"Congressman Shimkus was frustrated that the president was not offering any new ground and left with just minutes remaining in the speech.''
Since I didn't notice anyone talking about this before my post, it makes me wonder if the Tribune reporters who follow me on twitter noticed my twit about it yesterday morning.
Shimkus was a high school teacher and still speaks to government classes (one can only hope he isn't teaching them his belief that a compassionate monarchy is the ideal form of government). We know West Point didn't teach him to publicly disrespect the Commander-in-Chief, so I decided to look at the student handbook for Metro-East Lutheran High School where he used to be a teacher.
Maybe the school code has changed since Shimkus was there but it has some good advice he should consider.
As representatives of our Lord and of our school, all students need to behave in a manner that reflects integrity upon themselves, upon any school activity, and upon the school itself.Oops.
Among the behaviors subject to detention are: "disrespect, dishonesty, disrupting class, and tardiness."
I know that sometimes it can be frustrating to sit still and listen to teacher, but if high school students can learn to not be disruptive in class then I'm sure members of Congress can learn too. Clearly, John's bad example warrants a visit to detention hall.
The handbook has some helpful advice for how to deal with these situations.
The purpose of applied discipline is to assist each student in developing the self-control necessary to function appropriately in all personal and social relationships. Our standards and policies are based on commonly accepted social behaviors and the Word of God. ...Consequences are warranted when students repeatedly and/or willfully disregard school guidelines/rules or otherwise bring discredit to their Lord, their school or themselves.
Joe Wilson, John Shimkus and some other partisan congressmen could use help learning how to function appropriately based on commonly accepted social norms.
The school code of conduct begins with a Bible verse.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." -- Matthew 5: 16 --
The world has seen the works of Shimkus from his role in covering up the House page scandal to his ridiculous statements about global warming. I don't believe the word "glorify" applies in this case.