I've been very critical of Governor Christie's treatment of teachers, so in the spirit of fair play, I'll give him some ammunition to wield in his next attack on us: teachers are paid in salary and benefits, but we are also paid in moral superiority and no one accounts for how much this is worth monetarily when they are computing school budgets . . . I know when I'm done teaching a lesson about Shakespeare's Henry IV pt. 1-- one of great works of Western Civilization-- that I feel pretty damn superior; my self-esteem is riding high, my body is full of all kinds of positive hormones, and I feel as though I'm contributing something fantastic to the world . . . and that's worth a lot of money . . . of course, I don't feel as morally superior as one of those doctors without borders or someone who volunteers to work with the homeless or a scientist who has just cured leprosy . . . but I certainly feel morally superior to a gun runner arming a genocide or a guy who tranches synthetic CDO's or an elephant poacher.
Wait a minute, there is a cure for leprosy?
ReplyDeletewhen's the last time you saw a leper?
ReplyDeleteI believe they're endangered.
ReplyDeleteleper poacher is a good name for a band.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're morally superior to leper poachers.
ReplyDeletei hope so.
ReplyDeletedo you know of Patton Oswalt? he, according to a podcast i was listening to, apparently wrote in a book a conversation i remember having with you (or perhaps simply watched you have with others)... hmm, actually i think it was the thing when you and stacey were watching the same thing at the same time (tyson?) - anyway, he was talking about how our (yours, mine, his, but not quite stacey's) generation was the last to grow up in relative isolation, media-wise. interesting. i will research it and make sure you receive the credit you deserve. word.
ReplyDeletethanks-- all i want is credit.
ReplyDelete