Based on the war going on and an astounding lack of transparency (perceived), maybe an independent resource should investigate the SC carefully and thoroughly - Perhaps a complete reset may be a good idea where everyone needs to go.....democracy usually works out eventually - It's really hard to find the source of the initial hate - I will ask this? Does a lot of this battle grow from a snack-time dispute or ???

I've always found that if a person protests to being truthful and full of integrity, they usually are not.

Max Opus.... Someone puts the truth out there and has back up to prove it and still people want to support the ones who are the clearly the untruthful. Many a great leader has stood up to people like this and one even said "the truth will set you free". The only people who will being posting negative comments about this are the supporters of the Superintenent or Dave Murphy. Murphy made the statement that a Superintendent search was never brought to the table. It appears he is the one you should be directing your comment at.... I for one want to hear the truth about these closed door meetings. At least there is someone on school committee who is willing to do that. I respect Ms. Craw more for putting out a statement, especially when the gulity parties are trying to soil her name. After I read this and referred back to the notes that the Patch printed in a previous article, it appears she is speaking the truth. I will be requesting the recording secretary's notes also. If she was lying, why would she say that someone elses notes support her own records? Apparently, she can sustantiate her truthfulness and this would negate your Max Opus' posting.

Have someone you dislike at work fire you in front of your colleagues and the public and try to tell me it's not embarrassing or vindictive. I can't help but think this behavior is going to scare away any good replacement. Also wouldn't a tape recorder solve all this he said she said nonsense? I don't think anyone wins in this situation and Its sad that our children have to suffer because of the childish behavior of some school committee members.

It sounds to me that there are only a few people on SC that can be trusted. The few seem to be Ms. Craw, Ms. Furtado, Ms. Enegren and Mr. Parent. They are not trying to hide what went on in this meeting. The rest would not know transparency if it hit them in the face. These four are showing that they are there to represent the public and to do what is best for the school system. The rest are just yes men and woman to the superintendent. The rest don't even care what a parent or constituent has to say. At least we have 4 members who will tell the truth.

Thank you Barbara for printing what actually took place. Finally a sc member that states all of the conversations between members. Chairman Tyler failed in communicating to the public and I am glad the vchair let the public kmow. As for David Murphy, wow you like to fib and hide the real you/ truth from the public. Boy, you fooled me when you were campaigning. You spoke a good game oh BUT wait it was all a lie! You won't get my vote again.

Mr. Edward I can see your point if that was true. The Superintendent was not fired. It even says she could reapply. Her contract was up and this is the next process. I also asked about a tape recorder, but the same people who did not want to approve these minutes, do not want a tape recorder at these closed meetings. I guess certain members do not want the public to know what they really say. I asked Ms. Craw why she does not use a tape recorder and she said that the majority of the committee will not allow this. For someone who is being accused of not telling the truth, she seem to be open to recording these meetings. A few school committee members need to go, but I will vote to keep the ones who are willing to tell the truth. I have also seen the superintendent on television disrepect both parents and committee members, but when an announcement is made that was approved by the school committee's attorney then it is a bad thing to the point of being embarrasing or vindictive to the superintendent. I disagree. This will show future applicants that our children's education is our city's top priority and we only want the best and brightest to lead our schools. We care enough about our children to not allow someone to continue in a certain position if they are not performing up to par. There are a few on school committee doing their job (including Ms. Craw) and they should be commended instead of being trashed.

transparency?? why does Mrs. Craw feel to the need to point out Ms. Nelson is not her sister but not mention that Mrs. Furtado IS her sister?

I don't have a particular side to take. It sounds like the SC needs to start working as a unit. Its apparent the only way to achieve this is to get a new super. From what I have gathered from many articles & watching SC meetings is the super has done some good for the district but its time to move on. There are major problems in our schools & they're not being addressed. Just because you look good on paper doesnt mean things are fine. We need new prespective & someone who works with they're their supervisor (in this case the sc). The sc is the super's boss and she has total disregard for them & feels she can do whatever she wants and does not feel she has to listen to them. I've gained more respect for Craw because shes given the public the truth.We need to be able to trust our elected officials. They shouldn't hide things from their constituents. Six members from the prior committee weren't re-elected because of back door deals & hiding things from the public. We now have a few members providing transparency & people are saying they shouldn't be on the SC. We need these honest & reputable people on SC to do what is best for our children's education It doesn't matter if you like Admin or not. This is about APS & what is best for our schools. We need SC members who tell the truth. Not ones who sweep everthing under the rug. Not allowing parents to have input in their childs education is not what is best for our schools.

Mrs. Craw has never denied that Brenda Furtado is her sister. She even was honest about this when she campaigned. She said she was running for office because she had experienced issues first hand and wanted to help solve these issues. The Sun Chronicle puts this in every article and said she lied for her sister. I can see Mrs. Craw's point here. Ms. Nelson is not related so people can't say that she is lying to protect a relative. Ms. Nelson has no ties to Mrs. Craw, so Ms. Nelson's notes are more than credible and have no bias based on being related.

Williams - I agree. Every article the Sun Chronicle prints tries to somehow insinuate that "the sisters" are in cahoots to go against the administration. I can fully unders Ms. Craw point in regards to not being related to Ms. Nelson. The last article I read by Flanagan in the Sun Chronicle he said Craw lied for her sister Furtado. So it makes sense that Craw is letting the public know she is not related to Ms. Nelson.

I support Ms. Craw. She gave us the truth. Whether you agree with her or not, the facts are there. See for yourself and request the records from the Superintendent's office. Ms. Craw has represented the constituents, parents and children of Attleboro. She has put the children's education first and is making the right decisions. I voted for her and she has exceeded my expectations. She is doing her job and that is what we need more of on the school committee.

Sadly the statements of the posters here are simply conjecture - there still does not be a way to find out the actual facts as "truth" seems very subjective to the people here who support or do not support one side or the other. It's disheartening and growing more and more distressing that the discord in the city school system is so terrible. It would logically seem that if the schools truly were the main concern, both sources of the discord should be removed. It seems the idea of hating various members and calling others the "truth" tellers and of course the Superintendent catching it from various sides on her end leads to no answers - just hyperbole. Until a independent (non SC/non Supt staff) was put in place to investigate & lay out the facts - similar to the inspector report at Penn State - there can be no answer. How can a participant in the issue write out her vision and it merely be accepted as "truth"? Would the posters here accept as "truth" if those they did not agree with were given an alternative view based on a person's observations? I doubt it based on the highly charged rhetoric in these posts. A reasonable person could most likely say with credibility that there is no "truth" without investigation. Now some here try to conflate the Sun Chronicle with intentions besides reporting. I suggest all reasonable Attleboro citizens to use their votes as a broom &clean start. They ALL must go for the schools and children to take priority again - too much taint remains!

So far, I have not seen any School Committee members lie and deny that any of this discussion happened- read their statements carefully. What was denied was that a vote happened to actually initiate a search committee happened as Ms. Furtado announced. In reading the motion, it is clear that such action was not included in the motion and thus was not part of the vote. If a board is voting on something, it needs to be explicitly included in the motion. In the Patch article about the minutes being released, the School Committee's legal counsel, Mr. Lenox, confirms that a vote to start a search committee did not take place. Perhaps this is why Mr. Tyler was apprehensive about a public announcement taking place? I think the disagreement has less to do with truth and lies than it does interpretation and intent.

All of that being said, I feel badly that Ms. Craw has to defend herself like this. It is unfortunate that in the past two months or so, at least a third of the School Committee has had to release statements to the Patch and/or Sun Chronicle to defend themselves in one way or another and at times have conflicted with each other. The "trying to do what's best for the children" rhetoric loses its value when the focus is not on issues related to them directly. What is best for the schools and our children is for the School Committee and Superintendent to work as a team. Battle the issues as allies- not enemies. The reasons for the bad press have to stop.

If certain committee members did not start the controversy, then Ms. Craw would not have to defend herself. Just because there are a few bad apples on the school committee, it does not mean they all have to go. TheFan, when you clean house, just sweep out the dirt, but you do not throw away the good. We should not blame the whole school committee. People are defending themselves because a certain few are releasing false information to the media. Two sets of notes show the same thing, but people still say that this is not the truth. It is infront of you in black and white and you still choose to ignore this. Even if there was a recording, some people would still deny what was actually said. How much clearer can it be, two different people have shown that a Superintendent search was talked about in full detail. No one on the schooll committee should have denied that this ever happened. Ms. Craw has cleared this up for the public. I do not think she should be ridiculed for letting us know this. The public should be focusing on the commitee members who denied this discussion and tried to say that they did not know anything about a Superintendent search. You do not punich the few who are doing their job, you punish the ones who are not doing their job and not being truthful to the public.

Yes the ones Not doing their jobs need to go. And us as parents shouldn't be attacked by the city of Attleboro residents for also telling the truth. Barbara Craw and Brenda Furtado were the only ones who cared to hear out my complaints and follow up with me. For that I thank both of them. Things do need to change for the best interest of our children in APS!!

You are right Sarah. The same people who attacked you for your posts are the same ones attacking the committee members who are doing what is best for the children. Barbara Craw and Brenda Furtado are doing their job and the really do care about the children and the schools others are there just to support Administration and not what is best for the kids. They are the same ones who are trying to persecute Craw and Furtado. It is time Attleboro knew the truth. Let's put the blame where it belongs, members like Dave Murphy, Bill Larson, Chris O'Neil and Fran Zito don't even listen to their constituents because they are not there for them. They are there for Administration and want to make the others out to be the bad guys for caring about the children's education and our schools. The public now knows the two sides of these individuals and they are the ones who need to go.

No wonder Furtado and Craw were voted in... They have the peoples ear. Good for them. The other members were voted in as well so they have their fans too. I simply feel that an over abundance of defense is usually the case for the opposite. If you do your job and are truthful, it will come out. No need to protest your transparency. We should all see it. I totally agree that it's silly two different people take notes on the meetings when in this day and age, it should just be recorded and transcribed for public presentation. Simple transparency (and less manpower). It's sad to see adults acting like children. It could be resolved with technology. Attleboro School system suffers and it's obvious... teachers leaving, principles needed, leadership in disarray all while the school committee can't get beyond backstabbing, resident issues, "only a parent knows", phoning it in and "I'm an honest person". The superintendent of our future will want to see some real adults here that can make decisions and stick by them all while supporting their fellow SC members... a little team sprit please. If I sound a bit cynical, I guess it's because I just may be... transparency. There you have it!

The school committee continues to get worse and worse. This is just another example. I have never seen such poor behavior in my life, except in Congress. When I met with Ms. Craw I expect better of her - and she has let me down. There is no professionalism from her or other members of the committee. I believe they have their own selfish interest in mind. I believe the system has gotten better under the superintendent. Do I like the way she handles personnel - no. But, I think she has gotten better at it. She isn't a people person. But - she has turned the system around and kept us accredited. We can work with her on personal issues. I'm concerned about attracting a qualified replacement. Attleboro doesn't do a good job of training and promoting from within. That means we need to hire from outside the system. Any qualified candidates would be nuts to come into this community and work with this school committee.

Sorry, but that's the way I see it. This school committee is fractured and dysfunctional. And who, that is qualified, would want to be employed by a group like this???

The only dysfunctional piece here is the superintendent and her cronies. Murphy puts incorrect information in the media to put down fellow school committee members and when they defend themselves they are in the wrong. The superintendent has caused this controversy. She is the problem and I am glad she is gone. School committee members like Craw are needed to respresent our children. I do not want a school committee that is all in agreement and afraid to have a difference of opinnion with his or her peers. They are there to do what is best for the schools and Craw seems to be one of the few that has not forgotten that. If Murphy didn't attack the issue of a superintendent search in the media, then Craw would not have to defend herself. I want a school committee who's first priority is the children, not always doing what the administration says. Look at O'Neil, he stated on Patch that he looks at his school committee information the night before the meeting. He is really working hard for the children. How much research can you do or be prepared if you don't even want to look at the issues until the night before the meeting. This is disappointing and troubling. Craw has exceeded expectations, she has not the community down and I hope she runs again. She is an advocate for the parents, children and schools. I want to thank her for her courage to be honest.

I will not vote for Barbara Craw again. I didn't know she was Brenda Furtado's sister when I voted for her. I knew of Furtado's crusades and disliked her record.
I think this incident is a shambles and reflects poorly on the troublemakers who I see as Barbara Craw and Brenda Furtado.

I have written elsewhere that when committees go into executive session, they need a "Process Observer" someone who watches how the committee is doing it's work and makes sure everyone is on the same page. This can include going over the meeting notes before adjourning. Had this been done, there wouldn't be such acrimony and divisiveness.
All I can say is that all this infighting and hatred and taking sides takes time and energy away from children. You folks are adults (including some of those who post here in a tit-for-tat way.
A new school year is coming. Is the committee doing its job preparing. I'm almost to the point of the commentator in the Sun Chronicle a month ago who said we should ABOLISH the School Committee. All they try to do is harass and impede the work of the Superintendent.

I disagree Gretchen. We need a sc to oversee a superintendent, especially Durkin. Consider yourself lucky not to have experienced problems w/in our schools. Durkin tries to hide things & turns a cold shoulder when they're brought to her attention. She needs to be supervised. Did you hear about the child @ Willett (elementary age), on an IEP the teacher flipped over his desk & made him pick everything up (in front of the class). This teacher was never reprimanded & this was swept under the rug by the superintendent & principal Zinni. I am sure you didn't hear about it because they're trying to cover it up. I heard from my child, who was in the class & this is unexcusable. The child is on an IEP, now you have just added to the issues. The child doesn't want to go to school & is in tears. I know the family & I know this happened. I have had trouble w/the school system. As for Barbara Craw, she never denied Brenda Furtado is her sister. Barbara isn't the troublemaker on the committee let's put blame where blame is due. David Murphy has caused dissention & put incorrect information out to the media. Between Murphy, ONeil and Larson, they have turned there back on the kids & blatently go against the public. Also Ms. Nelson is like a "Process Observer" & her notes substantiate Barbara Craw's minutes. The divisiveness is from the ones who want to keep the truth from being released. Lately it seems Craw, Furtado, Enegren and Parent are the only ones who are worthy to be on the sc.

Just a thought.... is the entire process not subjective? These people were elected by all of us to represent all of us. We all have different concerns, observations, and objectives when it comes to the needs of our children. There is no reasonable way for this committee (or any) to meet everyone in the public's directives. Every system has its deficiencies and circumstances arise at times that bring them to the forefront. I believe that the last few school committees have failed miserably in part because they attempt to take every complaint addressed to them, regardless if it effects the majority of the public or not. Members take on these complaints as crusades to condemn the adminstration instead of determining merit and weight of importance. Campaigning on "what's best for the children" is a losing cause, you will never satisfy everyone. What's best for mine may not be best for my neighbor. I once heard (and yes I am geeking out here) "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few". This governing body has turned into nothing much more than a bloodbath and its sad. They are, for the most part... all over the place, they do not make educationally and fiscally responsible decisions in mature, organized ways.

SD you have admitted you are a supporter of Pia Durkin so of course you are going to try to make Craw out as being the one with something to hide. Murphy clearly stated that there was no discussion of a superintendent search and this was a lie. An impartial recording secretary even proved this in her notes. Craw is the honest one here clearly and Murphy should be ashamed of himself for making her out as a liar. This woman clearly had to defend herself for her namesake and let the public know how one of our elected officials is trying to hide the truth. More disappointing is that he is trying to drag others down with him because he was caught. Not a very reputable thing to do and in no way good for the community. Murphy and his people are making this a bloodbath. This is sad. There are members making educationally and fiscally responsible decisions in mature, organized ways, just some people choose to ignore this based on friendships or if they support the superintendent or not. There is so much wrong with the Attleboro schools and this stems down from a poor leader. This is the truth and I am glad Attleboro is moving forward with a new superintendent.

I stand by that I believe Dr.Durkin came to our district and made several difficult and unpopular decisions that have bettered our school. I think she can be commandeering and demanding, but at the same time I can see that it may have been needed to enforce the change that she was looking for. Her choices may not have been popular but I believe she has bettered our district and I stand by that. I am not happy with all the things that she has done, but grant her the autonomy to do as she sees fit, she is the one who has dedicated her entire career to public education. I accept the decision that there will be a new superintendent, but I've also been a resident with children in the system long enough to not think the next one will be all roses, sunshine and rainbows and all things wonderful. I also stand by my statements that as a whole, the school committee and administration have at times (more often than not) acted in very unprofessional ways and not in the best interest of the city. All of this nonsense could have been avoided. And thats what it is nonsense! It is human nature for people to disagree its how they handle themselves during the resolution that speaks volumes.

I am also in no way trying or ever tried to imply that Ms. Craw has something to hide. I think this, along with the residency issue, is trying to make something where there is nothing. I believe the public is splitting hairs on what was said/inferred/put to vote. I think Mr. Murphy was as wrong for making his statement denying the discussion had taken place as I think that Mrs. Furtado was a little over-eager to jump out to raise her hands in ousting victory over Dr. Durkin. Both parties, better yet neither party but the Chairman representing the committee as a whole should have made the organized, accurate public statement.

I do think you make quite a jump when you insinuate that any one member is acting/has acted any more deplorable than another. I recall a former committee member being reduced to tears in a public meeting by another member, I recall several instances where there have been members who have belittled and insulted fellow members and treated long-standing members with disrespect.

SD, I have seen the superintendent show this disrepect in a public meeting. She has belittled members of the committee and if this was stopped by the chair in the beginning I do not think this would continue to be a problem. The chairman of the committee needs to take control and not allow this disrespect to continue.

I agree wholeheartedly. But please admit that the disrespect has flowed both ways, or rather all ways. The disrespect has been blatantly across the table as well. I don't envy the chairman, it has been an uncontrollable situation for quite a while. He has a very unenviable position.

Do you know what we can admit? One REAL TRUTH? None of this matters. Dr. Dirkin is gone and we need to be looking FORWARD to the search. NO high quality perspective Superintendent will even BOTHER applying for the job here in Attleboro. Why would you? Lets keep in mind Dr. Dirkin was the #3 choice when she started ( #2 reported for duty, got another offer the same day, and walked right out the door). Due to the behavior of both the SC and the public we will be scraping the bottom. Would YOU apply for a job here?

Good point! If our system was so wonderful before her tenure why dud we have to settle for a number three choice? If we had been a good district in the first place what better offer was out there? Keep in mind when Dr Durkin was in the final two in Lowell she wad only in the running with someone already in the Lowell school department. I am sure that Lowell did their research on her and yet deemed her a capable candidate. I agree I think our choices are going to be white limited. I hole the

Oops I hope that our public demands an independent hiring committee for ournew superintendent. I have very little faith that this committee can do it own.

I think the real matter here is honest perception. Mrs. Furtado made the announcement at the June 18th meeting, after which Mr. Murphy was quoted in the Sun Chronicle as saying there had been no vote to establish a search committee (correct) and that he was “also unaware of any discussion regarding the superintendent's contract that has taken place in open session and is therefore permissible to acknowledge, beyond the previously agreed upon extension that runs until July 1, 2013” . It sounds like the full committee held a closed session and had not yet met to vote to release the information from that session to the public. Was it right for one or two committee members to decide to disclose the information on June 18th, without the full committee even knowing that an announcement was going to be made? I think that is the real issue, as well as the unfairness of those who have shortened and mischaracterized Mr. Murphy’s statement and claim he was lying in the comments here. Let’s be fair!

Mr. Murphy knew that there was going to be a superintendent search. It is the next logical thing when you are not extending the superintendent's contract. He has lied so much he thinks he has the whole city fooled. Yes, lets be fair. Mr. Murphy is trying to make other committee members look like liars, when he is the only liar I can see. It looks the the school committee's attorney said it was alright to announce regardless if the rest of the committee was aware or not. You can't blame certain committee members when they were following the advice of their legal counsel. Murphy has caused a media disaster and he needs to stop trying to be the head of these meetings and let the chairman do his job. The chairman of the school committee should be commenting on issue not Mr. Murphy. He is the one who is wrong and we need to leave the members who are doing their job alone. Murphy is just trying to start trouble to take the attention off himself. He needs to be able to respect difference of opinnion and not attack everyone who disagrees with him. If he doesn't get his way, he turns the truth around and blames someone else. Grow up and start acting professional. Mr. Murphy is tarnishing all the good that the school committee is doing. Look at all this controversy he has caused. Take it somewhere else Murphy, perhaps to Boston where you live.

Excellent candidates will come to Attleboro for the Superintendent's position. Amongst Durkin's peers, her reputation is not that great as a Superintendent. The world of Superintendent's is small and they know she was not performing up to her duties. Most candidagtes won't even know what happended here in Attleboro. Others will see that we have a great community that needs leadership and will take the challenge to come in and develop and move our schools forward. Attleboro was once known for its great schools. People out there are aware of the set backs we have had for 6 years and many a great leader will step forward because of the potential Attleboro's schools have if the right person is at the helm. Durkin was not a first choice.. We settled.... We will not and do not have to settle again. People outside of Attleboro know of Durkins Disaster. Believe I know, I work out of Attleboro and people say her reputation at other schools she worked at was just as bad. We will have great candidates because they will see that Attleboro will not settle for mediocracy (Durkin) and will only accept the best.

I think is was very unprofessional of Mr. Murphy to insinuate that Ms. Craw was not accurate with her minutes. Two different recoders of the session clearly show that Mr. Murphy is the one who is not willing to admit to the truth. Mr. Murphy has shown that he is unwilling work collaboratively and that he will do whatever it takes to discredit his fellow committee members if they are not in aggreement with him. I respect Ms. Craw for putting this information out for the public to see. I also respect her for clearing her name and defending her reputation. Mr. Murphy clearly is out to damage the names of other school committee members and this is an embarassement to our city. The only one who should be explaining themselves is Mr. Murphy. Why deny something that was clearly discussed? Why would you try to blatanly smear and ruin someone's reputation? This behavior should not be tolerated. Mr. Murphy should put an apology in the press for his misstatements and apologize to Ms. Craw for all the trouble he has caused her. I just don't understand why Mr. Murphy would want to discredit valuable members of our community. Thank you Ms. Craw for being reputable and the people of Attleboro know that you are telling the truth and they support you.

We haven't had somebody post with a real name in this thread for some time. Let's break the trend. I know you can do it!

Or you could just accept the fact that a majority of posters choose to do so anonymously and if they're not allowed to then these comment sections will become ghost towns ; )

Nope, I will continue to speak for the vast majority of Attleboro and Seekonk residents who talk to me about Patch.

No

I post with my real name. The coward and trolls post opinions they are afraid or ashamed to post and stand behind. This is no way to run a discussion. If you are ashamed to put your name to a post, then don't post it. You are doing some shameless pandering to the truth with nameless posting, working out of some personal bias and/or agenda that you won't stand behind.

Whats so hard about saying what you mean, meaning what you say and owning up to those words? They have no weight when you hide behind a monitor and refuse to admit who you are.

Maybe Briana and others hope the anonymous ones will own up to the need to speak /write using their own name. The smearing comments like yours, Buck, serve to silence the decent people who use their names. That tactic is nasty, calling someone by name, disparaging them.

I have been on the receiving end of some of those nasty remarks by this same person above, so I know they sting.

Some people on forums like this will use their name but they can only tear people down and smear their ideas. Come on folks, we're better than this.

"Emcee," Mark Twain is not a good example. He didn't hide behind his alias. He was out and about in the country and people knew who he was. Gretchen, your post above is correct. This is the very reason people are encouraged to use their real names.

BD: Point well taken. Thank you for expanding my understanding. I would not want anyone to feel silenced. My teaching of writing classes at the Attleboro Public Library was all about helping people find their voice and, for many, to break some of the silence they had lived with for too long.
Buck: your argument, at least to me, lacks logic.
Briana and others venturing into posting here: come on in. The more voices the merrier. And if someone slams you, they're just being rude. BD's post is an example of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

Since "a clock that's not running is right twice a day", here's the rare occasion in which I concur with Gretchen. But I also appreciate the rationales of others who choose to NOT use their real names. Plainly, they have reasons . . and they also have that right. Finally, I also appreciate Jonathan's plea for posters to use their real name, because it tends to increase civility and necessary self-policing, toward
an improvement in thoughtful discourse and focus on ideas and opinions rather than personalities.

Buck, Briana is new to this post (I may be mistaken). I always like to encourage people to write. For years I taught writing workshops at the Attleboro Library and it was always about helping people find their voice in a new way and break some of the silence they had lived with for so long. So my words are consistent with who I am in the world. And just so you know I don't suffer fools gladly and will rebut attacks made on me. In this I am modeling for others who don't post much. I had to learn the hard way to stick up for myself and what I think.

Buck, you use your own name (I assume) so that post wasn't even addressed to you and I already responded to BD and said he/she gave me a new understanding. So find something else to complain about.

maybe these postings with actual names are less civil but in the past anonymous postings are slash and burn--and run. No accountability.

Not sure why my opinion is so important but okay. I fought and gave up many of my rights for the 1st Amendment. I won't give up that right, you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands (given my love for the 2nd Amendment, it'll be quite a fight) and the way I see it- Freedom of speech is the freedom to say what you want without fear. That's not to say that it doesn't change people opinion of you and such but I fought to make sure all of YOU maintained that right and hiding behind your screens "because you think school faculty will treat you child differently" or "having these opinions could get me in trouble." With who? The police are not going to come knocking on your door because you don't agree with the mayor. Your child cannot be harassed by Dr. Durkin (while I may not think the world of her I believe she'd never stoop to that level). I can say with 99.9% assurance that all those not using their names are not in witness protection. You are living with false fear. You want fear? Go to the middle of a street in Afghanistan and shout how much much you hate the government. THAT'S fear. You have a right afforded to you that people pray, hope and dream of and yet here you all hide. You disappoint me. One Google search and you all know who I am, I have just as much to lose as anyone, if not more. My opinions can lose me customers. If I didn't believe in what I say, I wouldn't say it and because I stamp my name on it I am less likely to say something I'll regret later.

We have gone way off topic here. Please get back on track.

I was inviting those who just read to join in and my method was to mentor Briana.

BF I will not use your pseudonym. What is your real name? Do you get a high out of innocently cursing the president. Shame on you.

"mentor"? I'd say the 'mentoring' needs to be in the other direction.