That’s not an entirely rhetorical question. I really want to know.<\/p>\n
As expected, the National Education Association demanded<\/a> that Bush fire Education Secretary Roderick Paige, a day after the cabinet secretary called the nation’s largest teachers union a “terrorist organization.”<\/p>\n We have heard from thousands of teachers and educators who came home from working in their schools on Monday only to hear themselves and their professional organization referred to as “terrorists” by the top federal education official.<\/p>\n Our members say that once again this national leader has insulted them, this time beyond repair, with words filled with hatred — and merely because they raised legitimate concerns about the president’s so-called “No Child Left Behind” law.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n And yet the White House continues to insist that Paige’s job is safe<\/a>. Bush spokesman Trent Duffy said yesterday, “The president wants the secretary to do his job, which is to improve public education for America’s schoolchildren.” Paige also told reporters that he’s not leaving his post.<\/p>\n What will it take? Paige’s biggest accomplishment was a fraud<\/a>, he condemned public schools<\/a> for not having the right “values,” he doesn’t seem to know anything<\/a> about the administration’s own education policy, and when he tries to defend it, no one believes him<\/a>. And now he equates the nation’s largest group of school teachers with terrorists.<\/p>\n So far, only two members of Congress — Reps. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) — have called on Paige to resign. I know the Dems on the Hill may be busy and a little distracted right now, but the more of them who call for Paige’s ouster, the more likely it’ll happen.<\/p>\n