holliday

I dread going to school today...

The mercedes program, while posh, has been seriously marred by one of my instructors insistance that he get up onto his soap box for at least an hour about all kinds of contraversial topics...politics, religion, and the military.

Not that I am opposed to listening to people's view on these things...but certainly not while they're up on their soap box...and not when it eats into my class time so much.

Last Friday, for instance, we lost an hour and a half of class time talking about eggplant, seatbelts, and the various places guys have gotten their nuts caught.

***

But the worst experience so far was last Thursday when he started our day with a excessive monologue about the military. He spoke pretty self-righteously about the war for a man who isn't going and doesn't have anyone over there.

He's already stated that he'd be happy to go to Iraq if only he didn't have a family. In another monologue he presented his undying support for Mr. Bush...who thankfully was bringing religion BACK into politics.

At which point I reminded him that we, as Americans, are supposed to enjoy the freedom of church and state. He argued that the pilgrims came here for religious freedom and blah blah blah...never really making any convincing point...which is when I simply stated that I'd rather MY government not be run by HIS bible.

But yeah, last Thursday he went on and on about how there WAS no draft...and that we really haven't lost that many soldiers...

I swear, I TRIED to keep my mouth shut...all I could say, mostly to the kids in the class who were listing off the laws that used to protect people like Josh, was that Bush has taken it upon himself to CHANGE these laws and that while he has not started calling up civilians this certainly WAS a draft.

When the instructor wouldn't shut up...knowing full well what my personal situation is with the war and this 'draft' I had enough. I stated that I had to take a walk and got up and walked out of class.

While I was outside smoking a cigarette and trying to calm down...my other instructor asked that next time before I leave the classroom I come and talk to him first.

As it turns out, this isn't a new problem. He told me he'd been trying to fight this for a year but no one had been willing to help him by writing a letter of complaint. When I told him I'd be MORE than willing to write this letter for him he let me know I didn't have to put my name on it. I assured him that I WOULD.

Feeling slightly justified, I went back into class...at which point the soapbox master said, "Well, should we pick up where we left off, talking about the war?"

There was silence from the other students as I shot him a look to kill...

When he realized I hadn't thought this was funny...he approached me at my table and I said to him, with all deadly seriousness... "I suggest you watch yourself..."

He immediately called everyone back into the classroom and informed us that while he likes to run a laid back program...he can run it like a drill sergeant too...which now that he's been threatened is what he's going to do.

***

Trying to save these kids from further punishment...and simply to be mature and take care of my side of this here street, when I saw him at his car after class I cornered Mr. Soapbox and said that I just wanted to clear up where my upset was. That while I don't mind discussing controversial topics...I didn't appreciate his going on about the war, but that what he'd said when I returned was sincerely disrespectful.

He claims that he was just trying to 'lighten the mood.' Which for me, doesn't let him off the mother fucking hook...

Besides, the next day at lunch, I sat in my car and hand wrote that letter...signed, sealed, delivered...

You're fucked Mr. Winton...fucked...