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Kevin Jennings: A czar too far? Date published: 10/22/2009
LEAVE IT to the Founders, who had Mr. Jennings, whose Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools handles millions of dollars in grant money, has spent much of his career as an educator attempting to increase tolerance of homosexuality in schools. The founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, he tells in one of his books of an incident that occurred when he was a young high-school teacher. A student reportedly told him that he, the student, was tired because he'd met an older man in a bus-station restroom and had gone home with him, presumably not to get eight hours of shuteye. Mr. Jennings says he responded, "I hope you knew to use a condom." Was this (a) atrocious judgment or (b) an illegal failure to report child sexual abuse? That depends on whose "facts" you believe. Even Mr. Jennings says he would now handle the matter differently. But add this incident to the introduction he wrote to a book called "Queering Elementary Education" to his advocacy for teaching about homosexuality as early as kindergarten, and to his documented attacks on conservative organizations such as the Southern Baptist Church and the Boy Scouts, and it's valid to wonder just for whom he intends schools to be safe. So far, 53 Republican congressmen have called for his ouster, maintaining that the presumed Jennings agenda "runs counter to the values that many parents desire to instill in their children." The White House and some media seem shocked at the criticism of Mr. Jennings, but such a brouhaha is the danger of slipping outside the normal advise-and-consent role of the Senate for presidential appointments. Had Mr. Jennings appeared before a Senate panel, his background would have emerged and senators would have had to take a stand on his suitability as a schools lord. Bypassing the Senate leaves the role of background exposure to pundits and lobby groups, exacerbating the nation's divisions. Of course, other presidents have appointed czars, but none has gone hog wild like Mr. Obama. "If [appointees] are going to have sweeping policy responsibilities they ought to be accountable to Congress," writes Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. That's what the Founders thought. With few exceptions, that should be the default status for presidential appointments, especially one who carries the exotic baggage of a Kevin Jennings.
More and more, you seem to paint yourself into a corner. You end up with no place to go and everyone staring at you. I know you understand exactly what I am talking about. Don't you think it is time to reflect on how many times this happens to you and take a break for a bit and ask yourself some questions. I am truly not trying to be a smart (you know what), but it is true. The roads you travel down are always coming to a sign that says DEAD END. It has gotten blatantly worse and worse.
To respond to Publiustwo's comment, yes, it is admirable to admit when you make a mistake. With this being said, the mistake you made with Jennings is a perfect example of the "snowball" effect you are seeing from the far right today. He is a muslim, he is not American, etc. is classic examples of this snowball effect. Not to belabor this, but it is true. Too many people are representing themselves by the words and assumptions of others. However, in your case, you did admit you were wrong.
The typical, misinformed view of many on the far right concerning homosexuality is alive on this page.. Some people seem to equate homosexuals with child molesters. That could not be further from the truth. Since most child molesters are hetosexual it is difficult to understand where this concept comes from. From what I have read, Jennings is an outstanding educator & has won many awards as a teacher. The GOP knows when you lack ideas throwing mud is a good coverup.
Some people are mature enough to correct their mistakes publically, other are not. Some have a propensity to fabricate numbers, and then then when it is pointed out, attack those who call them on it visciously and mercelessly. Those antagonists are destined to simply go away as those they choose to attempt to vicitmize stand up for their right to be heard without being ridiculed, attacked or disrespected. Chicago style (Alinsky-esque) politics are neither required nor desired in this forum.
It is admirable that people in this rooms apologize when they are wrong in their accusations that Jennings was a convicted molester. However, you have pulled the trigger and the bullet has been fired. Fortunately for many people here, we knew in advance it was a blank. However, many people are blinded by what they initially see and take it for verbatim. Look at the sound bytes coming from people after viewing their affiliated cable news stations from the previous day. Unfortunate that people do this.
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