Did You Know?

How many people are aware of the fact that Randi Weingarten receives a double pension? Does that now become 3 pensions as she has been elected president of the AFT? What a joke. How many people in the union hierarchy receive double pensions? Teachers don't receive double pensions.
How many people are aware that when Rudy Crew left the chancellor's position, he was supposedly given extra time so as to qualify for a New York City pension? Would a teacher ever be granted extra time? Crew and others have horse like pensions, far more than pedagogues who taught for 30+ years. This should all be investigated. Supposedly, Dr. Crew was to do consultant work in order to get in the extra time. People where he was supposed to report to claimed that they never saw him. Big-time rip off.
Police, fire and sanitation workers rightfully receive VSF money added to their pensions. The UFT never bothered to fight for this for the membership. Where have they been? Why is this allowed to go on? If teachers were given this money they're entitled to, their pensions would rise to at least $12,000 per annum. It's a disgrace that the union leadership has not fought for this.
Instead of working for the membership, Ms. Weingarten ran to put Mayor Bloomberg's coat on and sat comfortably next to him at the World Series. Right after that came the horrendous 2005 give-backs.
What will Ms. Randi give up next? Health benefits for retirees? Teachers having to ask permission to use the bathroom? Forfeiture of summer vacation?School year ending June 30th? No more sabbaticals? 40+ in a class? Teachers given no warning of pending u-ratings? Schools opened on High Holy Days? No more grievances whatsoever? Reduction or elimination of prep time in junior and senior high schools? Elimination of the February vacation? Elimination of tenure? Increase tenure to 10 years for probationary teachers? Return to 35 years of service and at least be of age 65 to retire?

Setting It Straight

Thanks to the constant venom of the New York City editorial boards, the public is allowed to think that teachers get paid for the summer. This is NOT true. Teachers are paid for 10 months and the pay is spread out for the remaining 2 months. As always, the city does very well by this arrangement. As a result of this, they are able to hold on to the interest.
Everyone can't wait to jump on the backs of teachers. Too bad that the UFT has become such a weak union that this is allowed to go on and on. New leadership is needed regarding the UFT leadership. Randi Weingarten's Unity Caucus has been in power for over 40 years now. It's time for a change. When Ms. Weingarten finally leaves the UFT presidentcy to devote her efforts at the AFT, there has to be a new direction. Thanks to the 2005 contract teachers gave up far too many hard fought gains.

Obama, the anti-Christ, Oy Vey

Sen. McCain, your ads that infer that Sen. Obama is the anti-Christ are absolutely ludicrous. Stop it. Nice to see you posting Charlton Heston parting the sea in "The Ten Commandments." Don't use my favorite film to secure votes for someone who may not be my favorite candidate. What a terrible election this is turning into. Both candidates leave a lot to be desired. Bring back Al Gore. He'd get my vote in about a minute.
Am really beginning to think that the Vice Presidential candidates will be superior to those at the top of their respective tickets. For all of us who live in New York City, let's see if Mayor Bloomberg endorses someone. As soon as he does, we will know to vote for the other guy.

Charitable Phone Calls

While we can all appreciate the fine work done by charities, the following has to stop. You get solicitation phone calls from them asking you to donate. They ask you to donate a certain sum or they will say how much they want. If you tell them that you will donate providing you get the written information in the mail, they go on and on and repeat themselves. One doesn't want to be rude but one is going to hang up the phone.
How about these charities that call you and don't answer when you pick up. You hear noise in the background. They are calling to see when you're at home so they can call again. This is absolutely absurd.