(Republican) Official 'ashamed' of remark

[sabra]

http://connpost.com/news/ci_3673971

Official 'ashamed' of remark
Some parents seek resignation


DERBY — A Republican member of the Board of Apportionment and Taxation facing calls for his resignation publicly apologized Tuesday for his recent remarks about students with disabilities.

Promising to atone for his mistake by volunteering for the Special Olympics, Robert Scarduzio, a 32-year-old holding his first elected office, said his comments lacked compassion and understanding. "I'm really ashamed of what I said. I love this city and I never wanted to hurt your feelings," Scarduzio said after putting aside his speech. While one parent of a disabled student accepted the apology, a core of parents and teachers remained angered by Scarduzio's previous comments and continued their demands that he resign.

Scarduzio made the remarks in question during a budget presentation last week by Supt. of Schools Janet Robinson. During a discussion of the $465,000 increase to the special education budget, Scarduzio said, "Why are we putting all this money into special education when these students will be the least productive members of society?" During the public comment session Tuesday, Ray Lasky stood next to his 4-year-old son, Nicholas, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He said Scarduzio's comment "hurt me like nothing hurt me in my whole life."

Colleen Ezzo, a paraprofessional at Irving School who was in the audience at last week's meeting, told the tax board that she had collected 75 signatures demanding that Scarduzio step down. Ezzo said while she appreciated the apology, she remained concerned by Scarduzio's refusal to retract his statement last week when she and others approached him after meeting ended.

[wryter2000]

1. What amazes me

Is the fact that the same assholes who support creationism also support social Darwinism of the worst kind.

[fujiyama]

74. I think that's the case with almost

all Christian fundy repukes.

They have mutated Darwin's own theory into something very destructive.

[auburngrad82]

80. Compassionate Conservatism in action

Liberal bumper stickers

[Crazy Dave]

2. That is low class

If you can't pay taxes or fight in a war and die then what good are you right? :grr:

[katty]

49. they always 'cry and repent' AFTER the damage-typical

[Crazy Dave]

62. And they always preach....

"Forgive and forget, move on, get over it".

Unless it's something that Bill Clinton said or did.

[katty]

68. yup-their old standby

[zanne]

82. They have a "personality change' overnight!

Anyone who says something like this is not going to be "sorry" about his remark; only his political blunder.

[Betsy Ross]

3. It is good that he apologized.

We could use a few more Stephen Hawkings.

[freeplessinseattle]

37. but wouldn't retract it. real sincere and admirable n/t

[Skinner]

4. That quote pretty much sums up the Republican worldview.

Don't help the less fortunate; help those members of society who don't need your help.

[Breeze54]

63. Agreed!!! That was my first thought too! n/t

[Ian David]

5. Least productive members?

[Pool Hall Ace]

29. That is who I first thought of, too.

And even if a person is not "productive," does that mean he/she has no worth? Of course not.

Just another example of "compassionate conservatism."

[goclark]

32. FDR!

Fire this uninformed Bush Loving Creep!

[Pastiche423]

50. Yep!

The president that served more terms than any other American president was disabled.

I hope they force the slim to resign.

[rodeodance]

6. there are too many people with this mentality in this country!--

.....Why are we putting all this money into special education when these students will be the least productive members of society?" During the public comment session Tuesday, Ray Lasky stood next to his 4-year-old son, Nicholas, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He said Scarduzio's comment "hurt me like nothing hurt me in my whole life."

[blue sky at night]

7. He may be ashamed.......

but his opinion will not change. When will people learn to reject Republicans before they can reject them (or their children)?

[onenote]

8. "You speak without thinking sometimes."

Maybe, but my bet is that he was speaking what he was thinking...

onenote

[crikkett]

40. one too many beers with lunch I bet. n/t

[SoCalDem]

9. He must be running for election.

or he would never apologize..

[raccoon]

84. Right, and I bet he isn't really ashamed, but he's very sorry

that he's having to face CONSEQUENCES of his incredible insensitivity.

[LostinVA]

10. That is like something from a Eugenics primer -- seriously

Scary...

[skooooo]

12. yup

[MissB]

15. It wouldn't surprise me if he meant what he said.

I think it only sort of surprises me that he actually said it. The neocon Republicans have no use for people with disabilities. We've certainly heard (on this board) about threatened cuts to various programs helping the disabled in the past several years.

That "pull themselves up by the bootstraps" is thinly disguised eugenics.

[LostinVA]

18. I agree...

[jwirr]

65. Many of these rw religious idiots and politicians are the

descendants of the generations that supported the eugenics movement right straight to it's end in Hitler's concentration camps. They may not know it but they picked these ideas up from their elitist cultural socialization. Remember Prescott Bush.

[skooooo]

11. "Why are we putting all this money into special education....

It's a question that Hitler had an answer for.

[LostinVA]

19. Remember that the Nazis got their ideas from the US

They just took the ideas a bit further... although many here agree with the Nazis about that...

[movonne]

13. Apology is not enough..this type of person would not make a good

official when they say things (and probably believes what he said)are out in public and should be more careful in what they say..

[baldguy]

14. Typical 'puke. Once people complain THEN - and only then

is he ashamed & appologetic.

[GeorgeGist]

16. Methinks Mr. Scaduzio...

needs some compassion and understanding for his disability; perhaps then he will become a productive member of society.

[mconvente]

17. wow... just wow

I don't get too emotional involving issues like this, but that father's comment almost put me over the edge. Who else but a slimy repuke would say such a comment diminishing the power and potential of disabled people.

[Bigmack]

20. In a way, he's right...

... many of those students won't be very productive. But is the measure of a person's worth in monetary terms alone?

I guess that's the difference between the Progressives and the Repubs.... a world view about worth.

There are human remains from prehistory that show signs that people cared for unproductive members of their society.... I guess the Repubs are just devolving.

[autorank]

34. Incorrect: You can be "slow" in one area and highly advanced in another.

In a way, the official is a jack ass. There are many who receive special education services for reading/writing deffieciencies and excell in the quantitative discilines. I mean really excel. The opposite is also true.

Because they're shunted aside, special education students are at more risk in some areas, thus leading to less than optimal outcomes in some cases. The solution to this is to actually use Federal funds (instead of rake it off) at the district level. This would make a huge difference.

I've seen any number of highly successful people who had special education services, yet rose to the top of their respective disciplines; software development; management; salesl and marketing; mathematics; etc. Thank god they received help in the area of their need and were able to move on.

[Bigmack]

41. I wasn't talking about the kids....

... who are in SpEd because they are developmentally delayed or any of that. I mean the kids who cost about $50K per year to educate.... one-on-one aide, superspecial programs, severe autism... etc. There is Down Syndrome, and then there is Down Syndrome..... Autism and Autism

My solution to the school funding crisis is not to cut back on SpEd, but rather to bring spending for "average" kids up to the level spent on SpEd kids.

[jwirr]

67. You are talking about my daughter. She may never be a

success in the eyes of a repuk but she is deeply loved in the community she lives in. I once sat in an ethics class where a professor was a survivor of Hitler's brutality. We were discussing the reason that people like my daughter must be part of our communities. He said that when they are eliminated the people have no one to teach them the meaning of compassion. When Hitler's systematically eliminated those in need that allowed the people to selfishly think only of their own needs. If my daughter does nothing else in life she stands before people like this idiot and asks the question, "Are you your brothers (the least of these) keeper?". Most repugs are answering, "Absolutely not - you are not my brother. Only the members of my church/party are my brothers." I think most Dems know the correct answer.

[autorank]

77. Wonderful story and highly illustrative! The former Pope made a great

statement when he visited NYC in the 70's. He said You can tell the quality of a society by the way they treat the "developmentally disabled." He was current on the newest, most respectful term at the time and he made his point abundantly clear. I will always remember that. You can tell and your little society is very high quality. I wish this for all special needs children and adults.

[autorank]

75. We agree...GOOOOOOOOAAALLLLLL n/t

[formercia]

43. My son is like that

He's in Kindergarten and we have a wonderful staff in our town that realized he needed a little help in getting adjusted to school. He's done wonderfully but without that initial help, he might have fallen through the cracks.The town has spent thousands to get him evaluated and find out where they needed to focus on. They're great.
I complain a lot about plutocrats but their retiring here and buying those expensive waterfront lots helps to pay for those special services.

[Iowa]

72. No, he's not right, in any way...

He said:

"Why are we putting all this money into special education when these students will be the least productive members of society?"

You said:

"In a way, he's right...".

You're both wrong. People with disabilities are NOT the least productive members of society. No way, no how. It just isn't true. As one who has worked in a professional capacity among a relatively small cadre of professionals who are in a unique position to understand the minutiae, I'm saying this guy (and anyone who thinks he's right) doesn't know what he's talking about.

Also, be very careful when you lump people into a group based upon one characteristic (like a disability). It takes many things to define a person, and a disability is only one tiny part of the whole - often the most insignificant part. One's level of "productivity" hinges upon a great many things, and to imply otherwise is not only false, it can come off as paternalistic, condescending, and demeaning. It can also serve to limit opportunities for people with disabilities. A DISABILITY DOES NOT DEFINE A PERSON. Remember that, because it's one of the most important things to be grasped when addressing disability issues. If you "get" that, the rest will fall into place much more easily. Most people don't get it, and why should they? It just isn't something we typically encounter in our educations.

[CottonBear]

21. I'll bet Scarduzio identifies himself as a Christian. Hypocrite. n/t

[Marie26]

22. Facist. nt

[quaoar]

23. I say give the guy another chance

Yes, it was an incredibly stupid, hurtful thing to say.

But how often does a public official -- let alone a Republican -- admit he made a mistake and say that he is ashamed of his remarks?

The guy is 32 years old, which is old enough to know better, but on the young side for a public official and he's probably not been in office long enough to become very astute.

If he had tried to spin it or deny it or blow it off I'd say hang his ass. But he sounds sincere so I'd be willing to give him another chance. Use this incident as a chance to educate him. He sounds like he's willing to learn.

I know we all like to castigate Republicans around here every chance we get -- God knows I do my share -- but on those rare occasions when we get a chance to educate one, we should take it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

27. Agreed. It may be a teachable moment.

In my experience, support for people with developmental disabilities is affected to a greater degree by personal experiences more than by politics. Perhaps his time with special olympics or volunteering with The ARC would help.

I've heard lots of discussion here about the "wastefulness" of special ed funding - we're not immune.

Frankly, my state representative (a republican) may not get my vote, but he doesn't get my full-on opposition either because of his support for DD causes. (His daughter has Downs syndrome)

[AX10]

31. CUT HIM OFF! The GOP (even in Connecticut) will brutally assault...

any Democrat for the smallest error. Cut this pig off, NOW!

[Lochloosa]

47. Sorry, he is not getting a free pass from me.

I stopped giving any republican a "pass" after '04. This was an "off the cuff" remark. Well this old and wizened man has come to realize that those remarks tell the true nature of someones heart.

This is what he says at his dinner parties. And it is how he feels.

The only reason he feels badly now is the thought of his political career being over.

[smomfr]

58. I agree......

he´s not sorry about what he said he´s sorry about where he said it. You can always spot a repug by their small feet, they fit so easily into their mouths.

[baby_mouse]

57. No. He's a politician. It is not our job to educate politicians.

They are supposed to know already.

Sacrifice the pig.

[ebayfool]

69. He did try to blow it off - apology only came when it didn't work.

snip/
... Ezzo said while she appreciated the apology, she remained concerned by Scarduzio's refusal to retract his statement last week when she and others approached him after meeting ended.

If he was truly sincere he wouldn't have said this when he was asked to retract his statement after the meeting where he made them -

snip/
"He said he would not mind funding future doctors and lawyers," Ezzo said.

I agree w/the parent that said he was showing a mind-set - he has the power to have a direct impact on the immediate lives of the kids there, funding influenced by a very small man w/a defective mind-set!

snip/
While Scarduzio explained his remarks as "off the cuff," Karen Clark, a parent, said they represented a mind-set.

"The fact that you sit on this board and make decisions on how much money is spent is very disturbing to me," Clark said.

I have been through just this kind of derogatory spin w/a school board over my own boy. The harm inflicted after hearing that their own school thinks they '2nd class' isn't lessened when the kid sees no action taken to prove the speaker is wrong. You can actually see a little part of them curl up & whither.

The 'whole & healthy' students, as well as the disabled students, lose when they see an authority figure speak w/those words & not get immediately & forcefully knocked down. The able students learn from watching it, & pick up the idea it's acceptable to put down their disabled classmates.

I don't cut slack when a 32 yr old thinks it's okay to denigrate any child. Especially not a 32 yr old in a position of authority over their education. There is no place for that kind of learning curve on a school board - he should get out & get his education somewhere where he can't inflict his caveman thinking on kids!

IMHO!

[KatyMan]

76. Nice post, well done

Whilst reading the article I thought of 2 things:

1. The Nazis called the disabled 'Useless Eaters', and the quote from Niemoller comes to mind. The murder of the physically and mentally disabled (pc note, I'm not sure of the correct term, so I apologize if that's offensive) was the first step towards the Holocaust, the 'test', if you will, of their killing methods. Doctors went along with this policy with gusto, and an entire government department was set up to oversee it. All it took was a doc sending in a form for approval, and the approval was always granted.

2. I'm also immediately reminded of a quote from a guy called Jesus (who reich wingers seem to be fond of, but whose teachings they ignore): 'Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me'. Extremely powerful words for any believer, almost the crux, I think, of Christianity. Assuming a person is a Christian, shouldn't you approach every person whether they're homeless, disabled, rich, poor, black, white, etc as if you were approaching Jesus?

[ebayfool]

78. Welcome To DU, KM!

What a great post, I hope you stay out of 'lurk' mode & speak often! I (& my boy) don't find 'disabled' offensive at all. As Gabe says, it's a description like height, weight, or eye color - just parts of the whole, not the total sum! He's a wise young man with lots to contribute, not that I'm the least bit prejudiced! LOL!

As far as the rest ('Useless Eaters') - it is hinted at, here & now, more often than most are willing to accept. The comments start at birth, little nudges w/"he would have been better off born dead" or "it would have been a mercy ...". And this is a boy that isn't that badly (or visibly) disabled - I hate to think what kids (& their families) go through when it's more obvious! Most of those kind of 'helpful' comments come from 'good christian folks' too. They were cut loose w/out a second thought, we're too busy watching him grow to full manhood & leaving most of those people's un-disabled kids in the dust ... scholastically, emotionally, & in most physical ways! He has just had to learn to work around his own set of obstacles, like everyone else on the planet. Even the moron in the OP's post - he just doesn't realize he's got a bigger disability than the kids he so blithely denigrates.

Look below your post ... Iowa said it the way I wished to - I get steamed & all of my 'sense' goes out the window! Hate to look later & see all the mistakes, LOL!

TY

[Mad_Dem_X]

81. Gotta love that compassionate conservativism!

They have absolute NO empathy, NO compassion. And they only "apologize" when forced to.

[Iowa]

71. No... "another chance" is NOT the way to go - for two reasons...

1) This guy is an elected official in a position of high responsibility. If he needs training, this isn't the place for it. He can seek his education someplace where he isn't in the position to cause harm, and then come back and run again after he has demonstrated a solid grasp on reality. If 32 is too young to be "astute", then 32 is too young to hold this position. Nobody should expect to get training wheels at the top.

2) The words he uttered reveal a very dangerous mindset that actually meshes quite well with the republican view of the world. I have almost no doubt that this guy would belligerently push his views if Limbaugh, Hannity, or O'Reilly were to get behind the idea and manufacture a gaggle of local repukes to go out there and parrot those views. He said what he thinks, and his "apology" is hollow because it's a reaction to criticism. No outcry - no apology. The likelihood of a bona fide change in this guy is possible, but remote. Why? Because he is a republican. And to be a republican today speaks volumes about a person.

[rustydog]

24. So even if the next Stephen Hawking came from America,

from a special education class, he/she would be one of the least productive?

One can assume ignorance begat ignorance in his family. The lack of knowledge, understanding and compassion is stunning.

[daleo]

25. FDR was disabled too, and he was pretty productive

Although that example may not go over too well with Republicans.

[Fovea]

26. Someone tell me again

how the Republican party is the moral, values party.

One of the most important tasks for Democratic opponents of these freaks is to make them stand up and be counted as amoral social darwinists.

Make them stand up for the ugliest aspects of NeoCon ideals. Make no mistake, the attitudes that the neocon policies sanitize have a noisome odor.

Make them the party of warehousing the disabled, make them the party of Shiavo, luddites, Rove, Enron,Abramoff,DeLay,Frist,Ashcroft,Hastert,Norquist,Cheney,Rummy,JEB,Rice,Blunt(s),Noe and the first Sociopathic CiC-- FlubDubya.

Make them the party of tax cuts for the rich, and socking it to the non-rich. Make them the party of Halliburton.

And the great part is, we don't have to 'make' them any of these things, they already are. We just need to put it in their face. Lather rinse repeat.

[PassingFair]

36. Don't you know, it's up to the CHURCH to take care of the disabled.

All they need is unpaid female volunteers to
take care of ALL of "those people" who are
not born into wealth and privilege.
We can even "donate" them to the church for
life! Just IMAGINE how WONDERFUL it would
be if Steven Hawking's parents had "given"*
him to the church!
We would probably know by now HOW MANY ANGELS
FIT ON THE HEAD OF A PIN!

Wunderbar!

*ACTUALLY happened to a friend of my mother.
Polio victim who survived, crippled; was
earmarked "for the church". She was a nun
until she was in her 50's.

[henslee]

28. He sounds like Denny Crane (last night talking about poor people).

[AX10]

30. Derby Connecticut is the poorest town in the state and recently...

a Republican town.

In 2000, Gore won the town 58% / 38%. In 2004, Bush managed to take a 23 vote win. 49.4% Bush / 49.3% Kerry. This past fall, they ousted all their Democrats and replaced them with Repubs, including this Hitler Clone. :puke:

The Naugatuk Valley as a whole voted for Bush in 2004, quite sad.

With that said, this pig must resign IMMEDIATLY!

[autorank]

33. They're probably putting the money in because it's Federal money.

The Federal government funds special education each year and hs for over two decades. The money flows to school districts who have a massive "rake off." They take some for "administration," some for overhead, some for "team teachers," and then the rest goes to the kids in need.

"Team teachers" are a special gripe of mine. They put special ed kids in "mainstreamed" classes with a second fully accredited teacher, paid for with Federal funds. That teacher usually has 0 (zero) time requirement for contact with special ed kids. He/she is there to help with class content. Total, unmitigated bull shit.

Fully fund Federal special education legislation and use those funds only for special education at the school district level.

Stop the damn "rake off" school districts. We'll find out about this at some point and people will be in serious trouble.

[earth mom]

35. Rethugs = Nazis. Same Same.

Can't have those "undesirables" around! :puke:

Gawd! I despise rethugs! :grr:

[w8liftinglady]

38. so typical...meet one of your low-performers...

http://www.passy-muir.com/aboutus/davidmuir.aspx
David Muir is the inventor of the Passy-Muir valve,which allows people with tracheostomies to communicate.He is an engineer.

[notadmblnd]

39. if you ask me, he's the worthless M-F-er

This is also the same kind of asshat who would deny me my right to choose.

[CornField]

42. It's too bad our schools are placed in such positions

Not at all excusing the ignorance of this official, but wouldn't it be a great world if our schools had maybe 10% of the defense department's budget?

It's too bad that our nation doesn't value all students, regardless of their special needs.

[hyphenate]

44. Someone needs some sensitivity training

I can see. :)

[The Backlash Cometh]

45. Never, NEVER forget that it was a right-wing think tank (Manhattan

Institute?) that tried to push the belief that blacks were less intellgent than whites, therefore, programs like Head Start only had limited chances of success and not cost effective. Studies like the Bell Curve were used to call for a reduction in federal funds to social programs that would help minorities.

Those idiots believed this way five years ago, they believe it today.

[boobooday]

46. Disgusting Sociopath

So sad, and so typical of how they think.

Talk about immorality. Oh, so the kid in the wheelchair is a defective human resource, is he? This is the attitude of the so-called "Culture of Life."

[VaYallaDawg]

48. There's true compassionate conservatism for you.

:puke:

[Solly Mack]

51. wow

what a rotten putrid piss poor excuse for a human being Robert Scarduzio is...

[spooky3]

54. after all, he did EARN his not having been born with autism

or other disability.

:sarcasm:

[Solly Mack]

55. No kidding...

No doubt he feels entitled too

I do believe I would have slapped him silly had I been there.

My younger sister is severely mentally challenged...guess she should have been killed at birth for being such a potential drain on that man's world. Instead money was spent teaching her whatever she could learn...how selfish of my father!

[spooky3]

61. I would have helped you.

I have a nephew with autism who finished an associate's degree at a community college. He works so hard to overcome barriers this jerk never faced. I'll make him a deal--since I don't have kids of my own but for many years have averaged over $6K a year in property taxes that go mostly to fund schools--our family will repay the extra costs of a few years of special education for my nephew, if he'll refund what I've paid to educate other "normal" kids, including his. Wouldn't that be "fair" to a Rethug?

more :sarcasm:

[derby378]

52. One word for Scarduzio: SAVANT

There are some folks with Asperger's syndrome or some other form of autism who are capable of amazing mental feats, even if they're unable to function on their own in society. There's that guy in the UK named Daniel Tammet, aka "Brainman," who can tackle mathematical problems that would cause many of our brains to seize up. And he is autistic.

I cannot believe that there are some individuals in this world who do not have untapped potential for greatness in one form or another. We all deserve a chance to shine.

[Blue_Tires]

53. watch out for the master race!

if it's led by guys like this, i'm not too worried

[baby_mouse]

56. Why are we giving all this tax money to a republican administration

When all they do is fuck everything up?

This was mind-bogglingly stupe even for a puke.

[mitchum]

59. He should have said that he was channeling Reagan...

since that was also his attitude

[KansDem]

60. True...true...sad, but true...

"Why are we putting all this money into special education when these students will be the least productive members of society?"

Really though, if you can't slam-dunk or hit a baseball in a way that awes us, or titillate us with a bump-and-grind routine while singing a song on national TV, or do leveraged buy-outs and insider trading to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, just what the hell good are you???

:sarcasm:

[Raine]

64. That's all well and good to apologize

and work with the special Olympics but why the hell say something like that anyway! :wtf: It just shows the way these repukes 'think' and their innate lack of sensitivity. Anyway the least productive members of society are repukes!:think:

[brentspeak]

66. How productive and important to society is Scarduzio?

What exactly does this guy do besides probably sucking up to the wealthy members of Connecticut GOP clubs? It's good that he apologized, but I bet he regrets spilling the beans on the GOP's philosophy of government: "Every man for himself! I got mine; screw you!"

[kestrel91316]

70. More Republican "family values", for handicapped children no less.

[donco6]

73. He should resign immediately.

What a dick.

[baby_mouse]

79. This man must be sacked immediately. Apologies are not acceptable.

ACTION is required. He should be removed.

[hedgehog]

83. April Fool's was Saturday. No way a Republican official

admitted shame.