The “Push Obama at Work/School” came from the National Education Association and was sent to some Virginia Education Association (VEA) administrators who then in turn sent it out to some teachers — so says, VEA President, Kitty Boitnott. According to the
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Boitnott said:
The event announcement was sent from the National Education Association to some VEA administrators, who passed the note along on Sept. 25 to a “limited list of local association leaders and members who have volunteered to receive information about political activities.”
Kitty is trying to cover VEA litter. When you read the rest of her statement next to the email that was sent to “association leaders and members” you’ll see that she is a liar. Below is the email sent to Virginia teacher’s, then the statement Kitty released, lying about the contents of the email. From
CBS 6 - WTVR, Richmond, VA:
The following is the text of the email:
What an exciting and historic election season this has been so far. Virginia has seen Barack, Joe Biden, and Michelle in forums and rallies throughout the state from Russell County to Norfolk and Martinsville to Fredericksburg with Charlottesville and Richmond in between. We have helped register thousands of young voters in neighborhoods and on college campuses. On the dark side we hear chilling stories of how college students and minorities are being discouraged to vote. We must do our part to promote fair and honest elections in our state.
There are people out there not yet registered. You teach some of them. Others, including our members, remain on the fence! Its time for us to come together, voice our unity, because we make a difference ! Your next chance to help with the campaign is coming up … and it is very simple to do.
Tuesday is OBAMA BLUE DAY!!! Tuesday, September 30, 2008 everyone is asked to do two things:
1) WEAR BLUE -don’t wear an NEA for Obama shirt to school, but wear something else blue
2) REGISTER TWO VOTERS OR talk to two people who may be on the fence / or a McCain supporter and sway them to become a Obama Supporter).
LETS MAKE OBAMA BLUE DAY a DAY OF ACTION!!!! BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!! PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYBODY WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING!!!
Here is the statement VEA President, Kitty Boitnott, released about the email sent to teachers:
The Virginia Education Association encourages its members to be politically active, but it does not encourage teachers to use their classrooms for partisan political purposes.
On September 25, VEA distributed an email to a limited list of local association leaders and members who have volunteered to receive information about political activities. The email advised these leaders of the national Obama Blue day.
The email encouraged these leaders to wear blue shirts, but advised that they should not wear shirts that mentioned a candidate. It also asked the association leaders to register two people to vote or to talk with two people about the Obama recommendation.
The email did not encourage teachers to talk with students about voting for any specific candidate, although it did suggest that teachers can encourage eligible students to register to vote. There certainly is nothing wrong with encouraging students who are 18 years of age or older to register to vote.
Teachers hold an important and respected role in our society. We would never encourage them to misuse that role for political purposes.
Is Kitty a liar? Hell yes! Call the Virginia Education Association and let them know that this is inappropriate in our schools.
VEA President: Kitty Boitnott
Tel: 804-648-5801 or 800-552-9554
Fax: 804-775-8379
Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
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