Student Get-Out-The-Vote Drive Halted

[Rose Siding]

MILWAUKEE - The superintendent of Milwaukee schools halted a get-out-the-vote program involving students after complaints were raised about its link to a pro-Kerry organization.

Superintendent William Andrekopoulos acted late Wednesday, citing a policy that prohibits the district from being a political advocate.

His decision came a day after Republicans accused Democrats of using the students for political gain because the program was organized by the Wisconsin Citizen Action Fund, whose parent organization endorsed Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) for president.

Students at 33 Milwaukee schools called voters and went door to door in minority neighborhoods and areas with historically low voter turnout, urging people to cast ballots in Tuesday's election. The young people, ranging in age from 11 to 18, often conducted the efforts during school hours.
.........
"The students are bearing the brunt of a decision based on political pressure that is being brought on the district," said Larry Marx, co-executive director of Wisconsin Citizen Action. "This is a project that the district should be proud of."

But Chris Lato, communications director for the Wisconsin Republican Party, said the program amounted to "exploiting schoolchildren on the taxpayers' dime to conduct what is clearly a Democratic, partisan get-out-the-vote effort."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=696&e=1&u=/ap/20041028/ap_on_el_pr/students_vote_campaign

Next up: repubs try to get civics studies cut from all US curriculum.

[ixion]

1. apparently, only rethuglicans can 'get out the vote'

more great examples of the double standard being applied. :grr:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Exploiting children??

But Chris Lato, communications director for the Wisconsin Republican Party, said the program amounted to "exploiting schoolchildren on the taxpayers' dime to conduct what is clearly a Democratic, partisan get-out-the-vote effort."

Now, hold on here just a sec! Exploiting children at taxpayers' expense? And the BS about NCLB isn't exploitation of our kids and their schools? Let's also include the blatant exploitation of 9/11 by the Republicans. Maybe the exploitation of the gay/lesbian community should also be included since the conservative moral right has adamantly stated that "these types of people" should not have children and expose them to possible "perversions". Oh, can also add seeking the support of the Catholic dioceses while the issues at hand regarding the abuses of children is ignored largely by the current administration.

Exploitation is the heart of the Republican/Roverian capmpaign.

[FlaGranny]

13. Clearly, if you're going to encourage

minorities and poor people to vote it IS partisan because they usually don't vote for republicans. Now, it wouldn't be partisan at all if a republican group registered voters but then THREW OUT their registrations, if they were democrats. That's how the world works in the "bush reality."

[WCGreen]

15. How about holding campaign rally's with school kid's as props nt

nt

[BJ]

3. Brave Milwaukee P.School Supt. bows to cry-baby Repigs!

I wonder if Superintendent Ankrekopoulos would enjoy seeing this as a headline on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel?

[riverwalker]

4. outrageous

We should be overjoyed that kids want to participate in the democratic process, for cryin' out loud.
I couldn't find a contact for Superintendent William Andrekopoulos (his page is "under construction") but his assistant is listed.

Dorothy St. Charles
Lead Administrative Specialist
email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

[Rose Siding]

6. thanks for the number

This is one of the saddest things in the election season so far, imo. It's just one more squandered opportunity to do what's *very* right. This result is a horrible lesson for children to learn.

[DBoon]

7. Actually this is a good lesson for the kids

They learned that powerful political forces don't want people to vote, meaning that some people's vote are a threat to these forces.

They learned that pressure groups can force school superintendents to cancel programs like this.

These kids have learned a very important lesson in the abuse of power, along with the importance of the franchise.

[fryguy]

5. the gop sure loves an ignorant population

wouldn't want to start educating kids about political involvement or interest too early afterall....they might grow-up to be actual independent thinkers and avoid faux news' brainwashing

[saigon68]

8. "RIGHT WING HATE RADIO" WTMJ IS RESPONSIBLE

These Fucking Cowards think they run Milwaukee. They are extremist right wingers.

They are a shill for the repuke party and a 24-7 cheering section for the CHIMPANZEE

Here is their poll to make Ghetto schools even more substandard.

Would you support a property tax freeze, even if it meant a reduction in government services?

Yes (91.6%)
No (8.4%)
Total Votes: 12,577

"HATE RADIO" WTMJ http://www.620wtmj.com/

THEIR BIGGEST CRIMINAL FRUIT LOOP IS A CRETIN NAMED SYKES

http://www.620wtmj.com/620programs/charliesykes/weblog.asp

his drivel below


THURSDAY'S SHOW: C-SPAN, CONDOLEEZA

Sorry, for the lack of blogging updates... A reminder that our Thursday show will be simulcast nationwide by C-SPAN starting at 9 a.m. Tentative guests include Condoleeza Rice and RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie.

We’ll ask her about Bill Gertz’s story in the Washington Times this morning which reports:
Russian special forces troops moved many of Saddam Hussein's weapons and related goods out of Iraq and into Syria in the weeks before the March 2003 U.S. military operation, The Washington Times has learned.
John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security, said in an interview that he believes the Russian troops, working with Iraqi intelligence, "almost certainly" removed the high-explosive material that went missing from the Al-Qaqaa facility, south of Baghdad

[leftchick]

9. omg... I watched that puke for about 3 seconds this AM....

interviewing condiliar. It was more like kissing ass over the phone. These people are dispicable and I hope that these kids are allowed back out there. :grr:

On the upside I really enjoyed the Sly guy from Madison on c-span. Now that was a very good show.

[saigon68]

10. kick

[Nordic]

11. wow, this guy wins the "asshole of the day" award

Hey America!

[LiberalFighter]

12. Is the Supt doing anything comparable to GOTV?

Is he doing any PR to remind those of voting age about Election Day?

Is he providing information about their rights as a voter?

Is he providing phone numbers to both political parties if they need a ride?

Is he providing contacts to find out where they are suppose to vote?

[Carolab]

14. Since when has a Republican

been concerned with the taxpayers' dime? Especially in a SCHOOL. Unless they can stick it into their own pocket, that is.

Tell this to the churches, who are getting faith-based funding and then using the pulpit as a political stage and the vestibule as a sign-up sheet for BushCo. You HYPOCRITES!!!!!!!!

[Invalence1]

16. Hypocrites

Calling these ppl "hypocrites" is kinda like walkin' into a room full of rabbits and yellin' "BUNNIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" JMO

[JohnnyCougar]

17. This is Belling's fault

That no-good whining bastard son of a bitch. I don't understand why people tune in to hear some crooked-nosed fucktard whine for two hours a day.

[nolabels]

18. Stupid G.O.P.

This is a good lesson for these younger members of our society. When these younger people figure out the pukes our trying to make voting unavailable to them, they will want to do it even more. That's what we be seeing some of in this election. Whenever scarcity is projected in any manifestation that serves a purpose it always drives people to go after more of it.

On edit: I would of said "Bad Fido", but I didn't want to compare my dog to the Republicans, he is so much smarter.