Nation
CA Teachers Union spied on parents who wanted schools to reopen during pandemic
Emails reveal a California teachers union spied on parents and attempted to find their “ideological” leanings who were fighting to reopen schools during the pandemic. Emails have surfaced which reveal the union was “conducting opposition research on parent groups fighting for schools to reopen during the height of the COVID pandemic” reports the New York Post.
The emails, obtained through a public records request, show the union was seeking to uncover “some of the ideological leaning of groups that are funding the reopen lawsuits.”
The New York Post reports:
The California Teachers Association (CTA) employed a researcher who emailed a parent arm of the local union in April 2021, hoping to dig up information on the motives of San Diego County parents who had successfully sued the state to reopen schools a month earlier…
The researcher, Ann Swinburn, appeared to at least speculate that the parent groups suing for California schools to reopen were funded by right-wing political groups and big money interests, according to archived tweets she shared.
A candidate for California superintendent of public instruction condemned the revelations in a statement to Fox News.
“Conducting opposition research is a common practice in political campaigns. But to have the teachers’ union dedicate personnel to politically target moms and dads protecting their own children and expressing their First Amendment rights is both startling and disgusting,” Lance Christensen told Fox News.
In a turn of events, the House of Representatives made history on Friday with a vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), marking the first such expulsion in over two decades. A moment fraught with gravity unfolded as Speaker Mike Johnson wielded his gavel to formalize Santos’ removal, setting a precedent in congressional annals.
Santos, indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, and other charges, has not faced conviction but stands accused of misusing campaign funds for opulent purchases. The bipartisan vote, tallying 311 to 114, signaled robust support for expulsion, with a marginally higher number of Republicans opting to retain Santos.
Questions loomed as Speaker Johnson left the chamber, his silence leaving the fate of the ongoing government spending battle uncertain. According to reports from Fox News, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer emphasized the non-partisan nature of the decision, asserting that members concluded Santos had tarnished the House’s reputation and was unfit for representation.
Within the GOP, conflicting opinions emerged, with Rep. Darrell Issa arguing against expulsion, citing the presumption of innocence. The tight-lipped stance of the House Ethics Committee played a pivotal role in the deliberations.
Conversely, members of the New York Republican delegation, led by Rep. Marc Molinaro, asserted Santos’ commission of crimes, justifying expulsion based on a comprehensive investigation.
Santos himself predicted the outcome in an exclusive morning interview on “FOX & Friends.” This vote not only underlines the House’s rare use of expulsion powers but also sets a critical precedent in handling members facing severe legal challenges.
-
Nation5 days agoGroup backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran hacked into PA Water Facility
-
Media4 days agoRobert De Niro anti-Trump speech mysteriously replaced in teleprompter at Awards Show
-
education5 days agoCalls for Hofstra University President’s Resignation Over Statements on Israel-Hamas Conflict
-
Nation5 days agoElizabeth Warren Acknowledges Unintended Consequences of Obamacare
