Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/39006
VOICE YOUR VIEWS AEA Defends Educators’ Free Speech Dear Editor: As a 3rd-year teacher in the Sunnyside District, I reserve agreement with you that AEA defends its members. However, as a continuing member and next year’s communications officer, I have a question. How does the law [SB 1365] infringe on free speech? Mark Berry, Sunnyside EA member Dear Mr. Berry, The law infringes on the right to free speech in a few ways. For one, it is viewpoint discrimination in that favored groups – police and fire unions – were allowed to maintain payroll deductions when all other unions were not allowed that right. This gives preferential treatment to one group of speakers while silencing another. Another violation is that by forcing AEA to predict how much of its dues will go to political activity one year in advance, the bill creates a prior restraint on speech. If AEA guesses incor- rectly, then it faces a $10,000 fine for every violation, which could be for every member. That huge penalty will stop AEA from speaking in fear it will go over the predetermined limit. The bill is also incredibly vague and overbroad in its definition of political activity. Conceivably, the bill’s definition could apply to this communication. As written, the bill will have a chilling effect on speech, and AEA doesn’t want its or your voice ON THE LIGHTER SIDE I was teaching the Gilded Age – the era of big business – to my AP U.S. history students. The editorial cartoon showing how “big oil” was in control of everything in Washington was the PowerPoint slide we were examining. While explaining to the kids what this cartoon meant (an octopus with its tentacles enveloping Congress, White House, etc.), I accidentally told my students to look at the “testicles.” Needless to say, I was very embarrassed and apologetic to the kids. They were restrained and polite, but inside I knew they were busting a gut. To this day, I am very careful about explaining this cartoon. Janice Brooks Chinle EA member AEA Advocate ❘ Fall 2011 5 Write us! Readers are encouraged to state opinions or make comments in letters that will be considered for publication in this column. The editor reserves the right to edit lengthy letters representing a balance of viewpoints. Generally, letters will not be published without the names of their writers and local associations. Send letters to: “Member Talk,” AEA Advocate, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Email: sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org. silenced. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Samantha Blevins, AEA Staff Attorney AEA Defends Educators’ Free Speech in Lawsuit Great job! I will become a member again. I am so glad that AEA brought forth this lawsuit. Thank you. Jean Colasanti, Tucson EA member Thank Goodness!!!! Thanks for fighting the good fight for the good of the cause!!!!! Nancy Maccarone, Glendale Elementary EA member Sincerely, thanks for protecting what little we have as educators. Mary King, Mesa EA member Thank you hope to win Frank Chavez, Nogales ESPA member Thank you! It’s about time. This is the only thing that the Republican dominated state legislature understands. Witness our President: compro- mise and dialogue does not work so well. I feel as though I am in a worthwhile organization that will stand up for teachers. Gary Griffith, Humboldt EA member MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK M EMBER TALK MEMBER TALK