Anrie Duncan: Education Secretary Duncan calls Hurricane Katrina good for New Orleans schools

Subtitle: Roland Martin Botches His "Rush Limbaugh Moment"

Recall when Rush Limbaugh made his comments linking Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Donavan McNabb's protection by the NFL to "Affirmative Action" for the want of a star quarterback who is Black? I am not here to debate the point (though I disagree with Rush's analysis on the point). I am here to talk about what others had rustled Tom Jackson and Michael Irving who listened in to these comments for failing to do: Jump in the face of the White man who said these words!!!!

Let's inspect the words and disposition of Roland Martin, the host of TVOne's "Washington Watch" for his reaction to these words said by Education Secretary Arnie Duncan - the former head of the Chicago Public School District (which graduates only 52.9% of its students - 87% of whom are Black and Hispanic):

From the Washington Post article:

Duncan's interview on "Washington Watch With Roland Martin" was scheduled to air Sunday on TV One.

The excerpts quoted an exchange between Duncan and Martin about the effect of the 2005 hurricane on the city's schools.

Martin was quoted as saying: "What's amazing is New Orleans was devastated because of Hurricane Katrina, but because everything was wiped out, in essence, you are building from ground zero to change the dynamics of education in that city."

Duncan was quoted as replying: "It's a fascinating one. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans, and this is a tough thing to say, but let me be really honest. I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina. That education system was a disaster, and it took Hurricane Katrina to wake up the community to say that 'we have to do better.' And the progress that they've made in four years since the hurricane is unbelievable. They have a chance to create a phenomenal school district. Long way to go, but that -- that city was not serious about its education. Those children were being desperately underserved prior, and the amount of progress and the amount of reform we've seen in a short amount of time has been absolutely amazing."

Please note - I am NOT going to "Racism Chase" on this point.
My only mission is to monitor the responses from those who had an outrage to two key events - when a "White Person" said something that elicited a massive response:

1. The Rush Limbaugh comments above
2. Barbara Bush's comments about the Katrina evacuees in Houston being "better off"

Let me admit that I am one step ahead of most of you all.
I realize that the RESPONSES that were rooted in ideological and partisan partisanship and gamesmanship are not going to be made in kind when a "favorable person" makes statements that are in the same vein.

It comes as no surprise that "conservative Whites" have their comments taken to mean the worst possible assumption.  Even if the ball few over the furthest outside corner of the plate.   In the case of a White liberal, however, we hear as we did with Harry Reid a few weeks ago:  "Since {fill in the blank} has been a FRIEND TO US and has no past infractions - we ("Democrats who are Black") don't feel the need to stir up the troops and feign offense".

For me - I indeed understand what Secretary Duncan was saying when he talked about the schools in New Orleans.  Anyone with any sense will know that he is not lying.

My indictment, however, is against the "Local Democratic Machine" who WERE RUNNING THESE SCHOOLS.  Why did they escape accountability for so long?

Why is it that the Republican Representative Chao had better go purchase some boxes from U-Haul per his assured election loss in November 2010 YET so few local Democrats have lost their seats despite the clear damage that has been done to the Permanent Interests of "Quality Education" in New Orleans?

Please note as well that New Orleans' school system has accepted the use of CHARTER SCHOOLS.  You should recall that after Katrina the same comments about the dubious plans that we are now hearing about Haiti were also applied to the public schools in New Orleans as charter schools were "pushed" upon them.

At what point does the "rank and file" in our community double back and make note of the operatives and how they have used us and how they were so wrong?

They have the unenviable task of having to argue that the past management structure of the New Orleans public schools should be RETAINED after the storm and that the BIGGEST THREAT to the receipt of quality education was the CHARTER SCHOOLS rather than - going back to the framework from which they came.

More frustrating than my disagreement with the dogma of "progressivism" is the knowledge that with so much damning evidence the new "All White Jury" that dominates the messaging within Black America earns this title with each passing day.

They are indeed "Sold Out To Progressivism and the Democratic Establishment". 

Selling the future while showing incompetence in their present management of the institutions they struggle to take over yesterday.

Side Note: Ruby Bridges and the integration of the New Orleans Public Schools