Thursday, November 09, 2006

Utterly Horrified

I am proud that people across this country elected so many Democrats and we now have control of the House and the Senate.

I am utterly horrified that Jana Jones has lost. If you have a child in an Idaho school, be prepared, Tom Luna is a danger to public schools.

I am proud that Pocatello voters, in District 29, elected Diane Bilyeu and James Ruchti to office. I am deeply saddened that Allen Anderson lost. I would love for a Ken Andrus supporter to tell me what makes Ken Andrus a better representative, because there isn't one reason I can think of. I was at the Bannock County courthouse all night awaiting results that didn't come until around noon. I was able to help "count" ballots at 9am because the voting machine was rejecting some ballots still. It was awesome having an advance knowledge of what precincts had just been counted, were being counted, etc...and I happily reported this knowledge to Diane Bilyeu throughout the morning. Being next to Diane when she found out she won, though there will be a recount, was an honor and I shall never forget it. I will also remember congratulating Radene Barker with a hug as she won the Treasurer's race. Democrats swept the county races here in Bannock County and NO ONE predicted that, all of the Democrats won their respective county races by at least 1000 votes.

As happy as I am for James, Diane, Radene, and for the many Democrats across this great country, I mourn for my state because we didn't seize the opportunity to better Idaho by electing the better candidates, and every Democrat running at the state and federal level in Idaho was better.

Jana if you read this, and I hope you received my email, you did Idaho proud with your 32 years of service to education. Your service, dedication, knowledge, and kindness is second to none. I am not sure what your plan was in case voters elected the unqualified Tom Luna, but I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. 215,905 knew you were the best candidate. That number will only increase as Tom Luna begins his destruction of public education.

14 comments:

Cameron said...

Wow, Jessica, why so upbeat? Your party won a huge victory, and it's your conservative counterpart that shows the optimism.

Jessica said...

I know Jana and Allen personally. The many Dems who won across the country I don't know. I am happy, but I am also sad. I am also sad that Jerry Brady and Jackie Groves Twilegar lost, I have met Jerry and I know Jackie personally. All would've served Idaho well-all of Idaho, not just the Republicans in Idaho, and that is a loss for everyone.

Anonymous said...

I'm utterly horrified that you're so horrified.

Jessica said...

Jamesp,

Tom Luna horrifies most of those in the educational system.

Anonymous said...

Jessica,

I'm interested in how Tom Luna will single handedly destroy public education in Idaho. Please enlighten me.

Sincerely,

JamesP

Jessica said...

He has no background in education, so his ignorance and stupidity for one. His love of vouchers and funding private schools with my tax dollars for another reason. Wanting to run public schools like a business-NOT GOOD. No background in public administration for another. The fact that a majority of teachers, administrators and State Department of Education employees were opposed to his candidacy should be eye opening.

One of the primary duties of a Superintendent is that of policy making and advocating for public schools. It is incredibly difficult to properly advocate for something you have shown very little knowledge about. It is also difficult to create and implement policy when you favor "choice" in schools, which is AKA privatizing education. We aren't talking about charter and magnet schools, we are talking about privatization.

Anonymous said...

Well, Jessica. I have to say that your blatant diregard for FACTS is stunning. While I agree that Luna does not have the impressive resume that Jana Jones does, to say that he has no background in education is blatantly false. And your other crutch, that he favors "choice" in education? I hate to be blunt, but tough luck. The majority of Idahoans who care enough about education to go out and vote agree with him and his position on vouchers and private school. Not you. That's life.

Besmirching the man's record and experience only tarnshishes you. What's incredibly ironic is that you should be taking a page from Bush's playbook: being gracious and accepting of Luna's victory and pledging to fight hard over the next several years to come back stronger and win. But you don't. Instead you whine and complain about how your guy (or gal, in this instance) didn't win. Again, tough luck. Take it on the chin, pick yourself back up and fight harder.

Frankly, I think you have a lot to learn about politics. I think you have a lot to learn about public debate and about examining issues - and candidates - fairly. You rely on innuendo, distortion of fact, hyperbole and personal attacks to mask the fact that, when all is said and done, you can't form a rational argument to support many of your beliefs.

In other words, it's time to grow up.

Anonymous said...

Ummmmm, Lauren? That's not Bush's playbook, that's the General Handbook to Politics. Everyone plays the game. Some people just play it better.

Welcome to the real world, honey.

Anonymous said...

jamesp, I hereby anoint you King of the Hypocrites... or King of the Liars... either one works. First, you criticize Jessica...

"Well, Jessica. I have to say that your blatant diregard for FACTS is stunning."

Then, in your infinite wisdom, you go on to lecture her...

Besmirching the man's record and experience only tarnshishes you. What's incredibly ironic is that you should be taking a page from Bush's playbook: being gracious and accepting of Luna's victory...

I'm not sure what's so ironic about that, but since you're the self-proclaimed King of Smart...

I proclaim myself the King of Smart!

...I'll take your word for it. So, from what you've said, people should show the proper respect for FACTS(!) and take a page from Bush's playbook, which includes being gracious and yada yada yada. But then! when Lauren writes...

I'm pretty sure Bush's playbook (which happens to be a carbon copy of Rove's play book) reads something like: Smear the guy with as much dirt as you can dig up- or make up for that matter- until you have successfully distracted the public from the real issues. Don't believe me? Ask John McCain, Joseph Wilson or John Kerry (remember the Swift Boat Vets?) if they agree.

...you say...

That's not Bush's playbook, that's the General Handbook to Politics. Everyone plays the game. Some people just play it better.

So first, it's not okay to disregard facts and to besmirch people's good names, then all of the sudden, it's the General Handbook to Politics and everyone plays the game. Listen sweetheart, maybe before you march in here and try to bring everyone else up to your level you should figure out exactly whether or not lying and ridiculing people is good or bad, and then come teach us what you've learned because obviously we're not there yet. And hey, you don't need to pretend you don't like it when I treat you like a real woman.

Anonymous said...

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Whatever you need
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I aint braggin
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And dont bother
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Im every woman
Im every woman

Anonymous said...

What happened? A little while ago you were so sure of yourself, and now you\'re posting Chaka Kahn lyrics. Wait... you don\'t... you don\'t have anything else to contribute. It\'s an ugly thing when someone gets shut down.

I\'m sure that if your ego will allow it, there are a few people here that could teach you a thing or two about public debate and examining issues.

Jessica said...

If I said Tom Luna had "no background in education" then I was partially wrong. He did sit on a school board and he did participate in "listening sessions." That's all he has done.

And I would disagree and say a majority of Idahoans don't favor using tax dollars to fund private schools. When voters hear/read "choice" they think of charter and magnet schools...choice involves more than those options.

Jessica said...

jamesp: http://homepage.mac.com/drbluesaci/RMV/files/a07b989c5ced11852f9ae932a8934542-115.html

Anonymous said...

10 years later I wish I could ask JamesP how that post-Luna crow tasted lol.