Money will make a whore out of just about anyone, apparently even unionized teachers.
The American Federation of Teachers recently passed a resolution at its annual convention which demands an immediate cessation of American activities in Afghanistan. From the Democratic Socialists of America website:
Delegates adopted a resolution that puts the giant teacher union on new ground in opposition to the war and occupation of Afghanistan, opposing any further escalation and calling for “rapid, orderly withdrawal of all armed forces and military contractors, to begin immediately.”
But what’s funny – not to mention hypocritical – is that the teachers union is also pushing the $80 billion war spending bill because it contains pork for public schools. The bill is now in the Senate where it faces likely changes or defeat altogether.
So on the one hand, the union opposes the war, but will push to continue funding it if it contains funds for its members.
We’d be willing to bet that if foreign assistance for Robert Mugabe’s regime would also be palatable to the AFT if it contained money for the union.
Where are the AFT’s principles? It has none. Revert back to our opening sentence.
The president’s and Congress’ financial backers are growing more and more impatient. From the Christian Science Monitor:
“Plain and simple – this is not the change I hoped for,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel in a fiery keynote [NEA convention] speech on July 3. “Our members feel betrayed and so do I. Our members are angry. So am I.”
Perhaps the unions would be willing to explain to their Democratic Socialists of America friends how continued funding of the Afghanistan war really means ending it.
**And to my haters and critics of Education Action Group‘s work: please – please – tell me how the AFT’s actions are just. I’d love to hear it.**