by Christine O’Connor, Stevensville
Believe people when they show you who they are. Double down when they tell you in their own unscripted words. Then, compare their behavior to the Kindergarten Credo. This is not kid stuff. The Credo is the basic rules of life, taught to us when we first arrived in school. The Kindergarten Credo is the list of fundamentals on which civilization rests.
On Friday, May 3rd, Theresa Manzella was the invited guest speaker at the North Pachyderm meeting. Pachyderm Clubs are the educational arm of the Republican Party. People attend to listen, learn and discuss issues involving their community.
But, on that Friday, Ms. Manzella played Show and Tell while abusing five of the most fundamental rules on which civilization rests. It was exhausting to watch Ms. Manzella cause her very own, really bad day.
Ms. Manzella arrived early to set up her tripod and iPhone camera— without asking first. The Vice president, Tony Hudson, approached her to share information about club policy. Pachyderm doesn’t allow videotaping. Tony attempted a shared conversation with Theresa about the club’s rules and reasons. Theresa refused. (1st basic rule: SHARE EVERYTHING.). Instead, she hit back with: “I have a right to protect myself!” (2nd basic rule: DON’T HIT PEOPLE.) Tony turned and walked to the front of the room. Theresa followed.
Tony faced the group and attempted to explain the situation. “There are serious concerns about how a videotape would be used and possibly edited once it left the room.” Murmurs flowed throughout the group. Theresa blurted out: “I won’t speak!” (3rd basic rule: PLAY FAIR.) The level of concern audibly rose as Tony tried to explain: “checking bylaws during an hour-long meeting isn’t feasible.”
Meanwhile, a woman in the back of the room, motioned Theresa to her table. “Theresa, please just speak.” Theresa straightened up and said: “No! I have to stand on my principles.” What principles, as PLAY FAIR was abused again.
Theresa was the only scheduled speaker. She made a commitment to the club when she agreed to speak. Theresa returned to the front and faced the group with a lip-twitching, closed mouth grin. Her body language twittered with barely controlled excitement, as she watched the growing agitation. Theresa was clearly enjoying herself.
A man stood up and called the club communists for suppressing free speech. Others were calling for a vote. The Chaplain got to his feet and asked for a prayer. His action reminded everyone that the meeting hadn’t even officially begun. Tony called the meeting to order. The Chaplain recited a prayer which included an appeal for civility. We continued to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance as the room slowly returned to business as usual.
Theresa made her next move. It was a stunning hit against everyone in the room. “I won’t speak without videotaping. I have to protect myself from the slander and lies coming from inside this club!” Business as usual melted in the heat of angry surprise. The entire club was insulted. The lip-twitching, closed mouth grin was back. Her body twittering jumped to high. Theresa was charged up and charged again with: DON’T HIT PEOPLE.
Some people urgently called for a vote. Others disagreed because only members were allowed to vote. Theresa, with her grin in place, continued to enjoy herself. Eventually, Tony settled the room and called for a show of hands from members. They were counted. Then, the members were asked to vote for videotaping with another show of hands. Theresa lost.
Did Theresa accept the vote outcome? Did she decide to speak? No. But, she did follow one important basic rule from the list. Theresa washed her hands. She washed her hands of the responsibility to speak. She washed her hands of squandering people’s time. She washed her hands of the opportunity to promote herself as the best candidate for State Senate, District #44.
Theresa walked to the back of the room. She picked up her toys: the tripod and her iPhone. Then, she dismissed her manners. Theresa did not apologize. (4th basic rule: SAY YOU’RE SORRY.) She didn’t attempt any housekeeping. (5th basic rule: CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS.) On this, her very own, really bad day of poor behavior, demands and insults, Theresa made a choice. She walked out. A small group of followers trailed behind her.
In the stunned silence of the room, Theresa left behind a bit of wonder.
Thought bubbles surely were popping up.
(I wonder how she behaves in the Senate when people disagree with her?)
(Maybe wonderfully warm cookies would help her attitude?)
(It’s a wonder! That woman is running for reelection?!)
(I wonder if she needs a nap?)
I wonder if Theresa Manzella will have extra time on her hands after June 4th? I hope so. She deserves a gift of time to read a very important book:
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN.