Education

Why Did a TV Group Have a MI Educator’s Controversial Testimony Removed From the Internet?

  • A Michigan education official testified that educators, not parents, know what‘s best for children’s education.
  • A pro-charter school organization posted video of those remarks.
  • Michigan’s public affairs channel objected to its footage for “political purposes” and had the charter school organization take it down.
Debbie Squires Michigan Education Testimony Taken Down From Internet | Parents Dont Know Whats Best

Debbie Squires, associate director of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association

This week The Blaze featured a story out of Michigan regarding an education official’s controversial comment that educators — not parents — know how best to serve children.

The remark was made earlier this month during a meeting of the Michigan House Education Committee: Debbie Squires, associate director of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association, said parents have an opportunity to weigh in on how their children’s schools are run when they elect school board officials.

(Related: Get the background story on the clip by reading our initial article)

“Educators go through education for a reason, they are the people who know best about how to serve children, that’s not necessarily true of an individual resident,” Squires said. “I’m not saying they don’t want the best for their children, but they may not know what actually is best from an education standpoint.”

Here is how she presented those comments:

Squires’ remarks caught fire and were featured on several national news sites, including The Blaze, in part because they were captured on video. But on Tuesday, the same day we posted our own story, the YouTube video of the meeting clip was removed by the user, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, a pro-charter school organization.

The Blaze reached out to MAPSA to inquire about why they removed the video. Buddy Moorehouse, the organization’s director of communications, said it was over a copyright issue: Michigan Government Television, the nonprofit public affairs cable channel that filmed the committee hearing, claimed MAPSA was violating its licensing policy by only featuring a brief clip of it in their video.

Debbie Squires Michigan Education Testimony Taken Down From Internet | Parents Dont Know Whats Best“They contacted us and said their policy states you need to use the entire gavel-to-gavel coverage” when featuring their footage online, Moorehouse said. He added they opted to comply in the interest of maintaining a future working relationship with MGTV.

MGTV, which began in the mid-1990s as a government initiative, is now funded entirely by cable subscriber fees. Michelle Webb, MGTV’s acting executive director, confirmed that her organization requested MAPSA remove its video in what she said was “the format that they did it in.”

“They took just one segment out of it and they edited it, added graphics and so forth,” Webb said. She said MGTV permits its content to be used in full — “they could have put the entire committee [hearing] on there with no problem at all” — but said MAPSA’s use violated their copyright policy.

MAPSA posted two versioDebbie Squires Michigan Education Testimony Taken Down From Internet | Parents Dont Know Whats Bestns of the segment online: one that added graphics mocking Squires’ words, but another one that was simply a straight video, clipped from MGTV’s original broadcast. Webb said the only version she was aware of was the one that included MAPSA’s graphics, but took issue with any version that did not feature full gavel-to-gavel coverage.

Webb said her organization reached out to MAPSA after receiving an emailed complaint after Squires’ remarks began to make news.

“We got an email from somebody complaining, [saying] do you allow your programming to be used this way and why didn’t they put the entire thing up,” Webb said.

Webb said that as far as she knows, the complaint was not made from someone affiliated with Squires.

According to its website, MGTV content is copyrighted and “any form of public performance, other use, or the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of this copyrighted material, in any medium or form, is strictly prohibited.” They do give news organizations access to their footage to be used in news reporting.

Webb said she gave MAPSA written permission to use their footage of the entire committee hearing, but “we do have a problem with someone taking our programming with our logo on it and using it for political purposes.“ She defined ”political” as not using the entire hearing and instead seizing on one particular comment to build a message. MAPSA’s website states outright that one of its goals is to “introduce and support bills, amendments and policies that advance support for quality charter schools.”

She said there’s no inherent contradiction in MGTV, an organization dedicated to transparency, limiting analysis from MAPSA because airing only one clip is not, at its core, transparent.

“We gladly would have them post that entire committee on there which would make it more transparent,” Webb said.

But even though MGTV succeeded in getting MAPSA to remove its video, there’s another factor at play here: what’s known as the “fair use” doctrine. Under fair use, a copyrighted work may be reproduced without its author’s permission under certain circumstances. There’s no perfect formula that guarantees something is fair use, but there are four factors under U.S. law to be used in making such a determination: the purpose of the use, including whether its for a commercial nature or for a nonprofit education purpose; the nature of the copyrighted work being used; the amount and substantiality of what’s being used in relation to the entire work; and the effect the use has on the potential value of the copyright work.

In general, news reporting, criticism and comment tend to be held up as fair use.

With that in mind, The Blaze decided to include the raw clip of Squires’ comments that made news, without the additional graphics that prompted MGTV’s complaint. The full hearing is not expected to be available online before Friday morning, but The Blaze will link to it when it is.

Update: You can watch the full committee hearing here.

Comments (284)

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  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:50pm

    My wife taught school for 33 years before retiring. She says that the ultimate responsibility for
    children lies with the parents, period. The parents have to set the example. You can’t drop the
    kids off at school or at church and expect them to behave. They have to see that and be taught
    that at home.

    Report Post »  
    • WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges10
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:06pm

      “Why Did a TV Group Have a MI Educator’s Controversial Testimony Removed From the Internet?”

      Fortunately, Freedom loving people won’t let them get away with scrubbing the Internet of their nefarious plans.

      “YouTube – Debbie Squires Michigan Education bureaucrat, government not parents know what is best for kids”
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30FIL82vuQ

      And there are other same videos if this one, too, mysteriously disappears …
      GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE THEM DEATH !!

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges10  
    • Machtyn
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:31pm

      I’d say that teacher is correct. Teachers and educators go through training for a reason. As a parent, I am continually learning how best to raise and educate my children. Where I am deficient, teachers are needed. I and my wife are the main resource for my children, despite what the school thinks or does. Her statement, by itself, is not inflammatory – unless you are looking to be offended.

      Still, we need school choice, because our schools are failing. And they are failing for a myriad of reasons – one of which is the destruction of family.

      Report Post »  
    • Recceman90
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:57pm

      Exactly, but the problems are too severe and Public Schools and Parents are at war with each other now. Teachers like to tell kids what “abuse” is, when it’s just discipline…then have the nerve to be upset when the kids act like animals in the classroom. As a parent, I expect them to TEACH….things like math, reading, writing, the constitution, etc….not made up feel good things. For example, How is the Original Tea Party and the Occupy Movement more in common then the Modern Tea Party and the Original Tea Party? Answer they have nothing in common…one wants little government interference they other wants everything from government!

      Report Post » Recceman90  
    • its_time_to_arrest_our_government
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:19pm

      if your an example of whats being taught parents got good reason to think like they do. the problem with our schools is the unions and the dept of education. get rid of both and our kids would learn something other than union thuggery and stupidity. charter schools is the way to go until the unions are drive out of our schools.

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:19pm

      @ WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges10 Cudos.

      Report Post »  
    • BluifoxEd
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 7:57pm

      I Say the teacher may think she is right. Does anyone know the grades of the educators while they where getting their colledge education? Study after study shows that this group is consistantly at or near the bottom of g.p.a. scores. I would say that there is plenty of blame to go around. You have idiots teaching idiots.

      Report Post »  
    • janedough1
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:01pm

      Recceman90. look up the achievement gap between public school kids and home school kids. Look up the socialization gap between public school kids and home school kids. Why is it, if educators are better equipped to teach kids than parents, they can’t come close to the same results? Why? Simply because no teacher will ever love a kid as much as a parent, provided that parent is a sober, mentally healthy parent. Yes, we probably need schools for the kids of addicts and criminals. But the average parent will ALWAYS outdo a public school teacher. And oh, by the way, I was a public school teacher. I was at least a sixth generation public school teacher. After what I saw and heard in the public schools, I left teaching and I’m home schooling my child.

      Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:07pm

      She Thinks She Is A Coma-czar, Someone Who Is Unaccountable.

      School boards are appointed in most cities like New York. School Boards do not have any influence on education content. Her testimony was a lie. In NJ, lawyers, accountants, business people can become superintendents just by taking a few courses and passing a test. Look at US educational achievement compared to other Third World Nations.

      Report Post »  
    • Miami
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:21pm

      They pulled the video because it shows the truth of how these Progressives think.

      The truth will set us free of these Progressives and the light of day will cure us of this infection

      Report Post » Miami  
    • 1casawizard
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:22pm

      @BANKERPAPAW. Parents should raise the child with basic knowledge to read, write and the want to learn and interact with other children with respect to others. That is the way it used to be. What happened? Everyone has their own opinion if their old onough to have one. The states have their own system. Why do we have federal oversight on everything? The federal gov. does not make or sell anything to get its money. It relies on tax dollars. How big is our tax burden going to be until we revolt? Is it not enough already? Our tax burden has increased over $1Trillion each year for the past 4 years. Our CIC has said we needed $1.3 Trillion more for another year (2014). We’ve already spent 2013 monies. This maddness has to stop. The federal gov. has grown too large. They are the biggest spenders with the poorest policies to stop the spending.

      Report Post » 1casawizard  
    • Ray2447
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:44pm

      I’ve seen a college professor abuse students in the classroom so badly, that if a parent did it to a child they’d lose custody. Why are so many leftist teachers and professors allowed to abuse our children and young adults in the classroom with such impunity? And yes, it is leftist teachers and professors who are the vast majority of the problem. The Nanny State is a bastard parent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iVmh0VCkL4

      Report Post »  
    • smokey888x2
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:47pm

      EggZactly: Unless the home life is there, it’s almost a waste of complete funding and time, period!!!

      Report Post » smokey888x2  
    • 1947
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:11pm

      Question here is “What‘s the level of education of the children’s parents”…… I understand that some parents can’t even read a phone book or request a refill from a Pharmacy…..

      Report Post »  
    • svan71
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:29pm

      Cool have the government lower taxes and lower gas prices so both parents don’t need to work to fund the nanny state.

      Report Post » svan71  
    • asybot12
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:42pm

      Thanks bankerpapaw I could not have said it any better. @machtyn, I can see why you need teachers for your kids, check your letter construction, once you correct that you won’t need the teachers!

      Report Post »  
    • football lady
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:11pm

      Exactly as some parents think it is a babysitting service and that includes of walks of life.

      Report Post »  
    • beekeeper
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:36pm

      When you want to rate teachers by student performance, the teachers tell you the parents are responsible for their success.

      When you want to influence the way the school is run, suddenly teachers are the ones that know best and should have control over the way the schools are run.

      Report Post » beekeeper  
    • Mich9Bran
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:52pm

      The parents Know BEST , NOT the Liberal Educators .

      Report Post »  
    • Uranium Wedge
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 11:13pm

      Buckle up folks…. Here it comes!

      Report Post » Uranium Wedge  
    • mcsledge
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 12:08am

      Machtyn – they fail because they push their own agendas and have bought into the progressive lies. Many teachers today teach propoganda because they don’t know the difference.

      Report Post » mcsledge  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 12:12am

      On the earlier story someone compared a mechanic, doctor…You get the picture a Professional.

      A professional mechanic spoke to me with THAT attitude – would not be my mechanic any longer.
      I you were my mechanic and I entrusted you with my money and you spent it the way these schools do — you would not be my mechanic.

      A local school board made the 6pm news with: (I am paraphrasing yet accurate)
      I do not understand. In other countries throughout the world teachers are put on a pedistol (sp)
      teachers are revered. I do not understand you the people did not pass this levy.

      HEY teachers– we no longer TRUST YOU…..GET IT?

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 1:12am

      The video was pulled because this lady looks like a clone of Francy Foxy Pivens????

      Report Post »  
    • carbonyes
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:05am

      Oh, Really? Another Stepford wife! What planet did she come from? Parents don’t have the right to effect what is being foisted upon their child in the public school system except at the point of electing their school board reps, and educators from the state school system and the state know best what is best for you‘re child’s education? Seems I’ve heard that system exists somewhere else in the world – communist Russia and communist China for starters. Time for massive hoedowns at the local school boards for starters and a little, or a lot of parental education of the school board and the state reps, whatever their capacity may be, relative to who is in charge of their child and who knows best for the child – certainly not the Debbie Squires of life and not the state system of indoctrination.

      May take a lot if head banging and some major revamping of how are children are to be taught and what they are to be taught, but unless you want to send your child through the public school system, and they come out as an automaton that you no longer recognize, you might want to become more involved in their education.

      The public schools are where the liberal elites are heavily involved as change agents in the way your children look at life, and the colleges and universities are where the Debbie Squires of life are trained and indoctrinated themselves. Been going on for quite a while people, wake up before it’s too late!

      This is key to making a come back.

      Report Post »  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 4:24am

      STOIC ONE,
      I too saw that mechanic comparison from DARTHMIMS below.
      I once had a mechanic who always knew just what was wrong with my car.
      Trouble was– there was always something wrong with my car!
      Who better than a mechanic to discreetly mess up your car?

      Perhaps my comparison sounds extreme, but think about it. Deep down, many parents feel the teacher is there to correct what is” wrong,“ then they blindly trust the ”expert.”

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • notreally
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 6:49am

      Only half true, but an excuse teachers have used for decades for the provable failure to educate.

      The first thing tyrants do is seize control of education systems. The Nazi Youth and Communist Youth didn’t learn their evil in homes. You think they study John Locke or constitutional government in Cube, China or Venezuela?

      Now, go pay your union dues so the demcrats can get re-elected.

      1/20/12 newsmax.com: “Now, on the heels of the Catholic abuse scandal comes another of historic proportions—one that has the potential to be much greater and far-reaching. According to a draft report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education, in compliance with the 2002 “No Child Left Behind” act signed into law by President Bush, between 6 percent and 10 percent of public school children across the country have been sexually abused or harassed by school employees and teachers. Charol Shakeshaft, the Hofstra University scholar who prepared the report, said the number of abuse cases—which range from unwanted sexual comments to rape—could be much higher.”

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 6:50am

      I have a now 21 year old with Down Syndrome and autism. I’ve mostly had good experiences in being included in his education decisions. I had a bit of a problem at the very first “IEP” – Individualized Education Plan – Meeting here in Texas. I suppose I offered a veiled threat, saying that up to now, I’ve had no problems with any of his schools, but his education depends on my approval and I want constant communication. I may not have gone through college to be a teacher, but I’m his mom and know him best. I also homeschooled him for almost 4 years. I taught him to read when his previous school in Missouri said he’d never read. I dealt with his autism (while homeschooling) with only the help of a home therapist. I learned more about “behavior modification” “floor time” and other words I never thought I’d every learn about. If I wasn’t sick, I’d homeschool his brother.

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 8:00am

      Parent

      n. [L. parens, from pario, to produce or bring forth. The regular participle of pario is pariens,and parens is the regular participle of pareo, to appear.]

      1. A father or mother; he or she that produces young. The duties of parents to their children are to maintain, protect and educate them.

      When parents are wanting in authority, children are wanting in duty.

      2. That which produces; cause; source.

      Idleness is the parent of vice.

      Regular industry is the parent of sobriety.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Cat
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 8:51am

      An example of a lifelong swindler of other people’s money
      IOW, a progressive idiot
      Also appears Ms Squires tips way too many every night trying to escape from her lifelong state of piracy

      Report Post » Cat  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 9:02am

      The true attitude of the gov’t. was revealed-it takes a village ya know. Got to censor the truth so the sheeple stay ignorant.

      Report Post »  
    • richard the lion-hearted
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 10:09am

      @1947
      And where do you suppose these parents got their education? Extend your vision a bit and it leads right back to ‘government’ “education”.

      Report Post » richard the lion-hearted  
    • Amanda G.F.
      Posted on February 18, 2012 at 1:41am

      You’re right. Well, she’s right. The responsibility is ultimately up to the parents. Problem is, now we have goverment buerocrocies trying to take that responsibility from parents, and yet, they have no idea how to teach morals to children, and their idea of life is, that the government is in charge, and you must rely on them.

      Report Post » Amanda G.F.  
  • tonyloaf
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:38pm

    Professional educators are the people who know best how to serve children? That’s why our children come out of high school dumber than ever?

    Report Post »  
    • toto
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:24pm

      Over the the last 50 years or so, since the progressives have taken over, our children have not learned to read, write or reason, BUT they can don a condom with the best of them.

      Report Post »  
    • mike_trivisonno
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 7:09pm

      It’s a cookbook. “How to Serve Children”

      Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
    • AKDuclos
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 7:54pm

      I can’t stand our Government run school system. In keeping with a tradition of failed government programs the Department of Ed has succeeded. It’s nothing more than a liberal indoctrination process. Math questions that sound like “John can gather 15 protesters per hour on the phones for the unions. How many protesters can John recruit in 6 hours? If the unions need 400 protesters, how long does John have to work on the phones”.

      That is a real school math problem I **** you not.

      Report Post » AKDuclos  
    • hotshot
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:47pm

      Years ago my wife and I were meeting with the principal of the elementary school our son attended. He had some learning disabilities and we learned early on to fight for our son. We were requesting that he have a certain teacher for the next year we knew would be able to help our son. We were told, “Sorry, we don’t take requests. We will assign your child to the teacher we feel would be best for him.” Then he said those magic words, “We are the educators. We know more than the parents what’s best for the child.” Needless to say, I wrote a letter the the super detailing the meeting, and asking if that was policy, that you knew better than his mother and I? I did receive an apology letter from the super and the principal called asking why didn’t I talk with him about this instead of going to the higher ups. I told him I did and you told me you knew better than I. He apologized and our son did get the teacher we requested. You have to fight for your kids.

      Report Post » hotshot  
    • 1casawizard
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:54pm

      I understand they know how to put a condom on a banana with a liberal attitude/agenda to go along.

      Report Post » 1casawizard  
    • AmericanPatriot01
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 5:18am

      Yea they dont seem too worried about history, reading, writing, or math and computer skills. But the sure as hell are teaching them how to have sex, get abortions, to respect gays and other perversions of humanity. They learn to worship the president and reject religion. They are taught that thier parents are out of touch idiots and that the system is set up to make them victims and how to rebel against it. They teach and indoctrinate our kids in the ways of communism and the joys of social justice rather than individual responsibility, achievement and freedom. They teach them the ways of credit and easy money rather than what it means to be productive with a good work ethic or the value of saving up their money for the stuff they want. (Instant gratification over fiscal responsibility and personal ownership/accomplishment). THEY HAVE NO INTENT TO EDUCATE THEM . They only intend to indoctrinate them with the agenda of making them SLAVES!! Be a good little minion!

      WAKE UP!!!!

      Report Post » AmericanPatriot01  
  • troymac20
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:30pm

    I guess I should feel pretty lucky. I hear all these horror stories about the public school systems yet the schools in my district never seem to have any problems. They actually did an excellent job teaching my children and all the way from elementary school through high school the teachers and schools worked very well with me.

    Report Post » troymac20  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:46pm

      Likewise, my son graduated back in ‘01 and the Michigan school he attended provided an EXCELLENT education with non of the horror stories now making the rounds.

      Reflecting back on it all, WE as parents were deeply involved with our son’s education and what was being taught. I can only caution parents with children still in school at ANY grade/level to get more involved by reviewing the curriculum, the books and to do their own vetting of the teachers as well.

      Report Post » kapnkd  
    • onthefrontline
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:20pm

      You must not live in an Ultra-Libotard State…Lucky !!

      Report Post » onthefrontline  
  • road_dawg
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:25pm

    Those who can do. Those who cant teach

    Report Post »  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:47pm

      Any more it is more like “INDOCTRINATE”!!!!!

      Report Post » kapnkd  
    • atechgeek
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:57pm

      Those who can’t teach .. Occupy !!

      Report Post »  
    • walkintruth
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 5:09pm

      How about they work together for the best of the child. The parents should have the last word. But parenting is key. Maybe they need some after school meetings for parents on how to do that. But never take the control away from the parent. What will come next – you won’t want to see.

      Report Post »  
  • acovenantinblood
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:19pm

    Don’t you people get it? Educators have been to college! They have been taught the truth about how economics and plitics work. They have been taught the truth on man’s ascent form ape like beings. They have been taught the truth about how much Islam and socialism has improved our world. They have been taught the truth about how much Christianity has destgroyed and persecuted those who don’t agree. They know the truth about hwo man is destroying the earth. How Israel is an apartheid state. You ignorant people just cling to your guns and religion and have no idea hiding in your little microcosm of conservative beliefs how this world really works! In order to save us all we must teach your children the values that you have not taught them because we know the truth!

    *Disclaimer*
    I put up a post before that was sarcasm like this and someone thought I was being serious. Just letting you know before someone is offended….this is sarcasm.

    Report Post » acovenantinblood  
    • dmforman
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:04pm

      Although this is sarcasm this truly is how many educators and those running our schools feel. She is just stupid enough to say it on a camera.

      Report Post »  
    • dnewton
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:06pm

      They all know about Keynesian Economics too.

      Report Post »  
    • Amanda G.F.
      Posted on February 18, 2012 at 1:53am

      While I love your dripping sarcasm, the sad truth is, that is exactly what the left believes. Add to that, that Obama is the Goldon Savior Boy Mossiah, and you’ll have their entire belief system.

      Report Post » Amanda G.F.  
  • Outlaw_Josey_Wales
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:16pm

    Great job Debbie Squires, the high school drop out rate in Detroit City is only 75%. Pat yourself on the back and do backflips all the way out the door.

    Report Post » Outlaw_Josey_Wales  
  • sbs21078
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:00pm

    Just teach math, science, english, reading, writing and U.S.history, etc. like your paid to do, otherwise shut your mouth and leave our children alone. I know whats best for my child including what he or she is to eat. For a teacher, you don’t sound so smart making statements like that or are you just a too socialistic for our children?

    Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:53pm

    13 years in public schools, 4-6 in college, then back to public school in another form. If school teachers were MADE to go out into the REAL world, they just might be a little more educated in common sense. The Republican nominee had better promise to dismantle a few of the goverment ABC organizations like the D.o.E. if they want to get elected. Government has spread it’s tentacles into too many private affairs.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • matinva
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:51pm

    Ms Squires is simply ignorant of the facts. No one knows a child better than the child’s parents, who have spent every day with them since their birth. Do whatever you must to educate your children at home.

    Report Post » matinva  
    • dmforman
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:07pm

      It’s not about facts. It’s about indoctrinating our children. Too many educators really believe what she is saying. I know, I taught for 15 years before stopping to have children and homeschool. I fought against these beliefs and was tried to be made to look like a fool more times than I care to remember. I was taught this back in student PSEA (student version of the Pennsylvania state education association) back in the early 90′s. This is not new thinking.

      Report Post »  
  • DividedWeFail
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:46pm

    This is WHY we need to elect a president who will rid of Jimmy Carter’s Dept of Education – and that is Ron Paul, Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich. (Rick Perry said he would but dropped out).

    Romney will NOT get rid of the dept of eduation. He is VAGUE about what he will do because he won’t do anything to upset the big government apple cart he so loves including RomneyCare ObamaCare. Even IF he says he will now, he is such a lying flip flopper who can believe him.

    Report Post »  
  • DarthMims
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:45pm

    Even though she said it in a condescending way, what she said is essentially correct. Educators are trained to educate, plumbers are trained to plumb, engineers are trained to engineer, and bricklayers are trained to lay bricks. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone say that their kid ought to be taught something a certain way, when their only educational experience is having gone to school themselves. I don’t take my car to a mechanic, try to tell him how to fix my car, and then when he doesn’t do it that way claim that he is just trying to promote his agenda. Come on, people, there are a lot of teachers out there that made a positive difference in somebody’s life and its time we remembered that.

    Report Post » DarthMims  
    • Duddio
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:57pm

      Darth, Darth, Darth…..

      Your prejudice is showing. My wife and I home schooled all three of our children, neither one of us have teaching credentials. I didn’t even finish college. My son and daughter are now enrolled in a magnate school for technical trades and are in the top 20% of the entire school district. They are in honors and the teachers tell us at every meeting what a joy they are to work with.

      If teachers are such experts and parents are such losers, then why is the teacher‘s main complaint that parents are not engaged in their child’s education? Parents who have an open heart for their children can read them better and find what ways they process information much better than a teacher who has 30+ kids per class for six periods a day. I‘m sorry but I can’t agree with your statement.

      Report Post »  
    • Russell in TC
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:59pm

      That’s dumb.

      Report Post »  
    • kadster01
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:01pm

      Apples and oranges. If all we were talking about were the traditional basics of education – reading, writing, and arithmetic – you’d have a point but since public schools now seem to be about a wholly different type of “education,” you’re way off the mark.

      Plumbing is about a specific science, as is auto mechanics, but if you really believe what‘s being shoved down our kids’ throats via the public education system is anything but propaganda then you are naive. If they are being taught anything of real value, please tell me why, nationally, their scores continue to drop in comparison to kids in other countries. This is why we, as parents, bristle at any government employee asserting that s/he is more intelligent than we.

      Report Post »  
    • Scottscobig
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 5:23pm

      2 points:

      1. No one takes my money from me at the point of a gun and proceeds to spend my money to force me to use such and such plumber, brick layer and mechanic.

      2. The plumber, brick layer and mechanic I use actually produce the results I’m paying for. Teachers don’t. The U. S. isn’t even in the top ten countries when it comes to math, reading and science scores.

      In short, we’ve been mugged and the money taken to be spent on our behalf was wasted.

      Wake up. This is (was) America.

      Report Post »  
    • JimFromOK
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:56pm

      I’ll agree that teachers have more schooling than most parents. Modern teaching has been shaped by endless studies by psychologist, sociologist, etc. We’re supposed to, by faith, believe that means something. But, could you explain why my stepson, a high school honor student in a public school, had never been exposed to the math concepts found in a 5th grade math book published in 1899? He couldn’t understand it! This book was probably used in a one room schoolhouse by a teacher who never even attended a day in college. Any plumber who did the same quality work as our public schools would be run out of town and we’d be up to our eyeballs in…. You get the picture.

      Report Post »  
    • Amanda G.F.
      Posted on February 18, 2012 at 2:09am

      While yes, there are teachers out there who teach becuase they want to make a difference, and care about kids, what she is saying is essesntially wrong. No one knows what their child needs more than a parent, and the parent‘s role isn’t just “electing” someone to do that job. Besides, parents don’t get to choose teachers, so the few who are genuine, aren’t going to be available to every student. And yeah, they went to school, just like plumbers and mechanics, and chiropracters. But at the same time, if you take your vehicle to a mechanic, with air conditioner trouble, and they try to tell you your entire engine, transmission, and fuel pump are scrap, wouldn’t you be suspicious that they just screwed your car up on you? And if they say, “Well I went to school for this so I know better than you like it or not pay up”, you’d run for the hills. The same thing is happening here. Our children aren’t getting educated properly, they are being idoctrinated, and when the parents disagree, you get people like this, saying they know what’s best, whether you like it or not; you don’t know any better. You want whats best for your child, but you don’t know any better. That’s like a lawyer of a rapist telling the victim, “you needed laid you just didn’t want to admit it. He knew what was good for you, you didn’t know any better.” that lawyer’d be disbarred and charged. Graphic but similar. And don‘t try to say it isn’t, these are kids’ lifelong educations, beliefs and

      Report Post » Amanda G.F.  
  • Doctor MD
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:44pm

    Well, I‘ve brought up three children in a time we didn’t need all this indoctrination, and may I say they are doing well, and are on the same path, GOD help us

    Report Post »  
  • SoupSandwich
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:41pm

    Copyright stated you have to view it from gavel to gavel to disseminate…that has to be said tongue in cheek. Sure.

    Report Post »  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:39pm

    Geez Debbie Squires are you editing your comments and re-writing history…typical NEA tactic! Thank god for the internet so the truth is out about you, your union, the NEA and it will be shared with all!

    It is time to take the tax dollars out of the public schools and give it to charter schools or vouchers for private education of our children!

    We need to shut down public education systems that do not teach! It is apparent that Debbie Squires and her band of brain-washers need to be brought out of the shadows and into the light for what they are!

    IT IS TIME WE FIND OUT WHAT THESE “TEACHERS” ARE “TEACHING” OUR KIDS..BECAUSE THEY SURE ARE NOT EDUCATING THEM!

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
    • Doctor MD
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:47pm

      Very well spoken

      Report Post »  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:08pm

      Albert Shanker, the teachers’ union president who, years ago, first turned teachers unions into a national political force, said, “When school children start paying union dues, that‘s when I’ll start representing the interests of school children.”

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • JonSigMan
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:34pm

      Very, very well stated!

      Report Post » JonSigMan  
    • Cat
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 12:55pm

      Living in NYC >

      Well said, been there, done that

      In the early 60’s my parents were forced to pull their three boys out of private school because the property taxes to pay for public schools went through the roof
      Never saw my father so angry at the government the day that happened
      He died, 35 years later, still cursing the government of the country he fought for during WWII & Korea

      Busted my butt to put my son through private school, AND pay property taxes
      He received scholarships based on his academic performance, attended college, graduated in the top 20, and is doing very well

      And, the government doesn’t give a damn, because they STILL steal my money

      Report Post » Cat  
  • Scottscobig
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:36pm

    We‘ll continue to reap what we’ve sown. We abdicated the responsibility to educate our kids and signed it over the the govt. “Yes, please take my money at the point of a gun and the money of everyone else because you, the govt, are so much wiser that I am about how to spend my money and educate my kids.” This teacher simply believes what we’ve told her by our actions…or inaction.

    This continued apathy and short-sighted-ness and evasion of responsibility and covetousness will continue to take us over the cliff.

    Welcome to the Republic of United Progressive Socialist States. This ain’t America any more.

    Report Post »  
  • bhelmet
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:26pm

    Not a Communist statement by her at all. That is almost directly out of the Communist Manifesto. NO MORE fed involvement in our schools – bring control back to the towns – the tax money as well. THIS is why we OPPOSE the Department of education – NOT b/c we oppose education. Just b/c we do NOT want the govt educating our kids does NOT mean we oppose educating our kids. I will not fall for that Alinsky-like tactic – we are on to you, Statists.

    Report Post » bhelmet  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:26pm

    Public School Systems do not know what is better for a child than the child’s parents. This is proven over & over again by their indoctrination methods into ideals that parents are not informed of, or that parents would disagree with. A great majority of our children cannot Read, Write or do simple Mathematics. They do not know History, Geography, Science, etc…. They are also Socially & Emotionally stunted. This woman reeks of the arrogance of the elite, failing education system.

    Report Post »  
    • 338lapua
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 4:49pm

      Reeks is an outstanding way to describe it. Every teacher I have ever spoken to is COMPLETELY on board with this. My belief is that they are scared that they truly ARE replaceable. Parents who homeschool are dramatically more capable(broad generalization) of educating their children. When you see a child who is really excelling in secondary education, good chance they are a product of homeschooling. Government education is a stain. This woman puts a face on that stain.

      Report Post »  
  • Temporal
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:25pm

    Statism is indeed a jealous god.

    I remember when teachers had to take a pre-employment oath and swear they were not communists. Now they have to swear they ARE communists!

    Report Post »  
  • michael.g
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:20pm

    The goal of teachers is not to teach your children. The goal of teachers is to assist parents as they (the parents) teach their children.

    –GB–

    Report Post »  
  • neiman1
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:19pm

    If the organization is supported by fees on cable subscribers that are NOT voluntary then this is still a government mandated tax. This makes it a public institution and its coverage should not be able to be copyrighted.

    Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:16pm

    Copyright aka the supposed gray area, eh?…if you do so for monetary benefit and fame then yes…but if it is what this is then NO it has nothing to do with copyright infringement.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • Dale
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:16pm

    Has anyone at MAPSA heard of ‘fair use’?

    Report Post » Dale  
  • CatB
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:15pm

    Michigan public schools are NOTHING but indoctrination centers for the UNION .. I removed my son as soon as I could … best thing I EVER did!

    Report Post »  
    • PoohbearA2
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 1:00am

      Charter schools are public schools but we’ve had pretty good luck there. A few teachers here and there too “progressive” but most were quite objective and stuck to the basics. Would never send the kids to our local school district schools!

      Report Post » PoohbearA2  
    • navygirl09
      Posted on February 17, 2012 at 6:08pm

      Debbie Squires is the perfect example of what’s wrong with education today. As a veteran teacher f over 30 years, I am appalled at her arrogance in saying teachers know better than parents. It’s supposed to be a partnership-school & home. Discipline,homework,grades-parents & teachers have to work together to ensure that each child will reach their highest potential.
      Additionally,the fact that the video was removed from YouTube is an egregious example of censorship. It was removed to keep people from learning how some teachers think in the Michigan Public School System. But considering what I know about Michigan in general,& in particular, I am not surprised….just disgusted.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:15pm

    While Socialists all know that they are Superior to other Humans… they do promote various agendas… from Communists to Nazis. In Michigan… home of Prohibition… and the UAW… where Obama is just having bad luck on the Economy, and he is a Good Guy… even the Republicans, alike exGov Romney, were Progressive Socialists. It’s just a Wacko… Blue State… that worships in the Cult of Suicide!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • HKS
      Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:38pm

      Funny how all those welfare states look alike, Now if conservatives really wanted to burn them, just leave and let the liberals rot in their own stew. What you find is when enough conservatives leave there is no one left to get the work done. I don’t know about you but, Personally I’m getting tired of carrying liberals.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • TexBork
    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 3:12pm

    That’s what educational institutions do to hide the truth and reshape history as a lie that is taught to the be truth by selectively editing history to leverage the indoctrination of their agenda into our children as reality. That was the unions and the socialist democrats can raise generations who have been dishonestly taught to support their Marxist agenda. Which is a repeat of what other national socialist nations had done before.

    Report Post » TexBork  
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