Hello gang. This is my first attempt at a Kos diary. Hopefully, you will find it worthy of your time.
Politically speaking, I have worked for Democratic campaigns in the past, albeit sparingly. The extent of my past involvement has been to work on national election day doing whatever I might offer to assist at local Democratic headquarters.
My commitment level changed in 2003-2004 as a result of two related events. First, I witnessed what I thought to be a war of choice being initiated in Iraq based on lies and deciet. Secondly, I read the Sy Hersch book entitled "From 9/11 to Abu Grahib." Lets just say things have been decidly different in my life since.
Having experienced the many outrages of the previous administration/regime, it may strike many as odd that I choose to write about an issue destined to be ommitted from the history books, Texaas not withstanding. Yes, today I write about the President's School Speech.
At 11 am this morning, I sent an email to my teenage daughters' high school proncipal asking for an explanation for their decision to prevent school kids from viewing the President's School Speech. The principal called my cell phone at 11:20am and proceeded to expalin that the district had decided not to allow the speech to be viewed by any kids in the Cincinnati school district because: a)the speech had become too controversial, b)the district had chosen not to develop an "opt out" provision for parents who opposed their delicate children from viewing the speech. While remaining polite, I pushed back hard.
I told the principal that the speech was in no way controversial. The speech has been posted on-line for 48 hours and nothing in it was objectionable. I told him it was an honor for presidents to directly address school kids. I dispelled the whole indoctrination canard and, in wavering voice, told him in no uncertain terms that the individuals opposing free speech would most assuredly protest likewise in the future if the president wishes to address our school kids. When asked what kind of message is being sent to kids about being tolerant of opposing viewpoints, he had no response. I thanked him and bid him goodbye.
Then I got in my car, drove fifteen miles the high school, removed my daughter from class, explained to her the situation, rushed home, watched the last 10 minutes of the speech, discussed our impressions with one another all while having lunch together.
The act of removing my daughter from school for an hour in itself will change nothing. It is symbolic more than anything.
We have heard much about "lines-in-the-sand" recently.
Today, I had my "line-in-the-sand" moment and I acted. I feel energized.
I challenge each of you to act on an issue, no matter how small, no matter how seemingly inconsequential. Act.