The Bush administration's enemies are everywhere. Unlike the communists of yesteryear, however, the enemies of the 21st Century come in two forms: haters of freedom and democracy or terrorists. Often they are one in the same.
Just yesterday, Education Secretary Rod Paige branded the National Education Association, the nation's largest teacher's union, a "terrorist organization".
No doubt Mr. Paige is unhappy with the NEA's vocal opposition to the administration's No Child Left Behind diktat. But to brand the union a terrorist organization is just plain silly. [Mr. Paige says it was an unfortunate joke.]
It is also another reminder of this administration's 'you're either with us or against us' mentality. All enemies, from North Korea to the domestic opposition, are branded as nothing short of evil. It is an organization with no room for nuance, hunkered down and ready to do battle with anyone who stands in its way.
Not much of an apology, either:
"It was an inappropriate choice of words to describe the obstructionist scare tactics the NEA's Washington lobbyists have employed against No Child Left Behind's historic education reforms.
"I also said, as I have repeatedly, that our nation's teachers, who have dedicated their lives to service in the classroom, are the real soldiers of democracy, whereas the NEA's high-priced Washington lobbyists have made no secret that they will fight against bringing real, rock-solid improvements in the way we educate all our children regardless of skin color, accent or where they live. [Which blithely ignores the fact that any teacher you ask will easily slide into at least an hour's tirade on the horrors of working under the No Child Left Behind Act. --E]
"But, as one who grew up on the receiving end of insensitive remarks, I should have chosen my words better."
-- http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/02/23/paige.terrorist.nea/
I guess he didn't grow up on the receiving end of insincere apologies, though.
Fortunately, Democrats are on top of their inflammatory language, too: "Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe called Paige's words 'hate speech'..." Now if only the GOP could be labelled "liberal"...
Posted by: Eric on February 24, 2004 09:30 AM
