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05/04/2010
Because even dead honorees become hyper-partisan debates
An official in Bakersfield, California's Kern High School District, who also happens to be running for state assembly as a conservative, is pushing a ridiculous new end-run around the honoring of Harvey Milk's legacy:
Trustee Ken Mettler, who is also running in the 32nd Assembly District Republican primary, will ask his board colleagues at a Monday meeting to adopt a policy discouraging schools from celebrating Harvey Milk Day May 22, which honors one of the first openly gay men elected to public office in California.
He will also ask trustees to support a state Senate bill establishing Ronald Reagan Day, which would fall on Feb. 6.
Ken Mettler proposes anti-Milk, pro-Reagan school policies [Californian]
Because it has to be a tradeoff: Either recognize one prominent public figure or honor another, more conservative person (who joined Harvey in opposition to the anti-gay Briggs Initiative, btw)? What kind of logic is that? What possible reason, other than far-right politicking, does Mr. Mettler have to issue his own proclamation against legislation that encourages (but does not require) recognition of Milk?
Look, we fully support the right to push for a day honoring the Gipper. But suggesting that this honor must also water down Milk? Well that's a bad idea for both glasses and classes.
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*Lest there be any confusion about where Mr. Mettler stands:
**ALSO: Andy Towle reminds us of something from Mettler's "Yes on 8" past: BAKERSFIELD SCHOOL TRUSTEE WHO THREW PUNCH AT 'NO ON 8' SUPPORTER NOW WANTS 'HARVEY MILK DAY' BANNED [TR]
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