Won't someone think of the children? Kentucky Edition

Faced with a statewide teachers rebellion, Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin decided to go on the offensive. And boy did he get offensive.

His remarks faced harsh criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with Republican state Sen. Max Wise, who serves as the chamber's Education Committee chairman, calling them "disgusting" and "reprehensible."
"I don't agree with these comments & I find them repulsive," Wise said Friday on Twitter.
In his apology video, Bevin thanked people who "understood what I'm saying."

As the comments point out, that was a piss-poor apology.
Maybe he's angry because of this.

As Kentucky teachers declare victory after the Republican-dominated legislature overrode vetoes from the state's GOP governor of a spending plan that included new money for education, the question going forward is whether teachers will be able to sustain their momentum into the fall elections when Republicans will try to defend their super majority.

Teacher Karen Schwartz brought a sign to Kentucky's state Capitol on Friday declaring "Support our Schools." But it was her shoes, a comfortable pair of Crocs, that had a bigger message for state lawmakers. "They think we are going to get tired and go home," she said. "We're not going to get tired."

Teachers had been booing Republicans for months after they passed changes to the teachers' pension system. But Friday, teachers cheered as Republicans voted to override Gov. Matt Bevin's vetoes.

This was a victory, but only for a small part of what the teachers want and need.
Much like West Virginia and Oklahoma, Kentucky teachers have had enough.

This conflict didn't start recently. It's been building for months.

At least 40 current and former teachers to run for public office this year — most of them Democrats.

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Lookout's picture

I'm a retired eighth grade public school teacher from AL and I couldn't be more proud of my colleagues. For the most part teachers are respected members of their communities...by both parents and students. That makes it more difficult to sideline their actions on behalf of their communities. Bad mouthing teachers will backfire on the governor IMO. I hope so.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout
That means the teachers are the only people keeping your children from being raped.

Thus anyone that doesn't support the teachers is pro-child rape.

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Lookout's picture

@gjohnsit

Molester rethuglican Roy Moore or corporate pro-war pro-surveillance democrap Doug Jones...you know lose lose.

Schools speak loudly about who and what we are. In AL sadly sports are the focus and seeming meaning. Ever wondered why UA wins the championship year after year...cause that is the focus of communities thinking that supports their schools.

Schools shape our future...scary isn't it?

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

thanatokephaloides's picture

@Lookout

In AL sadly sports are the focus and seeming meaning. Ever wondered why UA wins the championship year after year...cause that is the focus of communities thinking that supports their schools.

Schools shape our future...scary isn't it?

Especially in the light of the fact that school-age competitive sport is little else but war preparation.....

Bad

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Lookout's picture

@thanatokephaloides

...the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators: and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests, and seriously believe — at any rate for short periods — that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

http://orwell.ru/library/articles/spirit/english/e_spirit

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Bollox Ref's picture

that only poor people go to public schools, and only poor parents are capable of sexually assaulting, physically harming, or exposing [children] to poison and drugs......

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

snoopydawg's picture

Yippee! Teachers have had enough of budget cuts that have decimated schools across the country and have left them with decades old textbooks and decrepit buildings all because the rich don't have enough money and their lackeys have asset stripped their states.

School cancelled as hundreds of Colorado teachers walk out Monday

Englewood Schools announced Thursday classes will be canceled Monday as teachers head to the Capitol to lobby lawmakers for reform.

"We are calling Monday April 16th a day of action,” Kerrie Dallman, President of the Colorado Education Association, said.

Dallman expects 400 plus teachers to be on hand Monday as they lobby lawmakers for change.

Some of the demands will be higher wages, a $150 million investment in school funding, as well as the protection of retiree benefits. The CEA does not like a proposal to raise the retirement age from 58 to 65 in order to stabilize PERA.

Parents across the country are supporting the teachers. This is good to see and I'm hoping that other industries will be joining the striking. It's long past time for people to stand up to the people who think that Americans should not be paid a living wage.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

The Aspie Corner's picture

@snoopydawg Well, some of them. After all, they'd rather live under a bridge than see anyone be paid a real living wage.

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Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

Apparently the Gov. has never heard of Summer Break?

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Azazello's picture

the State Policy Network's anti-teacher talking points but maybe they have more suggestions than the ones at the link.

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We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.

snoopydawg's picture

I don't think I heard him saying he was sorry. He did say he was grateful for those who understood what he said the first time.

Did the thought that the single parent who could not afford child could have used a raise cross his mind? I doubt it.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Cassiodorus's picture

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"The war on Gaza, backed by the West, is a demonstration that the West is willing to cross all lines. That it will discard any nuance of humanity. That it is willing to commit genocide" -- Moon of Alabama

Im so proud of these teachers!The concept of UNIONS is not well understood in the south and the people who live there need to learn the purpose of a UNION.These teachers ARE TEACHING what it means to belong to a union and the benefits of workers banding together for a common goal.I have a feeling things are changing in regards to how working folks think about the GOP.Over the past 20 years workers looked the other way on assaults on healthcare,pensions,wages and life in general from the GOP.These teachers have seen losses on ALL fronts and they aint taking NO MORE!Its time for LABOR to make a come back!My union the IBEW has a saying "together we bargain" "alone we beg"

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DW

thanatokephaloides's picture

@LEFTYFRIZZLE

The concept of UNIONS is not well understood in the south and the people who live there need to learn the purpose of a UNION.

The concept of unions and labor organization is not well understood in most of the country right now.

And you're right: the people of this nation need to learn the purpose of a UNION. And start joining them again.

!Its time for LABOR to make a come back! My union the IBEW has a saying "together we bargain" "alone we beg"

Together we bargain; alone we beg! Along with "an injury to one is an injury to all!"

And you're right: it's high time for Labor to make a comeback -- and to take over our nation's governance while they're at it. We've now had 40+ years of government by and for management/Wall Street. It's time for things to change!

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

@LEFTYFRIZZLE member (LU 58), I was able to retire early be cause of my Union,plus my body force me out.

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earthling1's picture

@LEFTYFRIZZLE
that our country is a union. The POTUS gives a "State of the Union" address every year. The taxes we pay are the same as dues. Labor unions are funtioning democratic organizations, with elected representatives, just like America.
To discredit or destroy any union is un-American.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

orlbucfan's picture

that nonsense spewed by FRightwing yahoos like Bevin is not called out, it is in trouble. The monied cretins have been systematically destroying public education for a long time. The teachers' strikes are the result. It doesn't change the fact that an anti-public education horrorshow named Betsy DeVos is the Secretary of Education. A dumbed down populace doesn't vote. That's precisely the goal of such garbage as Kochs, Mercers, DeVoses, etc. It's worked throughout history. The populace better show up in November. Otherwise, it will be game over. Hope they do. Rec'd!!

POWER TO THE TEACHERS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION!!
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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

The Aspie Corner's picture

@orlbucfan And people expect differently in an electoral system entirely controlled by the bourgeoisie? Rejects like Matt Bevin are just the logical conclusion.

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Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

He's also a raging Christian Dominionist who claimed while signing another prayer proclamation for the kids killed at the Marshall county high school that the shooting was a good thing.... get this...because all the praying for the kids would ripple into the future and change the world in a positive way.

But hey, yeah.... he cares for kids. I feel sorry for his kids.

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"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin

karl pearson's picture

The anti-union billionaires think they will deliver the knock-out punch this Spring when they win the Janus case at the U.S. Supreme Court. However, unions are preparing a strategy that will likely increase membership. It will be fun to watch the blow-back from this decision. Here is an example of what the Communications Workers of America are doing. Other unions are engaged in the same activities.

CWA has been preparing members and bargaining units for a negative decision through the CWA STRONG program.

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snoopydawg's picture

@karl pearson

and it isn't getting enough attention in the media. On purpose of course. Can't have an educated populace understanding the ramifications if this is decided the wrong way.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

My body gave out at 58,back,neck,knees,ankles etc.Working in the electrical construction trade is back breaking labor.Thank GOD i was lucky enough to belong to a union that provided healthcare and retirement.The last 2 years I worked was pure HELL i was getting by on painkillers to be able to work,i got my disability from SS 2 years later

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DW