[ UPDATE: DAY 2 — still no response from this race-baiter. ]
Jeff Simpson, I am calling you out.
Jeff Simpson, you are an elected member of a school board (Monona Grove, what were you thinking?), and an active Democrat. You are a public figure.
Jeff Simpson, you accused me, David Blaska, of racism — now back it up. What have I written that qualifies as racist?
I reported that a 17-year-veteran teacher in the Madison Metropolitan School District quit the teaching profession in despair. She described the “positive behavior coach” being hospitalized after breaking up a student fight. She described that and more in a heartfelt on-line blog on June 11 titled “Closing the Door on the Madison Metropolitan School District.”
“I am leaving this district, because I cannot serve the children I love in the current climate,” teacher Karen Vieth blogged.
I have never seen a building as deeply in crisis as Sherman Middle School, yet my cries for help went unanswered for three years. … Nobody seems to be steering the ship.
Over the weekend, this blog noted that four years ago President Barack Obama’s administration forced districts to set what amounts to illegal racial quotas in school discipline. Jeff Simpson responded with:
There is so much ignorance in dave’s post that he is doing all he can do … to chum the waters.” You also posted, “The incredible pretzel twist of flawed non logic, mixed with racism, ignorance and desperation to tap into the right wing echo chamber money is incredible to watch …
( Koch Brothers! Koch Brothers! They’re everywhere! )
Of what is the proprietor of Stately Blaska Manor ignorant, Jeff Simpson? What is illogical? I asked if you were throwing the race card at Ms. Vieth, the many teachers and parents who responded to her blog in support, and the 26 parents who wrote school district administrators concerned with the large number of vacancies at Sherman from fleeing teachers. You responded:
Nope….not at all. I know Karen, great teacher. I am strictly accusing you of racism Dave.
I ask again, on what basis? Now the principal in question has quit, most likely under pressure from central administration. We hope she finds her level of competence. (The school board met Monday evening in closed session on a personnel matter. Brenda Konkel reports that, despite staff’s warning that they shouldn’t say what the issue is, new school board member Gloria Reyes still says that the meeting is about “personnel issues at Sherman middle school.”)
As for you, Jeff Simpson, Stately Manor reader Tom Paine has already challenged you: “Yo Jeff, we await your counter-case. Thus far you’ve only presented a tautological comment that in no way is compelling. Are you up to it?” You responded (if that is the right word):
My counter case will come this week on my blog … this weekend was too busy to write anything up.
For bad measure, to your list of unsubstantiated insults you added:
I forgot to add bipolar schizophrenic.
( So now, Blaska is not just racist but crazy, too.
Am I racist because I am crazy or crazy because I am racist? )
It is now Tuesday, we see nothing on your blog, Jeff Simpson. In any case, you played the race card here at Stately Blaska Manor. You were not too busy to make the accusation. It is here that you put up or shut up and get out. It is now that you do so.
Otherwise, you are a modern-day Joe McCarthy: make the charge; don’t bother proving it. Skedaddle on to the next wild accusation. (And you criticize Donald Trump!)
Blaska’s Bottom Line: I won’t ban you because you can’t resist digging your hole deeper and deeper. The public deserves to know what a disgrace you are, Jeff Simpson.
We excerpt this comment to Karen Vieth’s blog. “Rochelle” says: