Why are some days better than others?

I worked for a city government a few years ago, and we were lucky to enjoy not only Thanksgiving Day off but also the next day. However, in order to take that time off, we had to vote to give up one of our other national holidays. Most of us were older and, therefore, Martin Luther King Day was a new holiday that we weren’t used to having off. Since we weren’t used to it anyway, we opted to work on that day in exchange for the extra Thanksgiving day. Not too long after, we were being protested and slandered as being “racist” and we ended up choosing to work on President’s Day instead (strangely, not one person made a peep about that. I guess nobody cares about that.) Somehow, it was “racist” if one does not take MLK day off. I never really saw the logic in that, given that the city wasn’t forcing us to work but we had chosen by vote. Does that mean that if I go do an oil change on the truck, or sell my neighbor some eggs on that day I am somehow engaged in malicious behavior? “Take and enjoy your day off. Now.” seems to be the rather odd attitude.

Today is Veteran’s Day, and my children are at school. I’m not entirely sure why. Is this in exchange for Alaska Day? And where are all the protesters demanding that the schools do a better job teaching our children to respect, honor and remember those of us who served? Judging by the way this country seems to be going regarding national pride and respect, I guess I shouldn’t be all that surprised. But I am disappointed. When I take into account that my children were also in school for President’s Day, I really have to wonder about our priorities. Nobody protested. Nobody complained. What would happen if the schools were in session on Martin Luther King Day?

Ben Compton

Palmer