Here’s what I wrote to the woman in the article:
Dear Rita,
I read an article in an online newspaper about the way you chose to handle a recent school dance. I have to say that I’m horrified to hear about your behavior. I am sure you’ve heard plenty of this already, but I cannot get this off my mind. With all that is going on in the world, you have chosen to divert your attention and effort to a “purity screening” at a school damnce? That is unacceptable. Not only have you diverted your attention from matters of true significance, but you’ve taken it upon yourself to occupy the attention of students, parents, and onlookers.
Some people say that the “sexual freedom” of society is to blame for the corruption of today’s youth. Saying that Oscar Wylde is responsible for the fall of England would be just as true. Perhaps your intentions were good, and you were just trying to curb the corruption of your students. However good your intentions, they were horribly short sighted. What you have done has only put yourself under the scrutiny of the entire nation.
As much as I hate to say it, I sincerely hope the fallout of this event ends in your resignation. You are a dangerous person. Either your school comittee was not informed of your actions, in which case you were acting on your own agenda without check which is intolerable, or your comittee was unwilling or unable to stop you from your actions, in which case they too should be held under scrutiny.
I invite you to share your feelings on this and inform me of why you did what you did. I am eager to hear your side of the story, since you have definitely heard mine.
Thank you for your time.
-Ian Bowers
That’s pre-spell check.
-IggDawg
hmm.
pretty darn good. where did you find the email? or address?
But I can’t say that I’m nearly as outraged as you, just frustrated and bemused. But mostly because it’s just another trivial thing in a sea of stupid. But, if I understand and I think I do, that’s precisely why it was your camel’s straw.
Perhaps your letter will affect her, if she even reads it. But you are a stranger, judging her actions outside of contexts, even if more open-minded than the average write-in. She’ll ultimately be affected by her community and friends. But your letter will add to their influence on her as pressure and heat rise and the weight of the situation stack up.
This woman, and many conservatives, do have a point on these matters but misread the roots of it. They’re misguided 18th century doctors in a leper colony applying leeches and picking at the scabs, bold and brave in that they’re actually *there* trying to do something, pitiful and dangerous in that they’re causing more harm than good.
I’d agree with them that it’s the fault of families falling apart. But I’d say that has to do with our economic system, relentless and hungry for more time, more money. It’s the best system in the world. But, in many ways, it’s ripping us apart. We need to offer tax-breaks for companies that shorten the work week, stop corporate aid to failing companies, and drastically reshape the educational system to develop quick logical minds that are imaginative, versatile, and functional. I’d say that means hiring more teachers, paying them more, making the teaching profession desirable, but firing the bad teachers a lot more too. Make it competitive and financially worthwhile rather than a consolation prize for those who want to be heroes.
I could go on and on. We’ll talk soon. Glad to see you taking action. Perhaps now you can see why I feel compelled to get into politics. If it’s not me, it’s someone else. And other people are usually stupid…or dangerous.