Allen West To Speak To Broward School Group
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Allen West moved up the coast to make a failed run for re-election to Congress. Now the defeated West has resurfaced in Broward.
West will be a guest speaker at a meeting later this month of the Broward Gifted Advisory Council – a volunteer group of educators and parents who advocate for quality education for gifted or very smart students. The group is an organization that is part of the Broward County public schools.
The former congressman is scheduled to speak in honor of Black History Month on Feb. 23, 7 p.m. at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School.
The council Facebook page shows the only other notable guest who has been invited to speak at council meetings has been Broward School Superintendent Robert Runcie.
According to the Facebook page, West “will join us for a nonpolitical discussion of his life story, his conservative values, and his new Next Generation Initiative.”
West’s The Next Generation job was described in a news release earlier this month like this:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — PJ Media, LLC today announced that former Congressman Allen West (R-FL) has joined the company as their Director of Next Generation Programming. West will lead PJ Media’s NextGeneration.TV where the issues of the day will be examined through the lens of the next generation, while at the same time encouraging all Americans to stand up for the nation’s collective future. Using many forms of media such as Internet TV, social media, live events, outreach programs and newsletters, NextGeneration.TV will be a rallying place where grandparents, parents, and children can come to learn about the challenges facing our nation and to offer possible solutions for a prosperous future.
The parent company P J Media that hired West is self-described as a conservative group that seeks, among other things, to “rid our children of massive government debt and an overreaching government.”
West, a former lieutenant colonel who served in Iraq, is a darling of Republican conservatives who served one term in Congress representing portions of Broward and Palm Beach County. After reapportionment in 2012 made his district more Democratic, West ran for re-election in a seat stretching from Palm Beach County north, but lost anyway.
West still has a homestead exemption on his house in the Plantation Acres section of Plantation.
The council did not respond to two e-mails sent to separate addresses listed on their Internet site and in School Board files.
February 12th, 2013 at 10:00 am
This is a GREAT American and a war hero that deserves our respect and thanks for his service to our country. He truly cares about our country and our children…. Respect him and report on him accurately.
February 12th, 2013 at 10:34 am
This man should be kept as far away from children as possible, he is violent, vitriolic, truth-bending, troglodyte.
February 12th, 2013 at 11:16 am
No plans for attacks on Americans or weapons were found. Colonel West testified that he did not know whether “any corroboration” of a plot was ever found, adding: “At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It’s possible that I was wrong about Mr. Hamoodi.”
February 12th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Reminds me of the time not-so-long ago that the Boy Scouts invited Ann Coulter to speak at an event (fundraiser?).
West is a crude hater — his best talent is self-promotion.
February 12th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
If those kids are as smart and gifted as they say, they’ll have no problem figuring out Mr. West real quick.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
I am amazed that an advocacy group seeking more resources for a select group of students would invite him to speak. West and his his Tea Party Republicans have devastated the very programs that serve gifted children. If these people had their way, art and music would be eliminated in exchange for preparation for tests developed by Republican contributors. Online education would transplant teachers in the classroom in their eternal search for a way to “privatize” everything. His party rejects the very scientific truths that would allow our children to compete in the world economy. Why was Allen West invited?
February 12th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Will the Council provide free eggs and tomatoes, or should audience members just bring their own?
February 12th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
This guy is a fanatic, hate monger, and illiterate. What he can contribute to these young generations? Who are far smarter than him.
Things that he could teach these kids are how to preach hate, become fanatic, and intolerant. I am not sure about the motive behind inviting this controversial person by the Gifted Advisory Council but this is a complete wrong decision by this body. Whoever took the decision – there must be ill motive behind it. This invitation sends a wrong signal to our community. They should rescind the invitation now otherwise the Gifted Advisory Council will prove itself as useless body.
Advise for Runcie – stay away from this guy at all cost otherwise history will judge you!
February 13th, 2013 at 10:01 am
The Gifted Advisory Council is not an independent group with loose ties to the Broward County School Board. It is in fact wholly a creation of the SBBC and was created by policy. It is policy 1.24. The staff liason was Ms. Park and whom ever told you that Gifted Advisory Council was independent was wrong. The School Board could step in and shut it down if it so choose to.
Page 1
1.24 NEW 1.24
GIFTED ADVISORY COUNCIL
A SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, GIFTED
ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE ESTABLISHED.
RULES
A. MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership shall consist primarily of parents, relatives, guardians, and
surrogates of students who are gifted. However, all interested parties are
welcome, including school district personnel.
2. A Broward County School Board employee may not serve as Chairperson, Co-
Chairperson, or Vice Chairperson.
B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Duties and responsibilities of the Gifted Advisory Council will be advisory in
nature, none of which will conflict with any of the powers and duties reserved
by law, policy, or administrative guidelines to the Superintendent or the School
Board of Broward County.
2. Gifted Advisory will assist in developing, identifying, and assessing the
educational needs, systemic issues, and priorities of gifted students and
programs. All students who are gifted are represented by this advisory through
collaboration, consultation, and participation on school, District, and
community-derived committees and organizations.
3. Gifted Advisory will provide a forum for information about school and
community programs, advocacy, support, procedural guidelines, Education
Plans (EP), procedures, school board initiatives, educational enrichment,
resources, and data.
4. Gifted Advisory will provide suggestions for proposed legislation and tracking
of new and existing federal, state, and county legislation addressing educational
issues and programs.
5. Gifted Advisory will seek legislative support for fully funded gifted programs.
6. Gifted Advisory will promote and encourage parent and community
involvement concerning gifted education issues and initiatives.
7. Gifted Advisory will implement and maintain School Board approved Gifted
Advisory Council procedural by-laws and guidelines. These by-laws will
follow the district by-laws template.
8. Gifted Advisory will promote diversity so that students who are gifted are
representative of the population of Broward County Public Schools.
Page 2
C. MEETINGS
1. The Gifted Advisory Council must conduct meetings in accordance with the
Florida Sunshine Law.
2. Meetings will convene on a regular monthly basis during the calendar school
year.
3. Meetings and other business will be conducted according to the School Board
approved Gifted Advisory Council By-laws and Roberts Rules of Order, (Newly
Revised).
4. Minutes will be recorded, maintained, and available for public view.
Authority: F. S. 1001.41
Policy Adopted: 09/06/06
I am unsure what Allen West is promoting falls under any of the tenets of the policy. And from the press release you cite this is not going to be a “non-political” discussion.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Will Allen bring his pearl handled .45 ACPs to the event?
Will West let loose a round, if the little ones don’t quiet down quickly enough?
Will West refer to the kids as “socialists” when he spots the Apple Macs in the corner?
February 13th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
West is some crazy speaker for a gifted advocacy group. His mantra is cut, cut, cut education and this group needs extra funding, not the opposite. These kids are our hope for a better future. Yikes! I guess if NO ONE showed up, that would make a statement. I sure would like to know WHOSE brilliant idea was to invite him?
February 14th, 2013 at 9:01 am
I see a lot of assumptions being made without all the information.
Perhaps if people actually sought the details of the event without attempting to crucify the group, the questions would be answered.
To quote from Jeanne’s post above: “8. Gifted Advisory will promote diversity so that students who are gifted are
representative of the population of Broward County Public Schools.”
Last time I checked, diversity included diversity of thought as well. The announcement clearly states that the event is non-political.
Furthermore, going back, there are absolutely no political posts on the GAC Facebook page or Website, even during the elections. In fact, when something has come up for a vote, they have posted links to the Florida State Legislature and encouraged members to think for themselves, make a decision, and vote.
Are we really at a point in this country where we can’t listen to others of opposing viewpoints and have a rational debate about it?
Or must we vilify strangers and try to bully them into doing what we prefer that they do?
Is tolerance only for the people we agree with? How about going to the meeting and listening to what is said before passing judgment.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Black man leaves the democrat plantation and the knives come out.
Sickening.
February 14th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Really j dub, this has nothing to do with race this is about a man who wanted to cut educational funding, spoke of the GLTB with disgust and you ask why people are questioning this choice of a speaker. I defend his right to speak. But wouldn’t you expect controversy when you have a controversial speaker. This was a very poor choice on the part of the chair of the gifted advisory. Smart people make poor choices all the time!
February 15th, 2013 at 12:02 am
Hmmm…. a “nonpolitical” speech on West’s “conservative” values… are they now using the pathetic Fox News slogan “fair and balanced” as well?
And Allen West as the exemplar of someone who is deserving of tolerance? Really? Let’s see what he himself thinks…
———
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0711/Allen_West_tirade_WassermanSchultz_viledespicablenot_a_Lady.html
Florida GOP Congressman Allen West this afternoon dispatched a scathing personal email to Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, calling her “vile, unprofessional ,and despicable,” “a coward,” “characterless,” and “not a Lady,” and demanding that she “shut the heck up.” […]
February 15th, 2013 at 9:27 am
I see a fairly lengthy stream of rants about Mr West’s percieved shortcomings. Let me see if I can summarize…
The “troglodyte” reference would imply that West is somewhat less evolved than the rest of us. It’s not hard to find the way to an accusation of racism on the part of Jeffery from there.
Assumptions that the majority will see things the same way as oneself, and with the same level of aggression, is an example of narcissism. Some people disagree with you, Chaz Stevens and Ha ha ha. Do try to learn to cope with it.
furthermore, Ha ha ha, do you really think that West is undeserving of tolerance? I thought everyone deserved that. It must just be a select few.
Of course, a politician can only talk about politics. Just like a doctor can only speak about medicine, or (s)he will be hit by lightning. How silly to forget.
These rants are ongoing proof of a profound lack of tolerance for the lowest sort of crime…having a different opinion. Left wing love and kindness rides again! Awaaaaaayyyyyyyy!
February 15th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
What happened to learning to ‘agree to disagree?’
A democracy is only strong as long as all viewpoints are not only tolerated, but encouraged. The late leftist Christopher Kitchens pointed out that the most distasteful, unorthodox statements should be valued for their ability to make us re-examine our own attitudes and thoughts. Those of the leftist, socialist persuasion should realize that without a contrastive context, their views have no definition, no reason for existence, and no common foe.
Finally, if you can’t state your views without resorting and insulting others, what business do you have being involved with any sort of gifted program planning? That should be reserved for those who possess a manner worthy of emulation, and at the least, a more creative, expanded vocabulary.
February 15th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Mr. West is intolerant of the DNC Chairwoman and feels free to censor her by telling her to “shut the heck up” in addition to hurling insults at her.
He is free to run his misguided mouth, but invitations to speak to a group are a privilege that should be conditioned upon good behavior. Among the basics of good behavior are civility and tolerance for different viewpoints. Since West clearly is incapable of either, he should not receive any such invitations.
In addition, invitations to speak to a nonpolitical organization should not have a clearly political purpose. The topic of “conservative values” is clearly political and has no significant relevance to the group’s stated purpose.
Where values and education are concerned, state law is quite clear. Public education’s role with respect to values consists of equipping students with tools such as “critical thinking skills” with which students can decide for themselves what their own values are. There is no “values” curriculum, and to create one would be not only illegal under state law but almost certainly unconstitutional as well.
Mr. West’s demonstrated behavior disqualifies him as a speaker, and the proposed topic is also inappropriate for that group. His invitation should be promptly and permanently rescinded.
February 15th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
United States Supreme Court
West Virginia State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)
[…] State action against which the Fourteenth Amendment protects includes action by a state board of education. […This case involves] a regulation of the West Virginia State Board of Education requiring children in the public schools to salute the American flag. […]
If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. […] We think the action of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power, and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control. […]
February 15th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
West is a rare breath of fresh air. Education is so bad in this country, we need to start from scratch.
With few exceptions, all public schools should be closed and turned into “school condos” where individual teachers can rent space and teach. They should be paid with vouchers and parents should be able to pick the teachers they want their kids to go to – if the teacher accepts them. The good teachers would be able to get control of their classroom and kick out the kids that cause trouble.
Good teachers would be able to work hard and make a good living. Bad teachers would have to accept the bad students or get a job at Mac Donalds. Troublemaking students should be allowed to drop out and go to work at Mac Donalds too.
February 15th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Every classroom should have a webcam so parents can see what is going on in the classroom – and do something about it.
February 15th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
@16, tolerance is certainly NOT deserved by everyone. Specifically, all of following persons do not deserve tolerance. What they do deserve is a Hellfire missile between the eyes (or, as Chaz would probably prefer, up the butt)…
1) Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe
2) Cambodian Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot
3) Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin
4) British criminal “Jack The Ripper”
Tolerance is only deserved by, and is reserved for, people who are themselves tolerant.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:40 am
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/magazine/can-the-republicans-be-saved-from-obsolescence.html?hp&_r=0&pagewanted=all
February 16th, 2013 at 9:16 am
@Ha Ha Ha. Associating conservatives with mass murderers is a panicked response of the Left when they feel threatened by the truth. Everyone knows it’s nonsense. Why do you keep doing it?
BTW, all the people you listed were Leftists…
February 16th, 2013 at 9:55 am
@20 – Your Tea Party fantasy violates the Florida Constitution and is therefore illegal.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution#A9
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
ARTICLE IX – EDUCATION
SECTION 1. Public education.—
(a) The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. It is, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders. Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education and for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require. […]
February 16th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
@25 – The Florida Constitution reads well. Unfortunately the educational system in Florida does not provide an education that could be described as “quality”. Rather than continue in abject failure, it is time for a change.
February 17th, 2013 at 10:34 am
I was just remembering how no one had a problem with VP Biden speaking to students at the Cypress Bay HS graduation last year yet Allen West can’t speak to a small group of parents without causing controversy. Let the double standard in Broward continue…..
February 17th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Biden doesn’t hurl insults and tell people to “shut the heck up”, and his speech wasn’t on a political topic like “liberal values” either.
February 17th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
I don’t recall VP Biden saying anything along the lines of …
1. “I must confess, when I see anyone with an Obama 2012 bumper sticker, I recognize them as a threat to the gene pool.”
2. “This is it. I’m going to count to five again, and if you don’t give me what I want, I’m going to kill you.”
-West to an Iraqi detainee, shortly before firing a “warning shot” a foot above the detainee’s head. (West left the military soon after.)
3. “The Democratic appetite for ever-increasing redistributionary handouts is in fact the most insidious form of slavery remaining in the world today.”
4. “If Joseph Goebbels was around, he’d be very proud of the Democrat party, because they have an incredible propaganda machine.”
5. “I believe there’s about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus.”
February 17th, 2013 at 9:18 pm
I do recall him saying…
“Look at what they value, ….. They’re going to put y’all back in chains.” –Joe Biden, speaking to a largely African-American audience in Danville, Va., Aug. 14, 2012
“Folks, I can tell you I’ve known eight presidents, three of them intimately.” –Joe Biden, Aug. 22, 2012
“I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now. … When one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. I would not be, at this point, if they had another way of transportation, suggesting they ride the subway.” –Joe Biden, providing handy tips to protect against the swine flu and freaking us out, “Today Show” interview, April 30, 2009
“Stand up, Chuck, let ’em see ya.” –-Joe Biden, to Missouri state Sen. Chuck Graham, who is in a wheelchair, Columbia, Missouri, Sept. 12, 2008
“An hour late, oh give me a f**king break.” –Joe Biden, caught on a live mic speaking to a former Senate colleague after arriving on Amtrak at Union Station in Washington, D.C., March 13, 2009 (Watch video clip)
February 18th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Every major public figure, including Joe Biden, accumulates over time a collection of well-intentioned misstatements; for example,
“I’m oftentimes asked, What difference does it make to America if people are dying of malaria in a place like Ghana? It means a lot. It means a lot morally, it means a lot from a — it’s in our national interest.” –George W. Bush, Accra, Ghana, Feb. 20, 2008
Here, Bush is comically asserting that it is in the US national interest to see many people die of malaria in Ghana, when obviously his intention was to say the exact opposite.
Situations such as this, while humorous, lack the crucial element of malicious intent. That is what distinguishes them from the situation with Allen West, where his letter was inarguably written with wholly malicious intent toward Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, calling her “vile, unprofessional ,and despicable,” “a coward,” “characterless,” and “not a Lady,” and demanding that she “shut the heck up.”.
February 19th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Allen West is so violent how could Runcie allows this to happen? West should be barred from any and all public event. I think we should start writing the School Board members to stop this nonsense forum
February 24th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
I ask how many of you were there last night? All of you that spew your ignorant hate, how many showed up? How many of you that care so much about your children, were there? I was. There were 39 people there. I counted two black family’s. One. Allen West could not have been more engaging, more talented, more amazing. To have achieved what he and his wife have achieved in life, is utterly astounding. From a poor home in Atlanta, Georgia, and his wife from a poor immigrant family in Jamaica, they ARE the role model for the entire nation, not just the black community. One Democrat Jamaican man stood up, and meekly said they he was shocked to hear what Allen West had to say. Shocked.
He espoused that our nation begins in the home. Education begins in the home. With discipline. The parents are the key. With 70% of all black homes being with one parent, therein lies the problem with black education. He could not have been more dead on with his speech, more eloquent, more kind, more loving to his country, his community, his family.
For all of you who posted the negative legalistic comments that you did above, where were you last night when he spoke? Get your head out of your rear…seriously. This is an American hero and should be lauded as such!
February 24th, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Further to the above, Allen spoke not one word about politics. Nothing. He is a class act and then some. One could have easily gave him a free ride if he would have mentioned something…..something, but nothing came up. It was about education, and frankly how his parents taught him respect. How the community teaches respect.
If you cared so much about the Broward School System, if this bothered you so dang much, where were you last night?
I challenge any person in attendance to deny the fact that this was one terrific experience, and ALL walked away with a sense of pride, and knowing what chores lie ahead in raising a child in Broward County.
Also, Angie West, with her two MBA’s, and a PHD, was simply beyond words eloquent, and yet told about the tall task of mothering. 60 hour weeks,reading and grading papers until midnight and beyond while still in her work clothes…this IS the American dream personified.
Where were you last night?
February 25th, 2013 at 10:28 am
>> This is an American hero and should be lauded as such!
My American heros don’t believe in torturing the innocent.
February 27th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Allen was great…Bravo to the teacher who invited him. They were discussing the kids who did not want to excel..to rise above and how they bash the kids who want to learn. Why do you talk like you do? You think your better than us? I then realized the liberal’s say the same thing to Allen…Uncle Tom…Oreo..It’s BS. Color over character. should be the other way around.
February 27th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
All you nasty blinded wimps who write this mindless stuff about Allen…Where were you???.If you care so much…You should have been there.
And I have said much worse about my congress woman DWS because she lies…a lot. Others in Congress concur but guess you don’t know about that. Some people can’t handle the truth.
February 27th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Meg… are you baked?
February 28th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Well ok in cooking terminology..I would say simmering in a cesspool of political correctness…and I am about to BOIL over…along with 49.06 percent of the population. We won’t bend over much longer. But your’e a genius..you should already know that.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Meg;
49.06?
We both know math’s not your strong suit…
March 5th, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Scuse me 47.2 … Not a land slide
and when you subtract the other geniuses that voted twice or more, then who knows what the real count is.
July 4th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
http://thehill.com/video/in-the-news/309155-allen-west-blasts-lady-gaga-for-defiling-national-anthem-with-home-of-the-gays-lyric
West raps Lady Gaga for ‘defiling’ anthem with ‘home of the gays’ lyric
By Judy Kurtz – 07/03/13 12:43 PM ET
Former Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is calling Lady Gaga’s rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner — in which she swapped the lyrics “home of the brave” for “home for the gays” — “reprehensible.”
The “Bad Romance” pop star is heard making the National Anthem lyrics change in a YouTube clip from a New York City gay pride rally held last week.
While waving a rainbow flag, the hit maker, a vocal supporter of gay rights, belts out, “Oh, say does that star-spangled flag of pride yet wave, O’er the land of the free, and a home for the gays.”
In a Monday Facebook post, West wrote, “Having served in the US Army for 22 years alongside some very brave men and women, I find Lady Gaga’s defiling of our National Anthem reprehensible.” […],
He ended his posting by writing, “She and all those who cheered her abomination should be ashamed and apologize to every serving and retired member of our Armed Services. […]