Me: BH, you need to take three more bites.
BH: Three?
Me: Yes, three.
BH: (looking all puffed up) Mom, how about five!?
Me: Sure, take five bites.
BH: Yessssss!
Jul 23, 2009
Jul 21, 2009
Sigh....
I am not one for political correctness. I really am not, but today, I found myself in want of it. Badly.
BH is a charming young boy. He is so engaging and thoughtful. When I pick him up from summer day camp every day, one of the teachers, who is my age, just goes on and on about the silly things he says. I love it.
Today, however, not so much. She stops me as I am driving away and asks me to roll down the window. The boys hear all of this. Here goes:
Her: I have this friend. She is *whispers* white. Her husband is *whispers* black. (I am already irritated by that alone. Race isn't a something that is so secretive we have to whisper for good gravy's sake!). So ummm.....that makes her kids *whispers* mulatto.
I am just nodding as she talks about how the hair is so different of their kids, and how great they are. I am just nodding away yet kind of just irritated inside. I don't correct her at all because she is trying to be nice. She is irritating me, but she is trying to be nice.
Why am I irritated?
*Never, ever do we whisper whether someone is black or white. Be proud about it. I am proud to be white, of Scottish descent. Period. I am so proud of my children and their African descent. Out loud.
*If you want to be truly politically correct, you say African American, or Anglo American. I say white all the time, but I never say black. I always say African American. Am I trying to avoid offending someone? No. I am trying to teach my kids how to be respectful of their race.
*Also, cross racial relationships don't need to be whispered about. None of these things she was referring to need to whispered about! Think about the impression that will leave my kids with if they think every time their race is brought up, it needs to be whispered about, especially from a teacher!
*I never ever say mulatto. Why? Well the Anglo definition of mulatto means "the first-generation offspring of a black person and a white person" from Merriam Webster. Keep looking at the etymology of the word which is "Spanish mulato, from mulo mule, from Latin mulus".
Now here is where African Americans get offended by the word "mulatto". The meaning of the word mule means " a hybrid between a horse and a donkey ; especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare". And we can all imagine how that would make us feel if we were thought to be mules. I don't like the word myself, never have.
*What is the correct word? It isn't hard. Bi-racial. It's a nice word because it can meaning any kind of cross racial relationship that results in offspring, and it doesn't have an etymology that makes me cringe.
And there you go. It isn't hard. But in three sentences, I was done with that conversation. Just a thought.
BH is a charming young boy. He is so engaging and thoughtful. When I pick him up from summer day camp every day, one of the teachers, who is my age, just goes on and on about the silly things he says. I love it.
Today, however, not so much. She stops me as I am driving away and asks me to roll down the window. The boys hear all of this. Here goes:
Her: I have this friend. She is *whispers* white. Her husband is *whispers* black. (I am already irritated by that alone. Race isn't a something that is so secretive we have to whisper for good gravy's sake!). So ummm.....that makes her kids *whispers* mulatto.
I am just nodding as she talks about how the hair is so different of their kids, and how great they are. I am just nodding away yet kind of just irritated inside. I don't correct her at all because she is trying to be nice. She is irritating me, but she is trying to be nice.
Why am I irritated?
*Never, ever do we whisper whether someone is black or white. Be proud about it. I am proud to be white, of Scottish descent. Period. I am so proud of my children and their African descent. Out loud.
*If you want to be truly politically correct, you say African American, or Anglo American. I say white all the time, but I never say black. I always say African American. Am I trying to avoid offending someone? No. I am trying to teach my kids how to be respectful of their race.
*Also, cross racial relationships don't need to be whispered about. None of these things she was referring to need to whispered about! Think about the impression that will leave my kids with if they think every time their race is brought up, it needs to be whispered about, especially from a teacher!
*I never ever say mulatto. Why? Well the Anglo definition of mulatto means "the first-generation offspring of a black person and a white person" from Merriam Webster. Keep looking at the etymology of the word which is "Spanish mulato, from mulo mule, from Latin mulus".
Now here is where African Americans get offended by the word "mulatto". The meaning of the word mule means " a hybrid between a horse and a donkey ; especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare". And we can all imagine how that would make us feel if we were thought to be mules. I don't like the word myself, never have.
*What is the correct word? It isn't hard. Bi-racial. It's a nice word because it can meaning any kind of cross racial relationship that results in offspring, and it doesn't have an etymology that makes me cringe.
And there you go. It isn't hard. But in three sentences, I was done with that conversation. Just a thought.
Jul 17, 2009
Mary Mac's
Fried Chicken, Fried Green Tomatoes and Potato Cakes
Georgia Peach Cobbler
Highly recommended by most reviewers. There is a whole other wall that has all the celebrities who have visited and left their recommendations.
One of our gang's favorite things is to enjoy a tea room where ever we go for our national conference. We found Mary Mac's. It actually isn't a tea room. It is just good, yummy southern food. It was yummy.
Jul 15, 2009
Tea Room Tradition
If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that it is that time of year for my annual pilgrimage to my company's annual conference. Our little group has made a point to go to a local tea room in the city we visit. So I am in Atlanta, GA right now. We went to Dr. Bombay's Tea Room, and had a lovely breakfast of scones and tea. I hope I captured our enjoyable and eclectic visit this morning.
Jul 10, 2009
And the Days of Our Lives Continues....
I have been absolutely dying to do another Sam Adams post. But all the virtual school stuff had me so busy while he was committing more shenanigans. Okay, reminder here....who is Sam Adams? Revolutionary patriot? Yes, but not in our city unfortunately.
My first humorous post on this was back in January when it came to light that our esteemed openly gay mayor had a tryst in the public restrooms of city hall (allegedly) with someone who may or may not have been 18 at the time. To make the humor dig in better, this alleged lover's name is Beau Breedlove. No joke. You couldn't pick a better lover's name for a gay scandal. Click here for that post last January.
To top that off (oh but it gets so much better!) Beau decides to upstage the mayor who has a serious public relations problem by posing nude for a gay magazine in February. Click here for my sarcasm on that to refresh your memory.
I am not joking, there has been more than once I have been reduced to tears laughing at how utterly ridiculous this whole debacle has been. What keeps from going completely ape about it is the sobering thought that Sam Adams is running our city. Oh it gets so much better!
Okay so after all these allegations the state's attorney general launches a huge investigation and it seems like everything is quiet for some time from that aspect. Sam filled in that gap of time with some juicy news anyway.
So one day in the beginning of May, Sam has a minor fender bender car accident. No big deal right? Let me put it this way--Sam is dang lucky I wasn't reporting on this incident because I would have gone a whole different direction than all the other press in this city. He is in a fender bender, and there is talk on whether his breath smelled of alcohol. The police have commented on this and stated without a doubt they would have given him a breathalizer if they thought for a moment that was necessary. Sam has said he would have asked for a breathalizer if he had known this would have become such an issue. Back and forth for a few weeks in this press on this. Blah blah blah.
What no one seemed to catch and run with, which I would have, is that fact that Sam got out of his car after the accident with his pants unbuttoned. Click here. I tried to find the original articles in the local press. Interesting I can't find them now, and had to rely on a local radio personality's blog to find the quotes.
Okay, we all know it's one thing to have your fly down, it's a completely different matter to have them unbuttoned. What do I think he was doing? I think he was doing exactly that. Friends I talked to about this agree, Sam wasn't drunk on libations. Let's put it that way. We know why he was driving erratically.
And Sam needs to be thanking his lucky stars for several things on this.
1) He wasn't anywhere near a school or a playground. He could have had some really serious charges brought against him. Charges that could have required him to register as a sex offender.
2) No one at the scene made a hairy deal about seeing him that way.
3) That everyone was so concerned about him being "dazed" and drunk and not just "dazed" for other reasons.
Lucky man, Sam is. That could have easily gone completely down the toilet for him if anyone saw it any other way. Luck ran out after that.
Come about the beginning of June, suddenly Sam Adams is behind on his mortgage payments, and he is defaulting on his property payments. He claims that his legal bills have mounted that he can't pay. Click here for that. That has been picked apart in the news as well. Keep in mind, Sam brings home $118,000 annually and he is the one who should have counted the cost (including legal ones) before kissing in the bathroom with Beau Breedlove.
He is also the dude in charge of our city's budget. Absolutely I am worried and miffed. If he can't find $5,000 in his personal budget to pay his mortgage, how can I think he can handle the city's budget?
But wait, there is more! The attorney general's office comes out with their report. This is what I can surmise from all the flying fur:
1) No criminal charges will be filed because of lack of evidence.
2) The attorney general claims that Beau Breedlove has been deceptive and his testimony would not be credible if criminal charges were to be filed.
3) Sam has claimed all along that he has fully cooperated with the AG. Well, why did it take three months for Sam to turn his computer over to the AG? The AG was very clear that the lack of cooperation from both Sam (not giving over requested information) and Beau (lying about things to suit his needs) made the investigation very difficult and lengthy.
So the AG made it clear that criminally, nothing could be proven. However, ethically, that is out of his jurisdiction. Good grief. That was a waste of taxpayer dollars and it didn't need to be if both parties involved were honest to begin with.
Is it my business what Sam and Beau do behind closed doors? It certainly does if Beau was under 18, in the city hall bathrooms, while Sam was a city council member being paid by my tax dollars. You bet it's my business. It's also something I need to know when I am choosing to vote for him or not. Remember, Sam managed to squash this breaking story while campaigning to be mayor.
I certainly hope this is the last chapter to this stupid, preposterous story that has done nothing but make me more cynical about politics and the waste of my hard earned tax dollars.
Beau granted an exclusive interview with a local media station. Beau is upset that Sam lied and didn't cover for him in this mess. I am not joking. He is the jaded lover that thought Sam would always be a friend and wouldn't let him get hurt in this whole mess. Click here for that exclusive. Be sure to watch the video too. Beau is now also saying he was in fact under 18 when he first kissed Sam. Sam threw Beau under the bus to save his political backside. Nice Sam.
Just a little news here to anyone at city hall and the press.....We are not stupid! It is apparent and obvious that both Sam and Beau are lying! Do I care about Beau? No! I do care that my city's mayor, and it has been conclusively proven by the AG, is a liar. If there is one thing the AG report proved is that Sam is being deceptive. Thank you! Glad we could establish that.
And unfortunately for Beau, he learned what I think all youngsters learn who date older people/predators. The older person doesn't want them for their brains and intellect. It's pure physical lust. And then you're discarded. Unfortunately for Beau, he learned this with news cameras watching.
Folks (mainly anyone from city hall who cares to read this), that is why it is illegal to mess around with those under 18. Physically they can handle it. Mentally, it may seem they can handle it. They can't. It scars them. Seems silly I know, but there is a reason why that law is in place.
And we will try to recall this idiot for a mayor who can't handle his own personal and financial life. Yet we expect him to run this city.
Please sign the petition. If only so that this city isn't the laughing stock of the Pacific Northwest.
My first humorous post on this was back in January when it came to light that our esteemed openly gay mayor had a tryst in the public restrooms of city hall (allegedly) with someone who may or may not have been 18 at the time. To make the humor dig in better, this alleged lover's name is Beau Breedlove. No joke. You couldn't pick a better lover's name for a gay scandal. Click here for that post last January.
To top that off (oh but it gets so much better!) Beau decides to upstage the mayor who has a serious public relations problem by posing nude for a gay magazine in February. Click here for my sarcasm on that to refresh your memory.
I am not joking, there has been more than once I have been reduced to tears laughing at how utterly ridiculous this whole debacle has been. What keeps from going completely ape about it is the sobering thought that Sam Adams is running our city. Oh it gets so much better!
Okay so after all these allegations the state's attorney general launches a huge investigation and it seems like everything is quiet for some time from that aspect. Sam filled in that gap of time with some juicy news anyway.
So one day in the beginning of May, Sam has a minor fender bender car accident. No big deal right? Let me put it this way--Sam is dang lucky I wasn't reporting on this incident because I would have gone a whole different direction than all the other press in this city. He is in a fender bender, and there is talk on whether his breath smelled of alcohol. The police have commented on this and stated without a doubt they would have given him a breathalizer if they thought for a moment that was necessary. Sam has said he would have asked for a breathalizer if he had known this would have become such an issue. Back and forth for a few weeks in this press on this. Blah blah blah.
What no one seemed to catch and run with, which I would have, is that fact that Sam got out of his car after the accident with his pants unbuttoned. Click here. I tried to find the original articles in the local press. Interesting I can't find them now, and had to rely on a local radio personality's blog to find the quotes.
Okay, we all know it's one thing to have your fly down, it's a completely different matter to have them unbuttoned. What do I think he was doing? I think he was doing exactly that. Friends I talked to about this agree, Sam wasn't drunk on libations. Let's put it that way. We know why he was driving erratically.
And Sam needs to be thanking his lucky stars for several things on this.
1) He wasn't anywhere near a school or a playground. He could have had some really serious charges brought against him. Charges that could have required him to register as a sex offender.
2) No one at the scene made a hairy deal about seeing him that way.
3) That everyone was so concerned about him being "dazed" and drunk and not just "dazed" for other reasons.
Lucky man, Sam is. That could have easily gone completely down the toilet for him if anyone saw it any other way. Luck ran out after that.
Come about the beginning of June, suddenly Sam Adams is behind on his mortgage payments, and he is defaulting on his property payments. He claims that his legal bills have mounted that he can't pay. Click here for that. That has been picked apart in the news as well. Keep in mind, Sam brings home $118,000 annually and he is the one who should have counted the cost (including legal ones) before kissing in the bathroom with Beau Breedlove.
He is also the dude in charge of our city's budget. Absolutely I am worried and miffed. If he can't find $5,000 in his personal budget to pay his mortgage, how can I think he can handle the city's budget?
But wait, there is more! The attorney general's office comes out with their report. This is what I can surmise from all the flying fur:
1) No criminal charges will be filed because of lack of evidence.
2) The attorney general claims that Beau Breedlove has been deceptive and his testimony would not be credible if criminal charges were to be filed.
3) Sam has claimed all along that he has fully cooperated with the AG. Well, why did it take three months for Sam to turn his computer over to the AG? The AG was very clear that the lack of cooperation from both Sam (not giving over requested information) and Beau (lying about things to suit his needs) made the investigation very difficult and lengthy.
So the AG made it clear that criminally, nothing could be proven. However, ethically, that is out of his jurisdiction. Good grief. That was a waste of taxpayer dollars and it didn't need to be if both parties involved were honest to begin with.
Is it my business what Sam and Beau do behind closed doors? It certainly does if Beau was under 18, in the city hall bathrooms, while Sam was a city council member being paid by my tax dollars. You bet it's my business. It's also something I need to know when I am choosing to vote for him or not. Remember, Sam managed to squash this breaking story while campaigning to be mayor.
I certainly hope this is the last chapter to this stupid, preposterous story that has done nothing but make me more cynical about politics and the waste of my hard earned tax dollars.
Beau granted an exclusive interview with a local media station. Beau is upset that Sam lied and didn't cover for him in this mess. I am not joking. He is the jaded lover that thought Sam would always be a friend and wouldn't let him get hurt in this whole mess. Click here for that exclusive. Be sure to watch the video too. Beau is now also saying he was in fact under 18 when he first kissed Sam. Sam threw Beau under the bus to save his political backside. Nice Sam.
Just a little news here to anyone at city hall and the press.....We are not stupid! It is apparent and obvious that both Sam and Beau are lying! Do I care about Beau? No! I do care that my city's mayor, and it has been conclusively proven by the AG, is a liar. If there is one thing the AG report proved is that Sam is being deceptive. Thank you! Glad we could establish that.
And unfortunately for Beau, he learned what I think all youngsters learn who date older people/predators. The older person doesn't want them for their brains and intellect. It's pure physical lust. And then you're discarded. Unfortunately for Beau, he learned this with news cameras watching.
Folks (mainly anyone from city hall who cares to read this), that is why it is illegal to mess around with those under 18. Physically they can handle it. Mentally, it may seem they can handle it. They can't. It scars them. Seems silly I know, but there is a reason why that law is in place.
And we will try to recall this idiot for a mayor who can't handle his own personal and financial life. Yet we expect him to run this city.
Please sign the petition. If only so that this city isn't the laughing stock of the Pacific Northwest.
Jul 9, 2009
Bad Customer Service
It's been one of those days. Have you ever noticed that when you have an "issue" and it could be easily fixed with good customer service, and it isn't, it chews up your entire day?
Yep, my day is almost consumed by one simple issue. You wanna hear it? I'll keep it brief.
I am going to Atlanta next week for my company's national conference. I booked a hotel, that was giving a corporate discount to our 10,000 reps who will be deluging Atlanta. A friend also booked a room. We have several of us going so we are looking to save pennies and pack four per room. Turns out, some can't go because airfare is outrageous.
Last week, I called this national chain hotel and asked what their cancellation policy is, and what the deadlines are. I was told 48 hours, "No later than the 12th at midnight." Gotcha. Gotta to back to my group and see who is going to do what and who needs to cancel their room.
My friend and I decide I will keep my room, she will cancel hers. No go. Not this morning when she calls to cancel it. It's suddenly a seven day cancellation policy, and she will be charged a "full night's stay deposit, nonrefundable." Umm....that is $171. No.
I get on the phone and ask what happened to my specific call on July 2nd to ask this very question, and my answer was different. Apparently because I didn't take down the guy's name, and they have no record of the call, they can't help me. Too bad so sad, "I do apologize." Ummm...folks, this chick has been in customer service for 20+ years. Everything is fixable.
I am mad. Myself and my friend are looking at paying almost $200 because of information given to us from this company. Not acceptable at all. If I had known it was a seven day cancellation policy, obviously I would have made this decision before the seven days. Like even maybe on the 2nd when I originally called! Imagine that.
I ask the gal to give me her manager, and this is how that call went:
Me: Let me speak to your supervisor.
Her: I am the supervisor.
Me: Then fix this.
Her: I can't.
Me: Then give me the name of the person who signs your paycheck.
Her: Here is her number, and here is her voicemail.
Me: No, then give me someone who will actually take my call and not just ignore my angry voicemail I leave them.
Her: Well, I can connect you with the hotel directly in Atlanta, but I am told they are firm on these policies and it will most likely be no.
Me: Then get me someone who can fix this.
Her: Ummmmm......
And so on. And so on. And so on. That is the summary of about 40 minutes of wrangling. Got me no where.
Talked to the manager at the Atlanta hotel. Guess what? Here is how this conversation went:
Me: I want to cancel one of these rooms without penalty based upon the policy I was quoted on July 2nd.
Mgr: (puts me on hold and comes back) I am not sure what the problem is. I just looked at this corporate contract and it is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Not sure why you were told any differently or why you were told we wouldn't honor that.
And that is the summary of two hours of my life this morning. By the way, I won't be staying at a Hilton anytime again soon.
Still haven't heard from the gal who signs the paychecks either. I saw that cat coming down the road a mile away.
Yep, my day is almost consumed by one simple issue. You wanna hear it? I'll keep it brief.
I am going to Atlanta next week for my company's national conference. I booked a hotel, that was giving a corporate discount to our 10,000 reps who will be deluging Atlanta. A friend also booked a room. We have several of us going so we are looking to save pennies and pack four per room. Turns out, some can't go because airfare is outrageous.
Last week, I called this national chain hotel and asked what their cancellation policy is, and what the deadlines are. I was told 48 hours, "No later than the 12th at midnight." Gotcha. Gotta to back to my group and see who is going to do what and who needs to cancel their room.
My friend and I decide I will keep my room, she will cancel hers. No go. Not this morning when she calls to cancel it. It's suddenly a seven day cancellation policy, and she will be charged a "full night's stay deposit, nonrefundable." Umm....that is $171. No.
I get on the phone and ask what happened to my specific call on July 2nd to ask this very question, and my answer was different. Apparently because I didn't take down the guy's name, and they have no record of the call, they can't help me. Too bad so sad, "I do apologize." Ummm...folks, this chick has been in customer service for 20+ years. Everything is fixable.
I am mad. Myself and my friend are looking at paying almost $200 because of information given to us from this company. Not acceptable at all. If I had known it was a seven day cancellation policy, obviously I would have made this decision before the seven days. Like even maybe on the 2nd when I originally called! Imagine that.
I ask the gal to give me her manager, and this is how that call went:
Me: Let me speak to your supervisor.
Her: I am the supervisor.
Me: Then fix this.
Her: I can't.
Me: Then give me the name of the person who signs your paycheck.
Her: Here is her number, and here is her voicemail.
Me: No, then give me someone who will actually take my call and not just ignore my angry voicemail I leave them.
Her: Well, I can connect you with the hotel directly in Atlanta, but I am told they are firm on these policies and it will most likely be no.
Me: Then get me someone who can fix this.
Her: Ummmmm......
And so on. And so on. And so on. That is the summary of about 40 minutes of wrangling. Got me no where.
Talked to the manager at the Atlanta hotel. Guess what? Here is how this conversation went:
Me: I want to cancel one of these rooms without penalty based upon the policy I was quoted on July 2nd.
Mgr: (puts me on hold and comes back) I am not sure what the problem is. I just looked at this corporate contract and it is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Not sure why you were told any differently or why you were told we wouldn't honor that.
And that is the summary of two hours of my life this morning. By the way, I won't be staying at a Hilton anytime again soon.
Still haven't heard from the gal who signs the paychecks either. I saw that cat coming down the road a mile away.
Jul 8, 2009
Call CSI
Hey, AM, whatcha doing? Canning cherries? How cool. How messy can that be?
Apparently bloody messy!
P.S. None of that is real blood. It's all cherry juice.
Jul 3, 2009
Let's Not Forget Why We're Here
Let's not forget why we celebrate with bbq's, fireworks, too much libation, and joy. The freedom we celebrate has been bought and paid for at a great price. Our forefathers were geniuses to put this document together and I am thankful for that centuries later.As we watch votes goes through our federal and state capitals our legislators need to remember what is written in this document. Please send a note and remind them of that. Freedom. Democracy. Free market. Choice (except for one, you all who know me).
Let us remember the risk, fear and consternation our forefathers were experiencing as they sat down to sign this document. It was scary. It was drawing a line in the sand with England and saying "Don't cross this." Signing that document put a bounty on their heads. It meant war with a country that didn't lose wars. I am so grateful for every single bold man who put his name on this document. I reap the benefits for their bravery to this day and every day.
Click here for a list of the sacrifices these amazing men made with only a vision of what democracy looked like. Amazing, visionary men.
I wish all of you a blessed, reflective, wonderful, safe, family holiday. We have much to be thankful for, and much to protect in this document.
Jul 2, 2009
Summer Camp 2009...In the Bag
The Camp
Enjoying the tree swing.
BH's reaction to experiencing his first road kill skunk.
First day figuring out cabin assignments.
Even though BH didn't go, he sure enjoyed drop off and pick up day.
Meeting the cool counselors.
JM's cool cabin. Much more comfortable than the wagons with tarps last year.
The awesome boys from our church who got to go together.Jul 1, 2009
One Big Lesson Learned
Okay, one more post on this whole virtual school fiasco, and we'll move onto because my summer has officially begun now that Governor Ted has it on his desk.
How could whole thing been averted? I think there is one answer to it. You're also hearing rumblings about this very issue with the whole Cap and Trade controversy.
Make it mandatory that any state or federal legislator be required to read the entire bill they are about to vote on from start to finish. Of course, that would have made the whole hasty Cap and Trade vote recently done take another week since the bill itself is 1,000+ pages.
Why do I think this would have helped our "cause" in this whole virtual school thing? Simple answer--legislators would not have taken Laurie Wimmer's word for it that this bill doesn't shut down schools. They would have seen it. It also wouldn't have been the scandalous revelation when it was shown that this bill's intention was to shut down virtual schools. She could easily have retorted to the accusations, "But you were required to read this, so why is this a surprise?" It would have given her the out she needed to save face and possibly her job.
We, as parents and virtual school administrators, sat in hearings and meetings saying until we were blue in the face saying this would have shut down schools mainly by the dwindling effect of the harsh enrollment cap neatly ensconced in this bill and it's amendments. No democrat, minus about 4 total, believed us. Since we have a super majority in our capital, that didn't cut it at all.
But had every single legislator read the bill, I do believe many many more would have seen the verbiage and we would not have hit the drastic and dramatic state we hit at the end of this bill.
It also may have cost Laurie Wimmer her credibility, and possibly even her job. I am guessing since we all saw the new power suited up woman being groomed at the capital a few days ago for Laurie's job, Laurie's job description has at the very least, changed. I feel bad for her because this isn't a great economy to be looking for work in the education field. But honestly, shame on her for sneaking in legislation on a bill based on her knowledge that legislators don't read bills.
I think it's a good idea to have them read each one. Thoughts?
How could whole thing been averted? I think there is one answer to it. You're also hearing rumblings about this very issue with the whole Cap and Trade controversy.
Make it mandatory that any state or federal legislator be required to read the entire bill they are about to vote on from start to finish. Of course, that would have made the whole hasty Cap and Trade vote recently done take another week since the bill itself is 1,000+ pages.
Why do I think this would have helped our "cause" in this whole virtual school thing? Simple answer--legislators would not have taken Laurie Wimmer's word for it that this bill doesn't shut down schools. They would have seen it. It also wouldn't have been the scandalous revelation when it was shown that this bill's intention was to shut down virtual schools. She could easily have retorted to the accusations, "But you were required to read this, so why is this a surprise?" It would have given her the out she needed to save face and possibly her job.
We, as parents and virtual school administrators, sat in hearings and meetings saying until we were blue in the face saying this would have shut down schools mainly by the dwindling effect of the harsh enrollment cap neatly ensconced in this bill and it's amendments. No democrat, minus about 4 total, believed us. Since we have a super majority in our capital, that didn't cut it at all.
But had every single legislator read the bill, I do believe many many more would have seen the verbiage and we would not have hit the drastic and dramatic state we hit at the end of this bill.
It also may have cost Laurie Wimmer her credibility, and possibly even her job. I am guessing since we all saw the new power suited up woman being groomed at the capital a few days ago for Laurie's job, Laurie's job description has at the very least, changed. I feel bad for her because this isn't a great economy to be looking for work in the education field. But honestly, shame on her for sneaking in legislation on a bill based on her knowledge that legislators don't read bills.
I think it's a good idea to have them read each one. Thoughts?
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