Caleb Laieski’s high school has an anti-bullying policy, which would be a very fine thing indeed if they only they would abide by it.The harassment got so bad — and the teachers and administration so unresponsive — that Caleb eventually had to drop out and get his GED.
Now he’s putting that book-learning to good use in Washington DC with a monthlong lobbying effort on behalf of the Student Non-Discrimination Act. He’s just 16, but he’s caught the ear of Congresscritters like Jared Polis (sponsor of the bill) Charles Gonzalez, Lisa Murkowsi, and Al Franken.
The bill’s been sitting around doing nothing for a long long time, but Caleb’s hoping that he can push it to a vote. Because it would be nice to go to school without getting, you know, death threats.
the crustybastard
President Obama could issue an Executive Order to public schools predicating continued federal funding on having and enforcing inclusive nondiscrimination policies.
Oh wait. What am I thinking? It’s President Obama on a gay rights issue.
Sorry kids. You’re on your own.
Barry O. Bummer
My local school won’t enforce it’s anti-bullying policies so… I get a group of assholes even more disconnected from the terrorism queer kids go through to stop bailing out banks, making wars, and cutting school budgets to help me? You might get Barney “Elmer Fudd” Frank to help you if you’re willing to “make a contribution, hint hint.”
This is the best this system has to offer. This why we can not look for solutions to our problems from the very assholes responsible for creating those problems.
Kid, your allies are NOT in the White House or in Congress. Your allies are students like yourself, students who oppose the racist anti-immigrant laws in your state, unions, teachers, churches, mosques, synagogues, community centers, day labor centers, Arabs and Muslims, baristas, and, in short, anyone who is being fucked over by the system and has to do something about it.
TMikel
Barry O’Bummer, at least Caleb Laiesk is doing something and is participating in the process of democracy. What are YOU doing – other than attacking all and sundry?
the crustybastard
@Barry O. Bummer:
Indeed. My advice to gay children is:
(a) get a passport, keep it current.
(b) choose a safe country, learn its language
(c) find a way to move there ASAP
Go Galt. Please.
I say more power to him. And when the politicians tell him “how the system works”, he should stick to his idealism and speak out against them. The code of silence is what kept the mafia in power for so long.