Cash Michaels is going after Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata for not praising President Obama for ordering the mission that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.
In a front-page article in The Carolinian last week, Michaels writes that Tata is "one well-known conservative Tea Party follower and longtime staunch critic of President Obama in North Carolina who, interestingly, has not been heard from yet this week." Michaels goes on to spend much of his post noting Tata's past criticism of Obama on Fox News and on conservative web sites.
Michaels writes that he unsuccessfully contacted Wake for a statement from Tata "regarding his reaction to the bin Laden mission as a retired US Army officer, and whether he had now changed his negative thoughts about President Obama, his leadership, and his relationship with the military."
After the story went to press, Michaels noted on his blog that Tata did talk about the issue on WTVD. But Michaels complains that Tata "really said next to nothing about President Obama except that he could confirm bin Laden's death."
"So as far as I'm concerned, he's still not said anything lauding the president's leadership at all," Michaels writes.
Is the criticism of Tata for not speaking out on non-school matters fair?
For instance, Michaels had questioned whether Tata would still do politcal commentary after being hired by Wake. But in the article, Michaels writes that Tata had not goine back on his promise to focus on leading Wake 24/7.
In the case of the WTVD interview, the media sought out Tata for a response. A TV crew was camped outside the school board conference room at last week's board meeting waiting for the closed session to end to ask Tata about bin Laden.
Comments
Must be that time again...
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 22:53 — waidttmaWhaler, I can't say I missed reading your posts these last months, but honestly I can't wait to see who you will be exploiting...uh, supporting...this go 'round. A pathetic form of entertainment, I admit.
Political Genius, Yes He Is
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 22:59 — starsonoursYou don't understand political strategy. They tried it in '09 and it was a disaster, but when they roll out the same campaign in '11 everyone will love it! If not they can try it again in '13 and in '15 and in '17 ect.....
Appreciative
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 14:23 — Dove314Just have to say, I was appreciative of Tata's response and his being true to the words he said earlier about WCPSS being his primary remit. I've also appreciated the way he has worked to tone down the political rhetoric in WCPSS matters as well. So no, I don't think criticism of him for doing this is fair at all. He is not allowing his past history before coming to Wake County to influence his current actions while superintendent here.
Agreed
Wed, 05/11/2011 - 22:09 — chaboardVery good point, and I agree
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 17:10 — Andrew95Very good point, and I agree that absence of comment cannot be construed as criticism.
I agree.
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 15:44 — jenmanI agree.
Cash our cat box needs cleaning
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 13:12 — FSandYOUwhy don't you come by and bring your tongue with you. You can lick it clean. That's all you're qualified to do you Barber wannbe.
I am taking my dog
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 15:57 — gregisherefor a walk -- why don't you follow along and catch the poop with your mouth -- because that's all you and your comments say you are worth. Goodness gracious, you are a loathsome and tiresome commenter. I sure hope your parents monitor your internet habits.
I sure hope
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 18:42 — FSandYOUyour momma wipes you good when she changes you before bed. I'd hate for your dreams to become soiled. If your like Cash it's already too late, so just plan on washing when you get up.
It's an internet forum, not
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 18:54 — Andrew95It's an internet forum, not "Yo Mamma", guys. Seriously. What are you, 15?
No
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 20:57 — FSandYOUyou are.
Shame, not doing your
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 21:02 — Andrew95Shame, not doing your research. I'm sixteen. Yet somehow, I act more mature than you.
Hmm. Is it possible that maturity is not directly connected to age?
But you can't vote
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 21:32 — FSandYOUSo research and age mean zilch.
Mature as ever, FSU. You are
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 21:38 — Andrew95Mature as ever, FSU. You are constant proof that this forum needs actual moderators.
You are more mature than many here
Wed, 05/11/2011 - 08:16 — Dove314It is amazing that you, at 16, are more mature than so many here on this blog. Despite a need for moderators here, the N&O has made it clear via Keung that the options are no moderators or no blog. Just know that I respect the maturity you put in to your posts here.
Careful
Wed, 05/11/2011 - 22:24 — local23About every two or three months two new bloggers join and have tandem approaches against anything long time bloggers have been commenting on in pro community based schools, Ron., etc.. The pattern is pretty predictable and always worse around voting time.
How long is "long"? I've
Thu, 05/12/2011 - 06:49 — Andrew95How long is "long"? I've been posting on this blog for over a year. If you're implying that I'm a newbie to the subject, you're mistaken.
You are right andrew
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 21:59 — gregishereI dished back what he gave, but I knew he'd just stick to the poo. My apologies to you, Andrew. I should have known better. This person FUS and Whatever is just so clocks in the whirlpool, I couldn't help myself. Shame on me.
...
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:48 — SideburnsWhat does Tata's opinion of Bin Laden's death have to do with our students? Michaels is just grasping at straws in an attempt to create his own news.
It is clear to me that Michaels' concern is not (and never has been) about the students of WCPSS. It's about his politics.
Would Cash have asked Supt.
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:36 — DrActualFactualWould Cash have asked Supt. Tata to weigh in on the issue if it had gone wrong and troops were lost? I don't think so. This just makes Cash look like a small person. (Besides, who doesn't want a terrorist who considers us all infidels worthy of death taken out before he gets his job done--even Dems and Reps can agree on self-preservation.)
WAIT A MINUTE...
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 10:28 — ClearThinkerAll of you Tata fans can't have it both ways. I think Michaels (who could be overblown at times) has it nailed it here.
Margiotta and the Republicans on the school board have given Tony Tata the same leeway in his contract with WCPSS he had when he worked for the DC public schools, namely to moonlight on his own time writing books and doing commentary.
So Tata CAN comment on Obama if he wants.
Secondly, how can you say it's alright for Tata to comment all he wants on the bravery of the troops (and appropriately so) but should keep his mouth shut about their commander-in-chief, especially when just last year Tata was accusing Obama of not even deserving the title?
In my opinion, Tata should be embarrassed to high heaven for his attacks on the president, and be man enough to admit that he was wrong. It's a lesson we teach our children when they're wrong. Why isn 't it good enough for the school superintendent?
That is unless you Tata fans don't believe in admitting when you're WRONG!!!
As WCPSS Supt, Tata has
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:07 — AgentPierceAs WCPSS Supt, Tata has avoided any political comments. What he may have done prior to that is irrelevant to his currenr role. For Ol' Cash to try and draw him into a silly joust simply to create further dissension in the community is consistent with Cash's reputation as a local race agitator. ... and consistent with The N&O's agenda.
Wonder how Supt Tata feels about State's new BB coach or the Lakers' collapse or the recent layoffs at The N&O or that Garner boy's chances on Amer Idol???
What was Tata "wrong" about
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:40 — woodstockWhat was Tata "wrong" about in his comments about Obama?
Can you please provide links
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 10:53 — jenmanCan you please provide links to his attacks on Obama? I read through all of his commentary online when he was hired and I don't recall seeing any attacks on Obama. I remember him saying that Obama wasn't qualified and that Palin was more qualified but I don't remember any attacks.
LINKS AT MICHAELS BLOG
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 11:50 — ClearThinkerI just checked Michaels' blog. The links are there. Just click and see for yourself. The Fox News video is especially harsh on the president.
You're talking about the
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 15:41 — jenmanYou're talking about the interview about replacing McChrystal? Yep, he disagreed with Obama's decision but he didn't attack him. Just because you disagree with somebody doesn't mean you're attacking them.
Cash is reaching on this, which is no surprise.
when was the video made?
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:05 — CaryCurmudgeonwhen was the video made? I'd check myself, but I'd probably vomit if I steered my browser to that guy's blog.
My thoughts exactly. I am
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:15 — woodstockMy thoughts exactly. I am not going to be counted among the visitors to his blog site.
Seems to me that saying
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 11:17 — virginiadareSeems to me that saying Obama isn't qualified to be president is about the harshest attack he could make against him! Especially when also saying that Sarah Palin IS qualified! You really don't think that was an "attack"?
Seems to me that saying
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 11:46 — CaryCurmudgeonSeems to me that saying Obama isn't qualified to be president is about the harshest attack he could make against him!
When the red phone rings at 3am, who do you want answering it? Remember that Hilary commercial from the last Presidential campaign? Questioning someone's qualifications to be president is par for the course in American politics. You know, kinda like when board haters question the qualifications of Margiotta, Tedesco and the rest (although I think them being called white supremists is worse than having their qualifications questioned, but that's just me).
Especially when also saying that Sarah Palin IS qualified!
Sarah Palin IS qualified to work on a game show.
That isn't an attack, and it
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 11:44 — jenmanThat isn't an attack, and it certainly isn't the harshest 'attack' that somebody could make against him. I voted for Obama, but his resume wasn't the most impressive. He didn't have much experience behind him but saying that doesn't amount to an attack.
I don't agree with Tata that Palin is more qualified (I think she'd be a train wreck), but it is just opinion.
Well, it is not exactly
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:41 — woodstockWell, it is not exactly shocking news that many think Obama's resume is somewhat lacking in experience. For instance, he had no executive experiene at all... zero, nada, zip. However, he did win an election and that plus being over the age of 35 is about all that is required of the positon.
So...
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 10:50 — Bob_SconceWhen Tata came on board, he said that he'd be the full-time Superintendent and would stay away from expressing political views. Should that go out the window just because Obama does something right? All that would do is create a side-show.
I like Cash, but I would
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 09:48 — WhalerCaneI like Cash, but I would prefere Super Tata stick to his job and not comment publiclly on any matters not associated with his job.
Same here
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 10:11 — mommy59Oh Boy if Tata had said something he would never hear the end of it.Good thinking Mr.Tata not not saying a word!
What!? So, Michaels DOES
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 09:42 — woodstockWhat!? So, Michaels DOES want Tata to speak out on matters not related to running Wake's schools, including political matters. Previously I thought he was concerned about that and that he did not want Tata participating in political punditry. Maybe Cash only wants Tata to speak out in favor of Obama's actions, but never in critique of them....it is all very confusing.
He's just following the fine
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 09:36 — RonMexicoHe's just following the fine example set by his preferred Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who would rather say something complimentary about Bin Laden before she would ever give praise to President Obama.
"Is the criticism of Tata
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 09:26 — AgentPierce"Is the criticism of Tata for not speaking out on non-school matters fair?
*****
"Fair" ???? Of course not, but what difference does that make? Ol' Cash is playing his usual game of make provocative allegations laced with racism and rely on The N&O to publish them. And The N&O dutifully does.
Because as you know the N&O
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 09:50 — WhalerCaneBecause as you know the N&O like any media outlet is most concerned with page views. I do disagree with Cash on this one. Super Tata should not comment on issues beyond his job.
how far the mighty have fallen ???
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 10:29 — AgentPierceThe once mighty N&O now resorting to using the publisher of the tiny Carolinian to boost its page views !!! Cash has got to be loving this .... and Frank Daniels shaking his head and saying "what happened to the good old days?"