He deems my remarks too insubstantial and in a rather sad example of “fair and balanced” journalism, justifies his removing them by noting that another person tried to post two inflammatory comments (knowing the poster I presume they were in direct and angry response to mine) and he removed those, too.

Very little about this is correct.

This blog has a fairly permissive and definitely unwritten policy about comments. If I had to write that policy down, though, one of its statutes would read:

Don’t accuse people of racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism without marshaling a pile of facts to back yourself up.

MPG did exactly the opposite of that so I bounced his comment.

If Prof. Boaler had marshaled a similar case as MPG, one that was heavy on namecalling and allegations while light on documentation, I wouldn’t have posted it either.

That’s the policy, but don’t let it get you down. This blog isn’t the only game in town. You all have your own blogs. Ihor has offered a link to the Math Forum which has been nothing if not grateful in the past to host these kinds of fruitless exchanges. So have at them.

There is a time when you have to know who your friends are and where the truth lies. Nothing I posted here was untrue. But a lot of the supporting documentation has gone the way of many changes in computers and lack of access to material some of which goes back to the mid 1990s. Much of the printed material is just that: printed. I haven’t chosen to pursue anything legal against those involved, and hence haven’t created a web page like Jo did, or vetted anything with attorneys as she had to do. It would not be trivial to put together all that has been out there in the last two decades that supports both my comments and points to the credibility of Jo Boaler’s complaints.

Of course, I’m 62 years old, and my career isn’t dependent upon traditional academia any longer. I don’t have to cover my behind the way I gather some folks feel compelled to do. I understand: these are difficult times. But I long ago realized that a lot of what politics is about is knowing whom to trust. In that regard, Jo Boaler seems to have trusted me. I most decidedly trusted her and did all I could to help her build her case. I would think that earns me some credibility here, but apparently not.

My preservice teachers will vote with their minds and their skills and their desire for social justice. Boaler, Dan or Milgram et al…no contest.