The conservative support that brought Diane Douglas to the Nov. 6, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction victory was based on her steadfast opposition to the Common Core curriculum. Her base also counted on Douglas following in the footsteps of an earlier two-term predecessor, Tom Horne, who successfully fought the divisive ethnic studies program in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). A lawyer, he personally argued the case in U.S. District Court in Tucson.
Instead, using slippery language, Douglas has taken a startling new position on the separatist studies. After a meeting with TUSD Superintendent Heliodoro Torres “H.T.” Sanchez, Douglas concluded that “elements” of the district’s program, including a section on hip-hop music, went too far. But she is not actually opposed to ethnic studies. In a statement released following her meeting with Sanchez, Douglas hit a low note with this conclusion, “It is important to correct the misunderstanding that the Arizona Department of Education is opposed to ethnic studies. If any child educated in Arizona is not exposed to the suffering, trials and triumphs of all ethnic groups who have contributed to our state’s rich cultural mix, then we are failing to teach accurate history.”
Douglas’ immediate former predecessor John Huppenthal addressed this issue in a Jan. 2, 2015 press release as he was leaving the superintendent’s post.
“During my tenure as Superintendent, I have been closely monitoring the status of the Tucson Unified School District’s culturally relevant curricula to ensure that all TUSD students, regardless of their race or ethnic background, have access to a high quality education,” Huppenthal wrote. “After a thorough review of materials from TUSD’s culturally relevant courses, I find that the district has failed to meet several provisions of the 2012 Settlement Agreement settlement and is once again in clear violation of A.R.S. §15-112. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned by the fact that the noncompliance appears to extend beyond classes taught from the Mexican American perspective and now also includes classes taught from the African-American perspective.”
Huppenthal nailed it.
Tom Horne also got it right when he previously said, “Traditionally, the American public school system has brought together students from different backgrounds and taught them to be Americans and to treat each other as individuals, and not on the basis of their ethnic backgrounds. This is consistent with the fundamental American value that we are all individuals, not exemplars of whatever ethnic groups we were born into. Ethnic studies programs teach the opposite, and are designed to promote ethnic chauvinism.”
There is palpable disappointment at Douglas’ apparent willingness to expand and breathe new life into the discredited program. How does the establishment of statewide minority programs that focus on victim status and characterize the United States as an oppressor nation benefit students? Shouldn’t the emphasis be on an inclusive American history rather than one that separates, blames and embraces victimhood in this country of unparalleled opportunity?
As an advertised conservative who appeared to possess quality credentials from her years on the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board, great hope was placed in her election triumph over a dedicated leftist educrat.
After just days in office, her supporters must already be wondering if Diane Douglas has forgotten who ‘brung her to the dance?’
Seeing Red AZ has covered the anti-American, La Raza–endorsed ethnic-studies programs since 2008. Here is a sampling:
March 12, 2013: AZ AG Horne victory: Judge upholds ethnic studies ban
Dec. 28, 2011: TUSD Mexican anti-American studies violates law
May 4, 2011: Tucson Unified School District: Inmates running the asylum
April 22, 2011: Chaos erupts over TUSD’s review of ethnic studies program
Jan. 4, 2011: AZ Republic lambastes TUSD’s ethnic studies duplicity as “bogus”
April 30, 2010: Bill to ban separatist studies sent to Gov. Brewer
Sept. 24, 2009: It’s still too hot to be taken in by TUSD’s snow job
Sept. 22, 2009: Bizarre race-based system of discipline for Tucson Schools
July 29, 2009: The Washington Times discovers AZ’s Superintendent of Public Instruction
June 28, 2009: Anti-Americanism passing as education in Tucson
June 11, 2008: Travesty in Tucson
Seeing Red AZ 
SRAZ was so busy gushing on Douglas that they never asked her any hard questions…….this is what you get!
People who bang on about Common Core, free markets and tax cuts are usually wimps on immigration.
Case in point: Jeff Flake, Dick Armey, Jeb Hensarling, Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal and others.
Rand Paul is refusing to attack Jeb Bush on immigration because it is easier to say he opposes a few aspects of the Department of Education.
Diane Douglas is obviously trying to placate the leftists who announced a recall effort against her as soon as the votes were counted and it was clear she beat Democrat David Garcia. I’m tremendously disturbed by her willingness to abandon reason and endorse a course of study that is based in fomenting resentment. This is a divisive program that elevates alienation rather than unity. Diane Douglas was the beneficiary of the revelations of Huppenthal’s problems. It’s doubtful she could have leaped from school board member to state superintendent of Public Instruction otherwise. I regret my vote for this weak woman who is now in charge of educating Arizona‘s students. ALL of them.
Diane Douglas won the endorsement of Michelle Malkin. I have to admit that was persuasive to me. Malkin is a staunch conservative with a strong national following. Her website is one of my favorites. After this glowing endorsement and Diane Douglas’ subsequent victory, Malkin did a congratulatory follow-up post.
http://michellemalkin.com/2014/05/16/endorsement-diane-douglas-for-arizona-state-superintendent/
Congrats:
http://michellemalkin.com/2014/08/26/congrats-diane-douglas-grass-roots-activist-ousts-pro-common-core-state-supe-in-arizona-gop-primary/
It appears we’ve been hoodwinked.
It was about 5 years ago that I came upon a ‘study outline’ for these classes that had been posted up by the “Three Sonorans” / Tucson Weakly. It would have shocked even the most seasoned Mexican-sucking leftist. I quickly linked the page and when I returned less than an hour later – the page had been deleted. In hindsight, I wish I would have taken screen shots.
It is much easier for the PC CoC-enslaved legislative pundits to pussyfoot around the hard truth – which is that Mexico controls the entire southern half of Arizona. There is nothing more symbolizing of that fact than the unstoppable, undefeatable Raul “Boycott Arizona” Grijalva, and with an honorable mention Pima County “public defender” Isabel Garcia. The TUSD, who were given a final warning to cease and desist, are what any good revolutionists are – openly defiant. Mr. Brnovich – get your ass in gear.
Brnovich answers to the McKyl, McMontgomery RINO/amnesty cabal. For us to expect him to act in the same manner Tom Horne did in addressing this Aztlan muscle flexing — now aided by Diane Douglas — is a fool’s errand. It would be tantamount to actually thinking McCain was serious when he expressed his campaign related phony desire to “Build the dang fence.”
When he was running for president, McCain gave a high profile speech to the extremist Mexican group, the National Council of La Raza, or the “National Council of The Race.”
http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/weekly-updates/30-mccain-and-obama-lobby-la-raza-support/
McCain also hired “Mexico First” Juan Hernandez as his Hispanic Outreach Director. Like John McCain, Hernandez calls everyone, “my friend.” I wonder who learned that bit of trickery from whom…
Either we’ve been hoodwinked or Diane Douglas has. Who is she turning to for advice ? Whoever it is ought to be replaced pronto. If the recall against her ultimately gains traction, she might find many of her former supporters on the opposite side of the fence. I don’t mean voting for the Democrat, but recruiting someone with a backbone to stand up to this anti-American agenda. When I read these utterly foolish words from Douglas, I nearly gagged:
“It is important to correct the misunderstanding that the Arizona Department of Education is opposed to ethnic studies. If any child educated in Arizona is not exposed to the suffering, trials and triumphs of all ethnic groups who have contributed to our state’s rich cultural mix, then we are failing to teach accurate history.”
She’ll be in attendance at the January 24, Republican state meeting. If you are a delegate, let her know how badly this plays. If she stood on her head onstage and juggled five bowling balls, I will still not applaud this woman, and I voted for her.
This is what “multiculturalism” has given us, a weak foundation holding up our Constitution and nation. When both parties begin looking the same … we are no longer independent citizens, but ONE group of prostitutes bowing to the pimps and parasites who feed off us. Principles do have costs … and meaning … and consequences for both action and inaction.
“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” – Patrick Henry.
Other information regarding a supposed Republican:
” A former senior aide to Democratic ex-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will join the district staff of Republican Congresswoman Martha McSally.
McSally’s office announced that C.J. Karamargin will join McSally’s staff as district director, and the congressman woman she’s pleased to have Karamargin join her staff to provide constituent services as strong as possible.
Karamargin served as Giffords’ communications director. He most recently worked as executive director for public information and media relations for Pima Community College.
Martha McSally is inoculating herself as a left-leaning RINO from the get-go with this disgraceful hire. Then no one can accuse her of deception, since she can point to this early career move. She’s no different than the many disappointing Supreme Court Justices appointed by Republican presidents, such as Sandra O’Connor who duped Reagan. They often veer left, while the liberal appointees only get more deeply entrenched in their leftward bent.
On the topic of Ed Supe Douglas: It’s imperative we have a conservative with impeccable credentials ready to run if the recall against her moves forward. After reading her blather, I will not vote for her again.
The usual tactic of the socialized Left is to use the “education system” … NOT TO EDUCATE … but to embrace this as the “sensitivity training” and “victimhood”, as if white America is to blame for the failing success rate of the educators in Arizona.
This collectivist inclusion is a cancer that has spread into the brain cells of these liars and thieves, and it must be excised by the multiple lobotomies of elections !!
Words do have meaning, we were reminded of that when President Bill Clinton told the court … “it all depends what the definition of the word is … is?”
So why can’t a Department of so-called “education”, educate our minds of mush with American History and the facts of what the founding fathers knew about oppressive government, and what they HAD TO GIVE UP … so that America could be called educated?
Our kids graduate with below average reading & writing skills, then try to find jobs that say bi-lingual only, and they can’t even speak English! Education is NOT THE problem, the problem is the lack of assimilation INTO our American language, morals, and laws.
It is this arrogance by those who think they are better than another … that is OUR problem, for the politics of this divisiveness leads to anarchy or poverty. Today it seems that all we see and hear is the woe is me attitude of “victimhood”, that if they would only have taught me this or that about my “roots” I could prosper by being “educated”.
America is a land of “opportunity” not results. Yet it is that curriculum of inclusiveness, of all ethnic groups by way of the joining of comrades, that is the INDOCTRINATION … into a Soviet style education of Marxist collectivism. It is an evil that will NO longer understand, see, nor take responsibility for its own pathetic results. Group thought is death to our cherished nation, for the smallest minority .. the individual … is being systematically removed from our shores and replaced by the Group ideology… which closely resembles the theology of the State where only government knows best, ….. I pray not.
Yes, this is a continuation of the “bait and switch” she foisted on voters . . . she just took an oath of office to uphold to laws, etc, etc . . . that includes implementing Common Core, which is (sadly) Arizona’s earlier decision, effectively, the law of the land at the moment.
In order to have real influence to make a such a change, she should have run for the legislature . . . (grumble, grumble).
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If you CAN’T or WON’T do what you promised in your campaign when you ran for office you should resign. Diane Douglas has her cushy job, her pay for going along to get along and her total lack of moral character for pretending to be a conservative when she is clearly not. She does not care about getting rid of the Marxist schooling of Common Core because she is now part of the system that brought us this disaster. She has deceived so many and has no backbone. Stop making excuses for her and grow up.
I find it very sad that the spineless followers of those who deceive throw red herrings to avoid accepting the fact that most politicians are just pond scum and care only for themselves once they are in office.
Our past superintendent was right….We really didn’t know her.
Maybe she thinks we don’t remember her campaign promises. Earth to Diane…..we do.
Adding fuel to this fire, whatever possessed Diane Douglas to appoint former state Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor as her director of special projects at the Arizona Department of Education? Were there no good Republicans in need of employment? What constitutes “special projects” and what is the salary for implementing them? Does anyone know?
Landrum Taylor, who is a far left liberal was ousted in a coup as Senate Minority Leader.
Project Vote Smart has her dismal voting record:
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/16378/leah-landrum-taylor#.VLXWUiuzKuI
There’s a pull down box on the top left of the page.
This is where she stand on abortion related issues:
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/16378/leah-landrum-taylor/2/abortion#.VLXlvSuzKuI
Second Amendment protections:
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/16378/leah-landrum-taylor/2/abortion#.VLXlvSuzKuI
Health and Health Care:
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/16378/leah-landrum-taylor/38/health-and-health-care#.VLXmpCuzKuI
Guess who voted to expand Medicaid eligibility? None other than Leah Landrum Taylor!!
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/16378/leah-landrum-taylor/91/health-insurance#.VLXnMSuzKuI
Surely Diane Douglas could do better than this!
Hey folks…Justa’ thought: So, we all supported Mrs. Douglas. Let’s not throw her to th’ wolves just yet. Didn’t our new gubnah appoint his own education “czar”? And isn’t this person (& I searched for the info here, & it IS here, but I couldn’t locate it) in favor of Common core? And we all know that Ducey’s connected with mcStain @ th’ hip, right? Maybe she got backed into a corner? Again……..Justa’ thought……..
Doc
People with integrity hold their ground. Diane Douglas does not represent the Governor, she is supposed to represent those who elected her. Please see my prior post on this matter. I will restate for you in case you do not understand that if one CANNOT or WILL NOT do the job they were hired to do they should quit.
…point well taken,sir. ANOTHER…royal skrewin’…whooda’ thunk it?
Seems to me we see that women seem to lack logic more often than not, case in point, McSally and Douglas. I am so disappointed with Douglas and all of us who worked so hard for her will not be there for her when that recall starts. Anyone for a back stabbing proof vest? For most of us tho, no surprise with McSally fellow flygirl to good bud flyboy McCain birds of a feather yada yada! As for the Gub no surprise there either.
Unfortunately there will not be a recall because Diane isn’t going to do anything about getting rid of Common Core. She will not jeopardize her…. way too high…. pay check for the next four years. I voted for her but am so very sorry, her past associations with the left should have been a good indication that she is a fraud.
Some of the PCs in LD 22 have written legislation and presented it to both AZ Senators and Legislators to present to others to stop Federal Intrusion into our Educational System in AZ and not only for Common Core but any Federal Intrusion, for as we all know only to well they are consistently moving the target so we decided to attack the cause not just the symptoms, which is the Federal Government, hope all will contact they’re Reps. and help LD 22 Reps. get support from others, we can do this together even when those we supported don’t follow through as promised.
God Bless You All; Van