Open Letter to Danielle Katzir of Parent Revolution and Green Dot Charter Schools

"The lowest-performing, based on test scores, is the large Green Dot chain." — Los Angeles Times

Gabe Rose, Deputy Director Parent Revolution aka McKinley Parents for Change

From: "Robert D. Skeels"
Date: February 07, 2011 15:03:33 PST
To: Danielle Katzir
Cc: info@parentrevolution.org, pdetemple@parentrevolution.org, Shirley Ford , Marco Petruzzi , Jed Wallace , mayor@lacity.org, Gloria Romero
Subject: Follow up questions, plus Gibson Crutcher Dunn representing Wal-Mart?

Ms. Katzir:

I'm a little perplexed as to why you haven't answered my calls and emails. I want you to know that several journalists and I saved copies of your Gibson Dunn bio page before you conveniently removed the portion that listed you as a member of LAPU/Parent Revolution's board. I can send you a copy if you'd like for nostalgia.

My original line of questioning was going to be regarding that situation. However, another journalist sent me the following today.

I learned from a New Yorker article (read on today's flight to NYC to see Diane Ravitch) that Gibson Crutcher Dunn, one of the law firms repping Parent Revolution, represents Wal-Mart in contesting an OSHA charge over employee crushed to death in that Black Friday stampede on Long Island. Wal-Mart money funds Parent Revolution. Coincidence?

Given how reactionary right-wingers Messrs. Austin and Rose keep harping on Littler Mendelson’s less than stelar record with labor, I wanted to see if any of you could justify that in the light on this development. It doesn't get any more anti-labor than Wal-Mart (or misogynistic, or racist for that mater), mot to mention their well known use of child labor. It goes without saying of course, that Austin only thought he had the high ground in that regard.

This is my third attempt to reach you for comment. I don't like publishing articles without balanced quotes from both sides, but my experience has shown that right wing sources, like your firm and your client, don't like to be questioned by the social justice media. You can rest assured that there will be a lengthy article about you and your involvement with Austin's vile organization published soon. The question is, do you want to defend your position?

I look forward to hearing from you and discussing these questions at length.

Advocating Public Education
Robert D. Skeels

PS. perhaps you're not familiar with social justice journalism. It looks like this.