Commentary and Criticism about the National Education Association
We have absolutely no affiliation with the National Education Association and do not represent its views in any way, shape or form.
FAKE NEWS In the wake of last week’s school shooting in Florida, NEA President Garcia made the following claim: “Parents and educators overwhelmingly reject the idea of arming school staff.” Her basis for this bold statement? Well … actually, she didn’t give any. So the Anti-NEA Blog decided to do a bit of research to help her out. It didn’t take long to find a website containing recent polls dealing with gun issues. And the survey said? So, unless Garcia has access to some special information, she is simply peddling fake news here. CBS NEWS POLL (margin of error +/- 4%) To start with, consider the results of this CBS News Poll from February 20-22, 2018 "Do you favor or oppose allowing more teachers and school officials to carry guns in schools?" Favor – 44% Oppose – 50% Unsure/No answer – 6% Because the margin of error in this poll is +/- 4%, claiming that people “overwhelmingly reject” arming teachers is clearly a false statement. But it gets even worse. This same survey was run in 2017 and 2015. The results show that, over time, not only do fewer people oppose arming teachers, but more actually FAVOR ARMING TEACHERS. December 3-5, 2017 Favor – 40% Oppose – 56% Unsure/No answer – 3% October 21-25, 2015 Favor – 38% Oppose – 57% Unsure/No answer – 4% ITS THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, STUPID What IS “overwhelming” is that all of the polls are crystal clear about what really needs to be done. And its not more gun control. Take the ABC News/Washington Post Poll from February 15-18, 2018 (margin of error +/- 4%) "Do you think that mass shootings in this country are more a reflection of problems identifying and treating people with mental health problems, or inadequate gun control laws?" Mental Health – 57% Gun Control Laws – 28% Both – 9% Neither – 2% Unsure – 4% Another question from that same poll drives this issue home: "Do you think this event could or could not have been prevented by more effective mental health screening and treatment?" Could have been prevented – 77% Could not have been prevented – 16% Unsure – 7% Not convinced? Consider this CBS News Poll from December 3-5, 2017 (margin of error +/-4%). Once again, health care is the “overwhelming” issue. "Please tell me whether you think each of the following would do a lot … to help prevent gun violence?" Stricter gun laws – 41% Better Mental Health Screening and Treatment – 68% And finally, how about this Quinnipiac University Poll from November 7-13, 2017 (margin of error +/- 3%) "Which do you believe is a bigger cause of mass shootings? It is too easy to buy guns in the United States. OR, It is too difficult to get mental health care in the United States." Too easy to buy guns – 37% Too difficult to get mental health care – 52% Unsure/no answer – 11% CONCLUSION: Knave or Fool? As you can see, a quick review of recent polls proves that NEA President Garcia’s statement is false. If she is basing her claim on some other survey or knowledge that we are not aware of then it is incumbent upon her to provide this information if she wants to be taken seriously. Otherwise, the old expression fits well here. NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia is either a knave or a fool. I wonder … Could a fool get elected to be president of the NEA?
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October 2018
AuthorJonathan Smith - A New Jersey Public School Teacher who disagrees with the National Education Association. |