Thinking of Mad Floridian

[No Elephants]

My post about Arne Duncan reminded me of Mad Floridian, who stopped posting after loss of her husband.

I don't know if she looks in on us now and again.

However, I just wanted her to know that she is in my thoughts and I will always wish her well and mentally send her props whenever I think of public education.

I am forced to think of education often these days, thanks to incessant calls that I have been receiving from campaigns of the baker's dozen of candidates in the Boston mayoral race.

AFAIK, only two of the large field of candidates favor public education over charter schools--and, of course, they are not the ones with the big campaign bucks. One of them will get my vote, though, thanks to Mad Floridian.

One of them, a community organizer, had my vote until I got to the part of his bio that said that he owns a charter school.

So, Mad Floridian, please know that you did make a difference with me and I am sure with others.

I hope you return some day. I miss your posts!

[Enthusiast]

1. Mad Floridian recently posted on DU3.

I want to give her a hug. I think she needs one. But a hug is not enough. She appears to have lost her enthusiasm. I can certainly relate to a loss of enthusiasm. My enthusiasm has been seriously challenged recently.

I am reminded of Mad Floridian when I read the Florida novels by Hiaasen. Since the election of Rick Scott, conditions in Florida actually do resemble a Carl Hiaasen novel.

[No Elephants]

2. I am glad to hear that she posted recently, Enthusiast . I hope that means that she

is coming back to her usual self.

I am sorry to hear that your enthusiasm has been challenged.

When it comes to politics, anger is often all I can muster. And that's on a good day. On a bad day, I can't even get angry.

My California politics buddy friend keeps assuring me that everything is cyclical.

He is very dear to me, but I have my doubts about that comment.

[Enthusiast]

3. Thanks. Your California buddy

doesn't recognize that we are cycling into a far right Fascist period of the cycle. I have no idea how we can correct it.

[No Elephants]

4. I am not sure we can.

That's why I can't even get angry sometimes.

[No Elephants]

5. He and I do not agree, btw. I just enjoy discussing politics with him because of his command of

facts and because, in general, I like him. He is something of an Obamabot.

My California buddy and I had a mutual friend who died before he was 30 because he could not both pay rent and buy his meds and he chose to pay rent. So, out of love for him and heartbreak over his untimely death, my politics buddy and I were both very tied to health care reform.

My politics buddy had once said that his "last straw" with Obama would be no public option in Obamacare. However, he continued to defend Obama on other issues well fter Obamacare passed without a meaningful public option. But, that was indeed the last straw for me.

I have great health insurance (although it gets cut back from time to time). But, I just can't say, "I've got mine." I can't.

(Rest in peace, Dave.)

[Enthusiast]

6. I share your buddy's sentiments on the public option.

It would have morphed into the only acceptable health care system - a European style single payer system.