From time to time I will blog about personal things.
I've hinted around school issues once or twice, but quite obliquely.
Today I'm going to break a rule -- I'm going to comment on a colleague.
This colleague is a large, arrogant individual who has alienated a great many colleagues. It doesn't take most folks long to recognize him for the sort of person he is.
He is also the campus representative for one of the four major teacher organizations in the state -- the one that presents itself as a union (there are no real teacher's unions here in Texas, since we can't strike or collectively bargain). So during our in-service time, he was permitted to make a brief "sales pitch" to the faculty along with the other campus reps.
What comes out of his mouth as part of his presentation?
"And if you have a problem and need a lawyer, just call them and they'll get back to you within 24 hours. They do a great job getting things straightened out for you -- I wouldn't be teaching here if they didn't!"
Our principal simply bowed his head and covered his face. One of the folks at my table whispered "Now we know who to blame --maybe Shakespeare was right about killing all the lawyers."
You know -- I don't think that little tidbit added to the credibility of that particular organization at all.
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Comments on When NOT To Give A Personal Testimonial
Funny story. I especially like the principal's reaction. The uptight, no-sense-of-humor lawyer in me, however, is compelled to point out that the Shakespeare quotation comes from a character intent on imposing tyranny, so the quotation actually points out the importance of lawyers in maintaining a free society. (Sorry, I couldn't restrain myself - stop me before I take my profession too seriously again!)
|| Posted by Dan, August 9, 2005 05:58 AM ||Yeah, I know the context of the comment -- but the reaction is still pretty funny.
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, August 9, 2005 06:27 AM ||Absolutely, and your description of it puts us there.
|| Posted by Dan, August 9, 2005 09:44 AM ||My first thought is a saying I have:
"Out of the mouth of idiots..." you fill in the rest.
That's why I'm no longer in Academia, their institutional bureaucratic thinking, and the fringe left wing mentality. Oh, that and the appallingly low pay.
|| Posted by Michele, August 9, 2005 10:01 AM ||Judging from the Beemers, Mercedes and Lexuses in the parking lots, I'd say the pay isn't bad for college faculty. ;-)
|| Posted by antimedia, August 9, 2005 10:57 AM ||I am always amused by the "Shakespear said" kill all the lawyers, as well. If two of his characters have an argument, does Shakespear agree with both of them?
But otherwise, I can take lawyer jokes just fine.
|| Posted by KJ, August 10, 2005 06:08 AM ||I concur this anecdote says not much about our profession. Union legal backing can indeed be invaluable (I have no personal experience of needing such -- yet! -- but I know a colleague who was in great need of it), especially when facing vindictive administrators.
|| Posted by Hube, August 10, 2005 08:00 AM ||And I agree that the legal representation is important in situations where teachers are being screwed. I've seen good people saved from some bad situations. After all, I'm the building rep for one of the non-union professional associations (and no, it is not one of the national groups), so I appreciate that there are lots of cases in which teachers need defending.
In this situation, though, I know the individual in question (and the situation, since I was one of those filing the series of complaints that nearly got him fired) all too well -- he is a member of my department, which is an otherwise cohesive unit that sees virtually no friction.
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, August 10, 2005 11:28 AM ||Post a comment