This should teach our children a valuable lesson in democracy.

Well, at least Representative Jane Cunningham isn't only targeting higher education faculty with her schemes to stifle free speech and prevent the open exchange of ideas. The sponsor of the "Intellectual Diversity" bill has struck again! A post on the "Fired Up! Missouri" blog begins:

Queen Jane and GOP Reps Look to Strip Speech Rights from Teachers

Over the legislative spring break, Queen of Bad Ideas Jane Cunningham and GOP friends Steve Hunter and Marilyn Ruestman spun the squeaky gerbil-wheels of their minds as rapidly as they could and came up with a gem of a bill. Their idea: stop public school teachers in the state of Missouri from participating in their democracy by visiting the state capitol to lobby legislators. Cunningham, Hunter, and Ruestman apparently believe that some real restrictions on participatory democracy for the people who educate our youngsters are just what Missourians are hungry for.

Their bill, HB 1222, reads simply:

"no public school teacher shall lobby the general assembly unless such teacher makes arrangements to pay the salary of the substitute teacher for the teacher's class."

You think this is an April Fools joke, don't you? Go to the Missouri House of Representatives web page to see for yourself at: http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/bills/hb1222.htm.

Check out the entire post at: www.firedupmissouri.com.

Vacation in Beautiful Jeff City and Strike a Blow for Liberty!

Calling anyone who can take the time to be in the Capitol for a few hours on Wednesday, April 18! Our car pool will leave Columbia at 8:30 am. At 10:00 am we have a briefing in the Capitol from Otto Fajen, MNEA lobbyist. We will then talk with key legislators about HB 213 (the so-called Intellectual Diversity bill or more accurately the Witch Hunt bill) and other higher education legislation. Hopefully we will also have some time to watch the show in the House or Senate. Those of us who have time for lunch will eat at a nearby restaurant, then head back to Columbia.

Please email Steve McLuckie, MNEA Organizing Director at steve.mcluckie@mnea.org to RSVP.