What if Obama's Education Secretary said it? Would that be a problem?
Duncan was quoted as replying: "It's a fascinating one. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans, and this is a tough thing to say, but let me be really honest. I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina. That education system was a disaster, and it took Hurricane Katrina to wake up the community to say that 'we have to do better.' And the progress that they've made in four years since the hurricane is unbelievable. They have a chance to create a phenomenal school district. Long way to go, but that -- that city was not serious about its education. Those children were being desperately underserved prior, and the amount of progress and the amount of reform we've seen in a short amount of time has been absolutely amazing."
(emphasis mine)
So Mr. Duncan thinks the best things for our schools aren't better teachers, isn't demanding stronger standards for teachers/students, isn't a more challenging curriculum.
Nope, in the mind of Mr. Duncan, a Cat 4 hurricane that killed people, and permanently displaced countless others is the best thing for the NOLA school district.
I guess since a Democrat said it, it's okay.
As a side note, if Katrina was Bush's fault, than shouldn't any turnaround in NOLA schooling results credited to Bush? Just sayin'.