conservativeBrand

2/8/10. News that PA Democrat Rep. John Murtha died this morning is just hitting the airwaves at noon. Murtha, 77, died of complications following surgery. He made waves as a major foe of President George W. Bush on war efforts in Iraq.

Memo to anyone interested in running (R or D) for his open seat: it comes with a private airport. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/23/murtha.airport/index.html

On Fox News Sunday this morning (2/7/10), Bill Kristol (publisher of the Weekly Standard) cited the successful GOP primaries in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago. He gave credit to Tea Party support for bringing in the nominations of two congressional candidates, Bob Dold in the 10th and Joe Walsh in the 8th. The evidence for Walsh probably is more substantial, as Dold ran a pretty much mainstream campaign. But there is no doubt that Dold benefitted from opposition to the New Trier tax referendum that was on the ballot with him. Thanks to an active maverick and non-partisan committee of fired-up citizens with no particular leader, many precincts in New Trier Township had turnout that exceeded 50 percent on election day.

Rahm Emanuel may be getting closer to severance from the Obama White House: The New Yorker magazine has an in-depth analysis of the Holder view of justice this week. Emanuel sees the politics differently, and if the Boss sides with Holder, it may be just the ticket back to Chicago. Watch out, Alexi Giannoulias. Here’s a snippet from The New Yorker:

“At the White House, Emanuel, who is not a lawyer, opposed Holder’s position on the 9/11 cases. He argued that the Administration needed the support of key Republicans to help close Guantánamo, and that a fight over Khalid Sheikh Mohammed could alienate them. “There was a lot of drama,” the informed source said. Emanuel was particularly concerned with placating Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, who was a leading proponent of military commissions, and who had helped Obama on other issues, such as the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. “Rahm felt very, very strongly that it was a mistake to prosecute the 9/11 people in the federal courts, and that it was picking an unnecessary fight with the military-commission people,” the informed source said. “Rahm had a good relationship with Graham, and believed Graham when he said that if you don’t prosecute these people in military commissions I won’t support the closing of Guantánamo… . Rahm said, ‘If we don’t have Graham, we can’t close Guantánamo, and it’s on Eric!’ ”

Read more: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/02/15/100215fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=1

2/3/10. ConservativeBrand grew up in the Winnetka Public Schools, so the “progressive” nature of that system is very familiar. But every so often, there is a cry in the wilderness from a Winnetka parent who is shocked to learn that his or her property taxes are going to arguably the most liberal school system in the country. Such a message came to us (anonymously) through cyberspace tonight, so it looks like it’s time for a quick review of what progressive education means. The following announcement from the Winnetka District 36 website is what prompted the concern:

Winnetka Public Schools 150th Anniversary Lecture Series

“Progressive Practice, Standardized Expectations: Tension in the Schoolhouse - Deborah Meier, Educator, Author, Professor of Education - New York University - Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:30 p.m, Washburne Little Theatre”

“As The Winnetka Public Schools celebrates our 150th year, leading educator Deborah W. Meier will discuss essential questions for our schools through the lens of progressive educational practice. What is the purpose of education? How do we know what our students are learning? How do parents, educators and the community come together to most effectively support our children?”

“Meier has successfully implemented school reform based on progressive ideals.  Beginning her career as a teacher in Chicago Public Schools in 1961, she founded and served as teacher-director for a network of highly successful public  schools in New York City in the 1970s and 80s, followed by the establishment of a K-8 pilot for the Boston Public Schools in the 1990s. This is a “must-go” event for parents and community members interested in the future of our public schools.”

Although the core principle of progressive education is the “child centered” teaching that always has characterized Winnetka schools (think fuzzy math, whole language reading, non-chronological history), the current focus is to free children from the manacles of standardized testing. The question is, who is Deborah Meier and what are her professional roots? Well, she’s a progressive educator and author who began as a socialist and remains active in the Democratic Socialists of America. Board members of that organization include folks like Gloria Steinem, Cornel West and Barbara Ehrenbach. Meier also has published articles in The Nation, and she has participated in panel discussions with celebrities like Bill Ayers; Toni Preckwinkle and, yes, Barack Obama also have roots in the DSA. All this information is Google-able, which is what got the Winnetka parent so nervous.

Here’s just one sample quote from the DSA website (http://www.dsausa.org/about/index.html):

“Electoral tactics are only a means for democratic socialists; the building of a powerful anti-corporate coalition is the end. Where third party or non-partisan candidates mobilize such coalitions, democratic socialists will build such organizations and candidacies. However, to democratize U.S. electoral politics - whatever its party form - requires serious campaign finance reform both within and without the Democratic Party.”

Well, it’s still a free country, and people can have different opinions on concepts like public education. It might be very interesting to hear whether Deborah Meier will continue to attack Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for his “moderate” education agenda, “Race to the Top.” Wilmette District 39 schools, for one, have declined to participate in the program. What will be the Winnetka Way?