I remember watching as parents searched for school children after China Earthquate. Little bodies being pulled from the rubble. I can not imagine the terror of these parents. We dress them and feed then and send them off praying that they are safe. More and more frequently they are not safe. Not safe from below standard buildings, not safe from outdated equipment, not safe from contaminated water or lead paint, not safe from predators stalking the classrooms, not safe in case of a disaster and not safe from Columbine type terrorists. In order to keep our country safe, shouldn’t we start with our most vulnerable citizens?
When I was a girl, the school was the safest place in town. It was the community center in case of emergency, tornado, earthquake, or nuclear attack. If the kids were in school, they were safe. That's the way it should be. But our schools have not been updated since Carter was President.
Let’s start there. Let’s start by rebuilding our schools. Let’s make them the center of the neighborhood again. We’ll make them schools for the 21st century complete with computers and internet and cable wiring. We’ll make them green schools with solar panels and generators that kick on in case the lights go out. We’ll make them the "Go To" place in case of a Katrina, or a World Trade Center. We’ll make them a center for pre-school and after school activity. We’ll make room for physical education classes, art and music. And we’ll put the neighborhood to work doing it. No "no bid" contracts for Halliburton. Local contractors building schools their children and grandchildren will attend. That way they make sure that child is safe.
An if in fact this is a tragedy in the making, we will remember those who found the billions for wall street but cut corners on our kids safety.
Drop a line to the
Ladies from Maine
Ask them to reconsider.