"We're monitoring the situation closely."
That statement was of little comfort to Chris and me.
Well. Me.
Chris was cool.
I, however, was a wreck.
"We have a place for you, should we need it. It's cold, but it's somewhere to go." Our waiter was so calm.
Chris and I had postponed our Valentine's dinner. And now, we'd finally made it out.
It's Alabama, so of course, there was a tornado.
We didn't know about it until we'd arrived and ordered.
Just as the menus were taken away, we watched as the storm presented herself in horizontal sheets outside the front window. We were stuck.
So. I called my mother-in-law who zipped over to hang out with Molly and her BFF. Talk about a mom fail.
We got texts from our Mobile family. "Are you ok?"
I was too embarrassed to tell them we were at dinner and not in the basement.
So. When our waiter reappeared like Lurch from the Munsters to let us know we'd be safe, I still wasn't convinced.
"The fridge?"
"Yes. It is cold, but it is safe. We'll let you know."
How nice.
The good news?
The storm passed.
The bad? We had time to get to the musical Cats.
Two songs in, and Chris decided it was a feline Rocky Horror picture show.
We didn't catch a single phrase except for Jellicle Cats.
We looked at each other, then we left. It was half time.
When we finally got home, there was only one question.
What just happened?
This is how I feel about the weird stuff in Montgomery, otherwise known as our legislative session.
What just happened?
We had a school choice bill like Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. "So you're saying I have a chance?"
Parents were delighted. Would Alabama offer a choice in education?
No.
Because it's Alabama, and the AEA has had a field day with our elected officials.
The bill that finally gave parents and, more importantly, our kids an option has been carved up?
Now? Parents who didn't want their kids in government schools are in a quandary. Now their kid's freedom looks a lot like pay to play.
Parents would have to use a state-mandated test for their kids to get their yearly education funds.
Um - we're 52 in math. 46th in reading.
Be serious. Is this opposite day?
State leaders, do you not understand that YOU are the problem? And what YOU pass is why parents want out?
For example.
Great. Let's use Common Core, which the state promises we don’t have, but we do, to do more of what led us straight to last place.
Yep.
That makes a lot of sense.
Also. Why are y'all even considering Social-Emotional Learning?
It passed the Senate - SB40. And now, though it's in committee, it's inexplicably in the House.
What’s happened?
Parents, may I be transparent?
SEL is not just about your kids.
They're scamming for info on you and your spouse AND your kids.
And SEL, led by teachers on the daily, are teaching your kids the proper attitudes and behaviors that young radicals should have.
If you'd like to learn more about Social-Emotional Learning, there's a gathering next week. What is it? Why is it dangerous?
Our friends at Local Alabama are hosting it at the Homewood Public Library at 6 pm on Thursday, March 17th.
But wait, there's more.
Have you read the gambling bills? Senate Bill 293 and 294?
They're both so long that I've got to STOP what I'm doing to buy more paper.
If you choose to read them, do so with a pen in hand.
There are agencies and committees, and commissions being introduced.
And if you want to keep up, you'll need that pen or a highlighter.
Seriously.
What's happened in Montgomery?
Are our officials trying to wear us down until we agree?
Like a two-year-old who refuses to nap?
And they try yet one more stall tactic until we give up?
Is that their plan?
Is that what's happened?
Or, will we, the people, make it out of this storm?
And refuse to be stuck?
Will we continue to hold the unaccountable to account?
Will we be the ones who see what's happened, who are aware of their tactics but refuse to be worn down?
Amie Beth Shaver is a speaker, writer, and media commentator. Her column appears every Wednesday in 1819 News. Shaver served on the Alabama GOP State Executive Committee, was a candidate for State House 43 and spokeswoman for Allied Women. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.
