Jenny came home from school and was
very quiet. She went straight to her room.
"Jenny, sweetheart," said
Mom, "why so quiet?"
"I got sent to the principal's
office. Here's a paper you have to sign that says I told you."
answered Jenny.
"Why were you sent to the
principal's office?"
"Mrs. Jenkins said climate change
was the most serious threat to mankind. I asked if climate was more
of a threat than the guys with swords cutting off heads. Then she
asked if I was saying the president was wrong. I said he was if he
was more afraid of hot weather than terrorists. Then she told me to
go to the principal's office."
"What happened then?"
"The principal had me repeat the
whole thing. He asked if I wanted to change what I said. I said
'No, I don't see how a smart person can be more afraid of weather
than terrorists'. He glared at me, but he really didn't seem to know
what to say. I think he was afraid I would tell him he had to
explain how hot weather was scarier than swords. Anyway, he gave me
this paper and told me to tone it down and not make Mrs. Jenkins
mad."
"What are you going to do?"
"Well, I'm not going to whisper to
Deidre again, that's for sure. She's not worth it. She doesn't
believe but is so chicken she just goes along. What a wuss. And no,
I can't actually call her that or I'll end up in the principal's
office again. People here are all such cowards. They just go along
with every stupid idea and don't stand up for anything. Sometimes I
wish we hadn't moved here."
"What if your teacher asks about
global warming?"
"I'm not going to lie. I'm not
going to help stupid people--it's just impossible that hot weather is
more dangerous than a sword. I couldn't answer yes to that without
laughing. It's just SOOOOO stupid.
I might tell her that's the president's
opinion and he's entitled to it."
Mom then asked "If she sends you
to the principal again?"
Jenny answered "Then you'll have
another paper to sign. I'm not lying just because these people don't
understand things. Why are adults so stupid, Mom? Why?"
