by James C. Sherlock
Asra Nomani, the ex-Wall Street Journal reporter now a mom in Fairfax County, has been a keen observer of the Fairfax County School Board, much to the dismay of its members.
She reported yesterday that
Not long after the Fairfax County school board passed a resolution for “inclusive” learning at its regular meeting yesterday, the board struggled with a parliamentary question and a member of the school board had a “hot mic” moment, caught on videotape saying, “We cannot be this retarded.”
Parents gasped, appalled as they watched the proceedings at home and in their seats at Luther Jackson Middle School.Karen Keys-Gamarra admits she was the one who said: “We cannot be this retarded.” She said she apologizes and seeks the “forgiveness” of the community.
Ms. Nomani was calling attention to (OK, poking fun at) the Fairfax County School Board, which richly deserves it.
But this clearly requires follow-up reporting.
Ms. Keys-Gamarra should not have apologized. She should have contacted me. I would have reminded her of the context and syntax of her remark.
Parents “gasped, appalled” by Ms. Keys-Gamarra remark made after a holdup in the proceedings. They misunderstood what she was saying.
“Retarded” was used as a verb.
Even with the distraction of the split infinitive by the placing of the word “this.” the construction of the verb “to retard” was appropriate here.
From Websters:
re· tard | \ ri-ˈtärd \ retarded; retarding; retards Definition of retard
transitive verb : to delay or impede the development or progress of : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment chemicals to retard the spread of fire
intransitive verb : to become delayed : to undergo retardation
Ms. Keys-Gamarra was complaining accurately and appropriately about the delay in the proceedings.
The root of the word comes from the Latin tardus (m), tarda (f), and tardum (n). comparative: tardior, superlative: tardissimus. The English usage of the noun generally has meant late – tardy.
As in chronic absentees in Fairfax County schools are “tardissimus.”
So Ms. Keys-Gamarra “falso accusatus est.”
In an attempt to escape the guillotine, she confessed anyway. I suggest she did not recall the context of her remark. And failed to remember that Jacobins never forgive.
Too late.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano won’t nolle prosequi this one.
She should have called me.
Update Oct 22 at 14:30
I was trying to lighten up a Saturday morning, have a little fun and progressives took me seriously. I guess I should not be surprised, but I am.
I note the utter lack of a sense of humor in those who attack this tongue-in-cheek article as if it was a presidential policy paper. Personal attacks of course followed. Or rather led.
My advice: get a life. And get a sense of humor. Not everything is Armageddon.
They make the point about the blind dogmatism of progressives, their hyper-sensitivity and invented micro-aggressions, better than anyone else ever could.
They unconsciously, yet inevitably, expose themselves for what they are.
They are the joke here.
Even in Latin.
