Friday, July 18, 2003
I'll have to come up with some kind of new word for when someone is a cyber no-show i.e. Bandit has stood me up! And isn't that just like him. Like I said, he only shows up when it good and pleases him -- no drum roll entrances for that one! Which means that there will be no discussion on Alberto Gonzoles today (Bandit would have put his two cents in on that one by now had he wanted to).
Fine...That gives me time for State House anecdotes... Let's start with the Homeland/Tom Ridge color-coded terror alert system. Since launching my career as a government employee back in January, we've been at the 'Code Orange' level twice. This means that every visitor and every employee are asked for identification; everyone is searched; and everyone has to go through one of those metal detector things. Now, in case you didn't know, we are presently at 'Code Yellow' which means that the level of security precautions at the State House has dropped markedly to reflect this new status. Based on the behavior of the security guards, it seems very apparent that they also expect any would-be terrorists to oblige by these relaxed security precautions as well because let me tell you that if they didn't, we would be in BIG trouble. For weeks now, I have been whizzing by security guards who barely look up from his or her wretchedly written daily newspaper. OK, so perhaps they know me by now and figure I'm alright. I guess they also think that all of my six summer interns are OK too given that all I have to say is, "They're with me," and they're in. This includes the one who looks a whole lot like any one of those mug shot photos from the fifty-two card deck of America's most wanted.
The most called in problem of the week from my constituents was in regard to the education of English language learners. My irate callers let me know that the majority of voters who last year made it very clear that they wanted to see a change in the way the state educates non-English speaking children were none too pleased that the Legislature saw fit to make changes to the ballot question they had overwhelmingly passed demanding English immersion in schools. A paraphrased quote from one caller: "I'm sick and tired of the arrogance of these Legislators who think they can just un-do the will of the people. I don't follow politics much but I feel really strongly about this. Non-English speaking kids need to learn to speak English. I came to this country only speaking Italian. They put me in a classroom and I had to learn English. Period. Why can't they?"
It turns out that in polarized situations like this, a lot of people are emotional but few have the facts. Not ONE constituent of all the constituents I spoke with could give me any detail about the English Immersion program they had so strongly advocated for. Had they frankly delved just a little below the surface, they might have realized that the Legislators' amendments actually strengthened the new law, and in addition held schools more accountable in assuring that English immersion is successful. I spent the whole day drafting a letter to try and explain things. As a curtesy mind you. The language of the state constitution allows the Legislature to amend referendum questions...
Fine...That gives me time for State House anecdotes... Let's start with the Homeland/Tom Ridge color-coded terror alert system. Since launching my career as a government employee back in January, we've been at the 'Code Orange' level twice. This means that every visitor and every employee are asked for identification; everyone is searched; and everyone has to go through one of those metal detector things. Now, in case you didn't know, we are presently at 'Code Yellow' which means that the level of security precautions at the State House has dropped markedly to reflect this new status. Based on the behavior of the security guards, it seems very apparent that they also expect any would-be terrorists to oblige by these relaxed security precautions as well because let me tell you that if they didn't, we would be in BIG trouble. For weeks now, I have been whizzing by security guards who barely look up from his or her wretchedly written daily newspaper. OK, so perhaps they know me by now and figure I'm alright. I guess they also think that all of my six summer interns are OK too given that all I have to say is, "They're with me," and they're in. This includes the one who looks a whole lot like any one of those mug shot photos from the fifty-two card deck of America's most wanted.
The most called in problem of the week from my constituents was in regard to the education of English language learners. My irate callers let me know that the majority of voters who last year made it very clear that they wanted to see a change in the way the state educates non-English speaking children were none too pleased that the Legislature saw fit to make changes to the ballot question they had overwhelmingly passed demanding English immersion in schools. A paraphrased quote from one caller: "I'm sick and tired of the arrogance of these Legislators who think they can just un-do the will of the people. I don't follow politics much but I feel really strongly about this. Non-English speaking kids need to learn to speak English. I came to this country only speaking Italian. They put me in a classroom and I had to learn English. Period. Why can't they?"
It turns out that in polarized situations like this, a lot of people are emotional but few have the facts. Not ONE constituent of all the constituents I spoke with could give me any detail about the English Immersion program they had so strongly advocated for. Had they frankly delved just a little below the surface, they might have realized that the Legislators' amendments actually strengthened the new law, and in addition held schools more accountable in assuring that English immersion is successful. I spent the whole day drafting a letter to try and explain things. As a curtesy mind you. The language of the state constitution allows the Legislature to amend referendum questions...
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