[Vision2020] A Lack of Empathy

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (May 18, 2007) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with thanks to Sue
Hovey -

---------------------------------------------------------------------

A lack of empathy

To John Neff, et. al.

When students ask new teachers if the Gerald Weitz lawsuit means they are
losing their jobs, how should they respond (Opinion, May 10)? How do they
demonize him when they tell the truth? All supplies teachers need until
school is out must be purchased from their own personal funds. How, then, do
their words of frustration vilify Weitz? He is, after all, the source of the
problem. 

The teachers being released won't be here next year even if this mess is
settled in 30 days. Why? Because they can't afford to sit around to see what
happens, and they won't have to. Good teachers can always get jobs. Then
when the lawsuit is settled in the district's favor, as I believe it will
be, Moscow will be scrounging for bodies who haven't already been hired to
fill those vacancies. And that assumes a settlement before September. After
that, who knows? 

Weitz says he is doing this for kids. Yeah, right.

Those who know Weitz never underestimate his will to control at any cost,
his cunning, and his enormous driving ego. He knows exactly what he is
doing. He even appears willing to destroy the programs he claims to support
if that's part of the cost.

Weitz knows it really doesn't matter whether he wins the lawsuit or not; I
suspect he may not even care that much, for by filing it he has already won
the critical first round inflicting punishment not only on those who dared
to disobey, but on the children they teach. He's validating the threat he
made to a district employee to take this district down.

Teachers must be careful when they deal with emotional issues, but given the
circumstances, I really do not understand your complete lack of empathy for
their plight.

Sue Hovey, Moscow

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

**************************************************************

"A bad cause will ever be supported by bad means and bad men." 

- Thomas Paine (English Writer, 1737-1809)

**************************************************************