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Florida Official: Buy Clothes, Not Booze
Fox News ^ | April 26, 2008 | Fox News

Posted on 04/26/2008 8:14:53 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida school board member is drawing fire from some parents for saying they should spend money on school clothes for their children instead of buying alcohol and cigarettes.

School board member Jay Wheeler's comments were made in an e-mail response to parents’ complaints that they cannot afford the new uniforms mandated by the Osceola County School District, according to MyFOXOrlando.com.

"Everyone can afford Wal-Mart and if they can’t, they need to think about turning off their cable TV or stop buying alcohol or cigarettes and spend their money on their children," he wrote.

Parent Maria Quintana says Wheeler’s e-mail is insulting.

“I have a job and sometimes it's really hard. You have to struggle," Quintana told MyFOXOrlando.com. "And to have them say something like that is really degrading."

Wheeler stands by his comments, saying people should get serious about education and put their children first.

"I thought it might be a wake-up call and I think it's something people want to say but were afraid to,” he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: publicassistance; publicschool; thetruthhurts; welfare
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FINALLY a man who says what I've been thinking all along. I teach in Los Angeles and everywhere I look are parents whining that they can't afford this or that, on public assistance, but their kids are playing with PSPs and iPods, have digital cameras and cell phones, family has cable, massive tv/stereo system, computers, but "can't afford" uniforms, books, and tutoring. Hello! This guy has my support, anyway.
1 posted on 04/26/2008 8:14:53 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: A_perfect_lady

Wheeler stands by his comments, saying people should get serious about education and put their children first.

Bravo.


2 posted on 04/26/2008 8:16:09 AM PDT by bill1952 (I will vote for McCain if he resigns his Senate seat before this election.)
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To: Amelia

What do you think of this? I say good for this guy!


3 posted on 04/26/2008 8:17:22 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: A_perfect_lady

Finally. A good man!


4 posted on 04/26/2008 8:18:31 AM PDT by fweingart (It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always gets in!)
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To: A_perfect_lady

Don’t mess with my(six-pack)stimulus package!


5 posted on 04/26/2008 8:18:57 AM PDT by Dr. Ursus (( commander of the simian host))
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To: A_perfect_lady

This guy tells it like it is. He says what many of us have been thinking but might be afraid to say. He has my support.


6 posted on 04/26/2008 8:19:41 AM PDT by chris haney (MBNA)
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To: A_perfect_lady
...but their kids are playing with PSPs and iPods, have digital cameras
and cell phones, family has cable, massive tv/stereo system, computers,
but "can't afford" uniforms, books, and tutoring.


Not to mention the disposable income that goes for Glocks, AK-47s
and ammo for some students attending LAUSD schools.
7 posted on 04/26/2008 8:20:12 AM PDT by VOA
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To: A_perfect_lady

what percentage of your students are ILLEGAL???


8 posted on 04/26/2008 8:21:15 AM PDT by nyyankeefan
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To: bill1952
If you go to the OrlandoFox link, he adds that he has no intention of tax money going to pay for these uniforms. The parents need to step up and do it themselves. Awesome. His email is jaylwheeler@earthlink.net, and I'm going to drop him a line of encouragement because we know the kind of abuse he's going to get over this.

Already on a local blog he's being screamed at, how DARE he suggest people pay for anything themselves, etc etc...

9 posted on 04/26/2008 8:23:08 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: A_perfect_lady

And lottery tickets.


10 posted on 04/26/2008 8:23:18 AM PDT by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: nyyankeefan

We aren’t allowed to ask if they are legal, but from the remarks the kids let drop themselves, I’d say at least 30% of my ESL students are illegal.


11 posted on 04/26/2008 8:24:20 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: A_perfect_lady

Jay Wheeler for President! Finally someone who will tell parents that the government isn’t going to raise their kids for them. If you don’t want to provide for them, if you’re not willing to make sacrifices for their welfare, don’t have ‘em in the first place!


12 posted on 04/26/2008 8:26:35 AM PDT by LadyNavyVet (The NC GOP is McCain's maverick.)
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To: A_perfect_lady

“Wheeler stands by his comments, saying people should get serious about education and put their children first.”

If they put their children first, they would be educating them at home and not sending them to the government indoctrination center. As for Wheeler, what does he expect from the parents, given that they were largely products of government indoctrination centers, where self-direction and taking responsibility for one’s own destiny are hardly one of the lessons being taught.

http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main/SevenLessonsTaughtInSchool

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/toc1.htm
The Underground History of American Education
A Schoolteacher’s Intimate Investigation Into The Problem Of Modern Schooling

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/historytour/history1.htm
The Makers of Modern Schooling
The real makers of modern schooling weren’t at all who we think.


13 posted on 04/26/2008 8:27:33 AM PDT by Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek
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To: A_perfect_lady
Since our kids are gown and our youngest graduates from ISU in a couple weeks is it okat If I buy cigs with *my* money?

Oh and one of these.......

OR.........

14 posted on 04/26/2008 8:32:52 AM PDT by Condor51 (I have guns in my nightstand because a Cop won't fit)
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To: Condor51

For Cowboy Action?


15 posted on 04/26/2008 8:37:27 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: A_perfect_lady

Finally a school board member who isn’t afraid of speaking the truth. I have kids in my classroom that want to dress like gangbangers and hip hop artists. I swear this generation of boys will be walking fun when they grow up. They won’t know how to walk properly when they start wearing pants that actually sit where they are supposed to sit.
We have a school policy dress code as well: no baggy pants, no undies (male or female) showing, skirts to bottom of finger tips, but it does little use. I live/teach in a middle class suburb of Illinois and most of the parents side with their children. They think we are being too strict. The parents are part of the problem...stop buying them inappropriate clothing. The school is left to be the solution. Some of the kids feel they have the right to say, “stop looking if you don’t want to see them” and parents support that behavior.


16 posted on 04/26/2008 8:37:31 AM PDT by conservativeteach
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To: A_perfect_lady
Indeed. And to think, I believe this is a public school. My little one is starting at a private Catholic elementary (also in the Orlando area) that'll cost me a pretty penny ON TOP of uniforms.

Truth hurts, I think. And that's why people are so ticked off about it. They don't like having their noses rubbed in their own poor choices.

17 posted on 04/26/2008 8:44:03 AM PDT by RepoGirl ("Tom, I'm getting dead from you, but I'm not getting Undead..." -- Frasier Crane)
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To: conservativeteach

Yes, it’s depressing. The boys strut around exactly like they are in a prison yard looking for a fight, and the girls perch nearby in visitor’s room mode. The whole culture is devolving to a lifetime of institutionalization.


18 posted on 04/26/2008 8:48:28 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: Condor51

His point is not that you shouldn’t buy what you want with your money, it’s that you shouldn’t buy what you WANT and then demand that tax payers buy what you NEED.


19 posted on 04/26/2008 8:52:31 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: A_perfect_lady

Putting children first is now controversial?


20 posted on 04/26/2008 8:55:50 AM PDT by Unknowing (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.)
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To: A_perfect_lady

That was the goal of the (socialist) system all along.


21 posted on 04/26/2008 8:56:17 AM PDT by darkangel82 (If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. (Say no to RINOs))
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To: A_perfect_lady

recently a private charity turned down an application for energy assistance because he smoked!!


22 posted on 04/26/2008 8:56:46 AM PDT by griswold3 (Al queda is guilty of hirabah (war against society) Penalty is death.)
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To: A_perfect_lady

I would have liked Wheeler to have focused on the cell phone connection. There is an inner city junior high school where I live. The caucasian and African-American population is nearly divided equally. But the demographics are such that over 90 % are eligible for free or reduced price lunches. There is no official count on how many students have cell phones but from people who work there on a daily basis, I am told it is easily over 60 per cent. As far as academic achievement goes, the school’s statistics are dismal.


23 posted on 04/26/2008 9:05:39 AM PDT by Biblebelter (Barry, let your Uncle Jeremiah speak publicly, so he can set the record straight himself.)
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To: RepoGirl

We went to catholic schools for 12 years. Don’t forget to deduct the cost of regular clothing you would have bought before you figure the net cost of the uniforms. I didn’t like uniforms at various times, but in hind sight they prevent a lot of problems.


24 posted on 04/26/2008 9:08:48 AM PDT by purpleraine
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To: Unknowing

In a society that murders it’s unborn children, why would they even think of putting the children first?


25 posted on 04/26/2008 9:21:20 AM PDT by WVNan
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To: A_perfect_lady

A neighbor (rental cabin) got tossed from his rental cabin due to not being able to keep up with the rent. Never seen without cigarette. Spent as much on cigarettes as rent.


26 posted on 04/26/2008 9:24:23 AM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
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To: purpleraine
Thanks for the tip, I didn't even think about that. I'm pretty okay with uniforms, but admittedly, she hasn't even started kindergarten yet. We'll see. She's got a taste for Lily Pulitzer and Ralph Lauren, so she's not too happy about the concept of uniforms.

The only thing that gives me pause, and it's a minor one, is they don't have a long pants option in the uniform for when its cold. A pair of kahkis or dress pants, anything like that. Just jumpers, and legging/tights for cold weather. But, again, that's minor.

27 posted on 04/26/2008 9:26:34 AM PDT by RepoGirl ("Tom, I'm getting dead from you, but I'm not getting Undead..." -- Frasier Crane)
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To: bill1952

“saying people should get serious about education and put their children first.”

He’d better be careful! If parents get serious again about their kids education, they may start demanding to have better curriculum, better teachers, etc. etc. Could have a snowball effect!


28 posted on 04/26/2008 9:26:34 AM PDT by swmobuffalo ("We didn't seek the approval of Code Pink and MoveOn.org before deciding what to do")
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To: swmobuffalo; All
I read the “School Uniform” and it is nothing more than what our kids have in their school. Simple cloths you can buy at K-mart, Wal-mart and Target just to name a few.

Plus, mid size kids grow fast and you can “yard sale” the uniforms at the snap of your fingers.

Bravo for him.

29 posted on 04/26/2008 9:34:14 AM PDT by PeteB570 (NRA - Life member and Black Rifle owner)
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To: A_perfect_lady

try:

jaylwheeler@embarqmail.com

that one seemed to go to him.


30 posted on 04/26/2008 9:47:57 AM PDT by spacejunkie01
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To: A_perfect_lady

I agree with the spirit of what he said- but I will say money was tight at my house when my children were little and the school used to nickel and dime us to death with this that and the other. By the time you buy school supplies and clothes you catch your breath and they start putting there hand out for things you had no clue about.

Another thing- about the poor kids having all the goodies- my daughter is a single parent- gets no child support; her ex’s family will buy my grandson the latest video games, camera- yes and toys, etc. but not help with school supplies, etc. Sometimes it is not the parents buying the expensive goodies.


31 posted on 04/26/2008 9:52:06 AM PDT by Tammy8 (Please Support and pray for our Troops, as they serve us every day.)
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To: Tammy8

Perhaps, but when I ask the kids who bought the electronic toys, so far they have always answered “my parents.” Always. 100%.


32 posted on 04/26/2008 10:11:59 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: A_perfect_lady

This man deserves a presidential medal. Way to go!


33 posted on 04/26/2008 10:17:58 AM PDT by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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To: A_perfect_lady
If there's going to be one good thing about this economic downturn, it's going to be a changed focus on what's important and what's not.

Yesterday my wife and I had to go to Walmart to get a prescription for me. We walked through the food section. There were so many snack foods and chips and pre-made meals, and very little canned meats and vegetables or pasta and oatmeal.

We became a society of telephone sterilizers and marketers a while back, all riding the “B” ark to nowhere. With adversity, maybe people will think about what's important.

34 posted on 04/26/2008 10:43:28 AM PDT by GAB-1955 (Kicking and Screaming into the Kingdom of Heaven!)
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To: spacejunkie01

That one failed, too. I don’t know if it’s because he’s being inundated with mail and shut off his mailbox, or what. But we really should think of a way of getting supportive messages to him.


35 posted on 04/26/2008 10:52:50 AM PDT by ottbmare
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To: A_perfect_lady
I gotta go with the school administrator here.
I am so sick and tired of standing in line at the convenience store and listening to people buying lottery tickets and cigarettes complaining about the thin gs they can not afford.
Sorry of you are buying a carton of smokes at $40 and laying out another 10-20 gambling then you have only yourself to blame for your economic circumstances.
36 posted on 04/26/2008 10:59:10 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Patriot Guard Riders - Standing for those that stood for us.)
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To: AnAmericanMother
*** For Cowboy Action? ***

Yes that too, *hopefully*.

But also I'd feel better having the option of putting a 225gr .45LC hollow point into some fool breaking in my house than just my 9mm or my Makarov (9x18), even with the hot loads I have for them.

(don't have a shotgun and a .45 Auto is out of the question for now)

37 posted on 04/26/2008 11:07:55 AM PDT by Condor51 (I have guns in my nightstand because a Cop won't fit)
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To: A_perfect_lady
*** His point is not that you shouldn’t buy what you want with your money, it’s that you shouldn’t buy what you WANT and then demand that tax payers buy what you NEED. ***

No offense, but I know what he was driving at and agree with him. I was just being a tad sarcastic and having some fun. (guess I need to take another 'humor pill')

38 posted on 04/26/2008 11:14:24 AM PDT by Condor51 (I have guns in my nightstand because a Cop won't fit)
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To: Condor51
As you know, I'm a big .45 ACP fan.

But a Vaquero in .45LC would certainly get somebody's attention!

39 posted on 04/26/2008 11:18:28 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: A_perfect_lady
The truth will get your teeth knocked out.
40 posted on 04/26/2008 11:21:36 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: A_perfect_lady

“I thought it might be a wake-up call”

One can only wake “sleeping” people—not those who are brain dead. The people who he is addressing are, for the most part, not fit to be parents and have a lot in common with the brain-dead.


41 posted on 04/26/2008 11:30:22 AM PDT by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
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To: RepoGirl

Um, your 4-5 year old has a taste for insanely expensive designer clothing and doesn’t want to wear a uniform at kindergarten?

Whose fault is that, exactly?

I’m just saying.


42 posted on 04/26/2008 11:34:13 AM PDT by LibertyGirl77
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To: RepoGirl

I was in socal so leggings were worn maybe 5-10 days a year.<p.My catholic school years gave me a sense of discipline and self-control I never would have had otherwise. Uniforms were a part of that. Overall, I am very grateful to those schools, nuns and priests.


43 posted on 04/26/2008 12:32:08 PM PDT by purpleraine
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To: purpleraine

Don’t the parents help or hinder that self control as well? My personal goal is make sure my daughter is the best person she can possibly be with God’s guidance.


44 posted on 04/26/2008 1:41:09 PM PDT by conservativeteach
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To: A_perfect_lady

He has my support, too. I agree with your entire post.


45 posted on 04/26/2008 1:56:17 PM PDT by Twink
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To: RepoGirl

My youngest, we call her Miss Fashionista, hates wearing a uniformm to school (Catholic school). So she always wears *cool* headbands or barettes to dress it up.

Our Catholic school finally had the long pants uniform included (we also have a spring/fall uniform) but not too many of the girls wear them. None of my girls do/did.


46 posted on 04/26/2008 2:06:57 PM PDT by Twink
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To: A_perfect_lady
I love it! The school district where I teach is considering going to uniforms next year. Of course my high school students hate the idea, and were complaining that the uniforms would be too expensive. "Is the school board going to buy them for us??"

I pointed out that the Target store in the next town had uniform shirts for $5 each. Given what most of these students wear, that's got to be cheaper.

And, as you point out, most of them manage to afford cell phones...

47 posted on 04/26/2008 2:20:11 PM PDT by Amelia
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To: Gabz; SoftballMominVA; abclily; aberaussie; albertp; AliVeritas; A_perfect_lady; ...

Public Education Ping

This list is for intellectual discussion of articles and issues related to public education (including charter schools) from the preschool to university level. Items more appropriately placed on the “Naughty Teacher” list, “Another reason to Homeschool” list, or of a general public-school-bashing nature will not be pinged.

If you would like to be on or off this list, please freepmail Amelia, Gabz, Shag377, or SoftballMominVa

48 posted on 04/26/2008 2:21:11 PM PDT by Amelia
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To: Amelia

I hated wearing a uniform when I was in high school but appreciated them once I was in college and had to pick out my clothes every day. My teens are in public high school and hated wearing a uniform in k-8 but wish they had one now. My two still in Catholic grade school - one doesn’t care and the youngest hates it but tough :)

We HAVE to buy the uniforms from the school outfitter and they are expensive in a way. The polo shirts are $19 each, etc. However, they wear and wash well and I can hand them down to the next kid. Same with the jumpers/skirts/shorts. It’s less expensive than buying them school wardrobes each year.


49 posted on 04/26/2008 3:09:11 PM PDT by Twink
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To: A_perfect_lady
"Everyone can afford Wal-Mart and if they can’t, they need to think about turning off their cable TV or stop buying alcohol or cigarettes and spend their money on their children," he wrote.

There's always Salvation Army. I've found LL Bean and Gap clothes with the tags still on them.

50 posted on 04/26/2008 3:36:19 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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