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On August 17, Laura Bush will speak to all of Rockwall, Texas, ISD employees at the Lakepointe Baptist Church. Yes, a church. It holds around 6000 people. But that's another story. Let me give you some background on the district I work for and the community I live in.
My community is home to the oldest Congressman in the nation, Ralph Hall (R-Bushbot). I have known Ralph since the mid 1970's when he represented my mom in her divorce case. My mom is still friends with Ralph today, even though my mom does not support his politics. Ralph has bragged to me that he has been good friends with the Bush's since George was a little boy, and he even called the then President Bush a "good boy." Of course, Ralph is a die-hard Bush republican.
In 2002, Ralph gave a speech to our district's new teachers. My wife was in attendance. He extolled the virtues of Bush, and told the audience that we had to unconditionally support our president. My wife felt uncomfortable during this "political rally" as everyone leapt to their feet and cheered.
A couple of years after this, our district had an educational association dinner with Dan Bartlett as the guest speaker. This was not a mandatory event, and I did not attend. Bartlett is a graduate of our district, but I still felt this was a travesty.
In the course of the Bush years, I have been an outspoken critic of Bush and the Republican party. The whole district is aware of my leanings. I have had letters to the editor of our very conservative local paper published, condemning the actions of the Bush administration. I was "reported" by a concerned citizen to the superintendent for a joke I made about Bush in 2004, even though the joke also included John Kerry. I had a parent get onto me for talking to a student about Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 (it was a private conversation. Not in a classroom, but in my office. The student was a democrat). My principal told me that I "have an agenda." I told him that apparently someone else had an agenda.
Now, Laura Bush comes to speak. I already let my boss know that I will be in my office, and won't report to the convocation. I didn't raise a ruckus, and I'm probably sure that they are happy I won't be attending. My fellow employees have had a big laugh out of this, and they have given me a hard time. I just laugh with them, but I am upset with my district.
Anyway, the email stated that we should pre-submit questions for Laura. So, I have come up with a few of my own, and ask that maybe ya'll help me out with your suggestions.
Mrs. Bush, being a former librarian, does it embarrass you to know that you married a total illiterate?
Mrs. Bush, could you have spent some time reading the constitution to George?
Anyway, had to vent. It can be difficult working and living in red hell.
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