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So the actual zoom video appeared later on in the afternoon (https://www.kansas.com/news/politics...258744693.html) and instead of what the media had reported below, the remark made by Watson was actually
and this is from the Eagle article as well
The media updated their stories in the links below to what Watson actually said in the video and removed what they said he said initially about getting killed by an Indian. Their source for that was a Facebook post, which they had linked to in their original stories but removed in their updates. Classic example of the media putting out a story before getting the actual facts correct first.
“I had some cousins from California. They were petrified of tornadoes. They’d come visit us, you know, in the summer and they’d say, ‘Are we going to get killed by a tornado?’ and I’d say, ‘Don’t worry about that. But you’ve got to worry about the Indians raiding the town at any time’ and they really thought that, you know. Grow up in California, I guess you don’t know much of the history of Kansas,” Watson says on the recording.
The board will meet Friday in closed session to discuss Watson. Any vote to remove him would take place in public, however.
Board member Deena Horst said that Watson’s remark was “racist,” insensitive and hurtful, and out of character for the commissioner. Watson, she said, “has done so much good in education” and has always “emphasized that each child is important and we have to make sure we’re serving everyone.” “I believe it was racist. But I also don’t believe that he is racist,” Horst said.
She said that Watson should be reprimanded and educated, but that the single remark does not justify seeking his termination.
“This is one comment. And there are a lot of politics being played at this point,” Horst said. “I like Gov. Kelly, but frankly, this sounds more like a political thing. I’d like to visit with her and find out what she knows that I don’t. But at this point, it appears it may be more involved in politics than anything else.”
Board member Melanie Haas said she was shocked to read about Kelly calling for Watson’s resignation before the state board had met. She said that “strong punitive action is certainly warranted,” but she does not believe Watson should resign.
Board member Deena Horst said that Watson’s remark was “racist,” insensitive and hurtful, and out of character for the commissioner. Watson, she said, “has done so much good in education” and has always “emphasized that each child is important and we have to make sure we’re serving everyone.” “I believe it was racist. But I also don’t believe that he is racist,” Horst said.
She said that Watson should be reprimanded and educated, but that the single remark does not justify seeking his termination.
“This is one comment. And there are a lot of politics being played at this point,” Horst said. “I like Gov. Kelly, but frankly, this sounds more like a political thing. I’d like to visit with her and find out what she knows that I don’t. But at this point, it appears it may be more involved in politics than anything else.”
Board member Melanie Haas said she was shocked to read about Kelly calling for Watson’s resignation before the state board had met. She said that “strong punitive action is certainly warranted,” but she does not believe Watson should resign.
Originally posted by Ted Lasso's Neighbor
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