Bush fundraiser forces public school closure

[Paragon]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/03/25/visit_by_bush_to_snarl_roads_spur_protests?mode=PF

President Bush will swoop into Boston for a quick fund-raiser this afternoon that could net his campaign $1 million and also draw several thousand protesters, force the closure of a school, and disrupt traffic near the Park Plaza Hotel.

Tracey Ganiatsos, a spokeswoman for the Boston Transportation Department, said the US Secret Service told the city it intends to close several streets near the hotel "for a good portion of the day," but the streets involved will not be disclosed publicly for security reasons. Special parking restrictions will also be in effect.

The president's visit unexpectedly canceled classes for 1,425 children at the Boston Renaissance Charter School, a K-8 institution on Stuart Street a block away from the hotel. The Boston Public Schools system, which provides about 30 buses to transport Renaissance students, said it could not guarantee timely pick-up of students at dismissal time, said Dudley Blodget, chief operating officer of the Renaissance School's foundation. The school also feared that the 300 parents who pick up their children would not be able to reach the school.

"It's a sad situation that you have to close off school because of a fund-raising event," said Roger F. Harris, Renaissance headmaster...

Drudge's headline, not the article's. 1,425 children "left behind," George...:mad: - Paragon

[kegler14]

1. Not surprising

This is just Bush's backdoor method of achieving his ultimate dream -- closing public schools. Now where are the conservatives who screamed about Clinton getting a haircut on a tarmac?

richard

[KamaAina]

5. Bush*'s ultimate dream -- closing public schools

will actually start happening soon unless we send the pigf---, uh, pig farmer back to Crawford on the next express.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/03/25/MNGI85QTJV1.DTL

Four years ago, Verde Elementary School in North Richmond, where the students are black, brown and poor, had no children who were proficient in reading and math at their grade level.

Today, student performance is soaring. Verde's test scores are improving at a rate seven times better than the state expected this year.

But federal officials aren't applauding. Under their No Child Left Behind rules, Verde could be shut down next year and its energetic principal fired.

Bush*'s ultimate dream = OUR ultimate nightmare!

[JuniorPlankton]

2. OH yeah, make room for the emperor

This is the message we all got early today (I work in Boston center)



"On behalf of John Hancock Real Estate Operations & Security
President Bush will be in the Back Bay this evening, March 25th. There will be major traffic impacts throughout the day, especially on Arlington Street where a tent is being erected. Below are the street closings:
Arlington Street will be closed from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. between Boylston Street and Marginal Road.
Park Plaza will be closed between 2 - 9 p.m. including Charles Street South to St. James Avenue; Columbus Avenue between Berkeley and Charles South, Stuart Street between Berkeley and Charles Street South, and St. James Street between Arlington and Berkeley. Also, expect a number of helicopters in the vicinity. All helicopters are cleared through the US Secret Service and the FAA."

[Caution]

3. Just anothe example of No Child Left Behind

Luckily all the parents are unemployed so they won't have to find baby-sitters at a moment's notice.

[Justice]

4. Our Republican Governor Romney

whined last week about the Democratic Convention messing up traffic and the subway. He wants to move it to a not yet finished convention center.

Funny he does not care about what Bush's appearance will do to our city's traffic and schoolchildren.

[tandot]

6. I would be mad as hell if I'd have to take off from work to pick up my kid

because Bush is doing some "much needed" fundraising. And that without getting any prior notice.

I hope the protest is drawing a huge crowd and media attention.

[Cooley Hurd]

7. Hi Paragon

As per LBN rules, the subject line of your poat must match the title of the story (I realize that's how Drudge has it, and I really appreciate you linking directly to the article instead of linking to Drudge, but the actual boston.com title of the story is "Visit by Bush to snarl roads, spur protests.")

please feel free to repost with the proper subject line. Thanks! :hi: