tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22040291.post4405126344844077468..comments2024-01-09T17:38:35.707-05:00Comments on This Old State: Charter school funding, and grammarUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22040291.post-16519580341910063722011-03-31T08:22:50.116-04:002011-03-31T08:22:50.116-04:00I didn't have any problem understanding the di...I didn't have any problem understanding the difference between "than" and "that", Jack! <br /><br />No story about charter schools and grammar would be complete, though, without mention of the recent reprehensible conduct by some of our fine pro-charter GOP legislators: http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2011/03/25/gop-lawmakers-mocks-students-in-charter-debate/<br /><br />Yes, these fine, upstanding elected officials took the opportunity to dissect some letters submitted by some Rutherford County elementary school students, and openly mock these children for minor grammatical errors via repeatedly-forwarded emails.<br /><br />Rep. John Blust (R-Greensboro) and Rep. George Cleveland (R-Jacksonville), and a legislative aide for Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Jefferson) openly made fun of these youngsters' efforts, singling out one child's use of "apart" instead of "a part". Sen. Debbie Clary (R-Shelby) jumped on the bandwagon, complaining about the tone and quality of emails and letters from schoolchildren. However, Sen. Clary said: "There’s a <b>misnomer</b> out there that the children are going to be educated by the government and therefore I have no responsibility as a parent". Ummmm...maybe she meant "misconception"?<br /><br />Perhaps Rep. Blust's own blog ( http://johnblust.blogspot.com/ ) has an item that could shed some light on the "Charter Commandos'" confusion between "than" and "that":<br /><br />"I also want to thank all those who voted for me! I will try to honor the trust your vote demonstrated in me by delivering better state government <b>that</b> you have seen the last few years!"<br /><br />Tsk, tsk, Rep. Blust. Maybe you could spend a bit more time proofreading your own material, and a bit <i>less</i> time ridiculing fifth-graders who are trying to get involved in their legislature.EuroCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12555177612188585387noreply@blogger.com