THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATION, TRANSCRIBED FROM MEMORY, TOOK PLACE BETWEEN TEXAS SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON'S LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT AND MYSELF.
"Hi, I'm one of Senator Hutchinson's constituents. I'm calling in regard to the Higher Education Act of 1998."
"Yes sir."
"Well, I was reviewing the text of this act, and I was wondering, if I get convicted of possessing a marijuana cigarette, does this mean I'll lose all my federal financial aid to go to college?"
"Yes sir, you will."
"Okay. Well suppose I'm convicted of...oh, I don't know...raping and murdering a child. Can I still get financial aid for school?"
"Um...er... Yes sir, you can. I can already see where you're going with this. It doesn't sound like equal justice."
"No sir, it sure doesn't."
"Well, we don't want federal tax dollars going to support the drug habits of students."
"When you say 'habits', does that include alcohol?"
"No."
"Tobacco?"
"No."
"How about prescription drugs?"
"No."
"Gambling?"
"No."
"Prostitution?"
"No."
"Junk food?"
"No, only illegal drugs. We have a real problem with public funds buying illegal drugs."
"I can understand that perspective. But you have no problem with federal tax dollars going to purchase the knife, rope and duct tape the predator will use on his next victim? No problem with buying videotape for the child pornographer?"
"Um... Okay. I see your point."
"I have just one final question. Do you think that cutting off access to education is an effective way to deal with drug abuse and addiction?"
"No. No sir, I don't. But I can't speak for the senator."
"Well do you think you could speak TO the senator?"
"Yes, sir. That I can do."
NEEDLESS TO SAY, I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM SENATOR HUTCHISON'S OFFICE.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REPOST THIS FAR AND WIDE!
YOUR CLASSIC ICONOCLAST,
CHRISTOPHER LARGEN