Get Schooled

By jim d

September 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Laura,

You’re kidding right?

Should Georgia step in and take over troubled school systems?

Isn’t that what it was all about? Create a problem so you can come up with a solution to make you shine!

By Rusty

September 4, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Noone should rescue Clayton schools. The “new demographic” voted in that whole political structure in 2004 based on nothing more than photographs on campaigne signs and look what it got them.They made that mess,let them clean it up or just let Clayton continue to spiral into a third world country.

By Phillippe

September 4, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

While I’m sure many will lamblast this as racist, Clayton County did this to itself by electing board members, etc. based solely upon race. If race is the most important criteria by which a county’s citizens are going to vote/elect their representatives, well, hoist with your own petard. Clayton county dug its own hole, let Clayton County dig itself out. Harsh on the kids? Yes, but those same kids parents are the ones who helped create this mess, and if others continual bail them out how will those parents and their kids ever truly learn to take responsibility for their actions.

By Atlanta Pearl Girl

September 4, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Since Clayton County ‘obviously’ cannot govern itself, I think it should be taken over and someone else do it for them.

People who are ‘qualified’ and don’t have ‘hidden agendas’……..

By Black Woman In Clayco

September 4, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Some of you are forgetting that everyone in Clayton did not vote for the misfits that trashed CCPS, and all of us did not vote based on race. Unfortunately we are outnumbered by the apathetic.

I guess those of us who did not vote these fools into office and are trying to work to make our system better should just go down in flames too, huh?

What about those of us who raised our children already, were actively involved in CCPS when it was a decent system and now own property here. We should just lose all of our property value because of other people, right?

Don’t lump everyone in Clayton into one category, we all did not vote these people in.

Furthermore, the children of this county had nothing to do with decisions adults made. They should not be made to suffer.

By Black Woman In Clayco

September 4, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Apologies - I said outnumbered by the apathetic in my first post, I meant outnumbered by the ignorant who do not vote based on qualifications but on race

By Regan

September 4, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

Take your kids out of the government school and spend more money in privite education. If no kids go to public school then no need to spend tax money on teachers, schools, and school baord problem solved. work hard and put you money where your mouth is and fix the problem yourselves.

By jojo

September 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Where will the money come from to bail Clayton County out of this??? And why should they be bailed out???? If they are working to fix it themselves lets see what they will do for their community! Do not even think about using MY tax dollars to fox their problems! My children’s school has kept their accreditation WITHOUT help from outside the county. If Clayton can’t fix their own problems then who’s fault is that?? NOT MINE!

By Why

September 4, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Good question. The first thing is a competent Board appointed by the State rather than elected. Elected will only repeat the current disaster and incompetence, which has been repeated thoughout the US, in local, city, county govt and threatens to occur at the national level….

By lwa

September 4, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

I read the SACS report and the problem with Clayton Cty. is the administration. I believe that if they get rid of the entire board and Superintendent, they they can obtain their accreditation next year.

What is the process for re-calling a board member? Can the citizens unite and start there? I wonder how many people have read the entire report and recommendations… and I don’t even live in the County.

By Dr. Craig Spinks

September 4, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Ask Inez Tenenbaum, former SC SSS, about the pitfalls of a state DOE’s taking over a local school system. As to the question of whom should rescue the CC public schools: How about the citizens of Clayton County? They let the system devolve to its present condition.

By Mark

September 4, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Here’s proof that blacks are inept at running anything but their mouths.

By Mark

September 4, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

This is a fine example that blacks are inept at running anything but their mouths.

By Tony

September 4, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Black Woman in Clayco use an excellent word to describe the social concerns that adversely affect education: Apathy.

Too many people simply don’t care enough about their own education to work hard and do their very best. This attitude gets passed down to children and the cycle continues.

As communities, apathy shows its ugly head when the people decide it should be someone else’s responsibility to take care of everything. Acting on one’s own behalf to improve the quality of life is the only way to assure a better outcome. Depending on others to take of you might get you a little help, but it won’t make a difference in the long run if you don’t do your part.

The best answer for Clayton County or any county is for the community to work together to improve the schools.

By Lee

September 4, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

“For the state to step in, a change must be made to the state constitution. Any amendment must be approved by the Legislature and voters. The earliest that could happen is November 2010.”

Two years hence. Thus, the question of whether the state should step in and save Clayton is rather moot, wouldn’t you say?

Clayton has met it’s enemy and found him to be staring back from the mirror. Clayton voters created the problem. Clayton voters should fix the problem.

By Christine

September 4, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Clayton County did this all at the voters hands. The county wanted a black run government let them have it. No bail out!!!!! You did, you fix it.

By Ernest

September 4, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The Clayco situation can negatively impact the metro Atlanta area and possibly the entire state from an economic development standpoint. We know where most of the blame lies with their current situation but we shouldn’t ‘cut off our noses to spite our face’ with remedies.

I believe the state should take over for a limited basis, appointing both a board and superintendent that can help right this ship. This could send the right message to the business community that might ‘entice’ companies to consider establishing or expanding operations in GA.

By Leia

September 4, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Mark - we got it the first time; you didn’t need to repost it! It’s not that clever or original or even accurate. But, I’m sure you were up all night working on it!

By Kiljoy

September 4, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

No one other than the citizens of Clayton County should “rescue” the school system. The problems in Clayton don’t have anything to do with the school board. The problems have to do with the citizens (particularly the parents) who refuse to accept responsibility for educating their children.

For the few who actually care about their children either move or demand the legislature enact vouchers so that your tax dollars follow your child and you are not a slave to a broken system that you alone are powerless to change.

By Disgusted

September 4, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

The answer is for the parent to never get involved with the school and vote only for one race and spend more money on tennis shoes and video games for the kids. The answer is to hire some idiot in a zoot suit that looks like a pimp who does not have a command of the English language to save you and then buy more expensive tennis shoes for the kids. Then run all the law abidding white people out of the area and fill those houses with people from Building C of the projects and then buy more expensive tennis shoes for the kids. Clayton County is a laughing sad joke for Georgia. Clayton County is the first shcool in Amercia in over forty years that was told you’re too dang stupid to run a school system and have a diploma mean anything. The biggest rub here for the good voters of Clayton County…they have no white men or a President to blame this on. Now, run out and buy more expensive tennis shoes.

By Mary Jane

September 4, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

I think the Clayton county should and will correct their own problems. If the state does need to rescue them, I don’t mind my tax dollars being used as long as it does not take away from what is allocated to my community. Perhaps that may equate to a minor increase. I would rather send my money there than to worry about them migrating to my community bringing that element into my children’s schools.
We have to think about the big picture. I want those kids to be educated in an accredited system which will broaden their future opportunities, making them less dependent on a system. The last thing they need is an excuse to drop out of school. Idle minded young people are the ones who break into our homes and cars, and commit other acts of violence.

By catlady

September 4, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

The state and DOE are among the least qualified to step in and “save” the CCS. I could give you a long list of reasons why.

By SAG

September 4, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

The only thing to do in regards to Clayton County is to simply avoid the area and hope to God that none of the people who ruined that area will move to your neighborhoods with Section Eight vouchers in hand. Is this a race issue? Hell yes it is and it was created and fostered by blacks and only blacks. Blacks wanted their own little dichotomy and now they have it. The fact that it turned into a big smelly pile of poop is no one’s fault but their own. What did you expect with the baffoons running the school board? Did you see them in action? Did you think you could elect people with such a below average IQ and actually survive and prosper? Who are you kidding? And as far as the students go, if they’re suh a bright lot then why were they at the bottom of the pile in the eight county metro area as far as SAT scores. They represent Clayton County well as the dumbest of the dumb. On the bright side, where else but in a Clayton County school can a student be the Valedictorian of a class with a 1.8 GPA ? Sonny, don’t waste your time on these people, they don’t deserve or want help…just a hand out. That’s what they grew up on, that’s what they will always expect. And….they’re all Obama supporters, what does that tell you? God save America !

By Larry

September 4, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

If the state is at the limit of its legal authority, wouldn’t this make NCLB sanctions unconstitutional under Georgia law?

By the gringo

September 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Clayton County must turn this around itself, without outside help. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Vote whitey/Asians into all 9 school board slots. Step 2: Let the new board begin to rebuild out of the ashes. Step 3: Become an involved parent

If the county does not do this, the school system will remain a complete disaster.

By The Awful Truth

September 4, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

School systems educate.

Experience is the best educator.

The people who elected the CCSB due to their race may have learned something from this experience.

If not they are stupid and will repeat it.

If Clayton County residents have to clean up their own mess, eventually they may learn that if they do not take responsibility for their own actions and community, no one will do it for them.

By alohagator

September 4, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

SAG posted - “where else but in a Clayton County school can a student be the Valedictorian of a class with a 1.8 GPA ?” Is that accurate? Did that really happen? If so, then screw them!

Anybody that stupid doesn’t deserve to be bailed out.

The voters did this to themselves. To hell with that cesspool of a county. Don’t expect my hard work and tax dollars to save them. Let ‘em drown.

By Shocked

September 4, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Wow, I can’t believe some of these comments. I live in Clayton County and I am appalled by these ridiculious comments. Please realize that you cannot lump everyone in the county into one huge category. People are different. Did anyone know the current board members would be incapable of fulfilling their duties? I don’t think so.

The question now needs to be what can we do about the situation from this point forward. And I say fire the entire board along with the overpaid, underworked “temporary” superindent that the stupid board gave full authority to despite the advice from the state appointed attorneys and hold a special election with specific qualification requirements to replace them all.

By jim d

September 4, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Excellent point Larry!! Very observant!!

Since one of NCLB’s fixes is the state taking control and the state can not do so without a constitutional change, I’d have to agree with your assumption that some of the NCLB sanctions are unconstitutional under Georgia law.

By the gringo

September 4, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Shocked - Of course people saw this coming. It’s called “white flight” that happened over the last 20 years. It became very obvious 5 years ago when the board got its first warning.

And people aren’t that different. The smart people all saw it coming and left a while ago.

The solution to the problem is what I said above, whether you like it or not.

By TheBlogger

September 4, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

For people that always seem to be ‘down’ about things, let’s think about it. What are the options here….

It is unfair to speak badly about the options unless you have another better option to offer.

By Pompano

September 4, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

The ClayCo School Board was presented with 3 Super candidates by their Search Firm - 2 Black & 1 White. They choose to only interview the 2 Black candidates - the white candidate was not even granted an interview. The current head moron was then selected.

The AJC never even commented on this. Reverse this scenario, Cynthia Tucker and Jay Bookman would have penned a dozen articles condemning the process. However, nary a peep from anyone.

I do feel sympathy for those like ‘Black Woman in ClayCo’ who were not a party to this mess. Perhaps Vouchers for Unaccredited systems only is their best option to flee this failed system.

By jim d

September 4, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Tail wagging the dog.

The state wins. Setting the stage for the educational future of this country. (pretty scary s**)

By VERITAS

September 4, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

CLAYTON COUNTY IS OBAMA COUNTRY !

WHITE FOLKS NEED NOT APPLY !

AN AFRICAN CURRICULUM IS NEEDED FOR THE CHILRENZ ! OUR CHILRENZ DON’T NEED NO GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS EDISON & ROBERT E. LEE IN THEIR STUDIES. THAT’S CRACKER HISTORY !

By Jake

September 4, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Clayton County created the mess and hired the disastrous new supervisor (onky meeting one of nine criteria he was hired to meet is a disaster), so they should fix the problems or live with the consequences. It’s called accountability and being responsible and is what adults in this country used to do.

By Dr. Craig Spinks

September 4, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

There’s a principal in Richmond County who gets his parents involved. But I’m not going to give his name to minimize the probability that another system will “steal” him away. Just kidding: Dr. Wayne Frazier at Tubman Middle. He talks the talk but, more importantly, he WALKS THE WALK!

By sharon

September 4, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Christine what you an Phillippe need to know is that a). we didn’t select this board based on race. If you look at their profiles all of them seemed qualified. When you cast a vote you are going by their campaign promises and speeches, you really don’t know what you’re getting. Presidential elections are a fine example of this. b)98 percent of the candidates on the ballots in clayton county were black, so it was not about race, it’s called working with what you have.So lets It enrages me that accreditation would be stripped based on an inept school board. I don’t think this would happen anywhere but Georgia.

By RJONES

September 4, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Fayette Co. has the best schools in the state. Clayton the worst. Hire Fayette Co. to run their school system. It will be an immediate turnaround, no waiting. But they will need the authority to discipline the students according to THEIR policies, not Clayton’s.

By JohnnyReb

September 4, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Yoyoyo dog! Clayton County is the arm pit of metro Atlanta. Like the City of Atlanta, Clayton is ran by incompetent shysters. The idiot voters/populace down there voted in most of the vermin, so let them deal with this mess on their own dime. My State tax dollars shouldn’t be squandered on handouts for the guttersnipes in ClaYOton county!

By MARCEL MARCEAU

September 4, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

By BoyRoy Barnes

September 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Clayton County is an OUTLAW county, from its law enforcement, elected government officials, to its idiotic school board. You can blame the poorly-educated electorate and its pan-African agenda. Where else could Eldrin Bell get elected !

By sharon

September 4, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

SAG you remind me of what is wrong with this country, it’s not “blacks” as you so venomously spewed. It’s rednecks like you that sit behind a computer waiting on your chance to type hateful and disparaging remarks. I can start the same name calling and race baiting about you and your kind, but I will refrain. As far as you throwing up Obama’s name, No how, No way will you ever be the man that he is. You fit right in with that klan rally that aired last night. What the h-ll kind of fantasy world you’re living in to think that your kind is flawless. You are one stupid MF

By sharon

September 4, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

SAG you remind me of what is wrong with this country, it’s not “blacks” as you so venomously spewed. It’s rednecks like you that sit behind a computer waiting on your chance to type hateful and disparaging remarks. I can start the same name calling and race baiting about you and your kind, but I will refrain. As far as you throwing up Obama’s name, No how, No way will you ever be the man that he is. You fit right in with that klan rally that aired last night. What the h-ll kind of fantasy world you’re living in to think that your kind is flawless. You are one stupid MF

By Elizabeth

September 4, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

First of all, what a racist comment! George Washington and Thomas Edison belong to AMERICAN history— that means everyone in America. If you do not wish to acknowledge that, than you are the one who is racist.

Second, if the state or anyone else steps in to rescue Clayton County from this mess, then a dangerous precedent is being set. Failure to follow SACS atandards has serious consequences for a reaon— so that the entire community will get it and step in to correct the problem. If the system is rescued or the sanctions removed by an outside entity, the inevitable will only happen again— not only in Clayton but in other counties who will look to the state to save them from mean old SACS. Schools are governed by local govenments not the state. Unless you are ready to let the state take over every system more than it already has, then the state needs to stay out of it and let Clayton fix itself.

Innocent poeple will suffer. That is unfortunate. But listening to the people of Clayton County as well as those in other systems and on this blog, I don’t think many of you get it at all. This is meant to be a positive first stp toward fixing what is wrong in Clayton County. Until people stop whining and turn their attention to what is really wrong and try to fix it AS A COMMUNITY OF PARENTS, EDUCATIORS, STUDENTS, ETC., nothing will change. To fix it you have to get it. You have to get what SACS is saying and understand why they did this and how serious it is. And from what I am hearing and reading most people don’t get it. All they want is a quick fix for students and teachers . Fixing things the right way will take time and effort that most people are not willing to give. This can be fixed in a year if those who are whining and comnplaining and threateneing to sue SAcS would stop, listen, and be productive in making the changes. But more energy is being spent whining about the injustice than in fixing the problem.

By CommunistAJC

September 4, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Who should rescue Clayton County? Umm. Those idiots got themselves in to this so they can get themselves out. First, they blamed whitey for all the problems and now look at the situation. Ha ha ha ha ha. Good luck morons!

By itamazesme

September 4, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

It is horrific how much hatred exist in the state of georgia. SAG while you are degrading children because of their failure with the SATs. Did you forget georgia is number 47 nationally? THAT STAT includes all COUNTIES. As citizens of georgia we should all be concerned about the educational plight of the children. Obama / McCain neither of them has anything to do with saving ourselves from paths of destruction educationally. Their are plenty of children who scored well on the SATS in all counties including CLAYTON. It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but we as citizens of Georgia need to be a part of the solution not a part of the problem and not use this message board as a platform for hate or presidentail politics. Can one really tell when a politician is being honest? A politician says and does whatever he can and has to in order to obtain office (black or white) I am sure people that voted didn’t know that once these people were in office they would mismanage everything. All boards have issues. I am sure if we all admit to ourselves outside of clayton that we too have been neglectful in fully knowing the candidates we have elected to boards. Furtermore, SAG, because of your seemingly hatred for those not of your race, I am sure that you have voted for people because they were white running against a black. What’s the difference? I read where there was manipulation going on with a group called MACE in Clayton County and that the head of this organization influenced the board. SAG were you aware that he is a white man by the name of John Trotter. He has been linked to members that were recently fired and members from some time ago. His negative influence is one of the problems, so does it make it better or worse that he is white? Everyday living is about race - down to candidates we elect as officials. It is up to us to reform and grow. As a state not point fingers county by county. In the end, it is about the children GEORGIA’s FUTURE!

By Shaquitta Jackson-King

September 4, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

We need an Afro-Centric approach to solving Clayton County’s problems.

Whoops! I think that’s why were in this mess !

Obama for CHANGE !

By PHJ

September 4, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Which school in Clayton County had the valadictorian with the 1.8 GPA? That shouldn’t be hard to verify.

By Star

September 4, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Wow!!! I can’t believe the comments on this blog. You all have got to be kidding me. I don’t believe that anybody any Clayton County is happy about this. But to say let them suffer…. That is so unbelievably selfish and racist of you. Because we happen to be a majority black county and the elected is black, why assume that people voted by race. First, I live in Clayton county, I voted in the election 4 years ago. I did not vote for the person in my district. I voted for the law enforcement officer who promised to protect and serve our children. Second,I went to most of the meet and greets and before another one of you say that people voted by race, there was not a caucasian running on any of the tickets for school board. Third, my child and none of the other children should suffer because ADULTS do not know how to govern themselves. I welcome intervention on behalf of the students; and yes vouchers would be welcome.

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

I went Clayton Skool and I be ok. Why we need dem yankee creditators anyway. We be gettin so black down here soon we gona be know as litle africa. Den we gona show tha world sompin else.

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

keep send n us dem white folk money down here. We be needn to buy us new cadylacs and such. Our kids not gona work anywhere any how why we even need a skool.

By sharon

September 4, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

PHJ there is no valedictorian with a 1.8 GPA. That’s a lie and this SAG person knows it. To all of you who find this to be a joking matter and an opportunity to show your racist pride be careful because we are punished and judged by our thoughts as well as out actions.

By Ebonica

September 4, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Da white fokes dun bust a move outta Clay’ton countee.

It be jus’t us colored foke to fend fo are selfs an we dont no whut to do on are own wit out whitey to look aft’r us

what be O’bama wen hiz peeples need ‘em

By SAG

September 4, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

First off Sharon when the button says ‘wait’ then wait, or you’ll post your nonesense drible twice. Let me guess, you attend a Clayton County school? Another thing Sharon, white people are tired of being the cause of all the spoils and ills of the black communities, very tired of it. Redneck? You idiot project dweller, go cash the welfare check my tax dollars gives you each month and thank a redneck that we support your worthless rearend, you daddy never did. Sharon, please keep all your criminal kids in your own county and never entertain the idea of coming into my neighborhood with your crime and apathy and wild kids. You all in CC couldn’t even have a high school football game last year without extra police at each Clayton Coutty game. Why don’t you clean up your mess down there and stay the hell out of my neck of the woods and vote another pimp in a shinny suit to save your dumb butts. In your case, I see a butt too dumb to save….you idiot.

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

we be spendn mo time down here making babies fo youse in noth atl to pay for. we need mo free clinics and udder free stuffs.

Obama gona get you white peopels money and gives it to us’ns

By sharon

September 4, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

SAG please learn how to spell county before you criticize. No, I do not attend schools in clayton county, nor do I live in the projects. I’m sorry to disappoint you. But if you would branch out of your trailer park once in a while you will discover that my people come in all socieconomic backgrounds just like yours. But since you rely on the television for your viewpoints you wouldn’t know this. The fact that you referred to your neighborhood as “neck of the woods” tells me all I need to know about you. I’m not goint to assume that all white people are as stupid and as racist as you. I figured out why you are so angry: you must have been rejected by the clayton county school system. I’m done with you. I refused to waist another second responding to a hillbilly.

By Debi

September 4, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

It’s often funny and sad that people use forums like this to make disparaging remarks about a race of people. If you truly want to discuss a dysfuntional administration, start with the Bush administration and then trickle down to the county level.

There are students from Clayton County who attend Ivy League colleges, not because of sports, but because their level of intelligence got them there.

The comments about Clayton County being an Obama County. You may be correct. Please know this though, Barack Obama and his wife have achieved more than the racist blogger will ever achieve-Right here in the America that at one time did it’s best to stop such things from happening. That’s the issue that bothers the racist posters on this forum the most.

By Abdulla Malik Jackson

September 4, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

I be da valladik’torian dat got da 1.8 grade poynt avrage in Clay’ton countee. I may’jerred in Afrikin-merican studies wit a miner ‘n ebon’ics. I be go’in to Mo’house to mayjerr in communa’tee organizi’n like O’bama.

By The Truth

September 4, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to bring race into this but Clayton had an excellent school system before the “change now” crowd came in. They made the bed so let them sleep in it.

By jake

September 4, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Sharon …….. your use of the word “waist” is not quite accurate in context of that last sentence …… fyi.

By Mark

September 4, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Leia Sorry for the repost ms. Perfect. But my point was made, and it’s true. You blacks could screw up a one man parade.

By Mark

September 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Who is Jack Wheeler.

Jack Wheeler is a brilliant man who was the author of Regan’s strategy to break the back of the Soviet Union with the star wars race and expose their inner weakness. For years he wrote a weekly intelligence update that was extremely interesting and well structured and informed. He consults(ed) with several mega corporations on global trends and the future, etc. I think he is in semi-retirement now. He is a true patriot with a no-nonsense approach to everything. He is also a somewhat well known mountain climber and adventurer.

Written by Dr. Jack Wheeler

The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world works, no balls, nothing but abstract empty rhetoric devoid of real substance.

He has no real identity. He is half-white, which he rejects. The rest of him is mostly Arab, which he hides but is disclosed by his non-African Arabic surname and his Arabic first and middle names as a way to triply proclaim his Arabic parentage to people in Kenya . Only a small part of him is African Black from his Luo grandmother, which he pretends he is exclusively.

What he isn’t, not a genetic drop of, is ‘African-American,’ the descendant of enslaved Africans brought to America chained in slave ships. He hasn’t a single ancestor who was a slave. Instead, his Arab ancestors were slave owners. Slave-trading was the main Arab business in East Africa for centuries until the British ended it.

Let that sink in: Obama is not the descendant of slaves, he is the descendant of slave owners. Thus he makes the perfect Liberal Messiah.

It’s something Hillary doesn’t understand - how some complete neophyte came out of the blue and stole the Dem nomination from her. Obamama nia is beyond politics and reason. It is a true religious cult, whose adherents reject Christianity yet still believe in Original Sin, transferring it from the evil of being human to the evil of being white.

Thus Obama has become the white liberals’ Christ, offering absolution from the Sin of Being White. There is no reason or logic behind it, no faults or flaws of his can diminish it, no arguments Hillary could make of any kind can be effective against it. The absurdity of Hypocrisy Clothed In Human Flesh being their Savior is all the more cause for liberals to worship him: Credo quia absurdum, I believe it because it is absurd .

Thank heavens that the voting majority of Americans remain Christian and are in no desperate need of a phony savior.

His candidacy is ridiculous and should not be taken seriously by any thinking American. Pass this on to every thinking American you know!

By sharon

September 4, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Jake, I stand corrected (waste). I was typing in anger. Very good points Debi. A very large of number of students from Clayton county attend Georgia Tech on academic scholarships. A student from Mount Zion’s class of 2008 recieved the Gates Millenium scholarship. Millions of dollars in scholarships were awarded to students in Riverdale, North Clayton and Mt. Zion’s 2008 graduating classes.

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

I be greeing wid Debi. We done gots sum kids into ivey skools. Wid firmative actions we gona take over dem Harvads and Yells and suches. We be gona send are litle ol valamicdorian up yonder ways.

By Rusty

September 4, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Debi,you go girl.When all else fails…Altogether now..”It’s all Bush’s fault.” So typical. “John Wayne Mccain and The Killa from Wassila” 08’!

By Jesse Jackson

September 4, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Debi,

Obama is half Caucasian. That must be where he gets his intelligence and determination. It sure isn’t from the sperm donor from Africa who knocked up the white mother and took off, leaving young Barack to be raised by a white mother and grandmother.

By Long gone

September 4, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

I will admit that I lived in Clayton for 40+ wonderful years but had to leave quickly once things changed on the school board. I did not leave because I did not like black people as I had great neighbors who happened to be black. I still cannot figure out whey they had to change things so radically except that they had racist intent. I miss Clayton badly but cannot live in such a hate filled racist county with my children. If you want racism to end start by not helping Clayton out of their mess. Helping them only reinforces their mean spirited racism.

By jake

September 4, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Sharon …… I can full well understand why you were typing in anger …….

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

wen Obama-momma take over usn’s in America gona be jus like our brudas and sistas in Nigeria and Haiti. Clayton Cowty gona be leedn da way. Are liddle valafictorion probly be a doctar o sumptin by din.

By SAG

September 4, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Debi, blame Bush. Classic. How Jesse of you. My God you woman, did they just pull you off a roof in New Orleans? Were they able to save your 40 oz malt liquor and your scratch off lottery tickets too. I hope they were. Why don’t you go and pick up Sharon and you can protest. Before you go around praising Obama realize one thing, he’ll be the end to your free rides and gimmes. Since he and his wife claim they received the education they have without affrimative action or race based quotas, he may expect you to do the same. Imagine a black that has and expects lofty goals for other blacks? Can you handle this Debi? Can you, really? Think about it…no headstarts, no free rides; you are judged only on your performance merits and not skin tone. No Bell Curve. You couldn’t handle it, never.

By Mark

September 4, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

I knew most of you would have had a hard time reading my last post, so I typed it real slow so all of you could read it. I have a copy of it in ebonics. Just axe, and I’ll get a copy to you.

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one that thinks Sandra Lee on the Food Network has an incredible rack?

By Mike D

September 4, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Maybe Obama will parden and then send Kwame K down to help the good peoples of Clayton County.

By jake

September 4, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

I like racks …..

By JUNE_BABY

September 4, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

if blacks people are so dumb, and white are so smart, why are there so many trailer parks??? why are some of these rural counties so poor. why are there so many bigots(if you’re smarter than everyone, theres no need to feel threatened. a lot of you wanted to punish certain blacks, by kicking them out of their homes and neighborhoods, so you could gentrify those neighborhoods. where did you expect them to go?? remember you can run, but you can’t hide! the white birth rate has dropped way down, but not the black or hispanic’s!! the way you’ve treated people in the past is how you will be treated in the future!!!!! remember that! lol i’m only kidding, blacks never hold grudges against white people, we’ve been forgiving y’all for 400 years of oppression, and we’ll continue to forgive you in the future!! we don’t hold grudges against entire races.

By Ms. Writer

September 4, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Mark - you are clearly a racist that is overcompensating for something, who knows what that is? Ignorance knows no color, ask your idiot president Bush.

By American

September 4, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

If Obama gets elected President, can we put to rest the following:

(1) Affirmative Action

(2) Slavery Reparations

(3) Miss Black America

(4) BET

(5) Kwaanza

(6) MLK Holiday

With President Obama, could we finally move forward as a country ?

Unlikely.

By Ms. Writer

September 4, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

The headline of AJC.com indicated a week or so ago that whites will be the new minority. Oh how things change. It’s interesting that when whites mate with other races, the gene basically disappears. White women love black men. White men love Asian women. It’s all so interesting. I guess you guys are just trying to protect your blood. lol.

By the gringo

September 4, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Hmmmm.

Your race gets disparaged because everyone else is tired of footing the bill. And now we guess that the state will probably come in and use our tax dollars to save the school system you screwed up. More money out of our pockets to pay for your stupidity.

The whites are racist? I don’t think so. Look at how Clayton got in this predicament. Racist blacks made sure that the government would be black, no matter how underqualified the black candidates were. A few years later, it’s a complete mess to nobody’s surprise.

Do you see why some people are laughing? You did this to yourselves. You should fix it yourselves. But you can’t and everyone knows it. Which is why the state will probably come in and blow our tax dollars saving the unsavable. Because you’ll call Perdue racist if he doesn’t.

The best thing he could do is turn his back on you and say that it’s a local matter. But he probably won’t.

By nypeach

September 4, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

my fiance considered buying a house in Clayton County last week. I gave him an ultimatum: find a house in a different county or we are through. I wouldn’t send my dog to a CC school, so forget about sending my kid to one. And while we are on the topic, I am disappointed with ALL Georgia schools. My daughter is in a middle school high achievers program and I STILL have to give her extra work. She’s not a genius, just not challenged. Georgia education standards pander to the slowest and the lowest. As a black woman who has lived in several states, I can honestly say that the entire state’s educational system needs to be brought into the 21st century. For you whites/Asians who think Clayton County is the only problem, think again. Your kids wouldn’t last a day in a Northeast classroom. and please save the “go home Yankee” rhetoric for another day.

By Mark

September 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Check out the Clayton Co. jail docket. Pictures are worth a thousand words…

By JohnnyReb

September 4, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

SAG & Mike D….ROTFLMAO!!!! Ya’ll are hilarious!!! Nothing better than the hard cold truth & un-PC humor to rile up the pinko, bleeding heart candy@$$es! :-)))

By Rusty

September 4, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Ms.Writer, nice try at distorting the article.The article stated that at some point,(I believe it was within the next 50 years)that whites would no longer make up the majority of the population. That doesn’t mean they would be a minority. That same article had the black population relatively unchanged with Latino’s experiencing the major growth and that’s ONLY if nothing’s done about the illegal invasion. Nice try though, but I’m guessing everyone reading this,read the same article and knows how the stats were broken down.

By the gringo

September 4, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Hey Laura Diamond -

You are assuming that Clayton County schools are worth rescuing! Let the residents of Clayton County rescue their own school system! I’m sure that’s what you meant to write.

By jake

September 4, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Mark …… post a link

By Nostradamus

September 4, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

When Whitey does become a minority in this country, or whats left of it, second only to the growing Hispanic population, guess who will be a distant THIRD?

Trust me, the Hispanics won’t be forming any coalitions with the so-called “African Americans”. If you think things were rough under Whitey, guess again.

When Whitey feels threatened, Whitey packs up and leaves. You’ll be at the mercy of a new massa !

Comprende ?

By Try Not to Hate

September 4, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

No, the State should not bail the county out. As much as I feel for the children, the state should not bail out the county. That is why we vote in our local governments. As long as you don’t pay for your mistakes, you will never learn from them. I also think that you should get government benefits once in your lifetime. The benefits last 5 years and you must go through job training and budgeting to get assistance. After your time is up, you are cut off. No willing your housing vouchers, teaching your children how to work the system, etc… But, I guess this is for another blog. Just saying, if you always bail people out, they never learn.

By catlady

September 4, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Stay on topic, folks. Most of this stuff should be posted in Wooten’s blog.

The state DOE is unable to run itself, much less a school system with multiple layers of problems. For example, look at the long list of screwups the DOE has pulled in the last 5 years. And it isn’t getting any better.

And as for other arms of the state? I cannot think of a single one that isn’t screwed up or “on the take,” so forget that being a source of help.

No matter who “runs” the CC schools, the people of the county hold the keys to fixing it. The BOE and other county offices are only a symptom of the problem; they are not the problem themselves. Imposing martial law won’t solve the problems; the citizens, especially parents, are the ones who have the power to solve the problems, both by the people they elect, the policies they support, and the children they send to school.

By Historicus

September 4, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Most Caucazoids are not adaptive to people of color. They will move, take their money with them, and form an all-white enclave. The remainder of the country, led by Hispanics, will also be segregated or Balkanized; with Blacks having their own turf. This new non-white led country will quickly evolve into a 3rd world ghetto, and be subjected to numerous revolts from within, and attacks from the outside, eventually capitulating, thus ending the dream and promise of a nation founded by slave owners in 1776.

By Michael

September 4, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

You cannot save Clayton County. It is a black County now and the voters there will just elect another crop of Democratic bozos next election. NO STATE MONEY FOR UNCREDITED SCHOOLS!

By HS Teacher

September 4, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

I believe in Local control. I think those who broke it should fix it. As a tax payer and employee in Clayton Co for many years, it is sad to see how low it has sunk. For almost 30 years, I have taught children; knowledge has no color boundary.

When DD graduated from MHS it was one of the top 25 HS in the whole state of GA. Now, it is one of two HS in the county that gained; modestly, on the SAT.

As a resident of District 9 I hope someone who really cares runs; not someone who want power and authority like our last BOE member.

So, folks—vote, and if you have not been voting, you have no reason to complain.

By formerCCPStchr.

September 4, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

This is a problem created by the voters of the county. Demographics has nothing to do with it. Look at recent elections countywide. The county has elected at least two white candidates to posts held by African-Americans in recent years. The problem arose when board candidates, backed by MACE, ran slick campaigns with lots of pictures and signs everywhere. Noone knew who else to elect. They went with who they saw on a sign without understanding where the money came from to print all those nice signs.

Now that the truth is out and the county has paid the ultimate price, they alone have to take the blame and the initiative to elect qualified, truthful candidates whose main goal is to serve the position fairly, publicly, and without hidden agendas or personal political gain. This will take months, but the end result will be an improvement over what they had. Several candidates are former employees of the system who knew what it was like to work for a dedicated, progressive school system. They have the ability to work to help restore the system. Be patient, be careful, and vote only after careful study of the candidates. There’s nothing else the state can do anyway.

The rest of us should pray that they take the time to do it right this time…

By thomas

September 4, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

When I first saw the link to this blog on AJC.com, my first thought was “oh my God, can they let this go already?” This is one dead horse.

Then I went to Get Schooled and saw that 89 people had commented on the topic by 7:00 PM. Usually when that many people (many are strangers to Get Schooled) comment on a topic, it is from folks who have something negative to say. I was right this time, too.

This is one hateful nation. It saddens me to know that we have so many people with hate in their hearts. The “crisis” in Clayton was manufactured by outside forces who have the intention of destroying Clayton County. What we have here now is roaches coming out of the sewer to spew vomit against an entire community and race of people. I would NEVER be so ignorant as to use the kind of gutter slurs that I have seen here used today.

BTW, what does the “crisis” in the Clayton County School System (which focuses on the school board ALONE) have to do with all black people? Why does race have anything to do with it?

As for the comment about this problem being the community’s fault because the people they voted in happened to be black, so what? My community is almost all white and it almost always vote for people who happen to be white. Does that mean that when somebody on this county’s school board is cited for being incompetent, I and my fellow citizens are to blame? People who are of the same group as the communities they serve are often chosen for leadership roles. It doesn’t matter if they are black, white, Jew, gentile, conservative, liberal, gay, straight, Christian or Muslim.

In an Hasidic community in New York, you would probably see a Jew being elected to town council. In a Latino community in Texas, you would probably see a Latino elected to the school board, and in a conservative, white town, a white would probably be elected mayor. That is life in this world. So please permit these people to exercise the same choices that you and I have made. If there is a problem with the Clayton schools, let’s deal with the schools and leave the citizens and children out of it.

By the gringo

September 4, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Thomas -

Kwame Kilpatrick - Detroit Marion Barry - DC Ray Nagin - New Orleans Bill Campbell - Atlanta etc etc etc

This is what happens when a mostly black area elects an all-black government. Utter failure, total corruption. Every time. Whites know this and move the hell out way before the whole thing implodes. Sorry to see you haven’t learned your history. Or perhaps you are the most naive person here.

We aren’t hateful, just angry that our tax dollars will once again be misspent cleaning up another very preventable mess.

By YourSadness

September 4, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

F* all you people who are saying that we don’t need help!! Think about us students, we need all the help that we can get. AND FYI, it wasn’t Clayton County who F-ed up it was the School Board. They shouldn’t take our priveleges away because of that simple reason.

By TheBlogger

September 4, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Could someone please tell me how an education blog about a school system in GA loosing accreditation turns into a blog about national politics?

I am very sad for GA.

By Happy

September 4, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

It doesnt matter what you think about the people in CC or the County itself or if you think your county is better, The main focus should be on the kids!! They deserve better and they didnot ask for this.So YES, the state should take over.

By Joy

September 4, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Yes the people of CC did vote these people in, hoping that they will do there job!! You cant predict what people are going to do when you vote them in. If that was the case, I am sure Bush wouldnot be President today!! NOBODY can see into the future. Dont judge, think of what the kids and how they fill!!

By Mj

September 4, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

After reading some of the comments in this blog, i see why Georgia Schools System is alway last. Come together for once, for the kids!!

By set stipulations

September 4, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

If the state does come in, they should come in and clean house. A kick a* no-nonsense guy in charge. Nine whites or Asians at the board level. Whites/Asians in every principal slot and every department head at every school. They will have accreditation back by March.

Kids who don’t pass the CRCT get held back, period. No social promotion whatsoever. Do it on merit or get thrown out of the system. If they are trady/absent too much, expel them permanently.

As a STATE taxpayer, my dollars would be used in this stupid bailout. So if it happens, I want the idiots out and the state in complete control. I don’t care how politically incorrect it might look. Send a message that if you screw up this bad, you lose all control.

This plans works best for the kids and teaches the moron parents a lesson about who you should vote into office.

By sue

September 4, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

We do need help on a temporary basis. The state needs to appoint a temporary board and superintendent until we can have a special election and vote for a new board who will then pick a new super. We have to stop anymore damaging decisions being made with who is in charge now because it will still take some time to have the elections and vote for a new board. I believe that we can turn this around but to do it legally takes time, time that we don’t have. Not everyone in CC asked for this and there are a lot of us that are truly working to try to fix it. A lot of what happened is that votes were bought by the likes of the Scott’s and Victor Hill. Voting in CC is a good example of why we need specific voter ID’s. It also happened because people gave up and ran away instead of staying to fight for what was right. They too put their own interests first.

By Reality hurts

September 4, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately the children are impacted by the total failure of those entrusted to protect them. The State needs to take and maintain control with a school board selected based on ability and not color, else Gringo’s 8:07pm posting above occurs and the cycle repeats….

By kl

September 4, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

I LIVE IN CLAYTON COUNTY AND MY DAUGHTER IS IN THE 11TH GRADE AT A CLAYTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, MY HUSBAND TEACHES AT A CLAYTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, SPECIAL ED AND THE MAJORITY OF HIS STUDENTS ARE WHITE. MY DAUGHTER HAS A 4.2 GPA, SHE IS AN ELITE SCHOLAR, IN THE BETA CLUB, ON NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY,PRESIDENT OF THE DECA CLUB, A CHEERLEADER FOR HER SCHOOL, AN ALLSTAR CHEERLEADER, PRESIDENT OF A BOOK CLUB HAS ALREADY RECIEVED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR COLLEGE, A DUAL ENROLLED STUDENT, AND I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND I DARE ANY OF YOU TO DOWN GRADE OR INSULT ME ARE MY COUNTY. GA IS A REPUBLICAN STATE WITH A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR AND A REPUBLICAN HAS CAUSED FOR NOT ONLY CLAYTON COUNTY RESIDENTS TO PAY ALMOST $4 FOR GAS BUT THE WHOLE STATE. SO WHEN YOU SAY ITS A BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE TELL ME WHY THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS THE HIGHEST ITS EVERY BEEN, AND LAST I LOOK WHITE PEOPLE ARE UNEMPLOYED ALSO, TELL ME WHY THE FORECLOSURE RATE IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND ITS NOT JUST IN CLAYTON COUNTY. ALL OF TH REASONS THAT SACS HAS GIVEN HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STUDENTS AND, THERE HAS BEEN MANY SCHOOL BOARDS THAT HAVE DISAGREED AND HAVE EVEN BEEN JAILED FOR STEALING, IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN COBB OR GWINETTE THIS BLOG WOULD NOT BE HERE THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE, STUDENTS AND CITIZENS IN CLAYTON COUNTY AND WE WILL GET OVER THIS AND COME OUT ON TOP! WITH ARE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE THIS TO SHALL PASS!!!!

By Jim

September 4, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

HEY WHITE PEOPLE…..I’m a Black man and let me say you’re not racist if you think Blacks brought this upon themselves. If my kid has to have emergency surgery, I’ll take the best surgeon I can find and I don’t care what race he/she is. Blacks brought this nightmare on themselves. Now the board was stacked with so called “strong Black woman”…..and just look what happened. I don’t want to live in Clayton County. Blacks can’t govern themselves. The ones who are good leaders, like Steele or Maryland are called sell-outs. They are lost. Smart Americans will just fend for themselves. You can’t carry Blacks, illegals, and poor whites forever.

By Tori

September 4, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

I really feel sorry for the kids. Everyone is just saying bad things about Clayton County but the whole state of Georgia needs to improve. Being number 47 is nothing to talk about, The state of Georgia needs to improve.

By Tori

September 4, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

I really feel sorry for the kids. Everyone is just saying bad things about Clayton County but the whole state of Georgia needs to improve. Being number 47 is nothing to talk about, The state of Georgia needs to improve.

By Invisible

September 4, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing that in 2008 everything is still about black or white. I have family members that are products of Clayton county schools and they are very productive citizens. One is a Doctor, one is a proud owner of a web design company and computer repairs and 2 others that are high ranking officers in the military. It’s shocking to read the stupidity that some of you write about. All black people should not be catagorized as people that can’t govern themselves just like all whites can do know wrong. I run a very well run and profitable $3 million a year business and I only have white employees for me and you would believe how many diapers I have to change on a daily basis. It’s time out we stop looking at black and white and start see each other as people. Their is only one man that can judge and we all will meet him oneday!!!!

By Invisible

September 4, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing that in 2008 everything is still about black or white. I have family members that are products of Clayton county schools and they are very productive citizens. One is a Doctor, one is a proud owner of a web design company and computer repairs and 2 others that are high ranking officers in the military. It’s shocking to read the stupidity that some of you write about. All black people should not be catagorized as people that can’t govern themselves just like all whites can do know wrong. I run a very well run and profitable $3 million a year business and I only have white employees for me and you would believe how many diapers I have to change on a daily basis. It’s time out we stop looking at black and white and start see each other as people. Their is only one man that can judge and we all will meet him oneday!!!!

By Rei

September 4, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Wow! It seems some of you are using this situation to spew venom acquired form other events in your lives. I am a black woman who knows for sure that not all black people vote by color. It appears that enough pple in Clayton may actually have done this. But pls be fair. Families and teachers did work together to get the schools on track and many pushed to dismiss that mess of a board once admin and protocal problems surfaced. That said, the problem must be fixed w/in Clayton. Let the state appoint a board and the citizens work to teach their kids in clayton. They shouild not burden another system. Besides, monies are already allocated to schools for the children seated on the 10 day count. Transfers will have to come with big money. The kids may have to register w/online schools while attending in Clayton to receive a valid diploma.

By Rei

September 5, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

Ok, people . Think more and rant less. Don’t get to happy about the whites being in the minority promise. That was also the case on the plantation. White folks with American History should realize that the dumb , silly, procrastinating no reading, no talkin, material possessed negro is a product of a system your grandaddy’s put in place just for those of African decent. To think you could hold people forever in physical chains was your short-sided thinking. Many black people still have chains on their spirits. They still dont trust you and have learned the lessons that you, whitey, mandated for all. Clayton County is going through growing pains as every race and religion will suffer. hopefully they will be an exampl to us all. The world can learn for this situation. Get schooled in school and then complete your education in the world. Vote according to qualifications and always do a bit more than is expected of you. Have only the children you can feed, clothe, TRAIN and provide good experiences for. Volunteer when you can and provide for yourself at every opportunity. this is the way to leave responsible ofspring capable of making the world, if nt better , than no worse for the wear. When you make a mistake (Clayton) suck it up, accept the consequences and do what you must to rectify the situation. No matter who the President is. Besides, most of us are so far down the totem pole that we are just barely affected by their decisions. If you are, your hand is probably stuck too far out for much too long. Peace

By Jana

September 5, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

I feel the situation in Clayton County is a terrible pill to swallow for the students attending school there. I do believe, unfortunately, that many Blacks are inept in leadership rolls, and while there are many qualified individuals in that county, it is obvious none of them were interested in becoming board members. However, as was posted above, the voting community, regardless of race, can only vote for those candidates on the ballot. The situation cannot be shoved aside and labeled “Black county problem” because it has created a domino effect, and will ultimately affect many Georgians. This is not just a local issue, but has made national news, and certainly does nothing to eradicate the belief, in other parts of the country, that southerners are lazy and/or stupid, as well as racist. It definitely depicts Blacks most unfavorably. Whatever the community, city, and/or state needs to do to rectify this mess, needs to be done in a timely manner, not only to preserve the educational futures of those students, but also to give Georgia a better image.

By Ms. Writer

September 5, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

Jana, your ignorance is unnerving. You are attributing lack of leadership skills to an entire race. So, if you are white should we attribute that to your sense of entitlement and superiority or your sense of raping every culture to make a hodge podge for your own. Ignorance knows no color, but because you fall, like most idiots do, for media hype, you are now no better than the KKK and other white supremacist groups.

By George

September 5, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this

.

Well Said, Jana …

This sadly reminds me of so, so many other similar situations … Countless Examples of Inept “leader-ship” by members of the “community” and their “peoples” …

Is it any wonder there is racism … ? .

By Kelly

September 5, 2008 4:03 AM | Link to this

I usually don’t comment on this blog, but, as a Clayton County citizen and homeowner, I am moved to do so. Racist comments aside, I am against the state of Georgia offering a lifeline to our school system. I am a HUGE advocate of personal responsibility. Even though I wasn’t here when the fiasco first started to emerge, as citizens, it is up to us to fix the mess we made! I chose to purchase a home in this county in late 2004 and voted in the 2006 and 2008 elections. So, I too, must be a part of the solution. People tend to be more appreciative when they have to obtain things for themselves. The more we appreciate what we earn, the harder we’ll work to retain it. So Rei, I agree with you wholeheartedly. The state’s involvement should extend no further than appointing a board to serve until a new board can be properly trained, using Clayton’s tax dollars. Resources should not be stripped from the rest of the state.

I’m not making these comments to pacify anyone. I’ve just seen too much apathy on the part of fellow citizens to stay silent. What outsiders don’t know is that there are organizations (more than one) in this community that tried to offer support to the Clayton County Board of Education and to county level administrators that work in the system and repeatedly, doors were either slammed in our faces or we were given the run-around. One organization even approached Dr. Elgart (from SACS) directly because of the lack of positive response and support received from county level officials when we expressed a desire to work with them to save accreditation. The AJC wasn’t privy to this b/c the decision was made by some organizations not to involve them, but to keep the issues on a local level.

Yes it is unfortunate for the students; and yes, it’s easy for me to say b/c I don’t have children; but, the lack of involvement from their own parents created this mess. Whoever stated this earlier, along with the person who commented on taking a look in the mirror hit the nail on the head! Clayton citizens, stop blaming the board. We put them there either by our votes or our lack of participation in the voting process, board sessions and lack of involvment in PTA. B/f this whole SACS issue came about, attendance at work sessions and board meetings was sparse. Most of the major decisions aren’t made at board meetings, but at the board work sessions (not to be confused with executive sessions, which aren’t open to the public). That’s where people/ special interest groups need to go to have their voices heard! Residents of north Fulton and north Dekalb know this and come together - organized- to utilize it.

The whole situation really saddens me because the students and teachers aren’t to blame. They’re the only two parties not involved in the decision making process. Teachers have to do what administrators tell them to.

I apologize, because I didn’t intend for these comments to be this long, but, I had a lot to say…and to those who are just itching to know, even though it’s irrevalent, I am African American.

By inou

September 5, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this

If the schools spent as much time on teaching the three R’s as they do Black History month, MLK’s birthday month, and blaming Whites for all their ills, the kids might actually learn something.

By spankmonkey

September 5, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this

I guess some of you don’t remeber, at least one person here does… But all this mess started with a white man, like 8 years ago. John Trotter, look it up. He was the man behind the curtains of the CC BOE for the longest time and his shenanigens are what caught the eye of SACS, and prompted probation a few years ago. For some reason, he’s still involved behind the scenes there. A white man, acting black, (kinda like 80% of the HS kids these days)

By L

September 5, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

Why on earth does everyone want to make this about race. I live in clayton and I cannot beleive some of these posts. Laura I am sure you guys have heard this before and I will say it again, your paper promotes ingnorance and racism on a daily with these ridiculous blogs. Hell I read one the other day that was about the music that Michael Plelps listens to prior to swimming and when the good old white bread’s found out he listens to rap the blog went crazy with racial slurs. This is the main reason why I rarely look at these blogs. Most of what I have read here is offensive and stereotypical. I am a black female and I am educated. I am not on welfare and I do not put any materialistic items over the education of my child. Luckily for me my kid is only in elementary school and is not really affected by this loss of accreditation, but the attacks on Clayco are ridiculous. No one could have ever predicted that this would have happened. That’s like persecuting everyone who voted for George W. We have lost men and women in a sensless war which to me is far more serious than a group of idiots who went on a power trip on a school board. I agree they are idiots, they messed up majorly and should be ashamed and removed. Now it is time for the County to get it together and rise up from this mess, not the state.

Also I’d like to mention that the entire state of GA ranks almost dead last in graduation rate as well as SAT scores, so please spare me. The rest of you got a bunch or idiots at home in your county as well, you just haven’t lost accreditation….YET.

By crabapplejoe

September 5, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

ToL: GA may rank “almost dead last in graduation rate as well as SAT scores” but thats because of the demographics similar to Clayton County. Up here in North Fulton we have schools that perform well above the national average. Why is it that seven of the top ten high schools in Georgia (SAT scores) are in North Fulton? Its the demographics. And we would never elect baffoon school officials that would appoint a pimp as our school superintendant. You fools let this man be appointed even after the accreditation board said it would be a bad idea. But you got what you wanted…a “black” official. You and your kids will have to live with your stupid decisions and life-styly choices.

By L

September 5, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

To Crabapplejoe, you really should get your facts straight the demographics of the state of Georgia are mostly white. Minorities are only the majority in the metro area i.e. Atlanta. The small percentage of minorities in this state are not bringing the entire state. And that is wonderful that in North Fulton you have a great school system, you have capable, and talented leaders. The fact that they are white is not the reason they are as such. People are people. There are whites who aren’t about spit as well as blacks, hispanics, asians, and indians.

As far as John Thompson is concerned trust I was not happy with that selection. And I am not concerned with what color the official is he could have been white for all I care. STOP PUTTING EVERYONE INTO ONE STEREOTYPE. Trust that no school board or any other official will affect the education and upbringing of my child. The most important lessons a child learns are at home, they can be in the best school system ever and if the parents aren’t about spit then the child won’t be about spit either.

By L

September 5, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

To Crabapplejoe, you really should get your facts straight the demographics of the state of Georgia are mostly white. Minorities are only the majority in the metro area i.e. Atlanta. The small percentage of minorities in this state are not bringing down the entire state. And that is wonderful that in North Fulton you have a great school system, you have capable, and talented leaders. The fact that they are white is not the reason they are as such. People are people. There are whites who aren’t about spit as well as blacks, hispanics, asians, and indians.

As far as John Thompson is concerned trust I was not happy with that selection. And I am not concerned with what color the official is he could have been white for all I care. STOP PUTTING EVERYONE INTO ONE STEREOTYPE. Trust that no school board or any other official will affect the education and upbringing of my child. The most important lessons a child learns are at home, they can be in the best school system ever and if the parents aren’t about spit then the child won’t be about spit either.