CJ Fighting The Mob
October 20th, 2009 by CJ
I've learned a very important lesson the past few weeks: when you fight the school system, you might as well be fighting the mob.
In the past few weeks, I've seen a concerted effort by school officials, to include teachers and PTA representatives, to discredit and castigate me. They've contacted my employer. They've contacted other parents. They've tried to gain access to my Facebook page. They've commented on my blog posts. They've lied to police officers. They've lied to their superiors and they've lied to parents (or to kids, depending on how you want to look at it).
At a recent assembly, the principal of Williams Middle School told the children that they must now tuck in their shirts. The kids were made to tuck in their shirts on the spot. Those who couldn't tuck in their shirts because their pants were too tight or the short was too short, were made to unzip their pants in public to tuck them in. This is according to many children who came home later in the day and told their parents.
During that same meeting, the kids were told that if they voluntarily wore uniforms starting in January, that they would receive "special privileges." Among those were trips through the new school, obtaining snacks from a special vending machine or booth, and bringing electronics to school on Fridays. Additionally, in order to be one of the school ambassadors, the kids must agree to wear the school uniform. When I emailed the principal about this, she lied to me and told me it wasn't true. My kids weren't the only ones coming home and telling their parents what happened. I got calls and emails from at least a dozen other parents.
Some PTA members have contacted the police to try and force me to take down a video because during a small portion of the video the individual's son walks into camera view and she didn't give permission. There is nothing illegal about this, but the intent is simply to make trouble for someone calling out the school and PTA on illegal and unethical conduct. After a conversation with this parent last night, I've learned that she didn't even make this complaint. Someone within the school or PTA falsified a complaint to the police and used her name to do so.
Some so-called educators have begun leaving comments on my blog anonymously. Unlike them, I'm willing to stand up for myself without using fake names. I know that I am in the right here and I'm willing to stake my career on it. Interesting that those that disagree with me aren't willing to do the same thing.
This isn't just happening here. Dissent is being criminalized in this country. We are no longer allowed to speak up opposition to "the state." If you do, you're considered racist, extremist, or worse (if that's possible). I still love my country and nothing will change that. I'm 100% committed to its defense and support.
Tags: school uniforms
Posted in Military Perspective
Behind you 100% C.J. You ARE in the right here and it's high time that these people realize that they work for US, not the other way around. Keep your head up, my friend and know that we've got your back!
CJ, it's part of a common theme in these times, but it's also something that has been a prominent feature in Alabama for many decades. I've been here for 36 years, and it happens over and over and over. The tactic is the same, just the issue differs.
In the new communist regime that is threatening our freedoms, this is a common tactic that all of must stand tall and firm against the tyrannies being forced upon us at all levels.
I am so pleased that you stood your ground and refused to give in to the elitest bullies in our school system. I know you fight the same way no matter the issue, and it is great to know there are people in our midst who fight for rights. Thank you, CJ.
Yes, having fought with a district for 12 years, which included hiring big mean lawyers, I can attest that they're monoliths. The few within who really do want to affect positive change are often shackled by administrators with much different objectives.
I'm sorry that the net result of this was your reputation, the harassment of your children, and the temporary separation of the family.
If the other parents who have been reading your posts haven't figured this out yet then I'll state it here. Every single parent –whether for or against you, is subject to the same treatment since the district has demonstrated that this is how they conduct themselves.
A mass concerted effort must be made to stop this way of doing business. Because if the district is sanctioning this, they've done it before and they will continue.
CJ, I have only known you for a very short time now but I have to tell you the following. If you ever had one bit of doubt about what you are doing with the school, "DON'T, NOT EVEN FOR A SECOND". I have been in more than one meeting with you and the school represenatives. You have always acted professional and never once acted in a way that I would not allow my children to watch or listen. You have never once been violant or used offensive language. Those that say you have are liars.
About those that post anonymously to your blogs, they are cowards and nothing more than children themselves. You have never once hidden behind anything.
You have a gift to be able to put into words what many of us are thinking or the way we feel. I like many others have been proud to stand next to you during these past couple of weeks.
Continue to do what you are doing and never doubt what you are doing. CJ you are fighting a good fight.
Barack Hussein Obama… mmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm.
Illegitimus non-tatum carborundum, Top. Keep fighting the good fight.
People do not like having their comfortable lives disrupted by nebulous things such as sticking up for what is right. It is easier to go along, being unbothered by questioning the status quo than to suffer the question as Shakespeare put it:
You're made of a different cloth, CJ, and we love you for that.
CJ, got your back dude, keep up the fight. There are lot of people out there who only have one thing to live for, and that is to give people a hard time.
BTW…are you logging the IP Addresses of people leaving comments. If Obama can do it, why not you.
Yea CJ!!!! Don't let them get away with this. Seems ever since the new president was elected things are turning into a dictatorship
Oh man. I feel for you buddy. I hope everything works out and if you need to pass through KS, you know you and the fam can stay with us.
Keep fighting, CJ! One of my biggest regrets is that I gave up, after years & years of standing (almost) alone against a power-mad school board, PTA, and the whole "we know what's best" mindset.
I got tired. Tired of being the "agitator" Tired of trying to get other parents involved. Tired of the endless drag.
It's hard to be the lone voice.
But CJ, you're NOT alone. Don't give up, the kids need you to be their voice of reason!
I so agree with this. Never ever let the idiots and bullies win, and if they make you bruised be sure to take them with you. I'm so proud of you!
I feel for you CJ. After dealing with the ever rising numbers of politically correct, liberal standard, edutards, I started homeschooling my kids. It became clear to me that uniform and ideals were more important to these fools than educating my kids on any given subject. Now my kids are learning REALITY, and getting a far better education than these jokers could ever give.
I wish I had some words of wisdome for you. All I can say is keep your nose clean, keep your dukes up, and never let them see you sweat. Keep on them…some things in life are too important to just let go.
Exactly! This is why more and more people are homeschooling. Many wonderful people have come out of homeschooling families. If we can't get decent education in the schools and society it is time to look to ourselves–the ones who really have the responsibility of making sure our children are learning.
I've been picking through your saga after my husband showed me a link via Free Republic. Can't believe it, that school board meeting video got my blood boiling! Reading through all the different things they've done to you made me nauseous.
We had an end-stage encounter with the local school system as our son was entering 8th grade. Over the summer, they decided to move the kids into the high school. The school board meeting (getting them to actually have the meeting was like pulling teeth) was a fiasco. They shut us down (nearly the entire class & parents) just like they did you.
At this point I was spending more time in the school fighting for our son than it was worth, getting progressively less done on his behalf. As a family, we decided to go to home schooling, a decision we've reviewed/renewed each year. He graduates this Spring, and I have to tell you, it was a good decision for us.
Just so sad that when we're paying taxes, trying to support public education, and involved int he education process that we were FORCED outside the system. (In your case, forced to leave the school district, in mine, pulling the student out altogether.) Often the emphasis seems more like public day care than education.
Thank you for all the work involved in bringing this situation to a wider audience. I think we can all learn from your experience. Personally, I'd bet that the educational "system" would improve if there were fewer "education-degree professionals" in the system. Seems to turn the schools into some sort of frat club where the parents and students (most of them) are excluded.
Cheers CJ and Thanks!
Kim