Tom Luna is #1

One thing that amazes me as I gather signatures for both the recall and the referendums is the distaste that people show for Luna and what he is doing to students, to teachers, and to Public Education in Idaho. That,and the bi-partisan nature of the revulsion that I’m seeing and hearing has surprised me somewhat. About a third of the people  I contact at these events are Republicans or independents, some of whom voted for  Tommy Boy twice.  I have reported before about the volunteer who  encountered a man who claimed to have been Luna’s  Sr. Campaign manager  in  a previous campaign and now regretted it, calling  it “The worst mistake I ever made.” He is no longer and Idaho resident and couldn’t sign the petitions although he wanted to

My wife and I first moved to Idaho  in 1985. (My wife was actually born in Pocatello but we were both raised in Nebraska.) A lot of political water has gone under the bridge since then and we have had many  political figures, both loved and unloved. Superintendent Ann Fox was widely disliked and quickly replaced. One Republican Congressman did jail time.  In that time, I have never seen a politician  as  strongly reviled by such a wide spectrum of the public as is Tom Luna. On a national level he has some heavy  competition from various governors, corrupt mayors, and various  Congress Critters, but  in Idaho he is “A” Number One, King of the Hill, Top of the Heap. Congrats Tommy Boy. you have arrived.

So You Like Ron Paul?

BTW, Junior is just a ditto of Daddy.

In Easy To Understand terms

If you can read and understand this graph, vote Democrat. If it is too difficult for you to comprehend then continue to vote Teapublican.

The World Created By Tommy Boy

As I was gathering signatures  for the recall and the referendums yesterday, I had two older fellows suggest that they would like to shoot  our Superintendent. They were joking of course, and  when I suggested that this was probably not an acceptable form of protest and suggested that they sign the recall petition, they agreed and signed. I understand their frustration. By the way, one of them self-identified as a Republican.

Consider this scenario, brought to us courtesy of Tommy Boy Luna and the Luna Laws

I’m a teacher who wishes to teach an online  class entitled “A History of Labor In America” for our school district. I will teach this from my classroom and it will be offered to  9th and 10th graders in my district. Could I also have student sin my classroom, simultaneously taking this class? No. In fact I couldn’t even have  students from my own high school take this class on sight. It must be taken, online  from a remote location. If  I am at High School A when I teach the class , it can be transmitted to High Schools B, C and D for students in a classrooms  in those schools but it cannot be transmitted or taught simultaneously to students in my own  building or classroom. Explain that please.  Could it be an attempt to make sure that “off-site ” for profit providers(campaign donors) be utilized? Oh forgive me! That would be far to cynical a viewpoint wouldn’t it?

So, while I’m not  frustrated and angry  enough with this stupidity to encourage  the taking up of arms, I am frustrated enough to retire from teaching four or five years earlier than I had planned,  and I am frustrated and angry enough to put my  energy and skill to work  to excise from the body of education, the politicians and haters who afflict us.

Thoughts While Leaving

This is for all of my friends and colleagues in the PEA and the IEA.  I wish I could gather you all together in one place and speak to you directly from my heart. This will have to suffice.

I used to add to  the PEA newsletter a closing Column called “Thoughts While Shaving”  which seemed to generate some comment and interest. My subjects were often about committing the act of teaching and how it affected me and those around me.  Now , as I prepare to move on to the next chapter of my story, I thought it would be worthwhile to  reflect a bit and share my thoughts. If not for you, then for me.

Twenty three years ago I closed another chapter of my life story and returned to college to complete my degree and become a teacher. There are many reasons why I chose this path , but my simplest  and truest explanation has always been that “I wanted to do something important.” My  choice was the right one, and every time a meet a former student doing well in life I am reaffirmed.

I leave this path with mixed emotions but I  am convinced that I am doing the right thing. The politicians have taken the joy out of teaching and I believe that if you can no longer find joy in  what you do, it is time to do something else. Fortunately I’m in a position to do that. I will have to find part-time work to supplement my income and make ends meet and I am exploring my options.  I still have a desire to serve and “do something important.”

As for you my friends, I leave you this advice. You must stand together.  Our profession is under constant, vicious attack by those who wish to privatize public education, take away our hard-won rights, and turn teachers and their students into mindless drones whom they can control and exploit for a profit. Only together can you stand and fight. Only through the PEA , the IEA, and the NEA can we have the strength to  stand up to this onslaught. What has happened to us in Idaho is bad. How bad could it have been without the people of the our union standing up to the forces of Lunacy I cannot imagine. I don’t want to think about it. I do know that the fight is not over unless we fold our tents and go home. We have lost some battles but I believe we can win the war, but only if we stand together. I cannot believe that some small number of people are thinking of leaving the union when unity is most needed.  Over the years I have seen a few people get into a snit over some imagined slight and leave ,but  I have seen far more recognize the importance of  solidarity and join arms with their colleagues..

Right now we are engaged in negotiations with the school district. If you believe that we do not have enemies over on Poleline road, you are wrong. There are a few there who would love to see our numbers and thus our strength diminished. Do not play into their hands. Luna and his Lackeys in the legislature are hoping for an implosion of the IEA. It will not happen unless we let it happen. You are doing something important. Do not let the naysayers and the haters tell you otherwise. The kids and your colleagues are counting on you. Stay Strong!

As for me, I’ll not fade from sight. I’ll continue the fight, perhaps more vocally and more actively than ever. For one year, I will remain as a member of the PEA executive board.  I will continue to write, to speak out, and to fight for all of you and for the future of public education. In fact, my voice may become louder and I already feel less inhibited in what I can say and do. I will probably help the PEA create a useful web page and continue to help organize community support.

I hold all of my colleagues who perform  so admirably in the face of so much opposition in high esteem. I particularly raise up my colleagues in the PEA and IEA. I am so  proud of my past , present, and continued association with you all. To my friends in the PEA,  it has been one of the high points of my life  to have been able to serve as your President. It has changed and enhanced my life.  I hope to continue to serve even after my presidency ends on June 2. You are  my heroes. and I really do love you all. Thank you for allowing me to be your leader.