Wednesday, April 04, 2012

In Louisiana, Discrimination Is A-Ok!


from Wikipedia:
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money (and like other schools, may also receive private donations) but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter. Charter schools are opened and attended by choice. While charter schools provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. 
Down in Loser-iana--I kid, in Louisiana--a state Senate committee approved legislation to allow charter schools to refuse to admit students on the basis of their ability to speak English, their sexual orientation or other factors.
So, if you're, oh, I dunno, say, Hispanic--there is a huge influx of Spanish speaking people, and their families in Loser-iana, or, goddess forbid, if you are a homosexual :::gasp:::: then it's okay to be discriminated against.
AG Crowe
Republican state Senator--and goosestepper in the culture wars--A.G. Crowe says his bill is designed to ensure that executive branch agencies and local governments stop including bans on discrimination against characteristics not listed in state law as a condition for private companies to do business with their agencies.
See, he wants to be able to discriminate against those people for whom English is a second language--rather than trying to say, oh, I dunno, teach them English. And he wants to ban The Gays because, oh, I dunno, it's contagious or something.
Edwin Murray
On the other side, Democratic state Senator Edwin Murray--the lone 'No' in the 5-1 vote--believes the possibility of SB217 becoming law and negating the anti-discriminatory prohibitions in charter school contracts is “really scary” and adds, “I can’t believe that at the same time we as a Legislature are passing bills that expand school choice, that we would also allow charter schools to deny admission based solely on a child’s ability to speak English well enough or play basketball well enough.”
Crowe says, with a straight face, “The focus is really simple. It says stick to the law.”
And the law in Loser-iana currently forbids discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national ancestry, age, sex or disability. It does not include sexual orientation, gender identity, or, well, the ability to speak English correctly.
But, um, call me crazy, wouldn't it be easier to change to laws, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the anti-discrimination laws? See, then you wouldn't have discrimination, and wouldn't that really be the goal?
Well, except for those dirty Mexicans who don't speak English. But, I guess by Crowe's logic, you keep "them" from learning English and then you can keep "them" from getting jobs and maybe then "they" will all go back home where they belong.
Discirmination is alive and well in Loser-iana.
I kid. Louisiana.
No, actually I don't.


4 comments:

  1. Charter schools are an evolving concept. Here in WA they are being fought over again - unions hates them because they can hire me :-) non-union and non-certified. They have their good points and bad points.

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  2. I really hope that all of this "back-stepping" is just a glitch in America's history. It makes me wonder what the History books will say about all of this in 50 years.

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  3. Anonymous1:57 PM

    This is no glitch. This is how the South rolls.

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  4. I think this is clearly unconstitutional and will surely be challenged.

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