Here's a perfect example of Obama smart management

[dixiegrrrrl]

From TPM today:

TPM reader who works in Dept. of Educ. said this about the new Director, Arne Duncan:

*****
I work at the Department of Education headquarters in DC. Today completed our 2-day introduction to Arne Duncan. Yesterday he had lunch in our cafeteria (Edibles, ha ha), with his wife and children. His wife wore jeans and a sweater and Arne looked like an average joe in khaki dress pants, white shirt and tie. They stood in all of the lines and talked to anyone who approached them. They probably stayed 90 minutes. It was definitely the highest cafeteria attendance ever.

Yesterday afternoon he visited every floor of our building and introduced himself to everyone. We all came out into the hall and he shook everyone's hand with a "Hi, I'm Arne."

By the end of the day yesterday, everyone was aglow, since this was already more attention than we'd received from Spellings or Paige. Today, however, was the all-staff meeting, and I can say that the morale in the building increased ten-fold by the end of it.*****
more at link:
( right below the tv clip TPMtv: The Day in 100 Seconds, about 1/3 way down)

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I am glad they like him

I am sure not impressed. Yes he is better than Paige or Spellings but many teachers have some pretty significant concerns about Duncan.

Duncan, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, presided over the implementation and expansion of an agenda that militarized and corporatized the third largest school system in the nation, one that is about 90 percent poor and nonwhite. Under Duncan, Chicago took the lead in creating public schools run as military academies, vastly expanded draconian student expulsions, instituted sweeping surveillance practices, advocated a growing police presence in the schools, arbitrarily shut down entire schools and fired entire school staffs. A recent report, "Education on Lockdown," claimed that partly under Duncan's leadership "Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has become infamous for its harsh zero tolerance policies. Although there is no verified positive impact on safety, these policies have resulted in tens of thousands of student suspensions and an exorbitant number of expulsions."
http://www.truthout.org/121708R

[MadMaddie]

2. It was the same for Hillary at the State Department

The employees of these organizations are relieved to be simply acknowledged. They know that the real work is about to begin and they are excited.

[Muttocracy]

3. that sounds terrific - I bet civil service morale is skyrocketing

A few years ago I wouldn't have ever considered working in D.C. Lately, I've thought, hmmm, if there was ever a time to work for the federal govmt, it's now! (provided too many jobs don't get cut)

[tabatha]

4. More direct link

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/01/you_can_call_me_arne.php

[mucifer]

5. That's all well and good. But, he was in charge of the Chicago school system and

it's in shambles. I know a lot of it has to do with poor funding and Duncan couldn't make money magically appear. But, I'm not that impressed with him. I REALLY hope he changes my mind.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. He turned the high schools in Chicago into military academies

:(