tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7942938284054555847..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Petition for Dr. Susan Enfield as Permanent SuperintendentMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30608115852389108122011-10-25T18:11:29.406-07:002011-10-25T18:11:29.406-07:00ah NLM.... such a quaint turn of phrase.... who...ah NLM.... such a quaint turn of phrase.... who's house is this (blog)? and does it have carpet?<br /><br />The Board seems to think it can come into our childrens' lives and pee/poop all over them....and it expects us to be happy about that....<br /><br />what does that make the Board, then?Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42218498349540218542011-10-25T00:20:20.053-07:002011-10-25T00:20:20.053-07:00I'm trying to figure out what civility has to ...I'm trying to figure out what civility has to do with good breeding. Even mutts know better than to walk into someone's house, pee all over the floor and expect a warm and fuzzy reception.NLMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32361489421489191342011-10-24T20:51:45.238-07:002011-10-24T20:51:45.238-07:00Melissa...
from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/...Melissa... <br /><br />from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil<br /><br />Synonym Discussion of CIVIL<br />civil, polite, courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the forms required by good breeding. civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness (owed the questioner a civil reply). polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality (if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite). courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness (clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers). gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy (a gallant suitor of the old school). chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior (a chivalrous display of duty).<br /><br />I'm not sure that there is a gate-keeping mechanism in place on blogs, that limits posting only to "civil" people of "good breeding"....<br /><br />You think that if I am going to stand in front of the Board and DEMAND that they look at me when I am speaking to indicate they are listening to me - one of their constituents - and that I repeatedly stand in front of them and ask them point blank - who do you work for - us and our children or the Broad and Gates Foundation? - that I am going to go all falsely genteel on people here?<br /><br />I think not... there are more important things to get our knickers in a knot about than quibbling about how I choose to express my views.... and I dont really care what people think about my breeding or lack thereof...<br /><br />Here's a quote from Fran Lebowitz:<br /><br /><a href="http://sahilachangebringer.blogspot.com/2011/10/calling-spade-spade.html" rel="nofollow">calling a spade a spade</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55027677106107452612011-10-24T20:25:14.936-07:002011-10-24T20:25:14.936-07:00Thanks, Helen. But I do think it had an edge to it...Thanks, Helen. But I do think it had an edge to it that was un-necessary. I think we all are interested in the students, and I shouldn't dismiss people, in even in jest. My point, that some of us are sort of "in your face" and some of are more diplomatic, was lost in my over-the-topness, which doesn't help anybody or lighten the mood around here, which was my intention.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39053597563216819252011-10-24T19:43:26.118-07:002011-10-24T19:43:26.118-07:00Sahila, we are all going to be civil here.
I ca...Sahila, we are all going to be civil here. <br /><br />I cannot say it enough - words have meaning. Please consider them before you hit send.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52186738759356595332011-10-24T19:43:17.570-07:002011-10-24T19:43:17.570-07:00@seattle citizen: I thought your pinkie post was v...@seattle citizen: I thought your pinkie post was very funny, FWIW. <br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42344737831058256912011-10-24T19:04:51.774-07:002011-10-24T19:04:51.774-07:00@Sam,
Actually, in retrospect, you're right - ...@Sam,<br />Actually, in retrospect, you're right - My "New Yawk" post was kind of over the top and I apologize to the bloggers. I wanted to rif on different ways of engagement, but I went too far with the "pinkies in the air" piece. My apologies to all; I don't really think anyone here is that elitest. It was too much and not very thoughtful.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36804233416013673422011-10-24T18:24:44.714-07:002011-10-24T18:24:44.714-07:00I dont have a lot of RESPECT for people who wont e...I dont have a lot of RESPECT for people who wont educate themselves... <br /><br />or who choose to sit in wilful denial...<br /><br />or who become collaborators/enablers...<br /><br />and I wont give COURTESY to people who are implementing an agenda that not only hurts our children, but ultimately kills what is left of any semblance of democracy in this country...Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50420431321091180552011-10-24T18:12:02.595-07:002011-10-24T18:12:02.595-07:00Ah, lighten up, Sam!
WV says begracer.Ah, lighten up, Sam!<br /><br />WV says begracer.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89916465751679219392011-10-24T18:02:16.211-07:002011-10-24T18:02:16.211-07:00Ran out of intelligent things to say Seattle Citiz...Ran out of intelligent things to say Seattle Citizen? it's hard to believe that you actually stand in front of a classroom.<br /><br />Samanonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23392855777719507972011-10-24T18:00:42.302-07:002011-10-24T18:00:42.302-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33478328455956027922011-10-24T17:54:00.786-07:002011-10-24T17:54:00.786-07:00I'm from New Yawk. Whaddya, whaddya...youse go...I'm from New Yawk. Whaddya, whaddya...youse gotta problem with da way I get all up in it? Am I too loud for ya, those of ya having tea and crumpets wit' yer pinkies up, talkin' about our kids' schoolin' like ya discuss da wedder? Am I too in yer face? Tough patooties. Ya want me ta make nice wit'cha an' "tsk, tsk, I DO say, yadda yadda yadda..." Fugetabout it. Ain't gonna happen. I yam what I yam, as the man says.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86311394669946811662011-10-24T17:44:51.211-07:002011-10-24T17:44:51.211-07:00"Sahila has been in the trenches for several ..."Sahila has been in the trenches for several years. "<br /><br />And just how do you know that she is doing anything that other posters aren't? Just because some posters are anonymous does not mean they are not active in their communities. Quite the contrary, people that take the time out of their busy days to read and share info on education blogs are generally pretty active, involved, committed, parents and advocates. <br /><br />In the trenches tooanonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42669607595013526082011-10-24T17:05:13.844-07:002011-10-24T17:05:13.844-07:00The issue of this thread is that a group of parent...The issue of this thread is that a group of parents have started a petition to coronate Susan Enfield.<br /><br />She has done some good things during her tenure but has also demonstrated horrible judgment (see Martin Floe debacle), duplicity (see TFA emails), poor relations with teachers (see SEA no confidence vote about Steve Sundquist's support for TFA, whioh was orchestrated by Enfield), to name a few.<br /><br />If she's behaved this way when she's trying to become permanent,<br />Tilly bar the door if she's chosen.<br /><br />Sahila has been in the trenches for several years. It's like when someone on the sidelines comes to the battle late and wonders where the fighting spirit came from.<br /><br />Instead, she should be congratulated and thanked for the work she has done on behalf of the teachers and students in this district.<br /><br />==being in the trenches ain't prettyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7564486210952911292011-10-24T16:00:15.544-07:002011-10-24T16:00:15.544-07:00Sahila, I think you are mixing up Seattle nice wit...Sahila, I think you are mixing up Seattle nice with common respect and courtesy for others.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53938519278159575152011-10-24T14:41:50.156-07:002011-10-24T14:41:50.156-07:00@Anonymous Argh....
I'm going to give you som...@Anonymous Argh....<br /><br />I'm going to give you something else to complain about...<br /><br />Anyone with two brain cells to rub together, who has been following what is happening here in Seattle AND across the nation, will KNOW that what is going on is part of a larger agenda being driven by the oligarchs...<br /><br />yes, KNOW... NOT BELIEVE, NOT HAVE THE OPINION THAT... BUT KNOW... THE OLIGARCHS HAVE COME OUT PUBLICLY AND SAID THEMSELVES WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND HOW THEY ARE DOING IT... AND THERE ARE MOUNTAINS OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION... THIS IS FACT....<br /><br />If you're OK with that, cool...<br /><br />Come out and say it... <br /><br />But dont pretend its not what it is and that we are horrible, nasty, terrible, bad-mannered, brutish people for calling it for what it is...<br /><br />I dont like being taken for a fool - and MGJ, Enfield, the SPTSA, the current Board, A4E, S4C, LEV, Strategies 360, OSC etc, are taking us all for fools....<br /><br />Charlie wishes that people - me - would be kind???<br /><br />What's kind about what the ed deformers are doing to all of our kids and our teachers and our education system?<br /><br />Not a damn thing...<br /><br />And in this fight, "Seattle nice" doesnt cut it....Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5693075523745579592011-10-24T13:42:08.973-07:002011-10-24T13:42:08.973-07:00Argh, I did not call someone out for being anonymo...Argh, I did not call someone out for being anonymous; I called this person out for starting a petition, defending that petition and yet,curiously, doesn't want to be named. If you have the courage of your convictions to start a petition and then come here to talk about it, have the courage to sign your name.<br /><br />Also, welcome to the blogosphere. We try to maintain some sense of order but we cannot control who comes here or what they say. It is the same at nearly every blog I have seen that allows open comments. <br /><br />To note, I have asked readers to not name call and I did address Shaila's point. It's not like it got ignored.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29905970095453635252011-10-24T13:34:42.268-07:002011-10-24T13:34:42.268-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43152255643320374672011-10-24T13:07:58.744-07:002011-10-24T13:07:58.744-07:00"Here in Seattle questioning an idea or askin..."Here in Seattle questioning an idea or asking to discuss an idea is interpreted as attacking the idea."<br /><br />No, Charlie, questioning an idea is not at all interpreted as an attack, and in fact, most people welcome questions and challenges. What is not welcome are statements like this:<br /><br />"OMG.... are we all stupid in this town?"<br /><br />"I guess this means the parents at Laurelhurst are happy..."<br /><br />"Oh Geez, how much ya wanna bet Lesley Rogers wrote it?"<br /><br />"This is so typical Seattle, Lowell/ Laurelhurst and other well off and clicky schools get someone to preserve their domains and to heck with the rest."<br /><br />"Oh dear Jean.... dont like to get your hands dirty in the game of life?"<br /><br />"I call stupidity where I see it..." and "as I said.... stupid, stupid, stupid...."<br /><br />"Maybe it's time to get wise and realize that Seattle is full of self-absorbed yuppies and..."<br /><br />"You've got your knickers in a knot over something I havent even done/said..."<br /><br />Would you classify the above as "questioning an idea"? Asking to discuss it? Is this productive? Does it further conversation? Not in my opinion. All it does is turn people off, and run reasonably intelligent people away. My kids know better than to behave like this.<br /><br />ArghAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86577587162162430882011-10-24T13:04:59.991-07:002011-10-24T13:04:59.991-07:00Although I may not sound like it at times, I do va...Although I may not sound like it at times, I do value hearing opposing views and I try not to make my contrary posts personal (except against certain SPS staff people who I won't name at the moment).<br /><br />I especially like to hear from Rosie Reader. : Dmirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87733868326283374472011-10-24T10:23:29.705-07:002011-10-24T10:23:29.705-07:00I share the concern that some of our more strident...I share the concern that some of our more strident regular commenters create an unwelcoming environment for folks who don't share their view.<br /><br />The dilemma is how to balance the principle of an open and uncensored forum with the hope that people will behave kindly.<br /><br />In the end, I can control my choices, but not the choices made by others. Not only don't I want to police the comments because I believe in free expression, I don't want to police the comments because it's too much work.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24567061448122141322011-10-24T10:04:07.108-07:002011-10-24T10:04:07.108-07:00Before you go on about how this blog is so miserab...Before you go on about how this blog is so miserable and negative and full of haters, please remember that this blog is the place that put that petition in front of thousands of people.<br /><br />The original post about the petition neither supports nor opposes it, although it could be argued that publicizing the petition does, in fact support it.<br /><br />While I would not dispute the contention that I examine district failures and missteps more than I discuss their successes, I would make these statements in my defense:<br /><br />1. I mostly watch the Board and the central administration, and they have many more failures and missteps than successes.<br /><br />2. I never ask the district to do anything that they didn't promise to do.<br /><br />3. We do write a lot about successes in schools - where most of the success can be found.<br /><br />4. Here in Seattle questioning an idea or asking to discuss an idea is interpreted as attacking the idea. I don't understand that reasoning. If the idea is good, then the proponents can explain the benefits and can readily respond to questions and concerns about the idea. They should relish the opportunity, not shy from it. I see the unwillingness to discuss an idea as a sign that the idea is a dreadful idea that cannot stand up to examination.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66887567177780254442011-10-24T09:23:25.517-07:002011-10-24T09:23:25.517-07:00The above post was written to be somewhat humorous...The above post was written to be somewhat humorous, but in reality, I find it disheartening that an opinion not in keeping with the masses results in insults, chastising, and even people getting called out by Melissa for not signing their name to a comment on a blog that openly welcomes anonymous posts. I know, I know, he/she should sign his name is she wants to be taken seriously, but if you really feel that way, then change the blog rules, and hold everyone to the same standard.<br /><br />ASweet took the time to explain his/her POV and went out of her way to say she understands that not everyone agrees with her, and that was OK. Why shouldn't she be given the same respect? I don't think it the blogs intent to run people off who have diverse opinions? So why all the flaming?<br /><br />Meanwhile back at the Ranch, Sahila is calling the whole town stupid, and chastising anyone who could possibly agree with the petition. And with narry a word of caution from a blog administrator, until several posters asked her to step in. And even then it was a gentle, tisk tisk, lets be careful.<br /><br />Why would anyone with a differing view ever want to post here? It is NOT welcoming. This blog has become a place where only like minds post and rant. <br /><br />Arghanonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65333258272404707632011-10-24T09:01:07.822-07:002011-10-24T09:01:07.822-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65479333658619292712011-10-24T08:40:03.718-07:002011-10-24T08:40:03.718-07:00Argh Anonymous,
Don't despair. Just speak yo...Argh Anonymous,<br />Don't despair. Just speak your piece or round up some more like minded folks and blog away. Personally I like thoughtful, witty commetaries without all the hyperboles, but I'm a speed reader so I can move through the usual suspects' rants and raves pretty fast. <br /><br />And no, I don't think TFA is taking over the world, but the school board does suck, and my kids do feel their family/school life exists in a culture of NOs, but they are teens... so we're all against them anyway.<br /><br />- plant lover (non GMO variety in sync with Seattle's PCC party line)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com