Campbell Brown, formerly of CNN, wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, basically accusing teachers unions of protecting sexual predators. Randi Weingarten jumped into the fray to defend teachers, claiming that even teachers who are accused of sexual infractions are entitled to due process, and can certainly be removed if arrested or if an arbitrator rules the against a teacher. Ms. Brown claims that due process is “protecting” sexual predators, and that teachers should be summarily fired if accused in order to protect children.

One issue that came up in the debate is that Campbell Brown failed to disclose in her piece that her husband, Dan Senor, is on the board of StudentsFirstNY–an organization run by Michelle Rhee.

A cynic might believe that Ms. Brown has an agenda here because of her conflict of interest, but she eventually came clean and admitted that she should have disclosed her close ties to such an staunchly anti-teacher group.

So, who is right? Normally, I would side with Randi on this one, as I believe everyone deserves due process. But recently I heard a case of perverted behavior with a child that can not be ignored in a discussion such as this. This kind of sick behavior must be punished, and I am sure Ms. Brown and Ms. Rhee would agree.

The case involves a teacher who allegedly groped a 16 year old girl. The police recorded a phone call from this teacher apologizing to the girl for what happened. The case was investigated by the police, who declined to prosecute. In the end, the teacher reportedly paid a settlement to the girl to end the matter. As bad as this case was, yet another accusation surfaced against this teacher. A student again complained of inappropriate behavior by this teacher, although she later recanted. Nevertheless, in light of the first settlement paid, coupled with a subsequent allegation of similar misconduct, we should in this case agree with Michelle Rhee and Campbell Brown that this teacher needs to lose his job and shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near young girls.

Oh, wait. My bad. It wasn’t a teacher against whom these allegations were leveled. It was a politician, namely Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento.

The husband of Michelle Rhee.

I’m sure that any moment now, we can expect Michelle Rhee and Campbell Brown to call for the ouster of Kevin Johnson as mayor. After all, although none of the charges were substantiated and no charges filed, I’m sure they would agree that we can’t allow a little thing like due process stand in the way of protecting our children.

Right, Michelle and Campbell?

Hello?

Campbell Brown, formerly of CNN, wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, basically accusing teachers unions of protecting sexual predators. Randi Weingarten jumped into the fray to defend teachers, claiming that even teachers who are accused of sexual infractions are entitled to due process, and can certainly be removed if arrested or if an arbitrator rules the against a teacher. Ms. Brown claims that due process is “protecting” sexual predators, and that teachers should be summarily fired if accused in order to protect children.

One issue that came up in the debate is that Campbell Brown failed to disclose in her piece that her husband, Dan Senor, is on the board of StudentsFirstNY–an organization run by Michelle Rhee.

A cynic might believe that Ms. Brown has an agenda here because of her conflict of interest, but she eventually came clean and admitted that she should have disclosed her close ties to such an staunchly anti-teacher group.

So, who is right? Normally, I would side with Randi on this one, as I believe everyone deserves due process. But recently I heard a case of perverted behavior with a child that can not be ignored in a discussion such as this. This kind of sick behavior must be punished, and I am sure Ms. Brown and Ms. Rhee would agree.

The case involves a teacher who allegedly groped a 16 year old girl. The police recorded a phone call from this teacher apologizing to the girl for what happened. The case was investigated by the police, who declined to prosecute. In the end, the teacher reportedly paid a settlement to the girl to end the matter. As bad as this case was, yet another accusation surfaced against this teacher. A student again complained of inappropriate behavior by this teacher, although she later recanted. Nevertheless, in light of the first settlement paid, coupled with a subsequent allegation of similar misconduct, we should in this case agree with Michelle Rhee and Campbell Brown that this teacher needs to lose his job and shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near young girls.

Oh, wait. My bad. It wasn’t a teacher against whom these allegations were leveled. It was a politician, namely Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento.

The husband of Michelle Rhee.

I’m sure that any moment now, we can expect Michelle Rhee and Campbell Brown to call for the ouster of Kevin Johnson as mayor. After all, although none of the charges were substantiated and no charges filed, I’m sure they would agree that we can’t allow a little thing like due process stand in the way of protecting our children.

Right, Michelle and Campbell?

Hello?

And Geoff Decker, part of this story is that Brown’s husband is on the board of an organization whose leader’s husband has been accused of sexual misconduct with minors.

tinyurl.com/ydb92cp

Most principals are part of the problem. Their evils should be based on low teacher attrition.

Donkeys!

By Bloomberg and Brown intentionally misstating this issue to union bash, they are coming close to inadvertently suggesting there be no due process for those accused. I almost wish they’d get their own spins confused and say that, and then be rightfully crucified.

It appears she is slated for the Piers Morgan show soon. It looks like her concern now is to backpeddle and repair her image. Call her out Piers.

Why didn’t she mention her husbands affiliation with Rhee?
Why did she speak rather than the teachers, parents and principals in NYC schools?
Why was her testimony more valuable?
Is she only concerned with sexual abuse in public schools?
Is she aware of the Horace Mann cases that were recently revealed?
Is she aware of the already existing laws as mentioned by Ed in the Apple?
Is she aware of Rhee’s trickery and deceit and the corporate take over of our public schools?
Does she have anything to say to the thousands of NYC teachers who quietly and competently do their jobs every day under insurmountable challenges?
Will she be sending her children to NYC public schools?

Any other issues for Piers to address?

Teachers charged with felony weapon, drug or sexual misconduct are suspended “WITHOUT PAY and, if found guilty are discharged WITHOUT A HEARING.  Teachers who are charged with sexual misconduct which is not criminal, an arrest did not occur, have their cases heard before a jointy selected arbitrator. Frequently the cases are “he said, she said,” a student accuses, a teacher denies. The arbitrator has to weigh conflicting testimony. A finding against the teacher may result in a penalty less than discharge.

The standard of proof is “preponderance of evidence,” not the higher criminal court standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Teachers, reporters, all who are accused are entitled to a defense, except in the world of Brown.

Brown was either ignorant of the statutes in NYC or simply acting as a pawn for Rhee and Bloomberg.

She discredited herself.

Shame.