Now that the crazy days known as the "beginning of the school year" are mellowing out a bit, and I've had time to think.
I've got that "to-do" pile almost "ta-done". I'm generally ready-to-go with a plan for the next few weeks of teaching. I'm caught up on emails.
Emails, that's where I've done some thinking. Just before the first week of meetings, paperwork, and directives, an email was sent to me from an acquaintance co-worker.
She's nice enough, but a militant lefty. I mean militant! At work, she generally doesn't have a great track record of attendance says the rumor mill. But we all have faults, and mine tends to be a lack-of-caffeine induced short temperament, so I can look past others' imperfections if they can live with mine.
But in catching up with email, I recalled one of the particularly busy days that I was deleting and reading messages like a mad woman. I had received one from the co-worker, but didn't take the time to decipher if it came from her external/home account or from inside our place of employment. If it were the latter, holy smokes, she could have been frying herself!
The email went on and on about how "moveon.org is so great", they're looking out for my best interests, blah blah blah. Something about how horrible it would be for peoples' birth control to not be covered under insurance or something like that type of dribble.
First, I thought to myself, "Boy, she's assuming my political leanings and taking a real chance that I sympathize and agree with her." Apparently the gossip grapevine doesn't stretch to her end of the building. She hasn't yet caught wind of my party affiliations.
Second, I was burned up that someone would have the balls to be so bold to my work account. This is irregardless of whether she emailed it from home or her classroom!
Finally, I weighed my immediate need to "cleanse" myself of junk email vs. "Is this the hill I'm going to die on?" type of mentality. Did I want to "nark" on a co-worker for this? What if the shoe were on the other foot, and I was emailing the staff about my "Pro-Life" legislation? Something tells me a little birdy would mention it to the powers that be, and I'd be exercising my Weingarten rights faster that you can say "Sarah Palin."
I'm disappointed once again in myself, I shoulda fought the battle. Had the timing been right, I woulda, but regardless of the conditions, timing, and situation... I really coulda. There's really no excuse I can offer up.
As a conservative, in a liberal's world...there are a lot of battles I can (could) fight daily. I guess one small victory today was in telling these "powers-that-be" that I think a particular field trip we are forced to go on each year is a waste of time and money. I was looked at like my head was spinning around, but I did it!
It will take a lot of these little battles for me to stop kicking myself for not calling out the leftist emailer though. I'm finding that I need to take on each and every battle if I want any chance in hell of winning the broader war: the war against allowing liberal thought to go unchallenged daily.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
We Were "Clinging" Alright...
Barack Obama turns his nose up at people who who cling to their religion. Well, I was fortunate to be among the "Clingons" tonight.
I am already dreading the day that is sure to come soon. . . the day I will walk into my teachers' lounge only to meet face-to-face with some sort of Obama '08 poster on our union bulletin board. In one word, "eek"! Or is it "ick!"
A few months back, Barack made some snide remark to a San Francisco audience about small town people clinging to religion and guns. Words to that effect. It bothered me at the time, but since I no longer consider myself to be "small town", it didn't get as under my skin as it should have.
Well, tonight, it's official, I'm fired up! Our extended family faced a sudden death of a close family member, and I dragged two of the little ones up to my hometown, feeling a sense of obligation to pay our respects.
The deceased had lived a changed life the past few years. In her early days, she loved the sailors, a good party, and was a real rabble-rouser. Two husbands and four children later, her ailing physical state landed her in this same small town to be near grandchildren.
How did her change come about? She looked to the Latter Day Saints Church to help her in a grave time of financial and spiritual need shortly before saying goodbye to one of her own children during his own health issues and subsequent, all-too-early death. The outpouring of support from these perfect strangers changed her.
I learned a lot tonight. About her, about the goodness of people, and about my own, flawed self.
She lived with little means for a long time. In fact, she relied on government assistance for health care. I found myself harboring a sort-of grudge about this lately. I did not "see" her "doing" things to "earn" this benefit, so I resented that my tax dollar paid for it.
Things changed when her friend spoke this evening. A long-haired greying woman in a conservative dress humbly spoke of her dear friend's outreach to those in need of spiritual guidance. She told us about how in the LDS church, teams of women visit and make certain that fellow women are taken care of spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The deceased was doing what she could while on earth to minister to others with needs different from her own. I, of course, didn't SEE this, so I didn't BELIEVE it was happening.
There were dozens of friends from varied lifestyles & walks-of-life whom she had touched, but there was not a dry eye in the place as she was eulogized by three heart-warming speakers.
Although very active in my own faith, the LDS exemplified those who truly cling to their religion, and, in the case of the deceased, sort-of saved her. No, they really saved her. And, in turn, she probably saved others relaying her own past life experiences.
If that's what happens when people stick to their "guns" (pun intended) on religion and faith, then I say, "Hallelujah to ya!" The good done in our fine country has a lot to do with the type of person who isn't flashy, lives among a semi-rural population, might not wear the latest trends, but listens to one's heart and acts in a selfless manner.
God-forbid he become our next president, I hope Senator Obama will realize that he needs to represent them as well. He had better start respecting them soon. There are a lot more small towns that huge metropolises!
I am already dreading the day that is sure to come soon. . . the day I will walk into my teachers' lounge only to meet face-to-face with some sort of Obama '08 poster on our union bulletin board. In one word, "eek"! Or is it "ick!"
A few months back, Barack made some snide remark to a San Francisco audience about small town people clinging to religion and guns. Words to that effect. It bothered me at the time, but since I no longer consider myself to be "small town", it didn't get as under my skin as it should have.
Well, tonight, it's official, I'm fired up! Our extended family faced a sudden death of a close family member, and I dragged two of the little ones up to my hometown, feeling a sense of obligation to pay our respects.
The deceased had lived a changed life the past few years. In her early days, she loved the sailors, a good party, and was a real rabble-rouser. Two husbands and four children later, her ailing physical state landed her in this same small town to be near grandchildren.
How did her change come about? She looked to the Latter Day Saints Church to help her in a grave time of financial and spiritual need shortly before saying goodbye to one of her own children during his own health issues and subsequent, all-too-early death. The outpouring of support from these perfect strangers changed her.
I learned a lot tonight. About her, about the goodness of people, and about my own, flawed self.
She lived with little means for a long time. In fact, she relied on government assistance for health care. I found myself harboring a sort-of grudge about this lately. I did not "see" her "doing" things to "earn" this benefit, so I resented that my tax dollar paid for it.
Things changed when her friend spoke this evening. A long-haired greying woman in a conservative dress humbly spoke of her dear friend's outreach to those in need of spiritual guidance. She told us about how in the LDS church, teams of women visit and make certain that fellow women are taken care of spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The deceased was doing what she could while on earth to minister to others with needs different from her own. I, of course, didn't SEE this, so I didn't BELIEVE it was happening.
There were dozens of friends from varied lifestyles & walks-of-life whom she had touched, but there was not a dry eye in the place as she was eulogized by three heart-warming speakers.
Although very active in my own faith, the LDS exemplified those who truly cling to their religion, and, in the case of the deceased, sort-of saved her. No, they really saved her. And, in turn, she probably saved others relaying her own past life experiences.
If that's what happens when people stick to their "guns" (pun intended) on religion and faith, then I say, "Hallelujah to ya!" The good done in our fine country has a lot to do with the type of person who isn't flashy, lives among a semi-rural population, might not wear the latest trends, but listens to one's heart and acts in a selfless manner.
God-forbid he become our next president, I hope Senator Obama will realize that he needs to represent them as well. He had better start respecting them soon. There are a lot more small towns that huge metropolises!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Teachers' Lounge
A strange, strange thing happened last week.
One of my "union goons", as I call them (not to their faces of course), stopped me in the hallway and inquired about my past association with the teachers' union.
See, in the past, I've been all sorts of things: President of my university's student Education Association, building representative to our union, member of the negotiating team for the contract, and then "Fair Share" member.
I'm sure that this caught fellow teachers who saw me check that little box off guard. After all, I had been the advocate they had relied upon for many years.
Now, by checking that one little box, my status (as I understand it) moved to "protected by union and paying for what I need to" status. In reality, I really never saved money or paid less in dues, but felt a heck of a lot better letting the NEA know I object to things it stands for like giving money to Planned Parenthood.
Every year that I checked the little box declaring my "Fair Share" status, I received a packet of legal documents outlining budgets seemingly larger than Fannie Mae or Freddy Mac. I'm a mom and a teacher, a wife and a volunteer. Apparently I was expected to wade through the numbers and let them know exactly which expenditures I objected to. To be honest, I was unable to wade, unwilling to devote the time... ran it by a tax attorney friend, and he was equally disenchanted with the absurdity of it all.
Back to the co-worker. He asked me what my position was all about. Did I save any money? What did my status exactly mean? etc. I filled him in on what confused me, what my reasoning was, what I had the patience to actually do about my positions (to this day, a personal failure as a conservative). He was all ears. Said he agreed with me on so many of my political convictions.
I am still in shock. The NEA nor our local associations do not advertise the fact that many of us object to their platforms. Of course not. Without our money, their anti-school choice, pro-dump money on teachers candidates would not win elections. If anyone has any help, any names, any organizations that give me guidance on fighting this David vs. Goliath type of battle... I'd gladly take it! Right now I have to go correct papers, pack lunch, and check that little box on my registration form.
One of my "union goons", as I call them (not to their faces of course), stopped me in the hallway and inquired about my past association with the teachers' union.
See, in the past, I've been all sorts of things: President of my university's student Education Association, building representative to our union, member of the negotiating team for the contract, and then "Fair Share" member.
I'm sure that this caught fellow teachers who saw me check that little box off guard. After all, I had been the advocate they had relied upon for many years.
Now, by checking that one little box, my status (as I understand it) moved to "protected by union and paying for what I need to" status. In reality, I really never saved money or paid less in dues, but felt a heck of a lot better letting the NEA know I object to things it stands for like giving money to Planned Parenthood.
Every year that I checked the little box declaring my "Fair Share" status, I received a packet of legal documents outlining budgets seemingly larger than Fannie Mae or Freddy Mac. I'm a mom and a teacher, a wife and a volunteer. Apparently I was expected to wade through the numbers and let them know exactly which expenditures I objected to. To be honest, I was unable to wade, unwilling to devote the time... ran it by a tax attorney friend, and he was equally disenchanted with the absurdity of it all.
Back to the co-worker. He asked me what my position was all about. Did I save any money? What did my status exactly mean? etc. I filled him in on what confused me, what my reasoning was, what I had the patience to actually do about my positions (to this day, a personal failure as a conservative). He was all ears. Said he agreed with me on so many of my political convictions.
I am still in shock. The NEA nor our local associations do not advertise the fact that many of us object to their platforms. Of course not. Without our money, their anti-school choice, pro-dump money on teachers candidates would not win elections. If anyone has any help, any names, any organizations that give me guidance on fighting this David vs. Goliath type of battle... I'd gladly take it! Right now I have to go correct papers, pack lunch, and check that little box on my registration form.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The "Elephant" in the Room
I'm the elephant in the room. I'll admit it.
Most of the people with whom I work know I lean way right. Many of the people I work with agree with me on many of my convictions and principles.
The problem is that these same people choose not to engage me in conversation on such matters, but to talk about inane topics such as sitcoms, party plans, and their kids' sports. BORING!
Thank goodness, a former colleague in the same district shot me a quick email today: "Does 'Palin' in Inuit mean, "What glass ceiling?" Thank God for her! Wish there were more like her.
What a perfect week to raise a hoopla about being a conservative in a liberal's world! With the likes of Sarah Palin, rising star in the Republican party, telling Barack Obama off in not-so-many-words...how can this not be watercooler talk? Oh, that's right, one would have to turn off the sitcom and get out of the mini-van in order to watch the hoopla during the week.
Most of the people with whom I work know I lean way right. Many of the people I work with agree with me on many of my convictions and principles.
The problem is that these same people choose not to engage me in conversation on such matters, but to talk about inane topics such as sitcoms, party plans, and their kids' sports. BORING!
Thank goodness, a former colleague in the same district shot me a quick email today: "Does 'Palin' in Inuit mean, "What glass ceiling?" Thank God for her! Wish there were more like her.
What a perfect week to raise a hoopla about being a conservative in a liberal's world! With the likes of Sarah Palin, rising star in the Republican party, telling Barack Obama off in not-so-many-words...how can this not be watercooler talk? Oh, that's right, one would have to turn off the sitcom and get out of the mini-van in order to watch the hoopla during the week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
