Rauner apology tour - Round 2

About the time I was calling out Gov. Rauner yesterday for using a stand in to make an insincere, excuse laden apology to Chicago teachers and principles for calling them incompetent and virtually illiterate, Rauner was publicly issuing a personal apology... albeit at the point of a virtual gun. Six teachers ambushed Rauner as he did a photo op signing of two educational bills at the Thompson Center yesterday. As Rauner beamed for the cameras, a teacher piped up

“Gov. Rauner, we are teachers and we are not illiterate. We challenge you to a readout — books and literature on educational justice and civil rights,” “Will you accept that challenge? It's important that we educate you about what we really do every day, 'cause obviously you don't really know.”

One by one other teachers chimed in and were led away. Rauner then ignored a reporter who requested he respond to the protesters. When the Q & A started, Rauner finally capitulated and offered:

“The remark I made in that email five years ago was both inaccurate and intemperate,” and I apologize. I am a strong advocate for teachers. Always have been, always will be.”

Let's see. It took six teachers getting tossed from a public event and reporters going to their defense that finally elicited an apology. Though starting well, Rauner ended it by claiming he's always been a strong advocate of teachers... something I'm sure Chicago teachers ain't buying. .