District of Columbia
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"EMILY doesn't get mad....she gets ELECTED" (Gov. Jennifer Granholm [D-MI]). Check out the new rogues gallery of Palin's radical candidates -- and she called feminists a cackle of rads??? Sign the pledge today to vote in November and send the message loud and clear: Sarah, you do NOT speak for me. The Zaftig Redhead. All Rights Reserved. ...
The Zaftig Redhead - Wed 7:27 a.m. - 3 clicks 
cross-posted from Sum of Change We have already posted several telling interviews from our filming at Glenn Beck's 828 Restoring Honor Rally , but we haven't yet posted our most emotional, interactive, and intense experiences. Towards the end of our day downtown, we stopped to chat with some folks from the crowd- as we did throughout the day. When we began our interview with M...
DailyKos (DC) - Tue 12:24 p.m. - 7 clicks
The great farcical tragedy of our unemployment situation is that there's so much work to be done, and there are so many workers who need something to do, yet no one has brought forth any means of paying those workers to do that work. And so no connection is made. The situation that threatens to undermine the upcoming Oct. 2 One Nation Working Together March for Our Future is that those who...
DailyKos (DC) - Tue 7:29 a.m. - 6 clicks
While much of the media emphasis today has been on the bamboozler on the Mall, I've spent the afternoon watching the "Reclaim the Dream" rally and march which was being broadcast live on C-Span, and is now being re-run. http://www.c-span.org/... The Washington Post and The Root have covered it with updates. ...
DailyKos (DC) - Sat 6:29 p.m. - 6 clicks
Like every decent human being, I have been disgusted and nauseated by Glen Beck's Crying Circus coming to Washington this weekend in a blatant display of disrespect for one of the greatest moments in our nation's history. To hijack this date, this site, and this great man is utter contempt for America, for Dr. King, and for centuries of struggle. It is also the worst kind of conceit a...
DailyKos (DC) - Fri 2:26 p.m. - 5 clicks
So, I inadvertently started a pretty ridiculous Twitter meme yesterday. I wrote: Painfully tempted to do a parody rewrite w/John Galt as hipster & Gulch in Williamsburg RT @thecalebbacon: Atlas shrugged and said “meh.” The 60-page speech to be replaced by a Tom Verlaine solo… Which inspired: ziege19 @normative Who is John Galt? Oh, you probably [...]...
Notes from the Lounge - Fri 11:00 a.m. - 11 clicks
In honor of Women's Equality Day and the 90th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, here is a guest blog from Phil Van Treuren at Killer Campaigning . One of the reasons we started Killer Campaigning was to show potential political candidates of all demographics how to serve their communities by running for office. As a former political consultant and campaign manager, however, I’m e...
The Zaftig Redhead - Aug 26 - 9 clicks
George Parker, 'H old Over' president of the Washington Teachers' Union (whose constitutional term ended June 30, 2010) filed a lawsuit on August 16, 2010 against the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The purpose of Parker's lawsuit is to seek an injunction to prohibit the AFT from suspending the autonomy of the WTU. In one of Parker's many robo calls to members, he reported th...
The Washington Teacher - Aug 26 - 9 clicks
I find this little ditty from the August 24 broadcast of Premiere Radio Networks' The Glenn Beck Program quite fascinating. Given that much of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan has been billed as "democracy building," you'd think Mr. Beck would have a clearer view of the importance of strong women's roles in a developing democracy. Democratization is harmed by not including gender as an important ax...
The Zaftig Redhead - Aug 24 - 5 clicks
Well, it's finally happened. Despite my clear resistance, my friends have bullied and conned and schmoozed their way into winning the Facebook argument with me. So I have finally signed up for the worldwide social networking site. But, I must admit, I am intensely ambivalent about this move -- I'm really more of a Twitter girl, quite frankly. This great clip from Southpark aptly illustrates my Fac...
The Zaftig Redhead - Aug 21 - 5 clicks
AFT, Parent Organization Enacts Limited Administratorship of WTU On August 5, I reported on this blog that the American Federation of Teachers executive council issued an order requiring at long last that Washington Teachers Union members would have a union election of officers. The order stated that AFT would retain jurisdiction to ensure compliance . In addition to proceeding with local unio...
The Washington Teacher - Aug 17
It seems that American women are having twins more frequently than ever. And certain states have even more? Why? There's actually a simple biological explanation, as little Evan and Jamie's mom knows. Yep, a pal of mine had twins, and typifies this growing trend. Perhaps she will take them to the Twinsburg Twins Festival someday! Copyright 2010 (text only). The Zaftig Redhead. Al...
The Zaftig Redhead - Aug 11 - 4 clicks
Inquiring minds want to know WTU's official position ? Excess: "is an elimination of a teacher's position due to a decline in student enrollment, reduction in the local school budget, a closing or consolidation, a restructuring or a change in the local school program when such an elimination is not a reduction in force or abolishment." I have received a number of...
The Washington Teacher - Aug 11 - 3 clicks
Your Vote Is Your Voice ! Vote Saunders/Peterson slate-WTU 2010 Although long overdue, members of the Washington Teachers' Union will finally have an election of officers. According to the WTU Constitution, union elections were supposed to be conducted in May with officers being installed in office on July 1, 2010. This has been a long protracted battle which began with A...
The Washington Teacher - Aug 5
Were you fired from DC Public Schools? Do you know anyone who was fired due to IMPACT? I am in search of teachers and school personnel who were recently terminated from DC Public Schools by the Rhee administration due to their IMPACT evaluation score. Please encourage any terminated teachers or school personel to contact me c/o thewashingtonteacher@gmail.com As the Washington Teacher blogger...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 29 - 2 clicks
It's 2010. These days, girls and women can be whatever they want, do whatever they want -- the world is our oyster. Right? Equal opportunity is ours, doors have been flung open, and career and family choices are no longer constrained by gender-based stereotypes. If you believe that, I have a bridge in a certain NYC borough with your name on it. According to the Women's Bureau of the Department...
The Zaftig Redhead - Jul 25 - 2 clicks
Rep. David Obey (D-WI), the irascible longtime chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is retiring. He says he leaves more discontented than when he started. Here is a quote -- and Mr. Chairman is in fine form, I must say -- from an Obey interview with The Fiscal Times : "The secretary of education [Arne Duncan] is whining about the fact he only got 85 percent of the money he want...
The Zaftig Redhead - Jul 23 - 2 clicks
During the Rhee administration, her education plan which was released 18 months into her administration promised to terminate a significant share of the DCPS teacher workforce. Well the Rhee firing squad strikes once again. On July 23, Leah Fabel of the Washington Examiner newspaper reported that D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee will fire a sizable number of...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 23 - 2 clicks
Below is a press release from the Office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. For Immediate Release Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 CONTACT: Jim Manley, (202) 224-2939 REID ON GOP DELAY OF UNEMPLOYMENT SAFETY NET: “REPUBLICANS BETTER BE READY TOMORROW TO DEFEND THEIR POSITION” Washington, D.C.— Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following remarks on the Senate floor this evening regardin...
The Zaftig Redhead - Jul 20 - 2 clicks
Are the winds changing under Chancellor Michelle Rhee ? Given the recent announcement of low standardized test scores on the elementary level in DCPS, Efavorite poses some interesting questions for us to consider. Written by Efavorite, guest writer Have you noticed that Chancellor Rhee has not pointed the finger of blame at DC teachers for the 2010 DC CAS score decline...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 19 - 3 clicks
So, I’m not only struck by how profoundly screwed up Jonah Goldberg’s reaction to the recently released audiotapes of Mel Gibson threatening his ex seems—I’m astonished that, having had these thoughts pass through his head, he’s oblivious enough to this that he’d publish them: I think Gibson is clearly troubled and despite his well-documented paranoia, [...]...
Notes from the Lounge - Jul 16 - 2 clicks
Dwan Jordon: Bully With A Capital B ? Featuring Candi Peterson, blogger in residence On July 6, 2010- Stephanie McCrummen, a Washington Post writer featured a story about Sousa Middle School Principal Dwan Jordon, titled : "D.C. Principal's hands-on tack transforms Sousa Middle but also ruffles feathers" Sousa Middle School is located at 650 Ely Pl. SE, Washington, DC. ...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 15 - 4 clicks
Go to www.healthcare.gov for more information. Copyright 2010 (text only). The Zaftig Redhead. All Rights Reserved. ...
The Zaftig Redhead - Jul 14 - 6 clicks
It seems like the debate over where libertarians should make their political home is evergreen, even though I’ve always thought the answer was the rather boringly obvious one: Libertarian individuals and institutions should make whatever tactical alliances on specific issues that best suit their dispositions and concerns. Still, a couple points about Ilya Somin’s response [...]...
Notes from the Lounge - Jul 14 - 2 clicks
Teacher Terminator Rhee Strikes Again ! As a WTU Building Representative, I have learned from an inside reliable source that Rhee and company have issued letters of termination to non-value added employees beginning this month. It is my understanding that itinerant related service providers and special subject teachers have received their official letters of termination this month...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 13 - 3 clicks
In case you have been wondering what I have been up to, I have been disappointed in Seattle, Washington attending the American Federation of Teachers' convention as a DC delegate for the past week. Disappointed in the state of our national union- that is. What a rude awakening for me to see first hand how our national union is really run behind the scenes. As a second time delegate to the AFT ...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 12 - 3 clicks
The WTU Constitution Says It Isn't George Parker A lawsuit has been filed due to election tampering by George Parker, Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) President. According to the WTU Constitution, Parker's elected term ended June 30, 2010 and the new slate should have been installed July 1. Parker's cronie, John Tatum reported to the Washington Examiner earlier last month that...
The Washington Teacher - Jul 3 - 2 clicks
What's the Count of DC Principals Fired under Rhee's administration? 20, 30, 50 ? UPDATED STORY I received an email dated June 21 stating that David Markus, a new principal of Johnson Middle School located at 1400 Bruce Pl. SE in Washington, DC received the official ax from Chancellor Michelle Rhee and company on Friday, June 18, 2010. Inside sources reveal in a...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 23
Having grown up in a family with much older grandparents, I always valued the opinions and words of wisdom from my elders. Even though I prided myself in having a mind of my own, I learned early on that wisdom and life experience bring much needed insight. I think some people refer to it as the school of 'hard knocks'. Several years ago I ran into several younger teachers who ov...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 18 - 4 clicks
Featuring Candi Peterson, blogger in residen ce The email below was written by an elected member of our elections committee condemning Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker and his failure to hold union membership meetings as promised and required under the WTU Constitution and by-laws. Thomas O'Rourke who also is a teacher and building representative at Roosevelt Senio...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 17
By the way I posted the requested video clip of Fenty under the video section above the header. Click on the video link. I received an email which indicates that the Office of the Inspector General School is investigating allegations that a DC public high school administrative team fixed grades so that students could graduate. ( I have removed the name of the school for purpose...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 12
Hope you can join us FRIDAY ON SPECTRUM TODAY WPFW 89.3 FM 6:00-7:00 PM (streaming at wpfw.org ) Peter Tucker will be hosting the full hour tonight. Angela Rice taught English for 33 years in DCPS. When Michelle Rhee became Chancellor, the experienced English teacher was told that she was now to teac...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 11 - 2 clicks
THURSDAY ON SPECTRUM TODAY WPFW 89.3 FM 6:00-7:00 PM (streaming at wpfw.org ) Rhee Cooks the Books Chris Bergfalk is an award winning District of Columbia Public Schools teacher who has carefully examined the test data for DCPS. His analysis shows that the actual gains made by DCPS stu...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 10
The Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) is looking a bit iffy these days in terms of election preparedness thanks to teachers' union prez' George Parker. And with less than three weeks to go until school is out, things just keep getting stickier. It seems that there will be no WTU elections for officers- not yet if George Parker has his way. First the elections committee was bungled and AFT Presi...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 5
UPDATE: Inside sources report the principal of Dunbar SHS informed his staff on June 2 that he received his letter of termination (aka non-renewal). In addition, it is also reported that principals from Coolidge SHS and Anacostia SHS will not be renewed. Two vice principals at Jefferson MS will not be renewed as well as the vice principal at Watkis ES. (See June 2 entry below). DC tea...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 3
UPDATE: Inside sources report the principal of Dunbar SHS informed his staff today that he received his letter of termination (aka non-renewal). In addition, it is also reported that principals from Coolidge SHS and Anacostia SHS will not be renewed. If you have additional information, please email saveourcounselors@gmail.com In a June 1 email sent to me regarding the terminati...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 2
In early May of this year, thirteen new instructional superintendent positions were posted on the DCPS website with annual salaries ranging from 120,000 to 150,000. Many were aghast after learning of the news especially in light of the 528 million dollar deficit that DC government is currently facing as well as Rhee's overspending of the central office budget. Rhee and company's rationale for d...
The Washington Teacher - May 29 - 2 clicks
For all those who came out to Logan School yesterday, I thank you for your support. The Nathan Saunders - Candi Peterson endorsed slate of candidates for the Washington Teachers' Union Elections Committee won overwhelmingly. (See the list of candidates below under May 27, 2010 entry). Candidates for AFT delegates will be announced soon. Again, I thank you for your support. Candi Peterso...
The Washington Teacher - May 28
IMPORTANT WTU ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ELECTIONS TODAY! 4pm to 7:30pm @ Logan School 215 G Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Full Dues Paying Members Urged To Come and Vote We need your participation to elect this committee who will be responsible for properly conducting the upcoming WTU Officers Election! We Need You To Vote! Read below and learn why yo...
The Washington Teacher - May 27 - 3 clicks
5/26/10- Update on Principal Firings Starring: Michelle Rhee DC Public Schools Chancellor Hey folks, it's that time of year again when DC schools approaches its final days as the school year comes to an end. Some principals have already faced Chancellor Rhee's 'meat axe approach' to principal terminations or if you prefer a nice way of saying their contract was not-renewed. ...
The Washington Teacher - May 22
Hope to see you on Friday, May 21, 2010 @ 6:30 pm Charles Sumner School 17th & M Streets NW Washington, DC 20036 Let's Celebrate DC teachers & school personnel. Join Nathan Saunders, WTU General V.P. at a meet and greet to celebrate you. ...
The Washington Teacher - May 20
I gave to Oxfam during the Tsunami and I gave to the humane society for Katrina (mostly because I couldn't bring myself to give to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army, and if I couldn't give to the humans, I had to give to the animals). This morning, I gave to ShelterBox . It wasn't much, but I figure, if I gave $$ and I can inspire 5 more folks to give $$ even just a dollar, and then they insp...
Women Unions - Jan 14 - 3 clicks
We're very pleased to be co-sponsoring the online labor film database together with the DC Labor Film Fest. This extraordinary resource includes no fewer than 1,465 union films and videos. I think it's a fantastic resource for trade unionists everywhere and we should all be grateful to Chris Garlock and the Washington DC Metro Labor Council for putting this together. If you have videos to sugg...
Women Unions - Jan 4
Crossposted on UnionReview When I heard South Carolina Republican Senator say that Collective Bargaining threatens US security, I thought I'd actually fall off my chair. We cannot allow them by unanimous consent, to move ahead with the unionization and collective bargaining of our Airport Security. And there it was, coming out of the mouth of a sitting US Senator, working Americans are a h...
Women Unions - Dec 31
