Protest over 'Mount Pleasant' book: Poizner declines to apologize
By Troy Wolverton/San Jose Mercury News
Given a chance Thursday to apologize to — or just meet
with — those upset by his comments and statements about Mount Pleasant
High School, the East Side San Jose school where he taught for a year,
gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner declined, leaving to simmer a
controversy stirred by the release of his new book. At a book-signing at
the Barnes & Noble bookstore at Eastridge mall, members of the
community who were protesting Poizner — more than 100 — outnumbered his
supporters. The insurance commissioner defended his book, "Mount
Pleasant," which describes his experience as a teacher. Poizner said he
understood the reaction to his book and argued that some of his comments
had been taken out of context.
"I stand by my book, cover to cover," he said. (more...)