This is the kind of stuff that proves that politicians over a certain level don't see our kids as kids (similar to the ones that they themselves have), but as pawns to be sacrificed for their political careers. It's not a republican/democrat thing its a heart/heartless thing. I've felt exactly as appalled when it was O'Malley sparing with Erlich. I know that these people have kids and they must realize that City School students (on their good days) are individuals with valid feelings and hopeful dreams. If you keep that in mind, how can you trash them on nation TV this way? How can you be so heartless? It disgusts me.

Time Out! How exactly is that a cheap shot? Did he say something that was wrong? Did he call someone a name? I am afraid you are letting your bias slip into the picture here. The truth is that Frederick Douglas is "broke". The truth is that it has been part of a school system that is in a city that has been controlled by democrats for years. The truth is that we must ask the question How do we as a community become self-empowered to make the system, whether it's run by Democrats or Republicans, work for us? Your mad because he said this on TV. I am mad that it is not being screamed from the top of every building in this city. "Thank God" we have good old MO'M to come running to the rescue. No chance he will use the school has a chance to furthur his agenda. As long as this is the game we play we will continue to get the same mess.

It's a cheap shot because he pledged to help the school and did not follow through.

You can bet there will be fireworks. Everyone from the governer down should be calling him out.

I agree with Brian. It disgusts me that more people WILL NOT stand up and admit it. I am tired of people trying to defend a system that is all screwed up. There are a handful of successful high schools and only a few of our students are able to graduate from college. He should call out the whole system, not just one school. But he is RIGHT, the system and that school "aint doing that." The first step in treatment is to ADMIT there is a problem. We spend too much time with band aids, only a band aid wont help a broken neck! We need to have an honest open dialogue amongst city educators, parents, students, residents and politicians. Until everyone agrees how bad the system is, nothing will ever be fixed!

Where is the "cheap shot?". What he said is exactly true. The city school system gets more dollars per student than any other in Maryland yet has the worst results . It isn't money or racism that is keeping these kids down, it is the liberal leaders who have been in charge of this system almost exclusively since the system was first started. Why is Michael Steele the only one held accountable for not helping this school? The system leaders have the power to make the necessary changes, not him.

Folks you don't get it. Most officials and like people in general talk-the talk- they rarely walk the walk.

Move on to address desperate important matters.

I agree it was a cheap shot to single out one school, especially after he pledged to help and did not. However he is right about the school system as a whole being messed up.

My husband works in one of the alternative schools, yesterday they had to call in the police who used mace to stop a riot. Two teachers were injured and so were quite a few children (the ones in the fights).

Once things calmed down it was blown off as just some kids being upset about things happening outside of the school...which basically tells the kids they can be "upset" about things happening outside of school walls and then act like little animals in school, but that's okay because they are "working out their feelings". What a load of crap.

When is the system and Dr. Alonso going to stand up and admit there are big issues in Baltimore City Schools and then actually do something other than "talking" about them.

I still believe the system is fixable, however my faith wains every day.

The problem with Steele's comments seem obvious to me, but perhap listing them and explaining the issue might make it clearer:

1. Douglas is not a symbol, it is an acutual school with actual students, teachers and parents. Steele's remarks were very general. It's impossible for the people involved with Douglas not to take it personally when he uses Douglas as a symbol of what's wrong with Urban education.

2. Steele came in years ago making big promises about how he was going make things better, yet after raising hopes he's had no follow through.

3. Douglas is not the same school that he visited years ago, yet he made no mention of what has changed. He could say that the change is too slow, or whatever. By not acknowlege what's happened, those who have been trying to make a difference, through their efforts, feel totally worthless.

4. These comments were made on national TV for effect, with no chance for rebuttal.

Taken together, I don't think there's a problem with calling this a "cheap shot".

Typical Republican, all talk, no action. Blame the system, insult the kids and offer no solution. Apparently your word is not your bond Mr. Steele.

Why is it that when the govenor speaks negatively about one school, everone is in an uproar.
When I come out regularly to denounce the things that continue to happen in the schools from top to bottom--here comes Bill (as i am sure he will once again) trying to say that what I have been saying is untrue.
Now that more are saying what Steele touched a nerve more eyes will be open to the real issues in our schools.

C - Thanks for the shout-out! Honestly, though, this time I agree with you. I think there's a necessary balance between praising the good reforms/best-practices and pointing only to the negative aspects of the system, schools, etc. Being perfectly honest, Frederick Douglass HS is far from where it needs to be. Good things, though, are happening. As others have pointed out, the problem isn't Steele pointing to the bad issues. The problem here is that he chose to use the school as a political punching bag when just 2 years prior he had promised to do whatever it took to bring resources to the school. It's shell game politics at its best.