SAUL ALINSKY--Reading assignment for NEA recruits in St. Louis

Teachers not currently affiliated with the NEA in the St. Louis area are receiving some "gentle persuasion" to join and were provided the following reading assignment:


http://www.nea.org/tools/17231.htm


Notice the name of the link: NEA tools. Think about that for a moment. NEA tools. Tools for what? Oh, I am certain these would be tools to help teachers become more effective in the classroom so students can achieve at a higher level. Right? After all, it does state "We hope that ARs and local leaders of all political stripes will discern from Alinsky's books grassroots organizing strategies that will best help us bring our members together around the common goal of improving public education".


Read the rest of the article. Nowhere in this NEA site does it mention the word "student". It would appear the NEA's idea of "improving public education" means improving its power in the public education sphere.


I base my belief from excerpted passages that I want you to pay particular attention to; read the entire article and research them for yourself:

• Society has good reason to fear the Radical. Every shaking advance of mankind toward equality and justice has come from the Radical. He hits, he hurts, he is dangerous. Conservative interests know while Liberals are most adept at breaking their own necks with their tongues, Radicals are most adept at breaking the necks of Conservatives".


• He will fight any concentration of power hostile to a broad, popular democracy, whether he finds it in financial circles or in politics.

• Using eyes, ears and noses as tactics in the art of how to take and how to give: Example for noses: "If your organization is too tiny even for noise, stink up the place".

Many of you are probably aware of this book and the tactics named. We have witnessed in the political sphere these tactics being used by many different groups. Teachers have a special responsibility to children and parents. Should teachers be employing these tactics and still be around CHILDREN?

Note the ending of this posting on the NEA site:

• Alinsky was hated and defamed by powerful enemies, proof that his tactics worked. His simple formula for success..."Agitate + Aggravate + Educate + Organize"

This theory is being pushed by your St. Louis NEA organization. I'm not convinced this group is sincerely concerned about your child, first and foremost, are you? I'm certain this group has minimal concern about your child.

Keep your eye on your teachers and this union. This group doesn't give a whit about test scores, graduation rates, etc. It is solely concerned for its self-preservation and control. I would suggest you start your own reading list for your child. Perhaps you should read Alinsky's book so you know your teacher's driving purpose for being in the classroom. And, if you are a conservative, watch your neck.

(ht to a watchdog)