Too long for clarity, but not comprehension. You start out by, once again, telling me what I am saying. If you want to know what I'm saying, just read what I said. Then you switch topics to the question - What is the proper role of government. Then, back to the bones in the head comments. Then, class warfare. Then throw in a few random comments. Like I said, interesting, if not coherent, rant.

Sentences too long? I'll try ta keep em' shorter for ya' next time.

Wow. Interesting rant.

So what your saying is that since our competitive free market has been free of wasteful spending, and other forms of fraudulent behavior, public schools should emulate private schools because it will make our society better? I'm not saying that those specific things don't exist in government, because they exist everywhere; but don't you think something, say like law eforcement, or fire departments, should also adhere to your philosophy of "Competition is good; government-created monopolies are bad."? Not to mention that we already have a high population of people with bones piled on top of their already protected craniums, and most wouldn't pay to educate their children. In turn, increasing the population of people who have more bone than brain, and decreasing America's productivity as whole because only people who are rich enough to pay for education will be able to read, communicate, and act in a safe manner with the rest of society. I'm not so sure that competition will be "better" without the help of the government to make education available to all, thus leveling the playing field for all, not just those able to pay. I'm still not so convinced that our competitive free market system is better without government regulation. I think the overall goal of humanity should be to strive to become better, not richer.

Vigi: Yes! I believe what I said! Imagine that. (although you attempt to elaborate on what I said and put words in my mouth.) If you don't believe there is a lot of waste in government, please check out the organization Citizens Against Government Waste.
Absolutely people should be educated. Agreed. But let's put the government schools on a level playing field with the private schools. Competition is good; government-created monopolies are bad.
When and if I ever leave this country will be based on mostly economic factors, not because I am a free thinker.
Lastly, your insensitve comment regarding bones in one's head leaves us all wondering if you remain unprotected from cranial trauma.

SuperDave--Do you really believe that "waste, fraud and abuse that would not exist in the private sector" is an accurate statement considering the cause of our current economic demise wasn't due to many of our wasteless, ethical private sector companies? Nevertheless, we decided a looonggg time ago that people in America should receive education for some dumb reason. Besides, it's our way, it's our culture, and if you are one who doesn't like it, feel free to move to a country that does not hold this belief. I think some people were born with bones on their heads!

OK Bea, we differ on that. I hope that at least you now understand my previous posts.

SuperDave-When I mentioned that teachers pay taxes too, I wasn't really referring to them paying their own salaries. I can see why you would take it that way though. My point was that people are constantly harping on teachers as if they don't ever feel the tax crunch. By the way, I find your "dumbing things down for me" comment just as offensive as you find my "teacher haters" name calling. Just saying.

Simon, it is not libel if you are telling the truth and your comments are based on fact. My comments are. Deal with it or go away. I have every right to express my opinion and make factual statements.

TheJoker - Your libelous post tells a lot about your character. This forum is not for personal attacks on someone unless you are prepared to share your name and people can do the same to you!

Stub - You make some good points. Thanks :)

SuperDave

While I generally agree that "government run" usually means "badly run", I would posit that Education, at least in Wisconsin, is more of an exception. One cannot ignore the fact that Wisconsin schools have been under revenue limits and cost controls since 1993. No other government agency has faced those limits. So when the "great recession" hit in 2008, schools had been cutting the waste and excess for 15 years already. While private sector wages were soaring, teacher wages were severely limited. Many schools were struggling to just provide basic (and mandated) services. So now the economy goes south (literally - to Mexico) and everyone is cutting. Harping on the schools - the one area of government that has been cutting for all the years up to this situation, is barking up the wrong tax tree.

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Check your tax bills. In the early 90's the school portion of the property tax was in the 60-70% range of the total bill. Now it is probably in the 40% range. (depending on where you live) County, city, local, tech schools, and other taxing entities are the big increases these days. Folks gripe about a $25/year increase in the school portion, but ignore multi-hundred dollar increases in taxes for other services. Why? Many gripe because they don't "use' those school services. But I would disagree. Perhaps your children are not in school - or you don't have children, but the outcome of public education is the workforce as a whole. We all use the products of the education system. .

Bea: You said "tax paying teachers actually support public education". To me that is silly - tax paying anybodys (even my made-up widget-repairers) are FORCED to support public education. That's why it is politicized, why those of us who support fiscal sanity have the right to express ourselves, and why I said "And paying me actually supports the widget repair industry. So what". It's as if you're implying that, since teachers pay taxes, they are paying their own salaries. That's just silly.
Prior to that, you called people "teacher haters". That doesn't address anything, you are just name-calling.
I'll spell it out for you. One REAL issue is that government involvement in education predictably politicizes education, and introduces levels of waste, fraud and abuse that would not exist in the private sector - obviously a matter of degree, not an absolute, but nonetheless real.
Another REAL issue is that the current economic downturn underscores the need to reign in government spending. We simply can't afford everything that everyone wants.
I "dumb"ed it down just for you Bea. You're welcome.

...and kind of dumb.

SuperDave-"And paying me actually supports the widget repair industry." Are you attempting to be sarcastic or witty? It's really hard to argue both sides of a debate when one person is talking about "widgets" and others are addressing REAL issues. MY turn..."So what!" and "Get real!" If you want to address an issue, address it. Your "widget" references are neither witty nor saracastic. They're just confusing.

When the teachers are in the unemployment line with everyone else maybe they'll understand that it was all about breaking the power of the unions.

I wonder how many here that are bashing the teacher's increases have approved the ice arena fiasco, bike trail, etc. I do not think that now is the time for an increase because there are so many people without jobs and losing their homes. The economy is horrible now. But I was also against wasting taxpayer's money on an ice arena, bike trails, sidewalks, etc. If I had to choose one thing to spend money on, it would definitely be the teachers.

Stubby,if that is what KingRizzo is referring to, he should say so.

Because I would be interested to see his explanation for such a wild attempt to spin things against people who have legitimate reasons to take a different view of the situation.

great: Thanks for your submission. As to "If private schools were the answer, there would be more, right?" The problem with that is that parents are forced to pay for the public schools, so most follow the path of least resistance and send their kids there. If they really want to pay for quality, they send them to private schools and pay twice. And of course, those without any children at all are forced to subsidize other people's children.
The only way to find out if private schools are "the answer", would be to put them on a level playing field with the government schools.

Great comments, Stubby! SuperDave: The entire public is enjoined to public schools, so thanks for playing a part. If private schools were the answer, there would be more, right? Some private schools have a religious mission, a honorable choice to exist. Also, some aren't required to have to follow DPI rules and restrictions. If they want special education students tested, they go where? To the public schools and professionals there. There are many more examples.

Stub: When the "hypocrites" are paying the bills, they get to voice their opinions regarding allocation of said largesse. That's why government schools are a bad idea. We truly need to get government out of the education business.

The one - I believe King Rizzo, when referring to "mental midgets" is talking about those who are blaming teachers for things like:

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People losing homes because of job losses. Teachers aren't the reason GM left town. Teachers aren't causing people to lose their homes. On the contrary - teachers are spending money keeping the economy alive and training workers for a better future.

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Seniors who are suffering through pension cuts who, at the same time, want to eliminate pension benefits for public employees.

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People who don't realize that even if all their wildest demands were met (say - a 5% pay cut for all teachers) that their tax "savings" would (a) not effect the 2010 bill at all and (b) perhaps reduce their school property tax by $100 the next year - a number that would quickly be eaten up by municipal and other local taxing agencies.

KingRizzo...what "stupidity level" are you referring to?

And who are these "mental midgets" you so look down upon?

The taxpayers losing their homes to foreclosure because of job loss?

The retirees who have experienced pension cuts and have to choose between eating healthy or paying their taxes to cover teacher salaries and benefits?

Or the families trying to juggle numerous part time jobs with no benefits just to support their families?

Please elaborate.

King: WHO is asking teachers to leave?

To Janesville teachers:
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I know it must be tempting to accept the challenge offered by many commenters here to just leave this district where so many seem to be so unappreciative, but know that they are the vocal minority.
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A bunch of mental midgets who seem to seriously think that encouraging the best teachers around to leave is the best thing for the kids in the district. Know that the majority of the people out here appreciate what you do and are just unwilling to stoop to the stupidity level of the commenters here on these articles.

Commissioner Sodemann is doing exactly what the taxpayers elected him to do. Try to find the right balance between the taxpayers ability to pay, the needs of the children, and the demands of the teachers.

He is doing a great job.

Thanks Bill.

Where is the place to respond to Sodemann's opinion piece in the 9/20 Gazette? Reif and the teachers are the big kids here. The School Board President isn't leading; he's just yelling. Correct or not, he shouldn't be president; the leader of a board or council should be neutral until ties need breaking. Check Robert's Rules.

And paying me actually supports the widget repair industry. So what.

No. Not a "taxpayer hater". I'm actually one myself. Just like the MAJORITY of teachers in this town are taxpayers. The difference is that tax paying teachers actually support public education.

Bea: Does that make you a "taxpayer-hater"? Get real.

I thought it might be helpful for you "teacher haters" to actually have some resources so that you can get your teaching degree and get all the pay/benefits/vacation time that teachers get. Websites to various Wisconsin colleges are listed below. See you in 4-5 years when you can breathe new life into the teaching profession. Good luck! You'll need it!
Whitewater
www.uww.edu/coe
Madison
www.education.wisc.edu

Hey, I moved from the Janesville District. Never could have made a better decision. In my current district, prinicpals, school board members, and teachers return emails and phone calls within 24 hours. I made a couple calls to the Parker principal over the years and have yet to receive a call or anything besides a generic email.
I'm just glad I don't have to deal with this crap any longer.

dumb: Well, maybe I happen to be a widget repairman. And I believe all widget repairmen are underpaid!!! So what.

Yeah the union sucks, the school board seems to be disconnected to reality.....but it is eye opening to see some of the anticts of kids in schools these days. I believe all teachers are underpaid! They have to be babysitters, deal with idiotic uneducated parents and still try to maintain a level of professionalism. Do you really think these teachers go into teaching to become rich? Come on people, yeah the contract looks like a slap in the face in hard economic times, but how long have teachers been fighting to get paid for what they do? We can all sit here and complain behind our computer screens but if you really want to see what they do why not go sit in a classroom for a day? You would be suprised to see what goes on. Yeah GM left, people are out of work, the economy sucks, but I guarantee every single one of you on this board who currently has a job would fight tooth and nail if you were able to "negotiate" a raise for yourselves! Come on people, it sure seems like a lot of people on here have some sort of personal vendetta towards teachers. Probably the same people bashing the GM workers too. Give the teachers a break these are the people who are shaping your kids lives, for those of you who have kids.

Government should stay out of both the ice arena business and education. Separation of school and state!
But they don't, and we are left to argue over how best to waste money.

Bill and Duwayne - if you are so upset about costs - you could have joined me at the meeting for the "white elephant" ice rink in Janesburg. I could have used your support - since you are so concerned about the high costs of things. Sorry guys - but the teaching staff deserve the money, but not the ice arena.

Jetski, I am far from jealous of teachers. 5 or 6 additional years of school is the norm, nothing special if you want to compare teachers to others.However owning more than 1M worth of properties locally does have a big impact on me/us when property taxes are increased. Besides the RE Business I also hold a full time job, As for the teachers insurance, their premiums, co pays and deductibles do not compare to most workers in the private sector. Hardly more than a daily cup of coffee.

Oderandornerier...it's not a matter of being "happy with that answer."

I am curious and genuinely interested in an honest answer.

RichE95 wrote: ".... Taxpayers who believe that government employes (sic) should share the sacrifice of private sector workers are neither anti child nor anti education."

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No, but they are hypocrites.

Are these the same taxpayers who, during the "boom" years of the 90's and early 2000's supported giving the same large increases to teachers that the public sector received? Nope. During the good times the teachers were told that they shouldn't expect the public sector to see the same prosperity as the private sector. In fact they passed a law that effect, But teachers are supposed to share the pain. Hypocrisy is an ugly thing.

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Clairvoyant- I don't think the teachers are necessarily complaining about the extra work they do on weekends etc. I think they are simply defending themselves against the recent bashing that has gone on about their salaries. Most teachers have always worked hard and have not asked for a pat on the back. They simply want to be able to feed and educate their children.

I aqm sick of you teachers complaining about the extra hours you have to spend correcting papers, and all the long hours you put in.
Excuse me but that is part of your job description. You knew that when you took your first job as a teacher. quit your fricking whining and enjoy your elite status. WALK A MILE IN OUR SHOES

jewels45: Again, check your facts. The teachers do have an 80-20 co-pay, they do have a deductible, and they do pay premiums. Before you start making blank comments, please check them for accuracy.

Jewels45---If you think teacher jobs here in Janesville have it made and have "gold" insurance.....here's a thought.....then go to school for 5 yrs and become a teacher insteade of wasting your time crabbing about it on a anoymous BLOG!!!! Do something with your life, instead of being jealous of other people's lives!

The teacher I refer to does not work for the Janesville school system, but does live in Janesville. So yes they can choose to help the kids in other districts.

Are you happy with that answer "theone"?

What I figured is I work 20 days more than a teacher in a year. Twenty days is quite a bit, but not the three plus month difference most people make it out to be. I pay far more for my insurance. My pension will be less than a teacher of 30 years, (perhaps only about half) but during the time I work, my salary will be more than an average teacher. In the end it seems to me teachers have a draining job and don't get compensated for it all that well. The hate that is spewed against teachers seems disproportionate to their "excessive" pay/benefits. Some one doing the approximate same thing in private industry would receive a higher total compensation package. I hate taxes as much as the next guy, but teachers are one of the few things that I don’t mind paying for. Endless bureaucracy, needless handouts, foreign aid giveaways, the list goes on and on. Get rid of the BS and there would be plenty to pay teachers and still have lower taxes than we do now.

Olderandornerier..."Why would a teacher like this want to work in the Janesville school system?"

I have often wondered that myself. It seems a lot of teachers that continually complain are still here.

Please ask the teacher that you know and then share the answer with us. There must be something to keep them here...besides just wanting to help the kids. (After all, they could help the kids in other districts just as well, right?)

Older -- you just stated the hours that private sector employees have been working for years. That arguement holds no water. I can atest that my hours eclipse that effort as do many other private sector employees. That should be understood its part of the job. If someone doesnt like those hours, they may need to find another profession.

Quit funding sports programs! School is for learning, not recreation!! Priority is supposed to be quality of education!!!

Olderandornery, Who would not want a teachers work year. 4 months a years off and a guarantee of not working on the holidays.As was said b4 in a post, taxpayers pulled for teachers in the past when they were truly underpaid. That is just not the case anymore.Teachers are well compensated now for their time at work.we are not asking for cuts, just want to hold the line for a while.

If the teachers Medical Ins is not gold then tell me who has the gold plan around here.Most private sector employees have a substantial deductable and a standard 80/20 co-pay as well as footing over $300. a month in peremiums.(mine). Also not much is said about the teachers retirement fund. It is fully taxpayer funded at 12.9% of their compensation $. A teacher with 10 yrs in the system and some additional education makes a little over $50K. An additional $6450 is added by the taxpayer for their retirement.
I get to put in my own money with a 5% match from the company up to 5% of my compensation.

I know a teacher that grades papers nearly every night, spends hours on Saturday inputting grades and making lesson plans that try to make learning if not fun, at least interesting enough to keep the students involved. Stays late three nights a week to help students who need extra help to learn the material, some of whom are not even in her class. I would consider these actions to be those of a good teacher.

Why would a teacher like this want to work in the Janesville school system? There is quite obviously a lot of animosity towards teachers in Janesville. Lots of claims of wanting good teachers, but nothing to try and entice them to teach in Janesville.

I don't know where people get the idea that teachers are paid so great and have such super benefits, because they are not paid that well and the benefits are not spectacular.

The School Board President apologized about his comments about the J.E.A. Pres today, (where is that article online?). Good. He should. His agenda was showing.
He's welcome to opinions, but the leader of a board should take a middle ground approach to manage and represent all. If you can't, don't lead.

The fact of the matter is that the teachers take this type of negotiations as an insult to their profession(trade), while the public's (tax payers) negative reaction to their raises is because people in this city are still reeling from a near depression and are having tough times to make ends meet. Until the teachers union in this city begin to show some empathy for people that have to deal with the economic conditions in Janesville, they will be viewed as greedy and spoiled. Not once did we hear that the teachers union was "willing" to make some type of concessions for the short term or come forward in a show of good faith and say, what can we do to help. I know we don't get to hear what goes on behind closed doors in these negotiations, but it sure seems to be all about what they deserve, rather than what they can do to help out.

When and if the day comes that younger teachers get laid off: just remember it will be caused by their union and not by mean spirited taxpayers. Taxpayers who believe that government employes should share the sacrifice of private sector workers are neither anti child nor anti education.

Alright, now that the teachers have their pay raise even if it's not as much as they could have gotten through arbitration (why did they settle for less?), let's weed out the ones who are substandard (assuming we have minimum standards for teachers since unions abhor such things). That shouldn't be a problem since the student body is certain to be smaller yet again this year. And then we can cut out some excess administration personnel for the same reasons. That way, perhaps we can reduce the $2 million projected school system budget deficit.

Mmof3 has an excellent suggestion. Forcing students to attend when they obviously would prefer to be elsewhere is just crazy. They drag down those who want an education and they waste precious resources. How much better educated would our serious students be if our teachers didn't have to spend so much time and effort with uncooperative and obstructive students?

Twinkiepied: Double check your facts...the teacher's health insurace is far from "gold".

The comments in the article seem to be, the truth and a perception that maybe there were decisions that were self serving made regarding the contract. I would rather hear the truth and what people think and increasingly public employees seem to refuse to accept that we cannot operate under the same rules. We cannot treat them better than others with a job at the expense of the taxpayers. They are part of the community and must share in the good and the bad and should not expect that taxpayers will fund their golden packages.

Not so long ago , this was not the case and the ublic fought on behalf of t he teachers. The tides have turned and teachers are now compensated much better than the private sector. It is time to bring things back to an equalibrium.

NO one was asking the teachers to take a cut in pay.

Yes, Mr. Reif you are an amazing teacher & conduct yourself well both in the classroom & on the football field - both the students and players respond well to you & actually learn something. However, one day I'd like to discuss your driving a foreign car & being so Pro-Union. If you've read my posts in the past you might have noticed I have a little issue with hypocrisy in this town.

Twinkiepied...
The better question is, why do we continue to "allow" our taxpayers, students, and teachers to be bullied by the behavior of so few. Education IS a right IF you so choose to comply with the rules. Our government needs to take a serious look at the fact that forcing those who do not want to be there... to be there. This has muddied and tainted the environment for all.
That has cost us as taxpayers, not the items that you think. Let them drop out, at 17 the law treats them as an adult, their behavior and right to deny themselves an education should be their own choice.Those who do not want to be there often "obtain" a diploma, but through watered down programs that have been forced into our schools in order to "leave no child behind". All of that has been more than counter-productive at best.

aaronrodgersfam - you have good judgement in several areas

the teacher's health insurace is "gold".The school principals are waaaaaay over paid .Those on s.s. cant afford to stay in their homes with tax's rising,rising,rising.We have police in school,ahh where are the teachers while their antic's are going on ????????

3 board members should have thanked both negotiating teams for their efforts instead of trying to score cheap and inflamatory political points. If the contract had gone to arbitration, the district would have owed the teachers much more.

(Caught my typo, "effots" instead of efforts.)

News: You need to re-evaluate your comment teachers are doing MUCH more with less.

As for the tone of the meeting, unprofessional at best by the board that is supposed to represent me as a taxpayer. I am ashamed. What company would want to force it's employees to live in a place that behaves this way? You all need to think much more before you choose to react. This is not an example of "putting our best foot forward".

To the teachers; good for you!!!! Mr. Reif, you are an amazing teacher, and if my tax hike pays your raise... I am good with that. My son will take my well placed investment to college next year having survived Algebra thanks to you. I agree that we may have issues above our base teaching level, but attacking those who are supporting our kids is foolish. Thank you Janesville teachers, my kids are smiling ear to ear week three! They love school, and those of you who are teaching them have connected so very nicely already.

3 board members should have thanked both negotiating teams for their effots instead of trying to score cheap and inflamatory political points. If the contract had gone to arbitration, the district would have owed the teachers much more.

When are the teachers going to become more efficient in delivery of their product? Almost all areas of employment have become more efficient except the teachers. i.e. doing more with less or closing shop. The teachers want more money for teaching less students. e.g. SAGE program. Because going out of business is not an option, the teachers union feels they can force higher and higher wages and benefits.

Too bad we have government schools and the inevitable political bickering that follows, instead of just letting the market dictate teacher salaries and benefits. It should be all about the kids, not about teacher's unions. Why not try freedom, instead of coercion?

chrisevans16: Classic Janesville response, I hope you at least understand what you said?

"Obviously some people do not want to hear the truth.Cost of wages and benefits is out of line with todays economy. It also sets up future problems in the school budget.Like it or not the truth was spoken."
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Yes, perhaps if you value the most short-sighted side of the coin as your "truth." Look beyond the economy this year and see what happens in five years when new teachers have no reason to come and teach in a school filled with low-income students or when veteran teachers have no incentive to stick around and be rewarded for their loyalty to the community and its children.
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The board members admitted that, were the contract to go to arbitration, the teachers would receive "much more" in compensation. However, the teachers have agreed to take less in exchange for better working conditions and a step toward establishing trust and appreciation between them and the district.
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Still, you would rather see the salaries cut and teachers replaced with those candidates from the bottom of the pile to save you a hundred bucks or so on your tax bill each year. Take a look at the bigger picture, would you?

Obviously some people do not want to hear the truth.Cost of wages and benefits is out of line with todays economy. It also sets up future problems in the school budget.Like it or not the truth was spoken.

Bill Sodeman apologized, where is DuWayne Severson's apology he called out two teachers by name without knowing the facts in a mean spirited attempt to earn cheap points. That man showed no class, no taste, and no leadership. To specifically insult two teachers, one who is a teacher of the year, without the facts is appauling and shows his lack of character. What are you teaching our children, what kind of leader are you DuWayne Severson? Do the children of Janesville a favor and resign NOW!

Great job, Bill Sodemann! Thanks for fighting the good fight for us. Can we clone you and elect your duplicate to the City Council?
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Just an ignorant/uninformed question: How much could be saved by trimming the non-teacher administrative staff and reducing their benefit packages? I'm thinking we could get an adequate administrative team at a fraction of the cost. The fact is, teaching in a classroom is a really demanding job. School system administrators -- I'm not so sure they're worth more than $50K/year. I suspect the teachers might agree.

frusion-My point is that the Board always professes how they "embrace" the Studer principles yet certain members seldom practice what they preach. Maybe Studer needs to see that so he can address it.

I would also hope that the story in Thursday's Gazette doesn't focus on one apology, after so many hurtful, hateful and insulting comments were made at Tuesday's board meeting. Here's an idea. Why don't you write an article about teachers' reactions to Tuesday's meeting? Perhaps you could interview a teacher friend of mine who described the meeting as "deflating" and "a punch in the stomach".

I have always felt that when a person looses his or her composure as Bill Sodemann did, it is a measure of both their character and intelligence. It would seem that the Janesville School District needs to enforce their bullying policy on themselves.

What does Studer have to do with this? Give him a video? What is he going to do?

fschultz-I appreciate the fact that Sodemann apologized to Parr after such an inappropriate accusation. However, perhaps the Board President should weigh his words more carefully before making such a statement in a public setting.

Allfor1and1forAll-I agree completely! Public humiliation should never be tolerated. The treatment that Dr. Schulte, Dr. Sperry, and Angel Tullar received from one board member was nothing but bullying. One more time...SHAME ON YOU! I hope someone gives Studer a video of this board meeting so that he can see the true colors of some of the commissioners.

I hope Kevin Murray's mother can absorb the hit of a tax increase!

Please note: Board President Bill Sodemann apologized to JEA President Dave Parr on Tuesday night, after this reporter went back to the office to cover the election. Story in Thursday's Gazette.
-- reporter Frank Schultz

Perhaps the board needs to review last night's meeting and discuss their code of conduct. I'm not sure any of the Pillars of Excellence were followed by some of the commissioners. The line definately was crossed more than once.

I suggest that several retired teachers run for the school board. They are the most aware of what is going on in the school system.

Right with you Bealab, the disrespect shown by 3 commissioners in particular was uncalled for. You want to call out your own colleagues/fellow board members, do it behind closed doors. I only hope others in this community had a chance to see these whinny acts and will remember to not re-elect these individuals. Our children, teachers, administrators, and community deserve better.

Hopefully enough quality people run so that can happen.

Please remember those ignorant anti education eogtist commissioners on the next election. They have running their mouths and nothing else since elected.

I was SHOCKED by the behavior and comments that were made by some members of the school board last night. Their attacks on teachers, ESC personnel, other board members and BOTH negotiating teams were hateful, insulting and degrading. SHAME ON YOU! Thank you teachers for providing the example by remaining "politely silent" while being slapped in the face over and over again by certain commissioners.