Thursday, December 08, 2005

Open Letter to the Oklahoman newspaper

Dear Oklahoman Editors:
Your lead editorial on Dec. 8, 2005 was entitled "Garbage barge". The title is aptly descriptive of its contents. In it, you decry the attempt by the Oklahoma Education Association to forewarn its members about the evils of the so-called Taxpayers Bill of Rights petition now being foisted on the public.

Have you no shame? You call these teachers lawful participation in the political process "gutless." No, what is gutless is to stand by passively while the enemies of public education pay carpetbaggers to deceive the general public and foist upon us an expensive election which would ruin Oklahoma's quality of life for the benefit of the rich and powerful.

As a proud member of the American Federation of Teachers, I say that we will no longer allow people like Brandon Dutcher and his goons to continue to abuse the political process for their own personal gain. We will simply ask the public to think before they ink, to consider the implications of a law that trades a few dollars for the reduction of their services. We will challenge the carpetbaggers at every available opportunity.

Perhaps you fear an educated and aroused public. The promoters of this positive evil seem to hope that they can fool the public at least one more time. This at least seems to be the agenda of their lackeys in the local press. But they will not do it without a fight from beginning to end.

Sincerely and in Solidarity with those who fight for social justice,

R. Lynn Green
American Federation of Teachers, 2309
Secretary of the Oklahoma Democratic Party

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