Here in New York City we have the world’s largest public school system. It was taken over by Mayor Bloomberg when he was elected to his first term. Our kids, like everyone else’s around the world, have cell phones. The Mayor does too, yet for youngsters he makes no connection between mobiles and improving education. So we have this sound bite–putting kids down–today from Mayor Bloomberg on WCBS New Radio 880, recorded by reporter Rich Lamb:

Lamb: Hearing that some New York City public school students are smuggling cell phones into classrooms in their underwear or in hollowed out calculators, Mayor Bloomberg concluded that if the kids would put half that effort into improving their education they would be better off.

Mayor: There is nothing wrong with cell phones. I carry one. There is nothing wrong with iPods. I have two, as a matter of fact. But they just don’t belong in the classroom. Our teachers have enough to do without policing the use of electronic devices.

Lamb: The mayor says if you have them you are going to have them on, and if you have them on they are going to disrupt other people.