"Scout" wrote in message

Do you find evil in the AMA because it is an advocate for
doctors, and because it's officiated by doctors? Of course not.

Wrong guy of whom to ask this question. Yes, I do vilify the AMA, on many
counts. They fight battles for organized medicine (predictable) against
many foes, but do almost nothing for the public and health care in general.
Are you aware that the AMA has less than 38% membership of currently
practicing physicians? Apparently most physicians feel similarly.

I
don't know where you live, but at my school, my students have strong
advocates, beginning with me.

My compliments and admiration, Scout. Teachers (some) have always been the
advocates for their students, but not the NEA. Another anecdote (and I
sincerely wish I could find a reference for you to read, but I've been
unable to do so). An attorney on the radio last week related a story about
a teacher in San Diego (I think) who taught in a school predominately
composed of disadvantaged Hispanic students. Few, if any of them, got into
college. And this teacher, I believe his name was Jaimie (pronounced
Hi-me), decided this was unacceptable. He began to teach after-school
classes on test-taking to help kids perform well on the SATs and other
college admission exams. And it was a resounding success. The percent of
kids getting into colleges and universities jumped dramatically, thanks at
least in part to his help. But his fellow teachers were miffed, claiming he
made them "look bad" by comparison. So they engaged the NEA to assist them
with their plight. The NEA applied pressure, both legal and political (via
the school administration), against Jaimie. Ultimately he grew weary of the
fight, threw up his hands, and quit. He's now doing something outside of
education. The teachers were able to get a blurb in the statewide (?) NEA
newsletter, lauding their efforts in getting rid of "a problem teacher."

You do the math.

Max