School officials in Fla. try to block Michelle Obama visit

[steve2470]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/07/school-officials-in-fla-try-to-block-michelle-obama-visit/1#.T_wyCmgxhQI

Some Miami-Dade (Fla.) School Board members are trying to block a visit to a school by first lady Michelle Obama scheduled for today on the grounds that it amounts to a campaign visit, The Miami Herald is reporting.

Miami-Dade School Board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla has called for the event at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami Lakes, Fla., to be cancelled while board member Carlos Curbelo wants the board attorney to reconsider an opinion that the appearance meets legal requirements, the Herald reports.

Diaz de la Portilla is running for a Florida state House seat as a Republican and Curbelo has worked as a Republican strategist, according to the Herald.

"There's a difference between official visits to schools by elected leaders and events that are for the sole purpose of advancing the interests of a political campaign," Curbelo tells the Herald.

*end of excerpt*

This is horrible, talk about political BS.

[liberal N proud]

1. There was a time in America when a school would be excited about such a visit

At one time, political affiliation did not matter when the President or First Lady opted to visit a school. Schools relished the opportunity and welcomed such guest.

Between politics and racism this nation has jumped through the rabbit hole.

[maindawg]

22. yes ,that was when the first lady was w white woman.

Besides , these kids will one day be able to vote, possibly , unless they can be purged by some future rushpubliscumbagger. So you cannot be too careful.

[peace frog]

38. Explains it all:

"Diaz de la Portilla is running for a Florida state House seat as a Republican and Curbelo has worked as a Republican strategist.."

BUT these bozos would be the first to shriek "DISCRIMINATION!!!!11!!" if one of their own was denied a public school visit. You can take that to the bank, kids.

[dmr]

41. Yea, & if you ask me, her & his actions are campaigning to

their backwash teabagging constituents.

I use to live in Miami Lakes. Glad I'm gone, but if I were there, she wouldn't get my vote.

[peace frog]

43. I lived in Miami for the first 30 years of my life

Finally escaped to the central part of the state, only to find that Florida pretty much has two speeds: dumb and dumber. No respite anywhere for the teabag-weary.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Once again. Racism. n/t

[Puzzledtraveller]

26. Calls of racism won't get us 4 more years

I wish that shit would stop.

[rurallib]

32. well ignoring only encourages it

I lived through the 50s and 60s. If it isn't called out, then it is acceptable.

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. Sore subject for you?

[BumRushDaShow]

40. When you throw a rock

in a pigpen, the one that squeals is the one that got hit.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

53. LOL. So true.

[Number23]

59. 5-1 to hide? ONE?

Who the hell doesn't think that post to you wasn't a personal attack?

[BumRushDaShow]

63. There are all sorts of folks here on DU

Eh? Unfortunately, there are a number of deniers who think racism is a hoax.

[Number23]

68. "Unfortunately, there are a number of deniers who think racism is a hoax."

Ain't that the truth.

And I'm particularly fond of those that demand that everyone jump through hoops to show them exactly HOW something is racist/bigoted/offensive even after 37 people have already done just that.

[truebrit71]

3. I don't recall school boards doing that when Lt Awol was on his throne...

....

[Scurrilous]

4. Gusano f*ckwits pandering to the right-wing exilio vote.

@#$% them both.

[SoCalDem]

8. They are a echo constituency, at best

The true exilios are dead now..(most anyway).

The ones who came as children of exiles, were raised on the largesse of a democratic administration that saw to it that they would be taken care of. Their republicanism is disgusting.

When my grandparents , aunt & cousin came here from Havana, they worshiped the ground that LBJ walked on, They got government assistance and prospered. They never again lived the prosperous life they left behind in Havana, but they loved being Americanos.They never became republicans, even as they prospered.

There are greedy people in every group, and they are the ones who gravitate to the GOP.. their numbers are overrated and their importance is overrated as well.

[AtomicKitten]

5. The haters want to ignore the entire Obama presidency, like it never happened.

Michelle is First Lady, biotches. And a lovely one at that.

[spanone]

6. this country is becoming an embarrassment.

[Scuba]

11. Long since done.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. true. But the driving farce behind it is all GOP.

They have not one bit of shame. Lies, cheating, illegal voter suppression, misdirection to intended voters, fake allegations against candidates and elected dems, - this isn't just hardball they are playing. It goes far beyond that. I really haven't seen it this bad in decades.

[Scuba]

16. Last time it was this bad they were shooting Democrats. Oh wait, never mind.

[heaven05]

28. becoming??

[riderinthestorm]

7. Of course its a campaign visit, because schoolchildren might vote for Michelle Obama!

Completely obvious right? I mean, who doesn't see that? Its not as though Mrs. Obama has made healthy school lunches a mission of hers, or healthy diets for schoolchildren an important priority. Nope, its all politics all the time for Mrs. Obama....

[savalez]

44. Bingo!

Plus, she's not even on the ballot!

Crazy stuff.

[riderinthestorm]

46. And ya know, she's the FIRST LADY - they NEVER go around the country promoting their projects

doncha know... its all politics all the time for Ms Michelle of course.


Sarcasm aside, Michelle Obama enjoys a 70+% approval rating which means a fair few Rethugs also like her. Methinks those Rethug politicians who are hoping to block her visit aren't paying attention to the polls. A little of her light could help boost them as well.

The whole thing is ridiculous

[RockaFowler]

9. South Florida is full of yahoos

I'm so sick of all of these guys

[scheming daemons]

10. I love it! stuff like this backfires on the GOP all the time.

Michelle has a 70% approval rating.

This will HURT the GOP in Florida.

[DCKit]

20. No shit. Even the kids are going to turn against them. nt

[mia]

12. Facility is being rented by the Obama campaign.

While Michelle Obama holds the campaign event at a Miami-Dade school in Florida on Tuesday, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will attend a town hall the same day at a high school in another swing state, Colorado.

Under School Board policy, all groups, including political, religious and nonprofits, can apply to lease facilities from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Harvey said....

“They’re essentially renting the facility,” Harvey said. His opinion was essentially if someone applies to use district facilities, the district can’t deny and discriminate against the request just because it comes from a political campaign. All renters must meet certain criteria, like providing a certificate of insurance and prepaying the leasing fee.

The tab for Obama’s event Tuesday at Barbara Goleman Senior High: $2,351, according to the district.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/09/2888806/miami-dade-school-board-members.html#storylink=cpy

[n2doc]

13. Maybe they are afraid she will read to them...

bad things can happen!

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. In September of 2004, Bush came to a high school here and parents objected.

Their objection was mainly about some kids being manhandled and forced out of the event by Bush campaign staffers (for wearing t-shirts supporting Kerry). The staffers claimed to be Secret Service and escorted the kids not only out of the event, but off of school grounds - during school hours.

The parents protested to the school board, which adopted a strict policy banning candidates' appearances at district schools. And the kids who had been escorted out were issued a formal apology by the school board. (The Bush campaign never apologized.)

I realize Michelle Obama is not a candidate. But if you turn this around and imagine the wife of a Republican president during campaign season appearing at your child's school, would you approve or object?

Just something to think about.

[progressivebydesign]

27. HUGE difference "wife of a candidate" and FIRST LADY. Huge difference.

Is she not allowed to appear at any school, ever because her husband is a politician?

Back when people weren't totally nuts, this was not a big deal. And yes, the school in the Bush visit had the right to complain because of the way it was handled. Michelle is not a candidate, she is the First Lady. Having any 'wife of a candidate' come to a school, is totally different.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. I agree with you.

But you know the right wingers will immediately point to what they consider hypocrisy.

[lolly]

49. If any students are thrown off of school grounds during the Michelle Obama's visit

Then they will have grounds to complain. I don't see that happening.

That was a pretty distinctly Bush-league tactic, to eliminate all possible dissenters at any venue, even a public school.

And that should definitely not be tolerated.

[Cosmocat]

31. So republicans act like facist morons

and ...

Well of course, Ds are the same cause they are all the same.

I would want to bash my head off the table, but if Bush/Romney or spouse were coming to our school district it would be good for the kids.

[JoePhilly]

50. I do know that if First Lady Laura Bush came to an NC school, they'd hold a parade.

But I can definitely see them blocking Michelle.

[libodem]

17. Sorry

But this makes me fighting mad. I want to punch that Daiz POS. I haven't been so rankeled since they pissed and moaned when the President spoke to school children after he was elected.

This feels so petty, mean and unfair I can't stand it.

[Smilo]

18. Aren't schools on their summer break?

The campaign has rented the auditorium just like any group is allowed to do.

Sad that these two faux board members would stop the school district from gaining extra money in renting facilities.

[RebelOne]

33. They are, so I doubt she will be speaking to students. The parents, maybe. n/t

[Capt. Obvious]

19. I'm surprised they didn't protest on the grounds

that she's trying to indoctrinate the children.

[progressivebydesign]

25. that was used when the President gave the talk about staying in school.. remember that? n/t

[Posteritatis]

42. That one was even used *here*. Not our finest moment. (nt)

[NOLALady]

21. They have no shame.

[maindawg]

23. Actually, Miami is still fighting the civil war,

They wave around rebel flags, and long for the days when only white people lived in Fla. After they killed the natives, and the Spanish before they brought slaves and the Cubans took over. Now they forgot who thy hate the most, so anyone who is not white will do.

[progressivebydesign]

24. Remember when President Obama did a speech on education EARLY in his term???

It was meant for the students, encouraging them to stay in school and work hard. Many right wing schools refused to play it in class, others created permissions slips for the parents to OPT OUT of the President speaking. Parents were going to the media to protest that President Obama was "indoctrinating" their children.. and I recall clearly one woman CRYING on camera, waling about how her children would have to listen to that and it's not fair!

They're partisan nutjobs. Renier Diaze de la Portilla is a partisan idiot. And these tools are wasting MONEY from the school on legal fees because the First Lady wants to speak at a high school?? Wtf? Is Florida just a complete cesspool now? I pity Democrats and moderates that must live in that place. My god...

[permatex]

29. Since when were school children able to vote?

How can it be a campaign visit if school children aren't old enough to vote?
I guess in the minds of the RW, they are future voters so this is a campaign event.

[Blue_Tires]

34. So why isn't Diaz de la Portilla getting called out for a conflict of interest?

[southernyankeebelle]

35. Petty and childish behaviour.

[lpbk2713]

36. OK then, put the officials under a microscope. Fair's fair.

What's good for the goose and all that.

See if everything pertaining to their campaign activities is above board and that there is no using
school board time and influence to promote campaign activities for any candidate on any level.
I have a feeling they might sing a different tune if this is done.





      [big] "WAAAH!! No fair!!" [/big]

[neeksgeek]

37. Bet they'd let RMoney visit, though!

I'd like to find out who has spoken at their schools while running for office.

[lsewpershad]

48. Why do people

vote for pricks like these?

[patrice]

51. SHAME. They are the political ones, not Michelle.

[intheflow]

52. Just a coincidence that the two school board members are local Republican leaders.

Project much, Gentlemen?

[Dj13Francis]

54. Fuck these fuckers

And fuck their little fucking dogs too.

[Canuckistanian]

55. So, ANY appearance by the First Lady is now deemed "a political campaign event"?

Unbelievable.

[Doc Holliday]

56. Just a coincidence, I'm sure...

"Diaz de la Portilla is running for a Florida state House seat as a Republican..."

Well, that pretty much gives the whole show away, doesn't it? Pardon my Scotch, but da bitch is grandstanding.

"God made an idiot for practice. Then He made a school board." - Mark Twain

[MADem]

57. I guess the school board is too stupid to understand that KIDS DO NOT VOTE?

If Michelle Obama, who is NOT running for office, is visiting a school of children who are (mostly--unless Miami's high schools are chock-a-block full of slow learners over eighteen) non-voters, what "politicking" is happening? She's the first lady of the frigging USA, too who has a strong pro-kid message. Not everything is about the First Tuesday in November, and the complainers should be ashamed of themselves.

I think this is all about bitter racial hatred and the political leanings of the petty opponents, frankly. They should exercise more maturity to be an example to the children they purport to serve. What disgraceful servants of the people they are.

[Rhiannon12866]

58. What kind of school would object to a visit from the First Lady of the US?!

[Number23]

60. An educated really admirable First Lady to boot

Absolutely mind blowing.

[caseymoz]

62. I know. Insane times

From the most insane state.

[caseymoz]

61. Just kick students from the voting rolls.

If you ask me, Repubs needn't worry about this cheap, sleazy, transparently self-serving campaign trick. They already have it outflanked.

Most schools would have seen it as a good opportunity to teach kids about our political system (and so alienate them for life). I don't how the First Lady visiting is more political propaganda than about a billion dollars in campaign ads these kids will be exposed to during this election.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

64. Not too long ago, they were all upset because

Michelle was advocating healthy food and Barack was advocating staying in school.

Oh the HORROR!

Pfft. These people are so saturated with hatred they can't see straight.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

65. The rudeness and disrespect toward President Obama and his wife is really something else

No President and First Lady I can think of has been treated with the amount of rudeness and disrespect this First Couple has. The President's address to schoolkids (something that previous Presidents have done with no problem) was one example of this and this latest example is just really disgusting in a way I just can't put into words. I don't know how the President and his FLOTUS put up with all the crap from these small-minded bigots

Curbelo and Portillo are posturing, bigoted idiots. FLOTUS has infinitely more integrity, courage, intellectual substance, compassion and vision in one small iota of molecule of skin on her finger than these two pathetic, perverted creeps will have combined during their entire idiotic existences

[Skelly]

66. Laura Bush

Actively campaigned for her husband at an elementary school.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131512&page=1

[ananda]

67. One rule for Dems, no rules for Reeps.

typical

[ERL]

69. Her visit to the YMCA

She visited the YMCA and played with the Summer Camp

[link:

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