Chatty Cathie: NYC"s Wind-Up School Chancellor Doll

Thanks to Perdido Street for the graphic inspiration

Cathie's Choice: New Yorkers Comment On Cathie
Some very interesting comments on the latest Cathie Black gaffe in which she suggested birth control as a solution for school overcrowding and compared "tough decisions" she has to make on school funding and placement to sending children to a Nazi death camp:
A word of advice, Cath. You need to build up a modicum of credibility before you start with the wisecracks. Despite what you may believe, you have none when it comes to the educational system.
Well, what do you expect from a Waspish Park Ave matron? It's just a matter of time before her views on eugenics become public.
Come on, you guys. She was absolutely right. A little birth control would have been a great thing. Pity her own parents didn't use it...........

Scenes We'd Like To See

Mike Bloomberg's Waterloo?

The Gift Collector

from wnyc: Know Your Neighbor: Judee, The Gift Collector

Wednesday, December 22, 2010, By Jennifer Hsu
Last-minute shoppers and re-gifters, let the story of Judee Rosenbaum inspire you to change your ways. Each January, she begins collecting a year's worth of finds for family and friends, precisely chosen items that she trusts the recipient will love.
"I collect everywhere I go," says Rosenbaum. A hummingbird box, an opium bottle, and a tiny Mexican owl sculpture are just a few items among the two hundred or so on her list this holiday season.
Meet this semi-retired teacher who has perfected the art of the good gift in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn.

Note the inclusion of famous left-handers Anetta Stein and Robbie Cano

Brooklyn On 12/28 After Christmas Snowstorm

To Mayor Mike only Manhattan is considered New York City

Cathie Want A Cracker?

Too bad the search for a new schools' chancellor didn't extend to some of the teachers and parents on the nycpublicschools list serve. Here are a couple of folks with great insight on the machinations of the privatizing powers that be:

Of all the words used to describe Cathie Black, "parrot" may be a new one. But it seems that after her listening tour of Tweed, she has now come out repeating the tired old propaganda that has been adopted by the Department of Education for the last nine years.
This morning at 6:15 AM on NPR Cathie Black announced that she "has a problem with the practice of granting 25-year-olds tenure, insuring them a job for the rest of their lives for just showing up to work everyday". Also, she "has a problem with laying off the 'last in' first". She stated that she could never run a company successfully if these practices existed and that these practices would never be accepted in business.
Frightening to see that her ignorance regarding these issues had been replaced by the misrepresentations she is being taught. First of all, there is no practice of granting 25-year olds tenure. Anyone of that age who does achieve tenure has already served three years in a classroom and has been trained during that probationary period to work on techniques and strategies to improve their pedagogy. At any time during the three year period, if the teacher does not show improvement or an aptitude for the job, he or she can be summarily fired--no questions asked. It is called a "discontinuance of probation" and it is used frequently. After three years, if the teacher has been satisfactory rated, only then is tenure granted. And if an administrator has any doubts about granting tenure, there is the option to extend probation for an additional year...no questions asked.
Cathie Black is also showing her ignorance of the fact that tenure is not a "job for the rest of their lives for just showing up to work everyday." Tenured teachers can be fired under the terms of state education law Section 3020a. That's all tenure gets them: a due process proceeding. It does not mean a job for life. It is just a guarantee of a fair hearing, with evidence presented and with representation. Private sector workers would love to have such security, but apparently a successfull business cannot incorporate fairness according to Black. A tenured teacher cannot be summarily fired for any reason as a probationary teacher can. That's all tenure means. And if Cathie Black is unquestioningly passing along the false myths that we expect of a person who simply repeats what she hears without any independent research, we should fear what lies ahead in her decision making process.
May I add that without tenure, teachers risk discrimination, being punished for their political leanings, and they will rightly fear exposing wrongdoing or questioning violations such as failure to follow special ed or ELL laws, for example. It is just protection Cathie, not a lifetime guarantee. Get out of your cocoon.
"Last in, first out" was never a policy that was debated until the wholesale closing of schools left many veteran teachers without jobs. Before that, the only teachers in excess were those with one or two years experience. Suddenly there were hundreds of employees who had given their lives to the children of New York City, twenty or thirty years in many cases, who had no place to work, through no fault of their own. They were also the most highly paid. So, despite the fact that many are fine teachers, Tweed looked for a way to paint them all with a negative brush and build a pr position around firing them. Black says the practice would never be accepted in business where the model is to have the power to hire and fire at will. But first she must make a convincing argument that the basis of retaining teachers will never be favoritism or silence about problems at schools. Seniority is a fair way to fight favoritism and nepotism. Do away with seniority and tenure and watch what is unleashed in our workforce. After her week of listening to folks downtown, the breadth of her understanding of the issues may be a mile wide but it is a quarter inch thick.

Has she asked to speak to Diane Ravitch or Deborah Meier, for example, or to Patrick Sullivan, or to Lisa or Leonie or Mona or Patricia Connelly or David Bloomfield, or ANYONE who has even the slightest different views on ANYTHING schools-related? Would she be allowed to even if she wanted to, or would she be "accompanied" by "advisors" who made sure they retained control of her education on education? Does anyone think she'll be reading the report from the Parents' Commission, or Diane's latest book, or any of Deborah's or Yong Zhao's, or (heaven forbid) "NYC Schools Under Bloomberg and Klein: What Parents, Teachers, and Policymakers Need to Know"? I'm certainly not counting on it.
"Parrot" doesn't come close to what's going on here. This is a completely fabricated chancellor, trained in a hermetically sealed environment worthy of a Chinese re-education camp, who will spout as her "beliefs" only what she's been fed, based on the data she's been fed, from people who are in 100% control of her thinking and her agenda. I personally prefer "the Manchurian Chancellor" to mere "parrot" -- it comes much closer to the true nature of what's going on and the insidiousness of what's going to come out of it.

for more on Senor Wences and one of his favorite phrases

Where In The World Is Cathie Black?

Patrick Sullivan over at the nyc public school parents' blog has the full story

Cosmo Cathie Knows How To Dress For Success

Cathie met some real public school parents this week and got a rude awakening to the realities of the public school system in New York. It was noticeable how she toned down her wardrobe.

Hit The Road Black Redux

There's a "Red Thursday" Rally to Protest Cathie Black Appointment today

The first version of  Hit The Road Black

(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road black and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road black and don't you come back no more.)

Woah Woman, oh woman, it's truly obscene,
That publishing seventeen makes you Ed Queen.
I guess if King Mike says so
The city must accept that it's the way things go. (That's wrong)

(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)

Now Cathie listen baby, don't ya treat us this-a way
Cause the people will be back on our feet some day.
(Don't care if we do 'cause it's understood)
(Cause you got lots of money you think you're good )
Well, we guess if the State Ed says so
You'll have to pack your things and go. (That's right)

(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)

Ed Deformer Sleigh Ride

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Just hear those school bells jingle-ing
Ring ting tingle-ing too
Come on, it's horrid weather
For a school ride together with you

Outside the mood is falling
And the public is calling "Boo Hoo"
Come on, it's horrid weather
For any kind of-ride together with you

Our cheeks are teared and rosied
as Dave got cozy with Mike
but we'll band together our many
forces together to strike

Let's fear the road before us
And sing a prayer or two
they protect their patent leather
as we get the royal screw from you

Who Cares

Let them complain and thunder
Let a million kids go under!
I am just concerned with
Stocks and bonds that I’ve been blessed with.
I love me and the rich love me,
And that’s how it will always be.
And nothing else could ever mean a thing
Who cares what the peons chatter
Wealth's the only thing that matters
Who cares if public schools care
To fall in the sea?
Who cares what banks fail in Yonkers,
Long as I've got the dough that conquers?
Why should I care?
Life is one long spending spree,
So long as I care for Cathie
And I care for me!

They All Laughed

They all laughed at me, Michael Bloomberg
When I said Black was edwise sound
They all laughed when I said she's chancellor bound
They all laughed at me, Michael Bloomberg
When I said that my choice would fly

They told Dave Steiner
Cathie was a phony
It's the same old cry
They laughed at me wanting her
Said I was reaching for the moon
But oh, Dave came through
Now they'll have to change their tune

They all said I never could get Cathie
They laughed at me and how!
But ho, ho, ho!
Who's got the last laugh now?

Newly Published Book: The Ed Eunuch Of New York

David Steiner's Thanksgiving Present

Thanksgiving At Mike And Diana's

They decided to stuff a pig instead of a turkey. Some of the usual ed deformer suspects in attendance along with notable Bloomberg tuchis lecher, Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz and another versatile licker from Brooklyn, Iris Weinshall. She's the wife of Chuck Schumer and she was one of the women leaders signees of this lick worthy document

Ain't That A Kick In The Head

How unlucky can one guy be
The flunkies came kissing, but dissing it was to be
Like the fella once said,
Ain't that a kick in the head?
The stack looked completely for black
Mike hugged her but folks slugged back.
Like his yacht captain said, quote,
"Ain't that a hole in your boat?"
The people are grinning
The mayor's head must be spinning;
Let's hope this is just the beginning,
His life's not so beautiful.
No sunshine, but clouds instead
It's just like the fella said,
"Tell me quick
Ain't touting black a kick in the head?"

Fuhrman's Eye To Eye Contract Contact

 Could there be a conflict of interest?
To help make the decision on whether to grant the exception, Steiner has convened a panel to be led by Dr. Susan Fuhrman, president of Teachers College. She has received tens of millions of dollars in city Department of Education contracts, including one worth $16 million signed this year.

Across the crowded educational panel room
Through a maze of deciding people
She sits so quiet and all alone
Wanting to get the fiscal fever

And then she raised her head
Her eyes caught mine
And that was all that I needed
In her eyes I saw the need for money
The warm, soft feeling
'Cause we made

Eye to eye contract contact
Eye to eye contract contact(Oh, oh, oh yeah)
Eye to eye contract contact
(We made)Eye to eye contract contact
You and me

contract contact
You were looking at me
I was looking at you
You were looking at me

I've Got The Educational Panel On A String

I've got the Educational Panel on a string,
Got the string around their cash flow
They'll give Cathie the green light go
What a world! What a life!
I'm King Mike

I've got a song that I sing,
And I make the media echo
I give them all my ad biz
Lucky me! Can't you see
I'm King Mike

Being King is a beautiful thing
As long as I hold the string.
I tell them all where to go
As I shout Tally Ho

I've got the Educational Panel on a string,
Got the string around their cash flow
They'll give Cathie the green light go
What a world! What a life!
I'm King Mike

Cathie's Crown

Don't want your kind anymore.
And your narrow mind, that's for sure.
I die each time
I hear this sound:
"Here she co-o-o-o-omes. That's Cathie's crown."

I've gotta stand tall.
You know one can't crawl.
But when I know Mike tells lies
Then the media spins some jive
I won't play ball

Don't want your kind anymore.
And your narrow mind, that's for sure.
I die each time
I hear this sound:
"Here she co-o-o-o-omes. That's Cathie's crown."

When I see it's so clear
That our kids have much to fear
Dontcha think it's kinda sad
Your belief in the corporate fad,
Or don't you even care?

Don't want your kind anymore.
And your narrow mind, that's for sure.
I die each time
I hear this sound:
"Here she co-o-o-o-omes. That's Cathie's crown."
That's Cathie's crown.
That's Cathie's crown.

Mike's Got The Horses Right Here, Part 2

As Norm Scott does his handicapping in ednotes
It looks like the fix is in for Cathie Black to win the Chancellor's Handicap. Quoting a times' article:

New York State’s top education official on Friday named an advisory panel of eight experts, at least half of them with strong connections to the Bloomberg administration, to help him decide whether to approve Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s controversial choice to run the city’s school system.
    Three panelists selected by David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner, worked as senior officials at the city’s Department of Education.
    One of those three now works at a foundation that was, for many years, the vehicle for Mr. Bloomberg’s personal charitable donations.
    A fourth panelist is the head of a museum that has received almost half a million dollars from Mr. Bloomberg in donations since he took office.

Some new lyrics for two of the "horses" in this updated fugue for tinhorns Jean-Claude Brizard and Andres Alonso

NICELY
I got the horse in charge
The name is Jean-Claude Brizard
And Mike says that he'll win by yards and yards
Can do, can do, Mike says it's a winning card
If Mike says that he'll win by yards, a win by yards, a win by yards

Can do - can do - Mike says it's a winning card
If Mike says that he'll win by yards, a win by yards, a win by yards

For Jean-Claude Brizard I'll choose
Did you hear the news
To pay back his old pal Mike, how could he refuse
BENNY
I'm pickin' kid Alonso 'cause if you're in the know
You know it was under Mike he was allowed to grow
He'll go, He'll go, Mike says Alonso will go
If Mike says Alonso will go, he'll go, he'll go

I know kid Alonso, he may look big and slow
But as Mike says, he's no schmo
For a brighter future, he'll take off and blow
He'll go, He'll go, Mike says Alonso will go
If Mike says Alonso will go, he'll go, he'll go

Mike's Got The Horses Right Here

As Norm Scott does his handicapping in ednotes
It looks like the fix is in for Cathie Black to win the Chancellor's Handicap. Quoting a times' article:

New York State’s top education official on Friday named an advisory panel of eight experts, at least half of them with strong connections to the Bloomberg administration, to help him decide whether to approve Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s controversial choice to run the city’s school system.
    Three panelists selected by David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner, worked as senior officials at the city’s Department of Education.
    One of those three now works at a foundation that was, for many years, the vehicle for Mr. Bloomberg’s personal charitable donations.
    A fourth panelist is the head of a museum that has received almost half a million dollars from Mr. Bloomberg in donations since he took office.

Some new lyrics for two of the "horses" in this updated fugue for tinhorns Cahill and Mirrer:

NICELY
I got the horse right here
Her name is Louise Mirrer(e)
And Mike's a guy that says if the weather's clear
Can do, can do, Mike says the horse can do
If he says the horse can do, can do, can do.

Can do, can do, Mike says the horse can do
If he says the horse can do, can do, can do.

For Louise Mirrer(e) sure knows
If she wants her museum to grow
It may depend if Mike sends her dough

BENNY
I'm pickin' Michelle Cahill 'cause even if her looks can kill
Mike says she fills the bill
She will, She will, Mike says says the horse sure will
if Mike says the horse sure will,  sure will,  sure will

I know it's Michelle Cahill, cause even if her looks can kill
Besides Mike says, he'll pay her Carnegie bills
Mike says as long her weight won't cause a spill
She will, She will, Mike says says the horse sure will
if Mike says the horse sure will,  sure will,  sure will
Michelle Cahill she will, she will

Get Black, Get Back

Cathy was a gal who was a barricuda
she longed to charterize education's ass
mikey left his home in HAMILTON, Bermuda
to stage his new york city crass

Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get back Cathy Go home
Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get back Cat

the naive nyc folk believe she's wonder woman
But she's just following mike's plan
All of mike's stooges are available for performing
so they can get from him what they can

Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get back Cathy Go home
Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get black, get back.
Get black to where she once belonged
Get back Cat

Your servants are waiting for you
holding your limo doors stat
And your stetson hat
Get on home Cat

Cathie Black Is White

I Took My Cathie
To a job I arranged
Boy Is That Girl With You
Yes We're One And The Same

Now I don't Believe In Miracles
Since I create miracles
With my dough as my might

But, If
You're Thinkin'
About My Cathie
Though she may be Black
She is really very, very white

They Print My Message
In The Times and the Sun
I Had To Tell Them
I Ain't Second To None

I don't hold to Equality
You know it's Not True
Even if I'm Wrong
I'm Still Very Right

But, If
You're Thinkin'
About My Cathie
Though she may be Black
She is really very, very white

Sisters, Sisters

Mayor Bloomberg's pick for new schools chancellor got the heavy-weight endorsement of Oprah Winfrey last night - the same day he asked the state to approve his pick.
The talk show host's support is a sign of how hard City Hall is pushing back against Cathie Black's critics. Gayle King also showed support on her site.

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters,
But never, ever say we're more, no sir,
I'm there to keep my eye on her
Caring, Sharing
Though our dishonesty at times is glaring
When a certain gentleman named Mike would call
He's even richer than us so we played ball
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain and sun
Two different faces as well as two-faced
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
Cause there's no mister, since I don't need a man

Defective Hard Drive

I'm pretty certain that the voice heard above is of Steven Thrasher, the same Village Voice reporter who wrote this hatchet job about the opposition to Cathie Black, an excerpt...

Have you noticed that it's the same five or six people protesting Cathie Black's appointment as Chancellor of Schools the past couple of weeks? No? That's probably because her opposition has been hyped to seem like it's made of far more people than it is.

Cathie Black's In Town

Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Cathie Black's in town.
Gotta get her a great job somewhere,
Gotta sell the news with lots of flair
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Cathie Black's in town.
You can tell all my politician pets,
They're just sycophantic coquettes;
The hell with parent regrets
They won't be aroun'.
You can tell Steiner not to call,
It's a done deal after all
The DOE's in for one big fall
Cathie Black's in town.

Whoopi Gives Cathie Fashion Advice

Choo Choo Boogie: Headin' Education With A Quack Named Black?

Headin' education with a quack named black?
We're tired of leaders in education with no kind of track
We'd love to hear the rhythm of a swift kick in the back
and hear Steiner's decision that will blow Bloomberg's stack
along with support from democratic fellows named Ba-rack
givin little Mikey a lot of flack Jack.

Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie
woo woo, woo woo, ch'boogie
choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie
givin little Mikey a lot of flack Jack.

You reach your destination finally as joel gets the sack
you need some compensation for all that he has cracked
you take a morning paper from the top of the stack
and read the situations from the front to the back
the education job that's open needs a chick named Black?
no, no put it right back in the rack Jack.

Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie
woo woo, woo woo, ch'boogie
choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie
givin little Mikey a lot of flack Jack

Calling Brooklyn BP Tuchis Lecher, Calling Brooklyn BP Tuchis Lecher

a little over a year to the date of the event above, little Marty is still on the job

"Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has also chimed into the debate, asking New Yorkers to give Black a chance. He released a statement saying he spoke with her on the phone and was impressed with her enthusiasm for the job." (From a WNYC report today)

from nyc education news

Remarkable -- Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz believes Cathie Black is qualified to lead the NYC public school system because she's enthusiastic about the job, as judged by a telephone conversation with her. Not that's what we calling vetting a candidate! 
Enthusiastic? Well, that should certainly be good enough for the parents of 1.1 million children What a crock, and how spineless can you be?

Hit The Road Black

Maybe State ED commissioner, David Steiner, will find the cojones to block Black's
appointment

(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road black and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road black and don't you come back no more.)

Woah Woman, oh woman, it's truly obscene,
That publishing seventeen makes you Ed Queen.
I guess if King Mike says so
The city must accept that it's the way things go. (That's wrong)

(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)

Now Cathie listen baby, don't ya treat us this-a way
Cause the people will be back on our feet some day.
(Don't care if we do 'cause it's understood)
(Cause you got lots of money you think you're good )
Well, we guess if the State Ed says so
You'll have to pack your things and go. (That's right)

(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Black and don't you come back no more.)