OEA upset about Keating remarks

Thursday, February 3rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The president of the Oklahoma Education Association says a quip Gov. Frank Keating made about a deadly way to deal with the teachers union hurts. When Keating was asked by someone Monday night at Oral Roberts University what he considered the best way to deal with an Oklahoma education union, he paused and grinned and said "Homicide."

Keating had been freely joking with the college audience of 350 throughout the evening. After his one-word response, Keating then said, "Seriously, I think teaching, next to parenting, is one of the greatest callings a person can answer." Keating said he was kidding with his comment. He said however that he would not apologize for "blushes" he might utter while being governor.

"It hurts my feelings," OEA President Carolyn Crowder said Wednesday. "Even if he said it in jest, it hurts me and it hurts teachers and education professionals in Oklahoma who have dedicated their lives to teaching and guiding the state's children. "The OEA has tried and will continue to try to show respect for the governor and his position," Crowder said. "It is regretful that he cannot show that kind of respect to the professionals that are working with our state's children."