UPDATE: RHEE'S STUDENTSFIRST CREDITED ANTI-IMMIGRANT ALEC BOARD TREAS. REPUBLICAN GEORGIA ST. SEN. CHIP ROGERS AS EDUCATION REFORMER OF THE YEAR
Self-identified Democrat Michelle Rhee's thoroughly presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee Mitt Romney-linked StudentsFirst is showing the propaganda pro-parent trigger drama film, "Won't Back Down" in the middle of the Democratic National Convention. (She is also married to a Democrat, Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, who is also appearing a panel discussion after the screening.) The screening event is also sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) and Parent Revolution (whose executive director Ben Austin is also appearing at the panel discussion).
Re-posted from MadFloridian at democraticunderground.com, from Karoli at Crooks and Liars: "Michelle Rhee Infiltrates Democratic Convention With Right-Wing Film:"
Not that this surprises me much, since Michelle Rhee pretends to be some kind of "different Democrat," but it's really pretty nervy of her to show up at the Democratic National Convention with a film funded by right-wing education deformers and pretend she's "one of us."
StudentsFirst is screening the film "Won't Back Down" in the middle of the Democratic National Convention in an effort to convince everyone her brand of education deform is the best pathway forward.
I wrote about this last week. The film is financed by Philip Anschutz, notorious winger. And StudentsFirst is spearheading an effort to deform New York schools in concert with right-wing funding sources. See this report revealing Romney and Republicans' involvement:
*StudentsFirst NY Board Members and funders are contributing over $2 million to Mitt Romney and Super PACs working to defeat President Obama;
*StudentsFirst NY is using a complex web of multiple tax designations and different names to shield donors and funders from scrutiny on campaign contributions and political activities;
*StudentsFirst NY is out of touch economically and ideologically with the education stakeholders—the students, parents, communities, and educators—it claims to represent in New York City;
*StudentsFirst NY is supporting market-driven restructuring and privatization of schools that goes even further than what Mayor Bloomberg has implemented in the past decade;
*StudentsFirst NY is using a plan developed by Bain & Company and advocating actions that will treat public schools the way Romney’s Bain Capital treated companies.
...No self-respecting Democrat should be caught dead at this screening. I plan to be out front with my camera to see who supports public schools and who doesn't. Please reach out to anyone you know who is attending the convention and encourage them to stand firm for public education.
Audaciously, StudentsFirst has their September 3, 2012 screening announced on their website. I have given links to their organizational affiliations, which I have inserted below.
Join Us Won't Back Down Screening at the DNCThe fun site, RheeFirst, has listed several Florida links Rhee has with the Republican establishment there. It pointed to the [Talahassee] Florida Current as the source of its report.
You and your guests are cordially invited to a pre-screening of Won't Back Down at the Democratic National Convention sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform, Parent Revolution and StudentsFirst. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Michelle Rhee (see how she has advised Republican governor Rick Scott), Ben Austin (Parent Revolution), Joe Williams (Democrats for Education Reform-DFER), Mayor Kevin Johnson and others.
Where: EpiCentre Theaters - 210 E. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Date: September 3, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm
“Most readers of The Florida Current who responded to last week’s poll thought it a bad idea to let parents be the finger on the trigger to start turnaround plans for failing public schools that could include a takeover by for-profit companies.
Such authority would be granted by HB 1191, which is waiting for heard by the full House, and its companion, SB 1718, which is scheduled to be considered Tuesday by the Budget Subcommittee on Education Pre-K – 12 Appropriations.
The measure has drawn opposition from Democrats and parent groups. Supporters include StudentsFirst, an organization founded by former Washington public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, who has advised Gov. Rick Scott. It’s also supported by former Gov. Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Florida’s Future and California-based Parent Revolution, which successfully lobbied for a trigger law in that state.“
"WON'T BACK DOWN" GETS SCREENING AT RNC ALSO:
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will attend a screening of a new movie dramatizing the national debate over so-called parent trigger legislation during the Republican National Convention.
AND IN LESS OBVIOUSLY PARTISAN SPACES:
Rhee has been busy with her political magic this summer, edging "Won't Back Down" into a central position at the July 19 meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Conference has endorsed parent triggers.
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