Mission Accomplished
Well Folks -
That The Dispatch knew what it was doing with their recent "ABCs of Betrayal" series is clearly shown in a response they received Oct. 23. The writer, and probably a large number of similarly obtuse dolts believe they have had all their Republican/business/Right-Wing prejudices and fears reinforced and justified.
I've included the letter directly below - followed by my never-to-be-published response.
- Uke Man
'Betrayal' series wake-up call for parents
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
To the Editor,
I write as a public-school teacher and former union member turned stay-at-home mom to thank The Dispatch for running the Oct. 14-17 series, "The ABCs of Betrayal." It was well-done, and I hope it serves as a wake-up call to those who don't take this problem seriously.
The majority of teachers are involved in education for the children's well-being. However, when allegations arise in school, plenty of blame seems to fall on the student. No person under the age of 18 does has the ability to discern within an adult relationship. There should be a zero-tolerance standard in place.
If teachers make a mistake once, they should lose their license permanently and should be placed on a mandatory national registry (solely to keep them from entering the classroom again) specific to those who are caught commiting their crime while in service for children, such as pastors, youth workers, day-care workers and parents. Often the victims do not understand what has happened to them until many years later. Shame and fear will silence youth.
The teachers unions are no friend to parents and students. In cases of sex abuse by a teacher, you won't find other teachers or the unions speaking out about it. The children are not paying members to the unions.
The enemy here reveals itself in silence or apathy. Parents should not trust such characteristics. The teachers-union members who stay silent and are not infuriated by such events are just as guilty as the perpetrating teacher. I was not surprised to read that the Ohio Education Association didn't see a cover-up problem.
The Dispatch series should be a call to parents to train their children to determine what is appropriate contact and communication between a teacher and student and what is not. Don't trust the schools to do this for you. Children need to be taught, unfortunately, to not thoroughly trust any adult, and to immediately report any concerns that they have. Never discount a child's behavior or words.
The system should exist on behalf of the child and not to protect a pervert's job. When push comes to shove, the pervert usually wins with a slap on the wrist, at most, and the family loses.
Public schools are becoming invalid as they become unsafe places to send our children. Make no mistake that every district harbors these criminals in their system, whether they know it or not. Radical change is necessary, but without the involvement of quality teachers at the forefront and administrators and parents taking a stand together, it will not happen.
CRYSTAL TRAINI Grove City
To the Editor,
Having read Tuesday’s lead letter to the editor, I bet “Mission Accomplished” banners are hanging all over 34 South Third Street. “The ABCs of Betrayal” has been a resounding success.
At least one reader in the area has been convinced that a significant number of people “don’t take this problem [pedophilia] seriously,” and that instead of 99.9% of teachers caring about “children’s well-being,” only a “majority “ actually feel that way.
You have convinced her (and how many others) that “teachers unions are no friend to parents and students,” and not only the union but “other teachers” as well are unfriendly - supposedly because children don’t pay union dues. Referring to unions and “other teachers,” she asserts that the “enemy” has revealed itself. Pedophilia, if it doesn’t result from, is supported by unions and teachers
She accuses any who would not rush to judgment before the justice system has determined the truth of accusations of being “just as guilty as the perpetrating teacher,” and she doesn’t miss her opportunity to identify the dreaded Ohio Education Association as the “pervert”-protecting union she has in mind.
But it’s not just the unions. She has been convinced that public schools in general cannot be trusted, “that every district harbors these criminals” and she demands radical change.
I’d say that all the educational bogey men of the Dispatch’s political agenda have been chastised, and all of you associated with this series should be proud of yourselves.
Unless your part in getting the letter-writer to teach her children not to trust “any adult” puts a damper on your celebration.
Yours,
Tom Harker
That The Dispatch knew what it was doing with their recent "ABCs of Betrayal" series is clearly shown in a response they received Oct. 23. The writer, and probably a large number of similarly obtuse dolts believe they have had all their Republican/business/Right-Wing prejudices and fears reinforced and justified.
I've included the letter directly below - followed by my never-to-be-published response.
- Uke Man
'Betrayal' series wake-up call for parents
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
To the Editor,
I write as a public-school teacher and former union member turned stay-at-home mom to thank The Dispatch for running the Oct. 14-17 series, "The ABCs of Betrayal." It was well-done, and I hope it serves as a wake-up call to those who don't take this problem seriously.
The majority of teachers are involved in education for the children's well-being. However, when allegations arise in school, plenty of blame seems to fall on the student. No person under the age of 18 does has the ability to discern within an adult relationship. There should be a zero-tolerance standard in place.
If teachers make a mistake once, they should lose their license permanently and should be placed on a mandatory national registry (solely to keep them from entering the classroom again) specific to those who are caught commiting their crime while in service for children, such as pastors, youth workers, day-care workers and parents. Often the victims do not understand what has happened to them until many years later. Shame and fear will silence youth.
The teachers unions are no friend to parents and students. In cases of sex abuse by a teacher, you won't find other teachers or the unions speaking out about it. The children are not paying members to the unions.
The enemy here reveals itself in silence or apathy. Parents should not trust such characteristics. The teachers-union members who stay silent and are not infuriated by such events are just as guilty as the perpetrating teacher. I was not surprised to read that the Ohio Education Association didn't see a cover-up problem.
The Dispatch series should be a call to parents to train their children to determine what is appropriate contact and communication between a teacher and student and what is not. Don't trust the schools to do this for you. Children need to be taught, unfortunately, to not thoroughly trust any adult, and to immediately report any concerns that they have. Never discount a child's behavior or words.
The system should exist on behalf of the child and not to protect a pervert's job. When push comes to shove, the pervert usually wins with a slap on the wrist, at most, and the family loses.
Public schools are becoming invalid as they become unsafe places to send our children. Make no mistake that every district harbors these criminals in their system, whether they know it or not. Radical change is necessary, but without the involvement of quality teachers at the forefront and administrators and parents taking a stand together, it will not happen.
CRYSTAL TRAINI Grove City
To the Editor,
Having read Tuesday’s lead letter to the editor, I bet “Mission Accomplished” banners are hanging all over 34 South Third Street. “The ABCs of Betrayal” has been a resounding success.
At least one reader in the area has been convinced that a significant number of people “don’t take this problem [pedophilia] seriously,” and that instead of 99.9% of teachers caring about “children’s well-being,” only a “majority “ actually feel that way.
You have convinced her (and how many others) that “teachers unions are no friend to parents and students,” and not only the union but “other teachers” as well are unfriendly - supposedly because children don’t pay union dues. Referring to unions and “other teachers,” she asserts that the “enemy” has revealed itself. Pedophilia, if it doesn’t result from, is supported by unions and teachers
She accuses any who would not rush to judgment before the justice system has determined the truth of accusations of being “just as guilty as the perpetrating teacher,” and she doesn’t miss her opportunity to identify the dreaded Ohio Education Association as the “pervert”-protecting union she has in mind.
But it’s not just the unions. She has been convinced that public schools in general cannot be trusted, “that every district harbors these criminals” and she demands radical change.
I’d say that all the educational bogey men of the Dispatch’s political agenda have been chastised, and all of you associated with this series should be proud of yourselves.
Unless your part in getting the letter-writer to teach her children not to trust “any adult” puts a damper on your celebration.
Yours,
Tom Harker
1 Comments:
As usual, Tom, your letter is wonderful. Of course, it's TOO GOOD for the Columbus Dispatch. It doesn't bash teachers or unions. Sondra
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