PANDEMIC DIARY
NO ‘IF’S, AND’S OR BUTTS’
March 14, 2022
The ‘MP’s’ have arrived. No, this has nothing to do with the Ukraine invasion or military police. The MP’s I am referring to are the men and women of the “Morality Patrol”. They are next to you, around the corner, down the street and ready to report for duty. They are self-appointed, non-professional, and untrained, wear no badges or any other form of identification for that matter. They are watching you though you may not see them. They have the legal backing of several State’s governments that allow, no encourage you to spy and report on anyone, family, friend, or neighbor if they determine your life has crossed a line into a world of immorality which they have defined and determined to be unacceptable. They are creeping into our personal lives. They are peering into your private conversations with doctors. They are following you to observe if, having gone into the physicians office with a belly, you come out with a baby.
They also want you to stop reading books of a certain nature. What that is is anyone’s guess. In case you didn’t know it books can offend, and educational systems should not offend. Education is meant to be easy, kind of like K-Y Gel for the intellect. Never hurt the sensibilities of vulnerable students…or their parents. And, history? Well, re-write it if it is too painful. Better yet, whitewash it or rid ourselves of it completely. Truth can damage highly impressionable and emotionally susceptible youngsters. It is better to protect through beautiful lies and coverups than upset their sensibilities with ugly truths. To hell with reality.
This morning I read of a recent, actual case which also demonstrates the breadth of stupidity that goes along with these attitudes. The case is of a 20-year educator from a small town in Mississippi who read to a Zoom class of 4th graders the book, “I Need A New Butt” by Dawn McMillan. “
I Need a New Butt” which was published in 2012, is marketed to children ages 4 to 8 and tells the story of “a young boy who sets off to find a new behind after he sees a “crack” in his and fears it’s broken.” The teacher was called down to the administrative offices of his school district and summarily terminated. The school administrators told him they were worried they would get complaints from parents. “Do you think this is funny”? asked a school official. “I did until I arrived here” answered the teacher. (Enjoy the book reading [below] … if you dare!)
The teacher’s purpose was to inspire his students to read. Students in his impoverished community receive some of the lowest scores on national reading tests. After class the teacher received a barrage of texts and emails from students thanking him, telling him how much fun they had and that they would like to read more books. Parents also applauded the instructor because of the pleasure they observed their children having.
There is a current wave of self-righteous, self-appointed morality minders. And, what they don’t get is the same thing that the January 6th protesters did not get. And, that is, ‘be careful of what you wish for’ because “YOU ARE NEXT”. The very laws and limits, proclamations and decrees that get you what you want at this moment are the exact same means by which the MP’s will come after you. And, you will fall prey to authoritarian rule that got you there. Your wife may disagree and join a women’s right group. Are you going to report her? Your daughter may be raped and choose an abortion. Are you going to deny her? Your child started reading following a book reading of a child’s funny book about rear ends. Will you punish your child for laughing? Will you restrict your child from reading? What if you have a Jewish office associate. Will you be conspiring if you eat lunch together? What if the baby in the middle of the above picture turns out to be yours. What if the gun pointed is coming in your direction? Will you get it then.