What’s Wrong with People?

At my old school in Tampa, I worked with a guy, we’ll call him Sam.

Sam was slightly annoying. He would lecture me on my use of profanity when I write and the importance of appearing in modest clothing online.

Sorta like my mom with a penis.

But Sam’s heart was in the right place and so I smiled and nodded and encouraged his crazy talk. Not a bad guy.

A few weeks ago, Sam sent out an email to several people asking them to support Barack Obama. Probably not the smartest thing to do from school, but whatever. I once got an email from a fellow teacher telling me why Glenn Beck was the second coming of Christ. I just ignored it.

But a fellow teacher, in his department, got offended and reported it. We’ll call her Blanche.

That’s right. Instead of going to Sam directly, or his Department Head or Principal, Blanche sent the email along with a formal complaint downtown. Poor Sam had to haul his cookies to Ybor City and meet with the head of Professional Standards to get officially reprimanded.

What’s wrong with people? Have we lost the ability to simply hit delete and move on with our day? Are we so sensitive that everything requires action?

I get emails all the time from people who harp about Senator Obama’s Muslim background or the power of prayer. I don’t get all worked up. I hardly respond.

Of course, I have a life. What’s up with Blanche? Does she suffer from unbelievable boredom and frustration? Is Blanche such a miserable and frigid woman that she wants everyone to feel her pain?

I’ve seen her waddle through the halls with a permanent frown and what my stylist calls a “waxing issue.” So perhaps frigid isn’t too far off.

Blanche works with Sam and yet had no problem turning him in because he had the audacity to publicly support a candidate for president.

Our world is full of miserable people, folks. The fact that Blanche is also a Republican is not necessarily to blame. But it sure does explain her frigidity.