As prepared for publication in the NEWTON TAB, July 2009. Copyright Gatehouse Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

It was a strange sight to behold, returning to Newton North High School from lunch in Newtonville with friends on one of the last days before finals. There were card tables on Main Street — the main hallway — and librarians were hurriedly stacking books onto them. I asked where they came from. “These were Mr. Mitchell’s,” a librarian replied. “He donated them to the school, he wanted students to have them. Take some.”

Mr. Mitchell taught Latin at Newton North for many years, until he was prematurely taken from us by melanoma. Famous for his sense of humor, his complete devotion to scholarship, and his love and mastery of the art of teaching, I would see him almost every morning, in his shorts — he always wore shorts, no matter the weather — walking down the hallways, dishing out a resounding “How ya’ doin?” to each person he passed.

His office full of books was legendary, as was his refusal to learn how to use a computer. You could always see him in a computer lab with his typewriter set up, clacking away. The legends about him were, well, legendary: He was actually Julius Caesar. He never slept. He swam 10 miles a day. The truth was only slightly less exceptional. I have never in my time in the Newton schools heard of another teacher who was universally adored.

Back on Main Street students were milling and chatting, trying to find one title or another — prized finds were “Winnie the Pooh” and “Harry Potter” in Latin — and joyously claiming some very intellectual books. Some examples that I saw people taking: “The History of Western Civilization, Scholarship of Classical Literature 1700-1850,” and many, many works of Ovid, Virgil and Catullus. I challenge anyone who saw these students taking and reading Mr. Mitchell’s books to say that teenagers don’t read, that teenagers aren’t interested in learning, that teenagers won’t appreciate knowledge.

Two days and two boxloads of books later (some of the titles I brought home: “The World Is Flat,” “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”, “Bait And Switch,” “The History of Civilization”), I stopped to think about how we as a school system manage our old books.

The Newton North library has to downsize: not only will the new building’s library be smaller; the library will get some new books after the move. They are getting rid of books that have not been checked out for some time. Because of a city or school system regulation, they are not allowed to give them away to students. They have to strip them of their covers and throw them away.

Forget, for a moment, the absurdity of a $200 million high school having a smaller library than the already inadequately sized one. Why would the city of Newton forbid a school library from contributing to the intellectual community of its school by offering, free, the books it has no more room for? They can give away donations that they do not need — and they do, in the “free books” section of the library, which is popular. But they can’t give away anything that was ever in circulation. Nobody will ever again read the Antoine de Saint Exupéry novel that I saw, stripped of its cover, in a dustbin behind the circulation desk.

My bookshelf has a Mr. Mitchell section now. I’m working my way through a small fraction of his books. Every time I read one, I remember him, and his life, and what he did for his students, and what he did for his community by giving the books to the students, and how we should allow the library to, in the spirit of inspiring our intellectual community, do the same.

Please note: I did not edit this statement at all. This is verbatim from her website. This is actually how she presents herself to the world.

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly to you, the people I serve, as your Governor. People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but right path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure the United States.People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska.Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic in the world as the air crossroads of the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny.Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, and oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show my independence… no more conventional “politics as usual”.And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world... to help people... and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies....
So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people… good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic... they are Alaska's success!We are doing well! I wish you'd hear more from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - special interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an “all-knowing attitude” – I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America – I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing our children to pay, because of today’s Big Government spending; it’s immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense!Another accomplishment – our Law Department protected states’ rights – two huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in our state’s favor over the last two weeks. We’re protectors of our Constitution – federalists protect states’ rights as mandated in 10th amendment.But you don’t hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you?Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year – the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate – I say others changed.Let me speak to that for a minute.Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations – such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions.Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted thousands of hours of your time and shelled out some two million of your dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money not going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game.It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but this isn’t what anyone had in mind for Alaska.If I have learned one thing: life is about choices!And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose not to tear down and waste precious time; but to build up this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to build up.And there is such a need to build up and fight for our state and our country. I choose to fight for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and life... I'll work for and campaign for those proud to be American, and those who are inspired by our ideals and won't deride them.I will support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the right reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk.I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to help people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.It’s not what is best for Alaska.I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can win. And I’m doing that – keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it’s time to pass the ball – for victory.I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully… and my last day won’t be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we will look to swear Sean in – in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor’s picnics.I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you trust me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual”.Some Alaskans don’t mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my children won’t allow it either.Some will question the timing. Let’s just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile…In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we all could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities right – that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for our freedom and security… we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops… they’re bold, they don’t give up, they take a stand and know that life is short so they choose to not waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than self... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions – those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and not this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport.May we all learn from them!*((Gotta put First Things First))*First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Alaska. I’ve explained why… though I think of the saying on my parents’ refrigerator that says “Don’t explain: your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.”But I have given my reasons… no more “politics as usual” and I am taking my fight for what’s right – for Alaska – in a new direction.Now, despite this, I don’t want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this real “climate change” that began in August… no, we need hardworking, average Americans fighting for what’s right! And I will support you because we need you and you can effect change, and I can too on the outside.We need those who will respect our Constitution where government’s supposed to serve from the bottom up, not move toward this top down big government take-over… but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it’s time so the team can win! And that is what I’m doing!Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to all Alaska - you have my heart.And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”

The junior thesis is not that bad.

Some AP/honors teachers need to stop using the fact that they are AP/honors teachers to get out of actually figuring out what work is essential and what work is busywork.

Due dates are of absolute, not relative importance. Unfortunately.

It seems that Amy Winehouse will never produce another great album. Wasted talent is upsetting.

Curric. I Biology is science for people who don't like science too too much.

The Newton Public Schools system is, despite its downward trajectory and often-unfortunate management, is still a great school system.

Isn't it nice that Sarah Palin isn't Vice-President?

Thank your parents and your teachers - your good ones for being good teachers, your bad ones for teaching you how to deal with the often-frustrating cast of characters in real life.

Have fun, and "approach love and cooking with reckless abandon".