalitarians?
.
Give em an inch………………………..

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
9:54 am

Kam

Guess he is still not house broken after all these years.

Peadawg

February 22nd, 2013
9:54 am

And I guess Kamspam’s 9:53 answered my 9:53…that’d be no.

Aquagirl

February 22nd, 2013
9:55 am

however the mainstream, you know, the ones that do the hiring, might not look upon that as a qualification for employment. Neither do they favor someone who can’t put two words together and make a sentence.

Yes, I too sympathize with the Cobb Co. grads whose resumes went directly into the circular file when the mainstream–you know, the ones who do the hiring—realized this person graduated from a system run by Creationist idiots.

Now what were you saying about rustbuckets and wheels and such? The pointy hood muffles your speech, I didn’t quite catch that part.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
9:55 am

GT

February 22nd, 2013
9:55 am

Educated people in this state are called liberals, religious people are called conservatives. I dare say you will find many on both sides in the middle not liberal or conservative, just right and honest. We have got to start articulating ourselves and stop trying to win debates by labels. Failure is the label I see for Georgia but we don’t always have to be failures and if something is working, which nothing is, labels don’t matter do they.

In the middle

February 22nd, 2013
9:57 am

Although it may be fun and easy to say that all GOP is racists, that comment in itself shows a high level ignorance. I can find racists in any group and organization. One does not make all, so if you can’t keep your stupidity out of the gutter than just go away, you are useless to the world and are using valuable oxygen.

The issue is education and failing school boards. Keep your eye on the ball.

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
9:57 am

Move the Falcons to the “burbs’ where they will be appreciated. All downtown thinks about is how to hit the Falcons up for another handout. The Falcons should feel offended by these political leeches in the Atlanta mafia gub’ment.

Thomas Heyward Jr

February 22nd, 2013
9:58 am

Two rules of good governance:

Rule No. 1) It is never a good idea to let unelected people sit in judgment of and even remove officials who have been put into public office by the vote of the people. The practice contradicts the entire concept of self-government and undermines accountability. If voters elect bad officials, they ought to live with the consequences of doing so.

Rule No. 2) In case of a true emergency, Rule No. 1 can and must be broken.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
“.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that”
.
Is it the right of the people or……………….some other government hack?

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
9:59 am

Why should the Falcons feel “offended”? They are only going to pay 40% or less of their own money to have a new stadium that they are pushing for and want.

barking frog

February 22nd, 2013
9:59 am

Morality?
Finally some relief for the family of the young girl murdered by Andrew Cook – and the world won’t shed a tear for his passing – rest in HELL Andrew Cook.
………………………………………………………………………………..
Revenge is sweet.

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:01 am

The majority of so called “liberals” aka socialists aren’t as edumacated as you may think.

Jefferson

February 22nd, 2013
10:01 am

I don’t think ANY school boards should EVER have the power to levy taxes on property. School fundings should be exclusive to the state as mandated by the state constitution. If the state needs revenue, they can have a (more) progressive income tax and/or a mixture corporate/business taxes.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:02 am

Rule No. 3)

If we use the normal standards by which liberals judge these things then Jay’s comments would be labeled racist.

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:02 am

Peadawg, you definitely have the victim shtick down pat.

71’s dripping bigotry and racism is widely known and documented on this forum.

You and straitroad can apologize for him if you choose, but I will expose this disgusting crap for what it is sheer racial animus fed by southern ignorance and bigotry.

And note that the FUN troll never justifies his own post. Nor any of his comrades here like straitroad. Like their hooded forebears they hide from the light of day.

But in the spirit of the great Kansas abolitionists, I won’t let them hide out on this forum.

Feel the fire, racists.

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
10:02 am

Kam

It is funny that Peadawg posted a “golf clap” post relating to a post that had zero to do with Jay’s article, yet he cries and feigns outrage because you posted something that was not related to Jay’s article.

Irony goes good on salads, cereal, turkey and even cakes. He puts it on everything.

AmericaShrugged

February 22nd, 2013
10:03 am

GT – Just counting governors, senators, congressman and the POTUS and VP, most of the elected officials in this country are still Reps, so quit drinking and regurgitating the Bookman koolaid regarding the eminent demise of the Republican party. The Dems picked up a few seats last election, getting back some, but not all of the seats they lost the previous election. BFD.
BTW, when King Roy Barnes, the self-proclaimed education governor, was in charge, Georgia went from 49th in SAT scores to 50th!

Erwin's cat

February 22nd, 2013
10:03 am

TBS – Why should the Falcons feel “offended”? They are only going to pay 40% or less of their own money to have a new stadium that they are pushing for and want.

I see math isn’t your strong suit…last I heard the AB/Falcons were to pony up @ 80%

Aquagirl

February 22nd, 2013
10:03 am

Is it the right of the people or……………….some other government hack?

It’s the right of the people, unfortunately changing the school board system means depriving lots of politicians at the local level. That’s an uphill battle, and since kids can’t vote we shouldn’t make them suffer for an effed-up system designed in the days of yore.

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:03 am

Who’s Obama golfing with today while Rome burns?

Paul

February 22nd, 2013
10:04 am

0311 10:02

How so?

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:04 am

More “Arab Spring” updates:

SILENCING PRAYER: “Saudi Religious Police Arrest Practicing Christians”

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/02/21/saudi-religious-police-arrest-ethiopian-workers-for-practicing-christianity/

Kamchak ~Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
10:06 am

The majority of so called “liberals” aka socialists aren’t as edumacated as you may think.

Do you still “think” that Senator Obama voted for invading Iraq in 2002?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
10:06 am

EC

Even if it is 90% of their own money, why should they be “offended”?

If they want it done exactly as they want it, no one is stopping them from footing they entire bill, are they?

Thought so

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:06 am

Was the school board edumacated by the Atlanta edumacation system? That would explain a lot of things.

Aquagirl

February 22nd, 2013
10:08 am

Was the school board edumacated by the Atlanta edumacation system?

We could ask Bob, but he disappeared/changed handles after liberals raked his dumb across the coals.

Kamchak ~Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
10:10 am

Who’s Obama golfing with today while Rome burns?

George Bush says, “What” “Now, watch this drive.”

Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)

February 22nd, 2013
10:11 am

Keep in mind that many studies argue that I will be the Braves starting pitcher on opening day.

Well, no watching the Braves for this redneck this year. Kamchak can’t even decide where he wants to live, much less if he wants to throw the slider or the curve.

Erwin's cat

February 22nd, 2013
10:11 am

Even if it is 90% of their own money, why should they be “offended”?

I never said they should be offended, I merely pointed out that your percentages were terribly wrong

If they want it done exactly as they want it, no one is stopping them from footing they entire bill, are they?

No…the city doesn’t want them to move to burbs where AB could easily find a more affordable site that is easier to self finance…If you have issues with this take it up with Kasim Reed

HDB

February 22nd, 2013
10:13 am

mogibsedats
February 22nd, 2013
10:04 am

….and a BLACK WOMAN….Cleopatra, turned Rome on its ear!! A black culture (Egypt) gave you mathematics and geometry (who built the Pyramids?) but has been denied the rightful place in history……and the “cradle of civilization” has been proven to be where people of COLOR are…the Middle East……

Like I said before….there’s more to the story……

Butch Cassidy (I)

February 22nd, 2013
10:13 am

Morality? – “The majority of so called “liberals” aka socialists aren’t as edumacated as you may think.”

This from the guy who thought Obama voted for war in Iraq and Afghanistan. How’s your “edumacation” today Morality?

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
10:14 am

EC

My percentages being wrong, doesn’t change my point.

City of Atlanta or no city of Atlanta, the Falcons can do as they wish if they want to pay for the stadium by themselves. If they are offended by something, I don’t give a $hit.

If you are offended for the Falcons or whatever the city is expecting of them, that is your problem and you can take it up with Kasim, Arthur, Deal or whomever.

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:15 am

Guess you missed it – the Atlanta political mafia is demanding that the Falcons “contribute’ to the rebuilding and removal of the slum area in and around the stadium for several blocks (several million dollars aka Katrina). Let me decipher that for you – they want to give handouts to the pimps and drug lords in the “local” community.

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
10:15 am

Morality

How is that lake on your island coming along?

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:15 am

The white wing will say whine that I use the word racist too cavalierly.

Read FUN’s words once again:

That’s why we have LOST most of OUR RIGHTS in this country. We won’t stand up for ourselves!

BE PROUD TO BE WHITE!

It’s not a crime YET… but getting very close!

These words could have come right smack out a Klan meeting, yes?

And let’s take a good close look at the man that he applauded this morning.

“Fifty years ago we would have you upside down with a f&cking fork up your ass!”…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoLPLsQbdt0

Call it humor, FUN GUY.

i call it out for the depravity it is.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
10:15 am

RC (R–apoi)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In appreciation for all the beer that you haul around this fine city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIfu2A0ezq0

clem

February 22nd, 2013
10:15 am

what a dummy, “BTW, when King Roy Barnes, the self-proclaimed education governor, was in charge, Georgia went from 49th in SAT scores to 50th!”

a guy comes in and implements plans likely starting 1 year after elected and then serves 3 more years and some fools on this page expect immediate results. the stupidity is astounding. americashrugged, what a dolt.

Paul

February 22nd, 2013
10:15 am

0311

How are Jay’s remarks racist by ‘normal standards of liberals’?

barking frog

February 22nd, 2013
10:16 am

Redneck Convert
Kamchak can’t even decide where he wants to live,
……………………………………………………………….
You should be more sympathetic to Kamchak.
Going to the North Carolina mountains is like
going from hell to upper hell.

levels of blackness

February 22nd, 2013
10:16 am

As I recall senator barry and his hyped-uP BS ‘08 campaign one of the most humorous statements he uttered was when asked by an apparatchik if he ever thought of going into the military the wussy said something to the effect of, “yea and I would have if there was a war going on but since there’s not what would be the point?” This bro is still chuckling over that jive.

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:17 am

Do you still “think” that Senator Obama voted for invading Iraq in 2002?

Kam, I too noticed that ignorant nonsense the other day.

Accurate information is not really that guy’s forte.

TBS

February 22nd, 2013
10:17 am

“Guess you missed it – the Atlanta political mafia is demanding that the Falcons “contribute’ to the rebuilding and removal of the slum area in and around the stadium for several blocks (several million dollars aka Katrina). Let me decipher that for you – they want to give handouts to the pimps and drug lords in the “local” community.”

And if the Falcons pay for the stadium all by themselves and own the land they are building on, then the city of Atlanta or whichever municipality doesn’t have as much negotiation power with the Falcons.

As EC pointed out, they are only paying 80% (my number were incorrect). Did you think that the 20% came with no strings?

Really? Arthur Blank himself knows better than that.

Doggone/GA

February 22nd, 2013
10:18 am

“can find racists in any group and organization. One does not make all,”

Quite right…but if you STAY involved in a group that pursues policies that have the effect of being racist…then, like it or not, you ARE “tarred with the same brush”

indigo

February 22nd, 2013
10:19 am

HDB – 9:49

You forgot something.

YOU have the right to scream and yell constantly about “civil rights” while consistently ignoring any mention of “civil responsibilities”.

And, that has been painfully evident since the early 60’s.

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:21 am

Although it may be fun and easy to say that all GOP is racists…

What is even funnier to me, is that YOU are the ONLY person saying it.

Butch Cassidy (I)

February 22nd, 2013
10:22 am

Interesting, we get Morality? at 9:49, 9:51, 9:57, 10:01, 10:03, 10:06 and 10:15. Then, at 10:13 when he gets called on his lack of “edumacation” he disappears. I seem to remember K71 doing the same thind a while back when he claimed that Blacks had it better in the 20’s and 30’s than they do today, and then tried to attribute the claim to Booker T. Washington. Priceless!!

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:22 am

Obama voted to financially support every thing that ever came before him if it had to do with expanding the role of the Fed gub’ment.. He was listed as the 2nd most liberal member of Congress based on his VOTING record – not his flip flops. Second only to Bernie Sanders the only ADMITTED Socialist in Congress. So YES – Obama has supported every war that was/is going on since the time he was in Congress – he voted YES.

Paul

February 22nd, 2013
10:23 am

“This bro is still chuckling over that jive.”

What is it about this topic that brings the goobers out of the woodwork?

kayaker 71

February 22nd, 2013
10:23 am

It is really funny how liberals like Jam Vet and Aquagirl throw names around and accuse someone of “dripping bigotry and racism” but don’t refute the allegations with anything but cutsie bigot comments designed to kill the messenger. When something is so obvious as to ignore it would be akin to ignorance, it tells you a lot about the ones that defend this kind of behavior.

Thomas Heyward Jr

February 22nd, 2013
10:23 am

quagirl

February 22nd, 2013
10:03 am

Is it the right of the people or……………….some other government hack?

It’s the right of the people, unfortunately changing the school board system means depriving lots of politicians at the local level. That’s an uphill battle, and since kids can’t vote we shouldn’t make them suffer for an effed-up system designed in the days of yore.

———————————————————————————————-
.
So you would have a “higher” politiician appoint a politician to settle the problem.?
.
Your lack of the faith in “the people” is what makes progressives so repulsive to the everyday person.
.
Not unlike Bookman snickering about the possiblity that our Georgian representatives would beg for money from our Federal overlords for the recent tornados in Adairsville.
It’s my understanding…………………no one did.
And “the people” are doing just fine.
(unlike those New Jersians).

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:24 am

Headline: “Ga. Executes Man Who Killed College Students”

Justice has been served.

Aquagirl

February 22nd, 2013
10:25 am

Kam, I too noticed that ignorant nonsense the other day. Accurate information is not really that guy’s forte.

Give the guy a break, he’s probably white and we shouldn’t blame him for his background in a low-information culture.

I’ve met some smart white people, you’d be surprised how if they choose to pull themselves up by the bootstraps they can achieve an almost normal level of intelligence. It’s sad so many don’t make that choice but it’s not our fault.

Butch Cassidy (I)

February 22nd, 2013
10:25 am

Morality? – “Obama has supported every war that was/is going on since the time he was in Congress – he voted YES.”

Anyone else want to help Morality? pull his head out of his a$$?

HDB

February 22nd, 2013
10:25 am

indigo
February 22nd, 2013
10:19 am

No, I didn’t forget….my basis starts from Luke 12:48……and I consider myself a progressive…..

RB from Gwinnett

February 22nd, 2013
10:26 am

Lets see…..

APS = Dysfunctional mess of failure

Clayton County = Dysfunctional mess of failure and loses accreditation

DeKalb County = Dysfunctional mess in danger of losing accreditation

All controlled by Democrats….

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:26 am

Because the school board is mostly or all African-American.

You just can do that !

Geez !

Brosephus™

February 22nd, 2013
10:26 am

FUN GUY @ 8:58
And everybody else agreeing with that bullsh*t…

Why are you hating on the free market? Why talk about organizations that your ancestors and forefathers help put into play? When your racist and bigoted forefathers decided that Blacks couldn’t mingle with Whites, did y’all expect us to simply go hide in a cage?

Look at the history of this country. Most everything that Fun Guy is hating was started by Whites who actually gave a damn about Blacks, Hispanics, and others. If you don’t want Black History Month, then publish the ENTIRE history of this country and include ALL history. Black History in this country isn’t one paragraph on Rosa Parks and MLK Jr. If you don’t want a Hispanic or Black Chamber of Commerce, then quit trying to keep them from achieving the same as White business owners.

If Whites actually gave a damn about anybody other than themselves, there would be no BET, HBCU, LaRaza, or any other ethnic groups as we’d all be simply Americans. When you gate yourselves into communities instead of mingling with the “others”, you set yourself up for this sh*t.

Don’t blame us for your f**ked up actions. Blame yourself for once. Study history if you don’t believe me. Look up the Black Wall Street otherwise known as the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Everytime we tried to get our own sh*t, your ancestors burned that sh*t down and lynched people who were trying to get ahead. It’s time out for blaming others for your sh*t. Why don’t you pull yourself up by your bootstraps, study your own damn history, and own up to your mistakes for once. White ain’t always right.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:27 am

Two rules of good governance:

“Rule No. 1) It is never a good idea to let unelected people sit in judgment of and even remove officials who have been put into public office by the vote of the people. The practice contradicts the entire concept of self-government and undermines accountability. If voters elect bad officials, they ought to live with the consequences of doing so.

Rule No. 2) In case of a true emergency, Rule No. 1 can and must be broken.”

Good advice Jay. Time for Obama to resign.

Kamchak ~Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
10:27 am

he voted YES.

Even though he wasn’t sworn in as a Senator until 2005?

How then could he have voted in 2002?

Mr. Peabody’s WABAC machine?

Road Scholar

February 22nd, 2013
10:27 am

” More important, tens of thousands of students have passed through a school system that did not treat their education as its top priority. ”

How about those who are stuck in it???

Thurmond seems to be the right pick as Super. We have had people who have been “experienced ” in education (Walker) and what has that done for us? Thurmond’s answer about his lack of experience was right on… If you can’t add value as a staff member, I do not need you!. His good name is at stake!

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:29 am

…what makes progressives so repulsive to the everyday person.

No, just the everyday reactionary and nitwit.

Progressives have made this nation infinitely better and stronger.

Would you like even a very partial list of the names?

Of course, you wouldn’t. It would blow you nonsense out of the water.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:29 am

Paul:

A lot of libs. try to label anyone who challenges Obama’s inane policies as being “racist” simply because he is a “black” president.

Therefore, concerning the Dekalb School Board ………………………………..

Paul

February 22nd, 2013
10:30 am

0311

“Because the school board is mostly or all African-American.

You just can do that !

Geez !”

Where in the article does Jay note the ethnicity of the board members?

Butch Cassidy (I)

February 22nd, 2013
10:30 am

Kamchack – “Mr. Peabody’s WABAC machine?”

Apparently Romney had access to the same machine. How else do explain him being at Bain Capital when he wasn’t?

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:30 am

B C _ I am still here – just reading your “comments” – you can be about as funny as a crocheted rubber when you put effort in to it.

In the middle

February 22nd, 2013
10:30 am

JamVet, I gave the benefit pf the doubt by saying it was “fun” More accurate would have been “stupid”

Buzz Belle

February 22nd, 2013
10:31 am

“This bro is still chuckling over that jive.
What is it about this topic that brings the goobers out of the woodwork?”

I know – it is about education and many show the lack thereof!

Kamchak ~Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
10:31 am

When you gate yourselves into communities instead of mingling with the “others”, you set yourself up for this sh*t.

Don’t blame us for your f**ked up actions.

Raucous applause.

Matti

February 22nd, 2013
10:31 am

Side question: Is this our last day of going “commando” on the JB blog?

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:33 am

In the middle, is that 10:30 a concession that you are the only person guilty of doing what you ascribe to others?

Butch Cassidy (I)

February 22nd, 2013
10:33 am

Morality? – “B C _ I am still here – just reading your “comments” – you can be about as funny as a crocheted rubber when you put effort in to it.”

Not here to amuse you Chief, just here to point out your errors.

Fred ™

February 22nd, 2013
10:33 am

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:22 am

Obama voted to financially support every thing that ever came before him if it had to do with expanding the role of the Fed gub’ment.. He was listed as the 2nd most liberal member of Congress based on his VOTING record – not his flip flops. Second only to Bernie Sanders the only ADMITTED Socialist in Congress. So YES – Obama has supported every war that was/is going on since the time he was in Congress – he voted YES.
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Really? You sure about that? You have the voting logs to back that up? I thought you far right wing nutcases said he always voted PRESENT. Which is it?

Can I have some of what you are drinking? It must be like 500 proof……..

guy

February 22nd, 2013
10:34 am

Sounds just like the current administration in Washington,D.C. Congress is in the same boat too. Broke in more ways than one. PITIFUL!!!

Brosephus™

February 22nd, 2013
10:34 am

Lets see…..

APS = Dysfunctional mess of failure

Clayton County = Dysfunctional mess of failure and loses accreditation

DeKalb County = Dysfunctional mess in danger of losing accreditation

All controlled by Democrats….

Yet, nary a damn mention about Gwinnett and the people ALREADY SERVING TIME?

Just like Pavlov’s dog… Jay rings the bell, and y’all drool over the rug.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Kamchak ~Thug from the Steppes

February 22nd, 2013
10:35 am

Is this our last day of going “commando” on the JB blog?

“You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”
– Thomas “Brooke Shields” Jefferson

TaxPayer

February 22nd, 2013
10:35 am

If scout would produce the birth certificates for these Dekalb County board members, I’m sure he could clear up all concerns he has rather quickly.

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:35 am

JV – No you don’t! There are PLENTY of racists on the left and right. Perhaps your definition of racist is a bit BIASED. Kind of like when Jessie said that only “whites” can be racist. Uh huh.

JamVet

February 22nd, 2013
10:36 am

Where in the article does Jay note the ethnicity of the board members?

Another white winger busted.

Fred ™

February 22nd, 2013
10:37 am

Brocephus @10:56: Get back to the back of the bus and hush.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

February 22nd, 2013
10:38 am

“Where in the article does Jay note the ethnicity of the board members?”

Doesn’t matter. What is ……… is !

In the middle

February 22nd, 2013
10:38 am

Just a correction. I deny any association with any thought or action that can be construed as being thoughtless unless such thought or action becomes accepted by any majority when polled for their opinion unless such polls change over time at which all my preceeding comments are automatically modified to appease a majority unless such a majority changes stances whereas all thoughts and action are modified to a more correct postion.

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:38 am

THB -Thanks for the kind remark…….. the lake was already on my island – more like a pond. My island is not in the USA – far from the Dems grab grab.

Paul

February 22nd, 2013
10:38 am

0311

Two points developed here. Hope you can keep track.

First: “A lot of libs. try to label anyone who challenges Obama’s inane policies as being “racist” simply because he is a “black” president.

Therefore, concerning the Dekalb School Board ”

I’m sure some do. There is always someone who will do anything. But is the reaction against those who challenge Obama’s policies, or is it because they’re challenging something else?

Like this?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mZ_Z353z2Y/T9-eMRnswrI/AAAAAAAAABk/bCbHP7ItEgE/s1600/monkeyspend.jpg

or this?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxpAAOxRUzA/T9-mSSdjXiI/AAAAAAAAABw/MM0qx_jTtQ8/s1600/teabagger_racist_signs.jpg

I’d say a lot of people on the farfarright make the racist remarks then act innocent and say ‘but… I was only talking about his policies…”

And the second point:

Where in the article does Jay inform a reader not familiar with the Board the racial makeup of the board?

I think you’ve tried to do another of your famous 0311 gotcha’s and just ended up sounding like… you usually do.

jhunt163

February 22nd, 2013
10:39 am

I am not up to date on the Dekalb Issue, but did notice on local news last week that a teacher in Henry County called into question a memo from the local superintendant that if a student receives a 68 or 69 that they should be passed along. The teacher showed on TV how one of his students had earned a 61 and the administration passed him along with a 70. He stated that this was not fair to the other students in his class who worked hard to earn passing grades.

My sister has been teaching 3rd grade for over twenty years and has had numerous teacher of the year awards and was recognized by having the only class with all of her students passing the CRCT reading last year. I broached this topic with her and she told me that her local school board sent out a memo stating that nobody up to the 8th grade level would be held back this year. I asked her how she felt about this and her response truly shocked me. She said it has gotten to the point where it is a losing battle with discipline and disruptions. If someone disrupts her class, she has them removed. She said it was not fair to the others that want to learn. If you call parents in for a conference they will not show up. Todays parents glamorize Honey Boo Boo, can’t wear their pants up without showing their briefs, and their child’s education is an inconvenience to their daily life. She said that she has changed her mind and it was better to just pass them along.

In the middle

February 22nd, 2013
10:39 am

There, I can now run for public office.

Fred ™

February 22nd, 2013
10:39 am

In November, I did my job as did the rest of the people in my district. We booted the sitting member of the school board out and put in a new one. Two other districts did their jobs as well. It’sthe other 6 that screwed us.

RB from Gwinnett

February 22nd, 2013
10:40 am

“Where in the article does Jay note the ethnicity of the board members?”

Some of us don’t need Jay Bookman to tell us what’s going on in the world outside of this blog. Some of us pay attention to the news from lots of sources and know the ethnicity of the school board without that information being spoon fed to us by Bookman.

Pull your head out occasionally and pay attention to what’s going on around you.

Brosephus™

February 22nd, 2013
10:40 am

Morality?

February 22nd, 2013
10:41 am

The “ethnic” makeup of the Board is irrelevant……. what is relevant is their connection to the Atlanta political mafia and who scratches who’s back.

RB from Gwinnett

February 22nd, 2013
10:42 am

Bro, “Yet, nary a damn mention about Gwinnett and the people ALREADY SERVING TIME? ”

Who from the Gwinnett School Board is serving time? Facts please….