Thanks For Nothing Pablo

First on behalf of teachers city wide I would like to thank Pablo Guzman and WCBS News for the time he took to look into the truth behind the Rubber Rooms, and to present the teachers in a favorable light while at the same time making Tweed and administrators take responsibility for their actions. Oh dang, what the f**k did I just say? Let's try again.

First on behalf of teachers city wide I would like to flip the proverbial bird at Pablo Guzman and WCBS News for the lack of time he took to look into the truth behind the Rubber Rooms, and to present the teachers in a the normal, media biased negative light while at the same time making Tweed and administrators look angelic and almost God like. OK, that's better.

I knew something was amiss when Chris Wragge during the 5 PM news read off the teleprompter, and I am paraphrasing here, "Would you believe that there are teachers that are paid all day to do nothing?" He then told everyone to tune in at 11 so we can find out how taxpayers are being screwed. His bubble headed co-anchor Kristine Johnson looked appalled or was it dimwitted to know that such a thing could be happening. But just like the Frizzies, I thought it might be a tease to have people tune in.

How wrong can one be. Pablo Guzman, the intrepid reporter is a liar and a not very nice person. He used David Pakter. Used and abused him. David took him into his home, broke bread with him, and befriended him and just got shunted aside by Pablo.

I'm not going to go through the whole story, just what stood out to me.

But while they wait they do nothing at all. And they're still paid -- with your tax dollars.

Oh, scary words. I expected Count Floyd to say, "paid--with your tax dollars" as he moved back and forth from the camera. Oooh, scary words. But an excellent way to stir up the audience, to bring anger to the masses. Kudos to you CBS!!!

CBS 2 HD's hidden cameras recently got a rare look inside the rooms, which are located in every borough of New York City.

Word is Pablo was hot, hot, hot for a teacher to do this. This should have been the first warning sign that the story would go astray from the teachers point of view. Nothing, nada, bupkus good would have come out of this. However, they did miss filming the January Rubber Room circle jerk championships. That would have been must see TV.

"The saddest thing is that there are some people doing nothing. Not even that," teacher Leevert Holmes said.....When asked if taxpayers are paying for this Holmes said yes, even though people are being paid to literally do nothing, adding it costs the public, "millions."
Nice. Way to rope in Mr Holmes to admit to what you wanted to hear. You conned him. Look in his face as he answered the last question. He knew he had been had. I'll give Mr Holmes credit. At least he was honest.

Some teachers have been paid to do nothing for as long as seven years.
Yeah, there are. There are some who just get to comfortable, too safe, too afraid. They stop being pro-active. They stop advocating for themselves. Instead of painting with a broad brush Pablo, find out why. Each person is an individual with a different story.

CBS 2 HD and the Department of Education exchanged several emails, but the Department did not want to put anyone on camera. Instead, they released the following statement:....."This is not an ideal system but, given the realities of the cumbersome state laws and union contract, we're in a position where we need to balance our obligation to safeguard children with our legal obligation for fairness to teachers," said NYC Department of Education spokeswoman Ann Forte.

Yes, the safety of students should be paramount. But how is insubordination dangerous to children? How is having a coffee cup in one's hand dangerous to children? How is having more than ten absences dangerous to children? How is raising one's voice dangerous to children?

Why not look into how the system is skewed that a principal can just make allegations, or accept allegations against a teacher and that teacher be sent of to the RR? It is all too easy. Of the 530 teachers in the rubber rooms many will get fired.

No many will not get fired. Many will be offered a settlement, fined and sign away any rights to pursue future legal action against the DOE. If these teachers are so dangerous or incompetent, why does the DOE offer settlements?

and others will just get frustrated and quit.

That is what they want. Especially if you are over forty make a certain amount of money, and ask why? instead of how high?

Still, that's $53 million of your money that could be put to better use.

There you go again with the pandering to the lowest common dork out there watching TV.

Thanks Pablo. Next time use some lube.