By Debbie Schlussel
Now that she’s voiced her opinion supporting the absurd Title IX (which discriminates against men and male athletes in favor of women in public education), Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings (and her boss, President Bush) must think all of America’s educational crises in the publick skools are solved.
First, Spellings guested on “Jeopardy.” And now, she, President Bush, and Karl Rove are wasting taxpayer time and money on stupid “Barney Cam” videos with former NFLer/”Dancing with the Stars” contestant Emmett Smith. We thought these video skits were a once a year thing at the National Press Club dinner. But, now, apparently, they’re a year-round production. Did we elect a President, or a Saturday Night Live skit team?
When I first got this e-mail from Dept. of Education Deputy Press Secretary Trey Ditto, I thought it was a joke, a scam e-mail, a spoof. But, no, it’s all true. Is this the kind of juvenile stuff the Education Secretary should be wasting time on–and promote in PR e-mails? Click on the link:

— “Ditto, Trey” Trey.Ditto@ed.gov wrote:
Subject: Barney Cam, Secretary Spellings and Emmitt Smith
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 11:43:43 -0500
From: “Ditto, Trey” Trey.Ditto@ed.gov
To: “Ditto, Trey” Trey.Ditto@ed.gov
Pardon the blast…
Hall of Fame running back turned ballroom dancer Emmitt Smith has added another line to his resume:
Actor.
After apparently being rejected in an American Idol style try-out, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings calls Emmitt Smith who gives her advice on dancing. As you know, Emmitt won the Dancing with the Stars Competition.
But who comes out with that coveted yellow American Idol piece of paper? None other than Karl Rove.
Here is the link to the short film:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/2006/barneycam.html#
Thought this would be a great mention!
Cheers,
Trey
Trey Ditto
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Communications and Outreach
U.S. Department of Education
202-205-3807
trey.ditto@ed.gov

I can just see Barney, the Bush White House dog, rolling his eyes at this dumb exercise in government waste. Too bad they dishonored the U.S. Marine Corps Band, by making them participate in this absurdity.