Thursday, July 16, 2009

Pro Marriage Advocates Called "Bastards" at NEA Convention

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R71 UPDATE: R-71 is entering the final week for signature gathering. We are receiving about 8000 or more signatures per day into the R-71 office. Thousands more are being gathered for hand pick up. This coming weekend will be an excellent time to gather more signatures.

Please plan to have all petitions with signatures mailed in so they arrive by the 22nd or 23rd. If you have a large number contact us or Larry Stickney at the R-71 office.

We are not there yet, however, I am encouraged by what I am seeing. God bless you during this last big push to get Referendum 71 on the ballot.

Expenses are continuing during the collection of petitions. Thank you for your financial support.

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Pro Marriage Advocates Called "Bastards" at NEA Convention

A member of the Conservative Educator's Caucus was booed at the National Education Association's National Convention in San Diego for simply stating that they believed marriage was between a man and a woman.

The general legal council of the NEA, America's largest teacher's union, complained about the "Conservative and right wing bastards" who are "after" the NEA and its affiliates. I think he was referring to you and me.

His statement as to why the NEA advocacy has been so successful is very telling and their agenda toward natural marriage is not surprising, but should be very concerning to every parent and grandparent.

Bob Chanin, General Council for the NEA, asked the convention, "Why are these conservative right wing bastards picking on NEA and its affiliates?"

Probably because us right wing conservatives feel he and his NEA is picking on and trying to steal our children.

He told the convention that NEA's advocacy has been effective, but not for the reasons one might believe. He said its success is not because of our creative ideas, it is not because of the merit of our positions, it is not because we care about children, and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child.

NEA, he said, is effective because we have power. "And," he said, "we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the union that can most effectively represent them."

Many teachers also fear the union's wrath if they fail to participate.

Jeralee Smith, co-founder of the Conservative Educator's Caucus, said that the NEA will try to take down any legislation in any state that they consider to be discriminatory to homosexuals.

Smith said some of the language in the NEA resolution to support and advance homosexual marriage suggests the NEA will also be working to take down the federal, Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

However, the groups extreme left position on marriage is causing a decline in membership. While some are expressing concern, the union presses on with their agenda.

While Chanin is not saying that the NEA does not have principled positions, merit-worthy beliefs, a sense of care for children or a vision for public education, he certainly affirms where the priorities lie.

Why is it more important to be a successful lobby for homosexual marriage than to provide the best possible education for children?

What does homosexual marriage have to do with providing an education to our kids?

Why does he place such priority on money and power in the political arena, when the purpose of education is supposed to be to educate?

Money and Power in the NEA's world seems to be the motivator. The ideas of tolerance, inclusiveness and open-mindedness that are served up daily in public classrooms, seem rather hypocritical beneath the boo's of the homosexual frenzy at the NEA convention.

There are many good and principled teachers in classrooms across this country, I know many of them.

However, the force---the NEA, that shapes the environment in which are kids are educated is corrupt and in my opinion not primarily concerned with your child or public education in general. They are preoccupied with an extreme far left social agenda and the money and power that is associated with it. I also know that the NEA's philosophy has varying degrees of influence, depending on individual school systems.

I understand that many parents cannot pull their children from public education, even if inclined to do so.

However, it is incumbent upon all parents and grandparents to be very, very vigilant. Keep a watchful eye on your school district, your child's classroom and the curriculum.

Also be prayerful. There is greater power in prayer than money. People of like mind and heart can change things and principle can prevail. Become involved in your child's classroom, the school and the school district.

There is an ancient Scripture that says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6.

Prayer Prevails.

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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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