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Omaha Steve

(99,061 posts)
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 08:54 AM Jan 2015

Teacher: Cuomo staff asked me to remove pro-union button




Sean Crall with the NYSUT pin he says a Cuomo aide asked him to remove during an event at the governor’s mansion in Albany on New Year’s Eve.

http://nypost.com/2015/01/06/teacher-cuomo-staff-asked-me-to-remove-pro-union-button/

By Leonard Greene January 6, 2015 | 1:44am

What does Gov. Cuomo have against a union button urging “respect” for public education?

That’s what an upstate activist teacher wants to know after he said a Cuomo aide asked him to remove a button supporting public education and the teachers union during an event at the governor’s mansion in Albany on New Year’s Eve.

East Greenbush English teacher Sean Crall said he was shocked last week when he was asked to remove the button — which says, “Respect Public Education, It Works” — from his lapel before he and his family could meet Cuomo during an open house at the mansion. The button also said “NYSUT,” for New York State United Teachers.

“I was stunned that the concept of respecting public education would be offensive to the governor,” said Crall, a union leader in his upstate school district. “I was with my family. I didn’t want to create a scene, so I complied.”

FULL story at link. Remember this is the NY POST, not the NYT.

61 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Teacher: Cuomo staff asked me to remove pro-union button (Original Post) Omaha Steve Jan 2015 OP
WWMD ? CincyDem Jan 2015 #1
Andrew is truly pissing on his father's grave with many of his actions these days. bullwinkle428 Jan 2015 #4
It is al about getting as many dollars in a safe place before everything goes down the toilet. LiberalArkie Jan 2015 #10
There are a lot of fake democrats in the US. They blow both ways, whichever way gets them RKP5637 Jan 2015 #28
Doesn't bother me in the slightest brooklynite Jan 2015 #2
Did they ask everyone to remove US flag pins too? muriel_volestrangler Jan 2015 #3
The flag belongs to everyone. This was just crass.... I've been to plenty of events msanthrope Jan 2015 #8
Wearing a flag pin is crass nationalism, then muriel_volestrangler Jan 2015 #14
The cops belong to everyone, too. Would you support a police union rep who wore a pin msanthrope Jan 2015 #16
I'd think "respect justice" would be a suitable button message muriel_volestrangler Jan 2015 #32
Justice? HappyMe Jan 2015 #41
I never said it did have something to do with cops muriel_volestrangler Jan 2015 #42
I still think that the guy was wrong HappyMe Jan 2015 #44
But wait...now you are telling that union rep what is right and proper. You are msanthrope Jan 2015 #48
I'm saying slogans supporting uncontroversial objects of public support are OK muriel_volestrangler Jan 2015 #49
Who decides what is "uncontroversial?" If I wear a pin in support of the 2nd Amendment, you might msanthrope Jan 2015 #50
Why do you hate teachers and unions? ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2015 #18
This guy reminds me of a great uncle of mine who wears Limbaugh swag msanthrope Jan 2015 #24
But FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2015 #27
Freedom to be a crass douche!!! I love how the invite says "no signage" but msanthrope Jan 2015 #52
That puts it in a whole different frame. 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2015 #53
Even better---union leader who attended the union's protest outside before entering the party. nt msanthrope Jan 2015 #55
Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2015 #58
I don't have a problem with his protest, or his going to the party..this was an obvious set up msanthrope Jan 2015 #59
But he DID get his name in print! n/t 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2015 #60
Yes he did!!! nt msanthrope Jan 2015 #61
It's pretty weird. HappyMe Jan 2015 #57
Or it has not since the Rs appropriated it as one of their very visible jwirr Jan 2015 #39
I was given my flag pin by the Democratic President I served. The Confederate flag is an R symbol, msanthrope Jan 2015 #51
I agree, wearing the button to a social event was tacky and tasteless, mountain grammy Jan 2015 #13
You do have a good point there IMO. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2015 #30
yeah, mustn't be tacky while the republic falls. NewDeal_Dem Jan 2015 #46
And that will get the ideas even more exposure. He should send a thank you letter. <G>n/t jtuck004 Jan 2015 #5
What a crass guest. I've met plenty of pols, been to plenty of events, and unless you msanthrope Jan 2015 #6
It does seem tacky. HappyMe Jan 2015 #11
Indeed...if a police union rep showed up at a DeBlasio event with a pro-police union pin msanthrope Jan 2015 #12
Very true - I've been to many events and I wouldn't think of showing up with a button of any kind. George II Jan 2015 #38
If only he had turned his back on Cuomo, he would get his ass kissed! /nt Ash_F Jan 2015 #7
Blame the guest Thespian2 Jan 2015 #9
+100 NewDeal_Dem Jan 2015 #47
So I guess free speech isn't cool in the Governor's mansion, which is public housing BTW ....... marmar Jan 2015 #15
Have you ever been to a social event like the one described? msanthrope Jan 2015 #19
As a governor, elected by the people, living in a mansion funded by the people ..... marmar Jan 2015 #20
So you'd think it appropriate for a police union rep to show up to MLK ceremonies at msanthrope Jan 2015 #23
That means you wouldn't care about any of your guests then. Being an executive KittyWampus Jan 2015 #25
The invitation stated that HappyMe Jan 2015 #26
And that's fine...... marmar Jan 2015 #33
For me it's more an issue of HappyMe Jan 2015 #35
It's not a matter of caring personally--it's a matter of caring about ALL of your guests. How would msanthrope Jan 2015 #54
again, fine. I'm just saying I wouldn't care marmar Jan 2015 #56
Story incomplete. Orsino Jan 2015 #17
Story complete. JimDandy Jan 2015 #37
So much more to tell. Orsino Jan 2015 #45
That's because Andrew Cuomo is a pathetic Chris Christie wannbe. One of the 99 Jan 2015 #21
from the article- mopinko Jan 2015 #22
You think deals aren't made during New Year's Eve political parties? liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #29
honestly i dont think so. mopinko Jan 2015 #40
He is a union leader JimDandy Jan 2015 #43
spoon mtasselin Jan 2015 #31
No event at an elected official's TNNurse Jan 2015 #34
"The invitation to the event prohibited “signage and like articles.” " George II Jan 2015 #36

LiberalArkie

(15,686 posts)
10. It is al about getting as many dollars in a safe place before everything goes down the toilet.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:43 AM
Jan 2015

I think there are not enough liberal Democrats in the US anymore to count on one hand. They flip the coin 1. Help the people in the middle and lower levels and the nation grows and prospers or 2. help myself, my frat buddies and wall street buddies and to hell with everyone else.

RKP5637

(67,030 posts)
28. There are a lot of fake democrats in the US. They blow both ways, whichever way gets them
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:26 AM
Jan 2015

the most $$$$$'s and the most votes. There should be no such thing as professional politicians. They often serve themselves as a life time job. Term limits should be imposed on ALL political wins, positions and appointments including SCOTUS.

brooklynite

(93,847 posts)
2. Doesn't bother me in the slightest
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 09:23 AM
Jan 2015

When I was invited to a White House holiday party, I'm fairly sure everyone there had a political connection, but nobody was wearing buttons of any sort. It would have been tacky.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,149 posts)
3. Did they ask everyone to remove US flag pins too?
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:07 AM
Jan 2015

The button is harmless. It supports a concept that every governor ought to support (it's at least as universal as "support our troops&quot , and a nominally Democratic governor should have no problem with the name of a teachers' union being on it too.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
8. The flag belongs to everyone. This was just crass.... I've been to plenty of events
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:38 AM
Jan 2015

and unless you are actually giving a pin or a t-shirt to wear or instructed to wear something specific you don't show up with your own personal billboard.

Ask yourself how you would feel if a person showed up at Cuomo's event wearing a pin representing the New York City police union.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,149 posts)
14. Wearing a flag pin is crass nationalism, then
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:55 AM
Jan 2015

Public education belongs to everyone. Do you need the definition of 'public'?

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
16. The cops belong to everyone, too. Would you support a police union rep who wore a pin
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:01 AM
Jan 2015

saying "Respect the Police" to a DeBlasio New Years Eve event? Or would you see that as a political message crassly expressed at a primarily social event?

My flag pin was given to me by the President I served. I still wear it proudly.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,149 posts)
32. I'd think "respect justice" would be a suitable button message
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:37 AM
Jan 2015

which would be the equivalent to 'respect public education'. I think you can wear a flag pin proudly, if you also respect others' respect for public education.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
41. Justice?
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 12:12 PM
Jan 2015

Sorry, but that word has little to do with cops. For that matter, neither does the word 'respect'.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,149 posts)
42. I never said it did have something to do with cops
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 12:27 PM
Jan 2015

and that's the point - 'justice', like 'education', is a worthy goal. Governors, from any party, should not object to it. Just like police should not object to calls for justice.

"Justice For All" is an admirable slogan. So is "Justice for Tamir Rice". I disagree strongly with people who object to such slogans - or to 'Respect Public Education'.

This is the point - several here seem to think that a slogan in favour of a good that everyone ought to support is 'political', and equivalent to supporting dubious cops. You are conceding moral ground to those cops, and to people who don't like public education.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
44. I still think that the guy was wrong
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 12:37 PM
Jan 2015

to wear the button to this function, when the invitation specifically stated not to do so.

Just because he was asked to remove it, does not mean that people don't respect public education. I also don't think that people have to like public education.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
48. But wait...now you are telling that union rep what is right and proper. You are
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 01:31 PM
Jan 2015

censoring their free expression. and substituting your own judgment.for theirs regarding their union activity.

And I'll wear my flag pin proudly, regardless of your authoritarian conditions.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,149 posts)
49. I'm saying slogans supporting uncontroversial objects of public support are OK
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 01:38 PM
Jan 2015

such as the real-life example of 'Respect Public Education'. I am not censoring free expression of your hypothetical police union rep.

If you don't respect public education, then you should be thinking about what it is about the USA that you think is worth displaying. If you think me saying that is 'authoritarian', then what on earth do you see the official telling the teacher to take the button off as? it would seem to be a gross violation of human rights that should be reported to the ICC, compared to an anonymous person on the web saying Americans should support public education.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
50. Who decides what is "uncontroversial?" If I wear a pin in support of the 2nd Amendment, you might
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 01:58 PM
Jan 2015

find that controversial, but other folks might not. What if the pro-lifers decided that little babies were uncontroversial, so they wanted to wear little plastic fetuses? (Yes--seen that!) I think you are dodging the issue here---guests were asked not to wear signage. That means ALL guests, not just the ones you may happen to politically like.

Rudeness is when you think the rules of social convention simply do not apply to you, because your reasons are more important that others.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
24. This guy reminds me of a great uncle of mine who wears Limbaugh swag
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:17 AM
Jan 2015

anywhere he can.... it's always a fun time at Thanksgiving

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
27. But FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ...
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:22 AM
Jan 2015

trumps all!

... So long as what you are expressing comports with what I want to hear.

Game winner with the point about the Police Union button.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
52. Freedom to be a crass douche!!! I love how the invite says "no signage" but
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 02:03 PM
Jan 2015

we are supposed to make an exception for the guy with the "right" viewpoint.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
59. I don't have a problem with his protest, or his going to the party..this was an obvious set up
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 02:35 PM
Jan 2015

by one of Zephyr Teachout's acolytes.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
57. It's pretty weird.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 02:12 PM
Jan 2015

As you said in another post, what if it had been a pro-life or 2nd amendment pin. I suppose then people would have been applauding the fact that the pin had to be removed. No buttons means NO buttons - period.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
39. Or it has not since the Rs appropriated it as one of their very visible
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 12:07 PM
Jan 2015

political symbols. I fly the flag on the traditional days and solute it in parades. But you would have to pay me a great deal to wear a lapel pin. That is an R symbol.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
51. I was given my flag pin by the Democratic President I served. The Confederate flag is an R symbol,
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 02:00 PM
Jan 2015

not Old Glory.

mountain grammy

(26,568 posts)
13. I agree, wearing the button to a social event was tacky and tasteless,
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:50 AM
Jan 2015

but, in my opinion, asking her to remove it was even worse.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
6. What a crass guest. I've met plenty of pols, been to plenty of events, and unless you
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:35 AM
Jan 2015

are specifically invited to endorse a political message, you don't show up with your own personal billboard.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
11. It does seem tacky.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:45 AM
Jan 2015

There is a time and a place for message type buttons. I don't think a New Year's Eve gathering is the right time or place.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
12. Indeed...if a police union rep showed up at a DeBlasio event with a pro-police union pin
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 10:48 AM
Jan 2015

I wonder how people would react.

marmar

(76,982 posts)
15. So I guess free speech isn't cool in the Governor's mansion, which is public housing BTW .......
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:00 AM
Jan 2015

...... and sadly, reading some of the responses, there are DUers ready to defend this.


 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
19. Have you ever been to a social event like the one described?
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:08 AM
Jan 2015

it isn't a question of free speech.. its a question of maintaining etiquette and decorum in a place where people of varying interests and viewpoints have come together. This was a social event at the governor's mansion. How would you have felt about a police union rep wearing a pin saying "Respect the police."

marmar

(76,982 posts)
20. As a governor, elected by the people, living in a mansion funded by the people .....
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:10 AM
Jan 2015

...... I would not have cared one bit about somebody wearing a button to express an opinion.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
23. So you'd think it appropriate for a police union rep to show up to MLK ceremonies at
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:15 AM
Jan 2015

Gracie wearing a "Respect the Police" pin?

I don't know what social events you go to where people walk around with buttons expressing their opinions.... but that sounds like the worst fucking party ever.

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
25. That means you wouldn't care about any of your guests then. Being an executive
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:18 AM
Jan 2015

means working with people from ALL sides of issues.

And making EVERYONE feel welcome at a social event.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
26. The invitation stated that
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:22 AM
Jan 2015

buttons and such were not allowed. The article also said that the guy did not vote for Cuomo. He may have worn it for spite rather than anything else.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
35. For me it's more an issue of
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:49 AM
Jan 2015

'respect the house'. If I get invited to a black tie party - I won't wear jeans. If I get an invite to a party where the hosts don't drink - I'm not going to bring a bottle of vodka. Since the invite said no political or issue buttons - I wouldn't wear one. I usually toss any political buttons I get anyway.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
54. It's not a matter of caring personally--it's a matter of caring about ALL of your guests. How would
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 02:08 PM
Jan 2015

you like to be at a party where some people felt it was okay to wear pictures of fetuses? Would that make you feel uncomfortable? How about a party where there was open carry?

No--you'd expect your host to enforce some type of broad rule that attempted to respect the fact that you were at a social occasion where everyone should feel welcomed, and not bludgeoned by other people's political viewpoints. It's called being a host.

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
17. Story incomplete.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:01 AM
Jan 2015

Did the teacher remove the button? Did the teacher meet Cuomo?

A fine anecdote, but did it actually happen?

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
45. So much more to tell.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 01:08 PM
Jan 2015

Teacher comes off the picket line, possibly gets a chance to talk to the governor, and...?

One of the 99

(2,280 posts)
21. That's because Andrew Cuomo is a pathetic Chris Christie wannbe.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:11 AM
Jan 2015

He is a disgrace. He is not half the Governor is father was.

mopinko

(69,804 posts)
22. from the article-
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:14 AM
Jan 2015

The invitation to the event prohibited “signage and like articles.”

yeah, new year's eve party. not the place for this. i presume anyone else who had a similar button was also asked to remove it. unless that is not the case......

liberal_at_heart

(12,081 posts)
29. You think deals aren't made during New Year's Eve political parties?
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:26 AM
Jan 2015

Politicians get to make back door deals while partying all the time, but workers who have no say in those deals can't even wear a button?

mopinko

(69,804 posts)
40. honestly i dont think so.
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 12:10 PM
Jan 2015

maybe somewhat, grip and grin and all that. but the fat cats dont need to do it at a social event.

but the wearer would have been better off just doing the same. buttonholing people, and saying his piece.

JimDandy

(7,318 posts)
43. He is a union leader
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 12:34 PM
Jan 2015

and probably has a lot of say, hence the invite to the Governor's New Year's Eve 'political party'.

It generates more eyeballs and raised hackles, though, to initially emphasize in the title and at the beginning of the news article that a 'teacher' ('worker' was your emphasis) may have been maligned, as opposed to a 'union leader' with the power that title implies.

At the end of the article they disclose that this union leader had attended his union's protest event that was staged in front of the Gov's mansion immediately prior to the party.

Just goes to show all the political players (newpaper, union, Governor) generate spin that is in their best interest. I am pro-union, especially pro-teacher's union, but spin does get tiresome.

mtasselin

(666 posts)
31. spoon
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:34 AM
Jan 2015

What would you expect from someone who has had it handed to him his whole life. Has know idea what working and poor people go through in their everyday life, because he had the silver spoon.

TNNurse

(6,911 posts)
34. No event at an elected official's
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:46 AM
Jan 2015

"mansion" is not political. Hell, the Easter Egg Roll at the White House probably has political effects. The governor does not own the house and does nothing that is "purely social". Having said that, I do understand that some find this tacky at a "social" event, I just doubt that it is was one.

George II

(67,782 posts)
36. "The invitation to the event prohibited “signage and like articles.” "
Tue Jan 6, 2015, 11:54 AM
Jan 2015

He was INVITED to the event, it wasn't an "open" event.

I didn't see anything in the article that said he was asked to remove the button BECAUSE it of what it said. Does Mr. Crall know if anyone else was asked to remove any "signage and the like"?

Damn, people are trying to make issues about anything these days!!!!

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