I’m Ready to Get Uncomfortable…

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As I write this, I am in the final days of my time as an Assistant Principal at Central High School, a position I have held the last 13 years. It also means that I am finishing my 22nd year as an educator and my 18th in the St. Joseph School District. While I am excited about moving to my new role as Principal at Savannah (MO) High School, as I am packing up things in my office, I’ve spent some time reflecting about my time at CHS and this move.

                      CHS Admin Team 2014

I have experienced a lot of growth during the last 13 years and I had to the good fortune to work for and with some great leaders, including Bart Albright (my 1st principal), Marlie Williams, Neal Hook, Elizabeth Chase, Cindy Crouse, Kim Hill, and Terri Godfrey,  among many others. The lessons I’ve learned from them are numerous. They have helped me become the educator I am today and have shaped my leadership style. I thank them all for the impact they have had on my journey as an educator.Resized photo

Ask anyone who has worked as an Assistant Principal, they will tell you that 13 years is a long time to hold that title.  I would agree.  I had hair when I started, I promise.  One thing about the role of Assistant Principal, it is never a boring job.  The days generally have a lot of variety, and that has also added to my my development.  As much of a challenge as this role has been, after 13 years I have become fairly comfortable.  I will admit that turmoil in my district (outside of my building) has made this a stressful and challenging position in different ways the last few years, but from a day to day standpoint, I have reached the point that I am comfortable with my daily challenges and have the experiences to draw on to adequately handle them, for the most part. Being comfortable is really nice. It’s consistent, it’s reliable, it’s assuring.  But it doesn’t provide one element that I think we all need: growth.

When my son, Alex, was younger, I can vividly remember talking to him after a swim meet.  Alex was an outstanding swimmer and 5254d672cf56a.imageworked hard to perform at a high level.  After one race, I suggested that he “needed to really push” at the end.  His response was, “Dad, I felt like I was going to throw up.” I said, “That’s when you know you are growing and improving, that feeling of discomfort.” We were discussing an athletic analogy, but that same concept is true for us in all aspects of life.  When we feel discomfort, that is growth.  Whether it be when someone is exercising, or when learning a new skill or concept for the first time (think riding a bicycle), that feeling of discomfort is the signal to our brain that we are trying something new and unknown to us, it’s the way in which we know that we are achieving something new and different. Discomfort is the essence of growth.

I’ve thought a lot about this concept lately. While I’ve loved my time at CHS, as I noted earlier, I’ve reached a time where I’ve become comfortable.  While being comfortable has its positives, it doesn’t lead to much growth.  I am excited about my new role and the growth I expect to have as a leader and as a person during the next year. I’m excited to be “uncomfortable”, because it will be that signal that I am growing. I can’t wait to meet a whole new group of staff, community members, and students as we “get uncomfortable” and grow together next year. Let’s get “uncomfortable”, Savannah!175px-Savagehead-1

I Blinked…

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I can remember it as vividly as if it just happened yesterday. My wife woke me from a deep sleep and told me she was having contractions and that I should probably go take a shower, she thought it was time to go to the hospital. She seemed pretty calm and led me to believe it was not necessarily urgent, but it was time to get around to head that way.

Ali and Skip, Christmas 2015

Ali and Skip, Christmas 2015

While I was in the shower, she said “Don’t piddle in there, I think we need to get moving.”  Suddenly things seemed much more urgent, especially since we lived about 30 minutes from the hospital. We got in the car, met my in-laws at the hospital where they took our son Alex, and headed in. Barely 30 minutes later, as the songs “Gone and Done It” by Shania Twain and “The River” by Garth Brooks played, Alison Marie completed our family. Literally, it feels like I blinked and the time has flown as my baby girl turns 18 Friday.

Alex and Ali Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2014

Alex and Ali Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2014

I haven’t blogged for nearly 2 years, but I felt this occasion deserved a post- and so much more. As a daughter, Ali has been such a gift from God. She is smart, funny, talented, wise beyond her years, and best of all, I think she still likes me most days.  As a parent, we always love our kids and vice versa, but some days I’m not sure we “like’ each other.  I’ve been lucky in that even as we prepare to send her off to college in a few months, we like each other most days. As much as I know she’s ready for the next phase of life, and that her mom and I are, too- when I pause, the memories flood my mind. The memories of taking her to dance (which she hated) and to gymnastics (which she loved). The memories of us laying in bed, laughing…just because the other one was laughing..and then not being able to stop. Her playing with Skip. The sounds of her singing and playing her guitar or keyboard from the other room. The memories at Disney, in Minnesota, in Colorado,in California, and most of all, in Mexico.  She is my kindred spirit when it comes to our love of the beach. One day in Mexico, she told her older brother, “Come on, we are going to go make friends.”  I knew then and there that she was going to be okay in life. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’m going to miss watching KU basketball or Chiefs games with her.

Ali and me at Chiefs game, 2015

Ali and me at Chiefs game, 2015

As I write this, I need to make sure Ali knows how much I love her and how I can’t imagine our lives without her. When I said she completed our family, that wasn’t just a phrase.  It was so true. She is the moderator when things are tense, the funny comment when people are down, and has such a good caring heart, that I often wonder how she could be from my genes.  It must be her mother’s genes taking over. I know that she is a far better person than I am, and I aspire to be like her many days.

As much as she has it “all together”, I can’t pass up this opportunity to offer advice. I won’t go on and on, but will offer just a few nuggets:

  • Call your Mom after you move out.  A lot. She and your Dad need you more than we will ever admit.
  • Keep your good relationship with your brother.  Someday Mom and I won’t be here.  You two will need each other, even if it requires you to nag him a bit.
  • No matter what happens in life, keep your kind heart and your caring spirit for other people and animals. Being nice is a lost art.  You are good at it. There is a Tim McGraw song called “Humble and Kind”. Stay that way.
  • Don’t regret in life.  Make decisions based upon the best information you have at the time, but don’t regret things in the past.  It’s a wasted emotion. Instead, use it to guide later decisions.
  • Never stay with a man who doesn’t treat you like the most important person in the world. You deserve to be loved by someone who feels that way about you. I hope I’ve modeled that for you with your Mom.
  • Don’t stop singing. Whether as a hobby or something else, your gift is the soundtrack to so many good times in my life. It makes your Dad so happy to hear you singing.

I’ll close by wishing you a happy birthday. I know your life is going to change in so many ways over the next year. I am so excited about what the future holds for you, even as I am a little sad that our time together is drawing to a close. As a good friend once told me, I won’t lose you, our relationship will just evolve into something a little different. And I know that will still be something really good. I just have to be careful to not blink so I don’t miss it. Love you more than you could ever know. Dad.

Our first Mexico trip

Our first Mexico trip

Be Somebody’s “Julian”

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This is a guest blog from my amazing wife, Kim (@kimsigrist). She was inspired to write after our recent vacation.  She is an elementary school secretary, and she impacts just as many, if not more, students than I do every day. I’m proud of her for sharing. Enjoy!

 

The Riu Palace in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico was our family’s vacation destination this summer. The all-inclusive trip has become our favorite and this was an adventure to a new resort we had never visited. Upon our check-in at this beautiful oasis, we made our way to one of the restaurants for lunch.

The Riu Palace Pacifico

The Riu Palace Pacifico

As we approached the outdoor seating area, the biggest warm, welcoming smile stood as if he had been waiting for us all day. Julian grabbed our family up with that smile and oodles of charm and seated us for what would be the first of many meals with our new-found friend.

For the next five days, breakfast and lunch, Julian was there to greet us. His eyes would light as bright as the sun when he would see us approach. At breakfast he would ask us how we slept and at lunch he would ask how our day was going. He made our entire family feel special and would leave all of us with a hug when our meal was complete. We truly felt as if we were Julian’s favorite family on resort.

All of us on the beach before dinner.

All of us on the beach before dinner.

I’ve thought a lot about how Julian made us feel that week in July. I look forward to our next trip and suspect we will return to the Riu Palace, in large part because of Julian. As I begin my 10th year as an elementary secretary, I hope I can be a “Julian” to the students in our school. I want to be that warm, welcoming smile to not only our 390 students but their families as well. Maya Angelou gave us one of my favorite quotes, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
This will be a transition year for our school. Because of the construction of two new elementary schools, we will welcome many new students because of redistricting. On Thursday evening, those 50 or so new students will walk through our doors for the very first time. It is my hope that they will all receive a “Julian” welcome, not only from me, but from our entire staff, current students and families.

I challenge everyone in education, from administrators to the cooks in the cafeteria to be a “Julian” to your students this year. Create that environment that makes our students want to enter our doors every morning, where they know they are going to be greeted with that welcoming smile and those words that make them feel as if they are the favorite, most cared about kid in the school.

Julian shared with us that he has been a waiter at the Riu Palace for 8 years. He beamed when he told us that that Monday is his day off. I truly believe that Julian gets as much satisfaction and joy out of his interactions with his guests as we received from him. This is my hope that all of us have a “Julian” kind of year.

Julian and our family

Julian and our family

“Boy,” I’m Gonna Miss You

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Sitting on my back deck tonight, I’ve finally made myself sit down and write a post I’ve been putting off for a long time. 18 years ago tonight, my wife and I went to bed like we had many times, but it would be the last time it was just the two of us.  As my wife showered prior to a doctor appointment the next morning, her water broke. By 3:30 that afternoon, my life was forever changed, as Alex Christopher came into our lives.

My "Boy"

My “Boy”

I’d planned to write this post before his graduation in May.  I couldn’t ever make myself do it. A part of me wants to put it off until he leaves for college in about 5 weeks. I know in my heart I’m just putting off the inevitable. I know there are thoughts I want to put down because a part of me worries that I haven’t told him all I want to tell him before I send him out as an adult. At the same time, I know he is so ready for the next phase of life. That being said, this post is for you, Alex. In it, I want to share some of my favorite memories and then a few pieces of advice. I hope you take them all with a grain of salt, knowing that many of these may make more sense a few years from now than they do today.

It’s hard for me to list just a few memories, there are so many good ones.  I’ll try to share a few that stand out to me, and I hope they are good ones for you, too.

Snorkeling, Cozumel, Mexico 2010

Snorkeling, Cozumel, Mexico 2010

1) Learning to ride your bike in the church parking lot. You were not what one would call a “daredevil”, but you kept at it and became more confident with practice.  Your sister was not so cautious, and I can remember rides with you calling out to her to slow down and not go so fast. I like how you still look out for her to this day.

2) For this one I’ll combine a few, as the theme of the memories are similar.  They are the first times I saw a competitive “fight” in you during athletic competitions. I’ll always remember a baseball game in King City in which you pitched in a close game and got a big strikeout, and you pumping your fist as you came off.  I can see it like it was yesterday. I also remember a summer swim meet in Kansas City when you were probably 11 or 12 and you won the 100 IM and almost puked afterwards. Or the time you tied for the last finals spot at KC Center and had to do a swim off, only to be beaten by .01. I saw you push through tough times in all of those situations, and I believe you got important life lessons out of sports in those instances. I loved watching you compete.

3) In 8th grade, you decided to do the play instead of track. I can’t remember the name of your character, but I got to see a whole different side of you as you played that part. It was cool to see the young man you were becoming and I just remember being really proud of you.

4) I could list so many swim memories- probably because we spent so many hours with you at meets. A few stand out in my mind. Your day at Mizzou your senior year was such an awesome day. It was a testament to your years of hard work and it was amazing to watch you compete at such a high level. I’m so glad Mom took that picture of me talking to you over the rail at the end of the meet.It’s one of my favorite pictures ever of us, and I’ll always cherish it.

After the MU meet

After the MU meet

Seeing you break the school record at Henley and the look on your face. Priceless.

After breaking the school record in the backstroke

After breaking the school record in the backstroke

And last but certainly not least, watching you at State your senior year. Watching you process the finality of it all, while I was trying to do the same. Swim has given us so many good memories, and you take with you that ability to focus and work hard towards a goal. I’m thankful you found that outlet for your talents.

Alex's tweet after State

Alex’s tweet after State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) The variety show your senior year. If you had told me your freshman year that by your senior year you would be singing a solo and playing the piano, I would have been skeptical. You have grown in both talent and confidence as a singer, and I’m so glad you have had that creative “place” to share those. I love that your stress reliever is to play the piano in your room. That’s how your Grandpa Sigrist used to “wind down”, as well. It’s cool for me to see that pass on to the next generation.

Graduation Day

Graduation Day- Joel Goller photographer

6) Graduation. I’ve never been prouder to be your Dad. Being able to give you diploma to you was one of the moments in my life I will always cherish the most.  Thank your for being such a fine example of a scholar-athlete and representing yourself, your school, and your family in such an outstanding way. Thank you for letting me be part of that special day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While those are great memories, I feel that on the day you can legally buy cigarettes (I suggest NEVER) and lottery tickets (I suggest great moderation) and can vote (pick the best candidate, not the party), I should give you a few pieces of advice that I hope you take with you to college and on into life.

8) Be nice to people. This seems simple, but so many people seem to struggle with this in life. John Wooden said something along the lines of you can never have a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who can never repay you. Be nice, it’s a disappearing skill.  It really does come back to you.

7) Read. Read as an escape. Read to improve yourself. There are so many great authors (Wooden would be on that list) that can help give you perspective on life. I know it will be tough in college, but incorporate it into your life beyond school.

6) Call your Mom. Or text her. Not a lot, but once in awhile. While we know you don’t need us, we still WANT to be needed. This advice is the same whether you are 18 or 28 or 50.

Kimberly and Alex

Kimberly and Alex

5) Always love your sister. I’m so happy that you two have such a close relationship. Work to keep it that way. Some day Mom and I will be gone and it will be up to you two to tell the stories of how we did something goofy or just recall a good memory.  You will need each other some day. It may be just to talk to someone that isn’t your parent or colleague, or it may be to decide what to do with Mom or Dad’s living arrangements. You will need each other.  Love her. Always.

Alex and Ali Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2014

Alex and Ali Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2014

4) Find a girl who loves you as much as your Mom and I love each other. I know you’ve heard my mantra about the two most important choices in life: what you do for a paycheck and who you spend your life with. I’m not worried about that first one for you, you are going to have lots of options. Number two may be even more important. I hope we’ve been a good example for you of a loving family. That being said, there is NO hurry to find that girl. God will help you with that.  That leads me to number 3.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico 2014

Puerto Vallarta Mexico 2014

3) Go to church. Regularly. Don’t just be a “C and E (Christmas and Easter)”, but be there way more often than not. This may be even more important during college, when it may not be so easy to do, especially if your roommates are all sleeping in on Sunday. It’s vital to nourish your spiritual life as well as your physical life. Speaking of your physical life, let’s look at number 2.

Christmas Eve 2013

Christmas Eve 2013

2) Take care of your body. Do not let yourself get out of shape. It’s not feasible to stay in the condition you have been in for the last several years while swimming, but it’s important to keep those good habits of regular exercise so you don’t gain the infamous “Freshman 15” or whatever it is these days. This may sound trite, but those habits you form now will be lifelong. Take a look at the health of your ancestors. Do what you can so you can be healthier than all of us.

1) Go to class. These last 3 are especially geared towards your time in college. If you forget all the others, please remember these. I purposely tried to keep them simple. I really do believe if you follow those 3, all other things in college will fall in line.

Enough with the advice. You are ready for anything, and I’m confident you are going on to do great things. I can’t begin to describe how much I’m going to miss you. Recently, we all watched a movie one night (one of my favorite things to do with you), and I tweeted about how I knew there weren’t many days left like that. A friend who has gone through this stage told me that those days still happen and they are even cooler because the relationship evolves to something different. That being said, I will miss my “boy”, but look forward to watching the man you are going to be. Even if you aren’t my “boy”, I’ll always be your Dad and just a phone call or text away. I love you.

Prom 2014

Prom 2014

Me and the kids in the summer of 06

Me and the kids in the summer of 06

Light ’em up!!

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This past weekend, I was fortunate to attend my first national conference.  I attended “Ignite 14”, the conference for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).  Being a music geek, the theme “Ignite 14” made me think of the song “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ‘Em Up)” by Fall Out Boy that has become so popular at sporting events (see “Mups have been lit”). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s

First off, let me say that I was blown away by the production value of the entire conference.  It’s amazing how they can bring so many “things” together and have it run so smoothly.  From the opening thought leader session with Carol Dweck and Daniel Wong to the closing session with Simon T. Bailey, it was a demonstration of fluidity of motion.  While the logistics of the conference were amazing, that wasn’t what made this such a powerful event for me.

When I landed in Dallas, the weather did not want to cooperate. While my trip to the hotel was an interesting story by itself, it wasn’t enough to prevent great things over the next few days. There were so many amazing sessions, my head was literally full by the end of the three days. It was an awesome opportunity to learn from some of the smartest leaders in our country, many who I have “known” from afar through Twitter, and others that I had never heard of before.

Have learned so much from Todd Whittaker

Have learned so much from Todd Whittaker

The best part of the entire event was the ability to connect face to face with educators I have admired and respected for years.  At dinner on Thursday night, it was a veritable who’s who of rock stars on Twitter. Among the people in the room were authors (Todd Whittaker, Annette Breaux), National Digital Principals of the Year (Eric Sheninger, Daisy Dyer Duerr, Dwight Carter, Derek McCoy, Jason Markey) and National Principals and Assistant Principals of the Year (Laurie Barron, Jared Wastler). At one point at dinner, I looked around the table and had to grin at the compilation of great lead learners all in one place. It was a bit humbling to be at the table. Just sitting and listening was a PD that you could not put a price on.  Thanks to Jimmy Casas for getting that set up (even though Jimmy was unable to attend because the weather delayed his flight from Iowa).

Dinner with some of the great people who put our kids first!

Dinner with some of the great people who put our kids first!

As the conference continued, I was able to connect with more and more educators from Twitter.  Brad Currie, the “Godfather of #Satchat” was at dinner that first night and I was also able to eat with him the next night. Brad’s cousin is a speed skater on the Olympic team and we had a cool moment at dinner as we saw him enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremonies.  Brad and I were “adopted” by the Iowa gang and I enjoyed spending time with friends from Iowa including Matt Denger, Aaron Becker, and Lucas Ptacek. The day started with a session from the Bettendorf, Iowa group, a group of leaders I was fortunate to get to know this past fall and have tremendous respect for. If your child goes to the Bettendorf schools, your kids are in great hands with Kim Hoffman, Kristy Cleppe, Joy Kelly, Colin Wikan, and Jimmy Casas. I can’t put into the words the admiration and respect I have for this group of people. Thank you for allowing me to learn from you. Not only are these people smart, they are fun to be around. And as Annette Breaux said during the conference, “If there isn’t a big kid inside of you, there isn’t a great teacher coming out of you.”

Iowa adopts New Jersey and Missouri

Iowa adopts New Jersey and Missouri

 

Final night dinner with the gang

Final night dinner with the gang

 

 

 

 

 

The final speaker, Simon T. Bailey, really spoke to me, even though by late Saturday I was mentally full and really ready to be home with my family.  He talked of the difference between average and brilliant leaders.  Average is no longer acceptable. He also talked about taking care of the “people who will cry at your funeral.” That hit home to me. I know that I have worked very hard to be a “connected educator”, but it also makes me stop and take a moment and realize that disconnecting now and then may be the most important thing I can do. I hope there are  many at my funeral, but I am sure of three that will be crying (or at least I hope). I am working to make the three of them know they are the most important people in the world to me. That is probably the most important thing I got from this conference.

The three most important people

The three most important people

There were many others I was happy to connect with for the first time, Paul Vieira, Chris Stogdill, Leslie Esenault, Darrin Jolly, Carrie Jackson among them.  I was also glad to see and spend some time with my Missouri friends, Jason Eggers, Jim King, Phil Lewis, Matt Lindsey, Dave Steward, and John Faulkenberry. I’m sure there are others I have left out; it seems like a blur. I do know that I head back to my own students with Fall Out Boy singing in my head, because this event did “ignite” me, in fact, “I’m on fire!!!!”. Thanks to the many people who made it a great adventure.

 

 

 

Where Have I Been? Where Has Time Gone?

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It’s taken me a long time to start this post.  I’ve not blogged in a VERY long time.  There are a lot of reasons, but they are really excuses.  And just like I was told as a kid, excuses are like rear ends- every body has one and they all stink. Truthfully, I feel like I’m coming out of a funk a bit and that may be what is bringing me back to writing. I probably should have been doing it all along, but even the therapeutic benefits of writing weren’t enough to get me here.  Nevertheless, I am here, writing again.

To help you understand why I’ve been gone so long, I have to share some personal bits from last year.  Last year may have been the most difficult year in my professional career.  That’s not really true.  The word “may” leaves open the possibility there may have been a harder one.  Last year was without a doubt the hardest year.  It was a year of turmoil and of change, two things that I don’t generally seek out.  Our superintendent resigned, as did our assistant superintendent, and our director of assessment took a job in another district. Our district eliminated our technology specialists positions causing a long-time friend to leave the district, a friend who had actually lured me to this district 15 years ago. My building principal, someone I had been an administrator with for 10 years, took a position in another district.  Succinctly put, many of us felt unsure of where things were headed and had no idea who would be leading.

Once my building principal took another job, I was then again disappointed when the district chose another person to lead our building. It was a difficult time, and I’m sure as hard as things were for me, they were harder for my wife and kids at the time. I am confident that we have moved beyond that, and I am enjoying a great relationship with my new principal. Our new superintendent has implemented a few new ideas that match my philosophical beliefs, so he has been an easy person to follow and respect. Honestly, I have a new-found sense of renewal this year, and I’m sure my attitude and performance are improved from last year.  It was a tough time- but it’s in the rear view mirror.  I’ve often told my son as he practiced swimming, that the discomfort he felt when he was pushing really hard, that was when  he was experiencing true growth. I’m not sure I ever want to experience so much “growth” at once again.  I hope that I was able to provide a life-lesson for him on how to deal with disappointment and turmoil. Maybe we are all better for it.

Speaking of my son, that may touch on another reason why I’ve been hesitant to write again.  My son is now 3 weeks into his senior year. I know that this year will be filled with many “last times” as the weeks rapidly click by. I know that in roughly two months,  his high school swimming career will be over. I’ve tried not to think about how my time with him is running out. I know he is ready to move to the next step in life, and I am confident his mother and I have done all we can to prepare him- and I think we’ve done well.  That doesn’t make this next step in life any easier. As an administrator, I’ve often worried or felt guilt that I’ve taken time from my own kids to spend with other people’s kids. Jimmy Casas and I recently had a brief conversation about that. I pray that my kids have never felt like Dad wasn’t present for them. I just know that I need to appreciate every moment of this year with my son.  I hope that he has an amazing senior year and that someday when he has his own kids, he will be able to comprehend the love I have for him. With that being said, I close this long-avoided blog with this quote about time:

Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.

Michael LeBoeuf

Are We Losing the “Civil” War?

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Recently, there has been a lot of press attention generated by a tweet sent by a Kansas high school teen regarding Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. While on a tour of the capitol, 17-year old Emma Sullivan tweeted the following:

“Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot.”

In what was probably an overreaction, when Governor Brownback’s staff saw the tweet on Twitter, they contacted the organizers of the event who in turn contacted Sullivan’s school principal. Her principal scolded her and suggested she write a letter of apology, something she initially considered doing. Then the story hit the media, and suddenly, a wave of support came out for Sullivan. She decided not to write an apology. Her Twitter followers jumped from a little over 60 to over 3000 in a short period of time. In my opinion, that’s when the issue got a little twisted.

Defenders of the First Amendment were suddenly coming to Emma’s rescue, stating that she was being attacked by the Governor’s office and her principal. The issue suddenly became about the First Amendment, not about whether or not the behavior was appropriate. If she had shouted those words out while Governor Brownback was talking, would we view it differently? Would people all over the country be so quick to line up with her and defend her right to say anything she wants without any consequences? To me, that’s where so many have gone off course; they equate freedom of speech with freedom to say anything without consequence.

As a high school principal, I deal with issues similar to this every day. Students will often claim that they have freedom of speech, so it’s okay for them to say whatever they want. I often give them the example of what would happen if I cussed at my Superintendent, or addressed the school board as a bunch of idiots (I don’t think that by the way). I wouldn’t be arrested (I have freedom of speech), but I would have consequences. Somewhere as a society, we are blurring the lines and losing that perspective. It’s created a situation where we don’t feel we have to be civil with each other, because it’s my “right” to say whatever I want.

As my wife and I discussed this issue at breakfast, we pondered the ironic part of this in today’s society. If Sullivan had said something similar to this to a classmate, she might be accused of bullying, and possibly be facing consequences. If the student she said it to had hurt feelings, and did something to hurt themself, the public outcry would be directed toward her, not in support of her. The arguments of freedom of speech would not have been so loud and fervent.

A few things cross my mind as I summarize this issue in my brain. First, if you want to be in politics, thick skin is pretty necessary, and I think in retrospect, Governor Brownback knows that. He has issued an apology to Sullivan, and I’m guessing his office will be less fervent about monitoring social media, especially comments made my teenagers. Second, I’m troubled by this bastardized notion that so many have of freedom of speech. I would be suprised if being able to call names or make any statement, no matter how uncivil, was what the forefathers had in mind. They were pushing for the right to be able to disagree without being thrown in jail or worse. Finally, what would it have hurt for Sullivan to apologize? Maybe not for the statement so much, but for being disrespectful. People can have differing viewpoints and politics, but that doesn’t mean it has to sound like some reality show where every 4th word is bleeped out. Speech is protected, not disrespect. Free speech doesn’t have to be uncivil speech.