D.D. 05/18/06

If you aren't following the hysterics over Kay Brook's appointment to the Metro Nashville School Board, you probably should be. The reaction to appointing a woman who has dedicated her time to understanding education issues and educating her children at home is utterly repulsive. Yes, it's pretty non-conventional for a home schooling mom to be appointed to the Nashville School Board, but the viceral reaction of some bloggers, commentators, and others has been truly mean spirited.

Take for instance, this conclusion that Brooks' interview shows that she has "no experience" in education. While Brooks does say that she lacks the degrees of many of the members of the School Board, Brook's admittance here that she lacks experience, seems to me to more of a exercise in humility than admitting guilt. Then again, how could she admit guilt. Kay Brooks hasn't done anything wrong.

Even if we assume there is a nefarious plot on the part of several councilmen to line up the votes for a candidate before the public was informed of potential choices, how is Brooks to blame for that? Again according to the link above, Councilman Craddock had voted lined up before he nominated Brooks - which seems to imply that Brooks herself didn't even know of the nomination until after Craddock had the votes to nominate whomever he wanted.

Then Brittney levels the charge that Kay may have been coached by one of the Councilmen. Again, I think this shows Kay's lack of experience in the political area. But in this day should we really be fearful of folks who are removed from politics? I suspect that in the age of Tennessee Waltz, the Abramoff scandals, stagnant change in government and leadership, Kay Brooks will be a breath of fresh air.

I suspect I am not the only one who wants elected officials who are so far as possible removed from politics as usual. Am I the only one who is actually refreshed by the fact that Kay didn't show up to be grilled at a political forum even though her detractors will no doubt use it against her? That seems to me to be the best example of the virtue of political naivety.