The School board meeting of November 16, 1999 was an education, for me at least, in local politics, religion, and bigotry.

I have a home several blocks from the school. I decided that walking in would be easier than finding a parking place. I was correct. As I walked in I noticed several cars with out of State license plates. I wondered why they were there. I arrived at the school at 6:45. It was already standing room only. I was greeted by a member of Pastor Gwaltney's Church, dressend in jeans and a purple "Raise the Standard" t-shirts. Many in the crowd were wearing white t-shirts with the 10 Commandments printed on them (Why, if it was just one of three historical documents, weren't there and shirts printed up with the Magna Carta or Bill of Rights printed on them?) I met up with a friend from a TV station and joined her up front near the stage. I sat down and waited. I listened to the conversation around me. Much was about how we need God in the school, how anyone opposed to the posting was evil. I grew nervous because it became obvious that I was alone in my opposition.

Let me state now that I wasn't always opposed. When I first heard about it, I didn't object. The majority, it seemed, wanted them in the school, they were only going to be a historical document, there was no further agenda. Then I started hearing that some of friends, business people in Harrisburg, were told, not asked to display the white ribbon. That people opposed were being demonised. That kids in school who wore the red/white/blue ribbon were being harassed. Then I found out that pastor Gwaltney had named this his "First Step" in getting his religion into school. I then joined (founded) the oppposition party.

The meeting got underway with Pastor Gwaltney giving a sermon, highly inappropriate in a School Board meeting. I listened to him lie about his purpose. I listened to him lie about the majority supporting him. They may support the lie he told, but they didn't support his agenda. I then listened to several other speakers preach. One asked for those in support of the posting to quietly stand. Most of the room stood. Out of fairness, he then asked for those in opposition to also quietly stand. I stood, one of only a few. The woman behind me hissed "satanist" in my direction. We all returned to our seats.

Then one in opposition went to speak. He was booed and told "We don't care what you think, why don't you just sit down". Then the representative from the ACLU spoke, and then a student, in opposition. After them, a young girl got up and spoke, claiming that she and several of her friends go to the office every day at lunch and hold hands and pray on one Commandment. The meeting took a short break. A bunch of kids jumped up on the corner stage and formed a prayer circle. It reminded me of Matthew 6:5 when we are admonished not to pray openly so as to be seen.

The board came back in and several members spoke. Three members spoke about how it didn't seem like a good idea, that in their present form, they couldn't be used. Three other members also spoke, including Roger Angelly, who said he was torn between his head and heart, and Kim Buchanon who said she was a child of God. Another spoke and said that without divine intervention we couldn't continue on. Mrs. Buchanon, while I like and respect her very much as the sister of a dear friend, was grossly out of line with her statement. I voted for her expecting her to obey the law, and think with her head, not to break the law while thinking with her heart. This is the PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD.

Judy Cape called for the recinding of the vote of October 26th, allowing for the posting. She was seconded. It was taken to vote. If was defeated 4-3. The crowed erupted in glee. People were talking about how the "devil had been defeated", "God was victorious".

I left the school that had served as junior high for my girls and their friends with a sort of disbelief. Not in what had taken place. But in my suprise that it took place at all. In the past year I watched the President break the law of the land and get away with it, I then shouldn't be suprised when it filters down to local politics. I walked home in the cool November air. Praying for the best. Knowing that those we elect to fill political offices are corrupt and not trustworthy. That we can't depend on them to do the jobs we elect them to do. That they will break the laws they don't like. That ministers will lie to get their agenda put forth, to get into the national spotlight.

While I gained quite an education that night I lost something more precious. Something I may never again find here. I lost the ability to trust. That's the most painful of all.