I wonder how far this news nuance will go. I, for one, would love to see my encounter with Robert Gehrke go to print. I once gave him a blue salt water taffy and he ingested it without so much as a “thank you.” Or, that time when I invited Robert Kirby to speak at a dinner event and he had the nerve to show up with what appeared to be a furry rodent on his upper lip. The public needs to know the audacity of Trib employees and Legislators alike.
I do understand the educator’s concern. Things escalated to the point where Senator Stephenson’s face went red. There were children present and nobody bothered measuring off a ten-foot moat. We can’t let the kids see how passionate adults are about kids’ education and well-being.
I also know first-hand what it’s like to face the red-faced ire. I once discussed education policy with him. His face was red. I saw him speak to a bill that raised taxes. His face was red. I watched him eat a piece of toast. His face was red. In fact, the shade of red didn’t dim at all even when he was cuddling a kitten.
I determined right then and there Senator Stephenson had anger issues. During the course of organizing an intervention aimed at convincing Senator Stephenson to attend anger management, I discovered a startling fact–Senator Stephenson has a disease called rosacea, which causes his skin to go red.
I felt terrible. Here I was judging him for his red face thinking it was the product of his anger when it was really a medical condition.
At least I didn’t go to the press complaining about his red face. Seems like something a bully would do.