Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Dirty Little Secrets

I don't know about you, but whenever I encounter anything like this, I am immediately suspicious of those who forbid the discussion.

What are they afraid of, anyway? The truth? I think that's exactly what they're afraid of: a truth that would prove them in the wrong.

This community routinely discards its coaches, teachers, students. . . hard-working people in all walks, and inevitably the powers-that-be will forbid any discussion concerning the circumstances, whys, or wherefores, of the decision.

Everybody's in the dark, and in the dark, there be monsters, and the biggest and most dangerous monsters there be, be rumor and innuendo.

With some open discussion, rumor and innuendo would be banished. It's almost as if the powers-that-be WANT rampant rumor and innuendo, to divert the people's attention away from what is really happening. . . .

Oh, surely not.

Oh, surely 'tis so.

This town is famous for it. They did it last year with a kind, decent, and winning coach, and they did it again last week with a creative, successful, and excellent teacher. They're doing it right now with a dear and precious friend.

This town does it all the time. It's their thang.

But shhhhh, we can't discuss it. It's forbidden.