tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5660468883247605914..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: "This is the power of an informed public."Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85405667439582652132015-06-09T20:43:19.626-07:002015-06-09T20:43:19.626-07:00None of us know for certain who is "Michael&q...None of us know for certain who is "Michael" who posts here and who is Michael Christophersen, the candidate. Please do not out people nor accuse anyone who doesn't sign their complete name - like me - of making statements here. <br /><br />That Mr. Christophersen wants to have a phantom campaign or make voters come to him is not of much interest to me. I'll be interested to see if he even shows up for any candidate forums. Then he will have to stand by his words.<br /><br />We'll end this here.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17621604634252690492015-06-09T20:39:16.487-07:002015-06-09T20:39:16.487-07:00"Anonymous said...
Michael, continuing to com..."Anonymous said...<br />Michael, continuing to complain about people with autism will not help your cause, even if you change your moniker. (eg, your snide remarks about "pervasives" pretty much lets everyone know who you are) Students with autism do not get 1 or 2 unskilled IAs attached to them. And, parents of students with autism do not get the benefit of some body of neuroscience backed by them either. (Most parents of autistic students want a researched backed program called ABA - and, like you, they don't get that, because people don't get to dictate the type of education. And research? Well, there are millions of different forms of research, and the district can always march out something and claim it's doing research.) Really, there aren't supposed to be any programs for "autism" or pervasives, or dyslexia btw, or any diagnosis. That is illegal.<br /><br />If you want parents to rise up and fix the problem (as you say you do), you would be wise not to exclude great swaths of the people you think you represent.<br /><br />It's true that IAs and other staffed might not be well trained, or smart, or good. That can be said of any staff. And when you pay $15/hr - you better do good job of interviewing and training. At your kid's school, there are many excellent IAs. Not sure why you can't figure out how to get them to do what you want.<br /><br />The fact is, most schools have MANY IAs, for all sorts of reasons - and yet, they can't figure out what to do with them. And that isn't a problem with the IAs - it's a problem with teachers who insist on "stand and deliver" to 35 students - which precludes the effectiveness of any type of resources, no matter how smart, trained, and available. If you're just going to stand and deliver - nobody can really help you with that. And it is a problem with administration who really doesn't care.<br /><br />Another Parent"<br /><br />"Anonymous said...<br />Can't be any worst than the last 10 years. You can continue to drink the cool aid or not, I have no glass!<br /><br />I'm ready for the city to run the whole show, no more hobbyist!<br /><br />Lost myvote"<br /><br />"Anonymous said...<br />As a special-education advocate I am sure you [Michael] are aware of that. There is serious talk about a class-action lawsuit and complaints to the White-house about some of the failings of SPS to serve Native students, especially around 504 and IEP compliance.<br /><br />Natural allies? Michael doesn't have any. All he has ever done is complain about everybody ELSE'S kid. The autistics are too creepy (or something) to partner with. You can call them "pervasives" if you like, Michael likes euphemisms. Any kid with an out of district placement is a cipher, with a rich entitled parent, sucking money from his kid. Immigrants are pesky new arrivals that should be sent away. Evidently, Native Americans are evidently a problem too... maybe because they are old arrivals. Who knows. There's no winning with Michael.<br /><br />And despite an appropriate special education himself - he never has learned the difference between there, their, and they're. Seems the really great special education didn't work for him! Wonder why he thinks it would work for anybody.<br /><br />Reader<br />5/15/15, 1:21 AM<br /> Anonymous said...<br />Wow! <br /><br />I just agreed with reader. How?<br /><br />Cool!"<br /><br />Anyway. There seem to be plenty.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7521792390400740502015-06-09T20:33:10.982-07:002015-06-09T20:33:10.982-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18774433384258744242015-06-09T19:55:23.434-07:002015-06-09T19:55:23.434-07:00SeattleSped, you write that we should "look u...SeattleSped, you write that we should "look up" his comments about various things but we can't. In trying to figure out more about him, I came up with very little. The one comment I did find was offensive, if it was his. He didn't deny it.<br />Unless you can tell us where to look up these supposed comments, they remain purely anecdotal.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69745763514222184742015-06-09T19:26:33.162-07:002015-06-09T19:26:33.162-07:00I'm due for a check-up.
Concerned ParentI'm due for a check-up.<br /><br /><br /><br />Concerned Parent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87533063153624606942015-06-09T19:21:48.653-07:002015-06-09T19:21:48.653-07:00Sorry, I should have wrote "SPED president el...<br />Sorry, I should have wrote "SPED president elect" <br /><br /><br /><br />Concerned Parent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31984861361135826992015-06-09T19:17:52.208-07:002015-06-09T19:17:52.208-07:00Hmmmm. Who are the cowards and malcontents now?Hmmmm. Who are the cowards and malcontents now?SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13824085263298249412015-06-09T19:11:39.316-07:002015-06-09T19:11:39.316-07:00People, Mirmac1 is NOT the current SPED psta pres...People, Mirmac1 is NOT the current SPED psta president. Please don't go down that path.<br /><br />Most of us know who she is including including SPS staff and SPS directors. They're all cozy with her. <br /><br /><br /><br />Wrong MirmacAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36055581991961384242015-06-09T18:50:49.984-07:002015-06-09T18:50:49.984-07:00I've always wondered who Mirmac1 was, I'm ...I've always wondered who Mirmac1 was, I'm just sick of (her) anti-APP rants. I will vote for anyone she's against. In case people are curious her is the link http://seattlespecialedptsa.org/about-us/<br /><br /><br /><br />APP parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18291763806843723322015-06-09T18:35:41.807-07:002015-06-09T18:35:41.807-07:00Are you now posting as Mirmac1 the current sped pt...Are you now posting as Mirmac1 the current sped ptsa president or SeattleSped or speddie or any of the other handles you use. I don't think the current SPED PTSA president should be posting all sort of unflattering comments about people here on this blog. <br /><br />You should resign your position ASAP. You are the main reason I and so many other parents stopped attending SPED PTSA meetings! Don't believe me go ask a few parents. <br /><br />If you have something to say officially as the SPED PTSA president you should use your real name and stop hiding behind all the aliases.<br /><br />Apparently you don't like Mr. Christopherson much, then step out of the shadows and add some credibility to your claims by using your real name. <br /><br />Concerned ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78363768454960924372015-06-09T18:17:40.357-07:002015-06-09T18:17:40.357-07:00I don't comment much anymore but...look up pas...I don't comment much anymore but...look up past comments by "Michael" that spew against diseased immigrants, anti-vaxxers, "pervasives", "alleged" rape victims, teachers, the SEA etc. He's done more to assassinate his own character than anyone else. Seattle citizen, I think you have him pegged.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43331933853672992672015-06-09T13:34:45.510-07:002015-06-09T13:34:45.510-07:00SC, I deleted none of his posts. I find them very ...SC, I deleted none of his posts. I find them very amusing whether he writes under his own name or something else. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20181946509665702102015-06-09T12:51:38.932-07:002015-06-09T12:51:38.932-07:00I'm sure he's still beating his native Ame...I'm sure he's still beating his native American wife, don't forget that!<br /><br /><br />straw manAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18706820143415292802015-06-09T12:21:48.827-07:002015-06-09T12:21:48.827-07:00I have no wish to assassinate your character. I am...I have no wish to assassinate your character. I am merely trying to figure out what your character IS. You give us nothing (and don't deny the comment about the Makah) so your character is a cipher. When running for an important position, this lack of transparency is damning.<br /><br />I appreciate you wanting to help students.<br />I wonder what "stopping distinctions" means - is not each student distinct?seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37849611670454177442015-06-09T12:00:13.548-07:002015-06-09T12:00:13.548-07:00It's one thing to post information anonymously...It's one thing to post information anonymously, but if you're engaging in character assassination by fabricating lies or twisting context, I believe it's cowardly to do it anonymously. If wanting to help students and stop distinctions is "self-important arrogance" then I'm guilty.<br /><br />I will not engage you in character assassination on this blog. If you want me to take you seriously you can contact me directly, if not then by all means get out there and "advocate" against me.<br /><br />Have a good day.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Michael Christophersen<br />Director District 1 candidate<br />email - christophersen4schools@gmail.com<br />Michael Christophersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784173559831598585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78926238542818528742015-06-09T11:58:09.800-07:002015-06-09T11:58:09.800-07:00I usually rely on the Oxford Dictionary -
"Ad...I usually rely on the Oxford Dictionary -<br />"Advocate - Verb; Publicly recommend or support"<br />This can include a position, including a negative position such as in their example:<br />"He has often publicly advocated a life ban for those athletes who test positive"<br />Ergo ipso facto, I can advocate against something - I can advocate FOR not voting for him.<br />: )seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47454743137960648512015-06-09T11:45:05.492-07:002015-06-09T11:45:05.492-07:00I'm not trying to smear him. I'm trying to...I'm not trying to smear him. I'm trying to get him to engage, to tell us ANYTHING at all. He is the one that wrote that anonymous posters were "usually cowards or malcontents." Yes, I over-reacted to that. But when I went searching for info, I found the above. It's a terrible thing to write, no matter if it was some time ago, and it's just about all the information we have about him. He is free to comment and answer. I'd welcome the dialogue. But apparently he has no interested in engaging with us "cowards and malcontents."seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29558191386521903312015-06-09T11:07:34.928-07:002015-06-09T11:07:34.928-07:00seattle citizen :"Way to alienate people, Mr....seattle citizen :<i>"Way to alienate people, Mr. Christophersen. I don't know what your intentions are in running, but you've just lost my vote and I will actively advocate against you."</i><br /><br />You clearly don't know the meaning of the word "advocate".<br /><br />Advocate - a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed by of): an advocate of peace. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.<br /><br />Back peddle all you want, but your motivations are clear here whoever you are, you seem obsessed with smearing him, you must be an republican. I'm moving on.<br /><br /><br />Momof2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18147235728287529392015-06-09T10:52:43.179-07:002015-06-09T10:52:43.179-07:00I'm not a Special Ed commentator.
So what if i...I'm not a Special Ed commentator.<br />So what if it's 1999? It's deeply disturbing. If this was him, he was about 35 when he wrote this. Words matter. Yes, I've said and done some things I regret, but since we know NOTHING about him, things like this are all we have. Go ahead, do a search - you'll find this and little else. What else are we supposed to do to find out about him? I'm not against HIM; I'm against the wall of silence. (That is, until I found this disgusting and hateful comment....if it's his. Who knows?)seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83949170210142610462015-06-09T10:39:23.178-07:002015-06-09T10:39:23.178-07:00Seriously 1999? and a comment from a website no le...Seriously 1999? and a comment from a website no less. I think if the Special ED commentators would act civil and stop with the smear campaigns people here would be more incline to take up their cause or at least listen. I suppose he's also pro APP, so now you got to hate him. <br /><br /><br /><br />Momof2 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8390414932223908472015-06-09T08:07:20.720-07:002015-06-09T08:07:20.720-07:00Mr. Christophersen - Due to your obstinate refusal...<br />Mr. Christophersen - Due to your obstinate refusal to provide information to us, and due to the lack of any information available on any webpages (where are the links TheGoodFight suggested we look at?), I have been trying to find a place where your platform, allies, etc might be posted. I've had very little luck.<br />I found a couple articles in the newspaper on Google: One is about you and your partner, the other is more disturbing and I hope you can clarify whether you are the author of the comment contained therein or not. I certainly hope not.<br /><br />One Michael Christophersen, Seattle, commented on a 1999 Seattle Times story, <a href="http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19990523&slug=race23m" rel="nofollow">E-Mails, Phone Messages Full Of Threats, Invective</a> about the Makah Tribe’s whale hunt. Is this your comment, or some other Michael Christophersen of Seattle?<br /><br />“They are a modernized welfare race. I personally hate the Makah Tribe. I hope and pray for a terrible end to the Makah Tribe, very slow and very painful.”<br />seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13407205847884124932015-06-09T07:46:01.610-07:002015-06-09T07:46:01.610-07:00@Robin - I note that Mr. Chrisophersen's last ...@Robin - I note that Mr. Chrisophersen's last two posts are gone. I doubt Melissa is deleting them - why would she? and suspect perhaps he is deleting them himself. I don't know why, but it only adds to the mysterious nature of his communication strategy.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86518355786311297452015-06-08T19:56:25.763-07:002015-06-08T19:56:25.763-07:00I feel your pain momof2. I'd like to not rea...I feel your pain momof2. I'd like to not read a thousand more blog posts about the downtrodden advanced learners, or the slightly above averagers, or the private tester-inners who have to design a new jazz program so their kids can get a righteously exclusive education. Let's all wring our hands on cue because a gifted student might share space somewhere, with a minority or disabled student, as an equal rather than a charity exercise. There might be a handful of cantankerous sped posters. But the greatest volume of repeat posts of dubious value are the spectrum variety. You can count them up yourself.<br /><br />SpeddieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38964928511215997842015-06-08T19:09:00.346-07:002015-06-08T19:09:00.346-07:00Momof2
"Why can't the Special ED comment...Momof2<br /><br /><i>"Why can't the Special ED commentators act civil?"</i><br /><br />Generalizing a bit aren't we?mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9501103622751293102015-06-08T17:53:36.235-07:002015-06-08T17:53:36.235-07:00I'd love to hear Christophersen's response...I'd love to hear Christophersen's responses, and apologies for being exasperated. The comment he made about anonymous people struck me the wrong way, and I over-reacted. Still, I am also exasperated in his desire to remain opaque. He just now started a blog and suggested we post questions there, but as nothing is posted on it it there is no way to ask a question. Why can't he, you know, campaign? Tell us his platform, his positions...his allies and supporters...i, too, would live to hear his response to questions...here. Why not? He and TheGoodFight said he had an "alternative campaign" - does that mean ignoring questions and hiding out?seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.com