Florida Legislature Forces University To Idolize Jeb Bush

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/11/bush-education/

Florida Legislature Forces University To Idolize Jeb Bush

Two weeks ago, the University of Florida voted to deny Jeb Bush an honorary degree. By a 38-28 vote, the faculty Senate rejected the former governor’s nomination, citing concerns about some of Bush’s education initiatives, including his dismantling of affirmative action programs in the state:

In higher education circles, Bush’s greatest criticism came over his “One Florida” plan, which ended race-based admissions in state universities. Black enrollment dropped at UF and statewide after the change took effect, as critics predicted.

Bush’s policies of “rewarding and punishing schools according to students’ standardized test results and using vouchers to send certain students to private schools at public expense” also contributed to the rejection of his nomination.

Upset by this lack of Jeb Bush adoration, the conservative-controlled House Schools & Learning Council voted yesterday to force the university to rename its education school the “Jeb Bush College of Education.”

Over the faculty’s opposition, the school will now have “to erect ‘suitable markers‘ noting the college’s new name and include the revised name in all university documents, including catalogues and brochures.” The lawmakers acknowledge they “came up with the idea as an answer” to the faculty’s denial of Bush’s honorary degree.

[habitual]

1. how dare they not give him the honorary degree, do they

know what his last name is? huh? do they.....?

the arrogance of these people.

[bbgrunt]

2. Oh wow, I knew they wouldn't let that vote pass without

some consequence. It would be great if this is the only thing that happens. Watch the university budget; watch the rules for tenure, There are sooooo many ways the administration can screw with those brave faculty members. I'll bet the idea of a faculty senate will be strangled--taking every last decision making ability away from all faculty. Administrators are just waiting for a reason. I have seen it happening for the last 27 years.

Just like they have ripped the authority away from public school teachers, doctors, and other professionals, those brave professors at Florida are playing with fire--and they knew that. That's what so heroic about their stand.

[ejbr]

3. Now THAT'S pathetic!

"Mommy, those kids won't play with me!" "Hey, you kids!! PLAY WITH MY SON!!" "Gee, you guys must like me cuz you are now playing with me!" PATHETIC!

[Dr.Phool]

4. When do they build the Neil Bush School of Finance?

[Sammy Pepys]

5. I have to admit that's kind of funny.

I don't like it, but it made me chuckle a little bit.

[Ron Green]

6. Florida again. I'm keepin' track.

[Ganja Ninja]

7. How typically Bush.

Getting accolades you don't deserve and haven't earned. That seems to be another family tradition.

[AikidoSoul]

10. You hit that one one the head n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

22. "You"ll love me know matter how much you don't want to!"

All heil to Bush!

[ellenfl]

8. NO! time for an ltte. eom

[Javaman]

9. The first annual montgomery burns award in the field of excellence. nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. They're really big on eponymous recognitiion

It's garrish, even.

[localroger]

12. So what does a 'suitable marker' look like?

I'd seriously consider renaming all the buildings along the lines of "incompetence hall," "graft auditorium," "corporate greed center" and installing a nice plaque explaining how all the names are in honor of the college's namesake. I'd also consider it an appropriate honor to add a course requirement of 1/2 credit history of government misfeasance, with emphasis on Bush family examples.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

14. well said.

Picture the banners of the BFEE members, hanging in "sanctimonious chapel".

[krispos42]

19. "Our Founder of the Jeb Bush College of Education" statue

Has this passed through the entire legislature? Has the governor signed the bill into law?

[KamaAina]

21. Like this:

[Ino]

13. (gasp!)

OMG, I'm speechless. These people have no shame.

[mile18blister]

15. A suitable marker

Would be a urinal with Jeb's name on it. Build it with side walls for privacy to encourage use. I was really happy that the faculty flipped off Jeb and this really infuriates me. :grr:

The one consolation is that what is broken by one legislature can be fixed by another.

[Poiuyt]

16. If I were Jeb, I'd be embarrassed by this

How pathetic. Maybe since the university didn't give him an honorary degree, he could buy a PhD from one of those online places.

[Strelnikov_]

17. "Graduated, Jeb Bush College of Education, 2008."

That's gonna look real good on a resume.

[Ezlivin]

18. Jeb can get his f**king honorary degree at Regent University

I hate all of these bastards with a passion.

[Morgana LaFey]

20. I saw this and honest to God, I felt

not just raped but sodomized, putting myself in the place of the University.

Personally, I think they should try to fight it somehow.

[meldroc]

23. We need more ideas for "suitable markers":

Maybe a big statue of Jeb doing a Hitler salute.

Or a statue of Jeb wearing a prison jumpsuit and shackles.