FL Teachers Union Goes Ballistic Over: New TV ads, showing FL "Teachers of the Year" Support Jeb

FL Teachers Union Web site ^ | April 24, 2002 | summer

[summer]

FL Teachers Union Goes Ballistic Over: New TV ads, showing FL "Teachers of the Year" Support Jeb

Written by summer - a former Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher

For those of you wondering what's new in the FL gov race, the answer is: two new GOP TV commercials, showing Gov. Jeb Bush and four of FL's "Teachers of the Year" endorsing Jeb for governor.

The fact these FL teachers -- who are so well qualified and knowledgable -- support our current GOP governor has caused the FL Teacher's Union president to go bananas. She has actually written a letter to Gov. Bush demanding he take these ads off the air.

It seems the sight of outstanding educators supporting this governor is giving the FL Teacher's Union president a very rude awakening.

In addition to the FL Teachers Union president going off on a baseless rant to Gov. Bush, some in the FL media appear to be going nuts as well.

Their big complaint is FL Gov. Jeb Bush did not film these commercials at a public school; rather, he chose a private school.

They do not mention he did so for commercial production purposes. And, frankly, he was right to do so, because filming in a public school is a major hassle. But, they all claim the reason he chose a private school is otherwise. They also omit the fact Jeb has continuously been warmly welcomed whenever he goes to FL public schools, which he has done throughout his term as governor.

Here is a link, from the FL Teachers Union web site (the FL union is known as the FL Educators Association, or "FEA"), to nine articles and editorials about these commercials, which hit the airwaves today: click here. You'll also find the scripts to these two new commercials on this link.

If you want to read the FEA President's letter to Gov. Bush, click here. I notice she made no mention whatsoever of Gov. Bush's published response to the subject Orlando Sentinel article, which Gov. Bush has posted on his official campaign web site here.

Finally, I do not really consider this an editorial piece -- I am just honestly telling you what is going on here in FL today in this FL gov race.

BTW, if you are a teacher who wants to learn more about Gov. Bush's education policies, click here. And, if you are a teacher who already supports Gov. Bush, you can let his campaign know by clicking here.

[summer]

The bios of the teachers supporting Jeb are linked here.

[summer]

Gov. Jeb Bush, on his way to a 2nd term.

[Iowa Granny]

Thank you for posting this summer. In Iowa we have many well qualified teachers who do not subscribe to the NEA drivel,,, it sounds like Florida teachers are doing likewise.

[summer]

My pleasure. As you know, I am a FL certified teacher, and I have been writing about my own support for Gov. Bush for awhile now. He truly has listened to teachers - something the union here does not do. Thanks for your post.

[11th Earl of Mar]

LOL,LOL!!!

Great job, Jeb!!!

[jalisco555]

The last thing teacher union "leadership" wants to hear is the opinion of rank-and-file teachers. This sort of thing threatens their very reason for existence.

[summer]

That's true. And I think that's why many FL teachers have dropped out. I'll post a link about it on this thread.

[Dog Gone]

Democrats just can't stand it when Republicans campaign on issues that Democrats believe belong exclusively to them, like education and the environment.

It drives them nuts.

[Skooz]

WHAT? Teachers thinking for themselves? Voting for the candidates of their choice? Ignoring the diktats of their Union Prez masters? Not being good little automatons and belching back the NEA party line they have been spoon fed? This cannot stand! How dare they think for themselves and not let the teacher's unions do their thinking for them? Who do they think they are? Americans?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The fact these FL teachers -- who are so well qualified and knowledgable -- support our current GOP governor has caused the FL Teacher's Union president to go bananas. She has actually written a letter to Gov. Bush demanding he take these ads off the air.

LOL. Big BUMP for the fabulous four and Gov. Bush!!

[Joe Brower]

Hiya, summer,

Good essay.

While we're on the subject of spreading the good word about our good governor, I thought I'd let y'all know that I have a whole bunch of Jeb! bumper stickers. They're the big red type with white letters proclaiming "Keep Up the Good Work Jeb!".

Any FReepers who want one (or more than one), FReepmail me and I'll give you my address, to which you can then send a business-letter-size SASE and let me know how many you want. Just promise me you'll truly slap that puppy on your vehicle in order to PO as many liberals as possible. $:-)

[eureka!]

LOL. Good on Jeb. May the ads run often and for a long time...

[Cold Heat]

LOL! The hysteria of the teachers union is always a welcome laugh break.

[Real Cynic No More]

Thanks for the teaching lesson! I don't understand why it is ok for the teachers' union to bash Bush, but wrong for individual teachers to praise him.

[EdReform]

Bump

[EdReform]

Labor Complaint Is Latest Hurdle For Teachers' Union

[summer]

I don't understand why it is ok for the teachers' union to bash Bush, but wrong for individual teachers to praise him.

Not only that, but the FL teachers union has never, to my knowledge, made any effort to inform their members all that Gov. Bush has actually done to financially help teachers, including:

-- free professional liability insurance;

--full salary credit on the salary scale in every district for each and every year of successful teaching for every teacher who teaches in FL;

--a ten year 10% salary increase for National Certification and substantial financial assistance in applying for it; and

-- a ton of salary, educational and health benefits to a teacher's family if that teacher is slain on the job.

None of this ever gets mentioned by the union, and that lack of communication to its members is just plain wrong.

Anyone reading this who wants to know more about the above can click on my screen name and read Parts 1-6 of my editorial series about Gov. Bush, wherein I explain each of these acts by Gov. Bush to financially help teachers.

BTW, in FL, only the local school district has the legal authority to set the salary levels of teachers. The union never mentions that either.

[summer]

FYI. Also, please forward this thread to any teachers you know residing anywhere. Thanks. :)

[Southack]

The reason that the Florida Teachers Union leadership is upset is because at heart, they are partisan.

They do not care if Jeb is good for teachers.

What they care about is advancing their partisan political agenda.

Also, WHY would Gov Bush pull the new ads? It's not like pulling those ads would get him any teachers union votes, after all...

[summer]

FYI. Please forward this thread to any teachers you know residing anywhere. Thanks! :)