TUESDAY THOUGHTS: BIZARRO WORLD

It's like Bizarro World in DC. 

Cronyism. 

Nepotism. 

Stupidism. 

Strife.

Anyone who saw those confirmation hearings, or sat through them and was conscious and sober, or heard the answers of the nominee, and still voted "yes", needs their heads examined...or needs to:

1. say "sike!" quickly,

2. let the rest of us in on the strategy of NOT seeking an education champion

3. reveal the names of the wealthy donors of their most recent campaigns.

Democrats tried to get their fellow representatives to be reasonable, and pick a more suitable candidate. Poor things pulled an all-nighter. 

There were passionate speeches. 

It's Education people! 

America's students deserved a fitting leader, but once again, it seems, money talked louder than reason.

Congress pretty much declared that Education in America is not a priority that deserves competent leadership. 

It can't be that in all of America, a more qualified individual--a successful, seasoned teacher or administrator perhaps--someone who actually has spent some time in a classroom successfully educating others-- was not sought to lead the Department of Education.

Now is the time for parents, students, teachers and administrators in every state to get, and stay on the ball and genuinely declare "Children First". 

Capitol Hill is in chaos. It's time for communities, local leaders, and parents to stay engaged, build strong parent/teacher associations, embrace the adages that they are their children's first teachers, and that the "village" is a partner. 

No longer can parents afford to relinquish all of the responsibility for their children's education to others.

An individual (who I'm sure is a nice, lovely person) was just given an important position in an area where expertise, intelligence, empathy, and hands-on knowledge is critical. 

How on Earth can any thinking person justify handing over leadership of any entity to someone who is so woefully unqualified and justify it...with a straight face and lots of attitude? 

Why would you even accept a job knowing your qualifications are lacking? 

Could it be that one knows that subordinates will be tasked to train you, put out your fires, and do your job for you?

Yeah. I thought about Moses...and David. 

I went through the entire Biblical roster of figures who were tapped to lead, but the announcement of their leadership made people say, "Huh?" 
I thought about the churchy cliche about God "not calling the qualified, but qualifying the called" (but he's GOD, for God's sake. He can do that). 

I don't know. Maybe that's what this is. 

What's going on in government is some divine plan that I'll understand later, but right now I'm scratching my head. 

I really was trying to make sense of the choice for Secretary of Education. I'm trying to make sense of a lot these days. Is it possible that public education will actually be improved when the national overseer is someone who has only experienced the excellence, order, high expectations, and abundance that characterizes, and is the norm in private education? Will her super deep pockets, and religious affiliation actually be a plus for public education? 

We'll see.

I've decided I have GOT to stop watching White House press conferences, C-Span (aka Bizarro World, through no fault of its own) and mainstream media for a while. 

The disbelief I feel as I watch and listen, makes me glad I don't drink or do drugs...or have a child in public school...or have a serious medical condition.  

I've come to the unfortunate conclusion that Capitol Hill is occupied by very petty, self-serving, dishonest, greedy, careless, heartless, stubborn, unprincipled men and women who overshadow those who truly desire to serve their constituents with honesty and integrity--and there are some who seem genuinely disheartened by the division. 

Today, I heard the phrase, "...The Democrats' unprecedented obstruction" and wanted to turn off the television for good. I couldn't believe my ears. All I could think of was "Merrick Garland".

I watched the press secretary address the media about the result of the vote. He seemed so flustered and angry.

 

Ever get the feeling that a person is a compensated liar who really doesn't believe what he or she is saying? Words are escaping their mouths but they wish they could take them back, because they know in their hearts that they don't make sense--and everyone listening, who has a functioning brain, knows it. They're just parroting what they were told by someone they perhaps, fear, but deep down they want to scream the truth. 

Are they indebted in some way? 

Is someone hanging something over their heads? They can't even look up because they know they're being slick, shady and evasive. They can't look anyone in the eye, and don't dare answer questions. Their posture says they can't wait to stop talking and get out of public, because they're on the verge of a choking fit from the deception and hypocrisy they're spewing. "Ain't it funny that the way you feel shows on your face?" Studies show that lying, professionally or otherwise, is stressful.

I felt sorry for the press secretary. He's, after all, obviously doing the bidding of others. 

I wonder if those for whom he speaks respect, or are even loyal to him. 

He has become, in such a short period of time, the face of dysfunction, but he doesn't have to be. 

He is the comedy world's newest dream, and will be the butt of jokes for a while if he remains on the job. (I'm still laughing out loud at Melissa McCarthy's "Saturday Night Live" performance thanks to YouTube. She nailed it. "Circular using of the words" is my nominee for the phrase of the weekend.) 

No doubt, the secretary's reputation is even taking a hit. He has been characterized as a gum-chewing, emotional wreck who promotes delusion. 

The loss of credibility among his peers will weigh heavily on him if it hasn't begun already. 

I wonder how long it will be before the press just stops asking questions altogether, because they know they're just going to get more "circular" BS.

(One must be careful about hitching one's wagon to unethical people and organizations. "I was just doing my job" is a statement that should be followed by the ability to daily look oneself in one's mirror and not fear that it (and one's face) will crack. )

For 8 years, we had a leader who, at least from an educational standpoint, was worthy of admiration and respect. In he and his wife, America's students had exemplary role models.  He surrounded himself with excellence; he sought out the best and the brightest, but he was hated by those who should and could have embraced and worked with him for the benefit of the country. Now, those same antagonists, who didn't even embrace or respect their own party's presidential nominee, are looking for, expecting and demanding cooperation and consent. 
The irony would be amusing if it wasn't so unbelievable.