... I've got it! Crowley is operating under the massive delusion that it's 1915. And no one wants to correct him for fear that the shock would be too great.

Monique might be on to something, perhaps.

But I'm sticking with my original theory as to why nut-bags like Pat Crowley, who regularly make false assertions that are easily proven wrong, go unchallenged by the Union flock. There is but just one reason why: they are all just as dumb & simple-minded as Pat.

No really ...just listen to that crack Social Studies "teacher" from EP, Ms. Lawson, defend the disruptive actions of the Unions.

There is a reason why RI's students have such low proficiency in the three Rs despite the massive amount of money we throw at "education". One need only look who's doing the "teaching".

Astroturfing? I'm sure the teachers' union didn't have any of those there at the EP school committee meeting, did they? Heh. Is that one that falls under "takes one to know one"?

More like: Takes one to imagine one where there's none.

Great fiction Justin!
Keep it up and you're in line for a Pulitzer. Try jazzing it up a bit, maybe with Republicans as caped crusaders, fighting to define the American Way. OldTimeLefty

Leave it to The People's Elbow to bust out the Union = Stupid canard.
But then again, I might come to the same conclusion after smoking some Astroturf.

Justin,

I've noticed that no one is arguing against what you said on its merits.

Remember, Pat is an adherent of the radical leftist Saul Alinsky, who wrote "Rules for Radicals." Amongst a whole host of things he stated, was “The most effective means are whatever will achieve the desired results.”

Does not that describe Pat's tactless tactics to a "T"?

Here's a few more observations re Alinsky, which you can just as easily transmute to Pat and his tactics:

...Alinsky laid out a set of basic principles to guide the actions and decisions of radical organizers and the People’s Organizations they established. The organizer, he said, “must first rub raw the resentments of the people; fan the latent hostilities to the point of overt expression. He must search out controversy and issues, rather than avoid them, for unless there is controversy people are not concerned enough to act.” The organizer’s function, he added, was “to agitate to the point of conflict” and “to maneuver and bait the establishment so that it will publicly attack him as a ‘dangerous enemy.’” “The word ‘enemy,’” said Alinsky, “is sufficient to put the organizer on the side of the people”; i.e., to convince members of the community that he is so eager to advocate on their behalf, that he has willingly opened himself up to condemnation and derision.

But it is not enough for the organizer to be in solidarity with the people. He must also, said Alinsky, cultivate unity against a clearly identifiable enemy; he must specifically name this foe, and “single out” precisely who is to blame for the “particular evil” that is the source of the people’s angst. In other words, there must be a face associated with the people’s discontent. That face, Alinsky taught, “must be a personification, not something general and abstract like a corporation or City Hall.” Rather, it should be an individual such as a CEO, a mayor, or a president.

Alinsky summarized it this way: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it…. [T]here is no point to tactics unless one has a target upon which to center the attacks.” He held that the organizer’s task was to cultivate in people’s hearts a negative, visceral emotional response to the face of the enemy. “The organizer who forgets the significance of personal identification,” said Alinsky, “will attempt to answer all objections on the basis of logic and merit. With few exceptions this is a futile procedure.”...

Their eyes meet over their raised glasses of beer in a trendy downcity bar. A voice full of passion and urgency is faithfully recorded. Their mission is clear. Their road straight, well maybe not that straight. The forces of evil must be stopped at all cost. The Overlords and their minions are taking over the gentle people of East Providence. These vile things that pose by day as instructors of youth actually wish only to suck the lifeblood of the town until there is nothing left. Their true selves partially revealed at night when their bloodlust had them howling and snarling at a recent public meeting. But our heros were ready with fancy electronic devices and recorded the fantastical sounds. Their mission now is to convince the great sleeping masses that this threat is real and coming to their towns..if it's not already there. Our heros stand for awhile in the cold night air. It had been a wonderful evening except that there had been no oysters served at the bar. At least the perfect love of a struggling carpenter and a vice president of young republicans will provide wonderful memories after these dark days pass.

Pat Crowley, is no doubt a psycho. I think the masses are finally getting the game he and his ilk have been playing, and are fed up. Having been at the EP school committee meeting/riot, Pat Crowley and his minions were in full force terrorizing and putting down anyone who didn't see it their way. They were so low as to be taunting elderly, and being bullies to families who came who were in support of the school committee.

Finally a school committee that is not rife with conflict of interest who is going to look out for the taxpayer and the students. After all, it's supposed to be about the children, isn't it?

The obsession continues....