One of the aspects of Mathis' speech that I appreciated most was how soft-spoken he was. His passion underscored his delivery, but he didn't have to shout to get through to us. I actually take comfort in others' urgency. We are a community of suffering conscience, of higher consciousness discredited by authorities. I was comforted by Bill's queit, conscientious authority. He IS making a tangible, discernible difference.

He acknowledges the risks, not only professional, to moving against the corporate and political grain. I'm reminded of Albert Einstein's famous quote, "Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."

Where do I fit in? Mathis' presentation has forced me to stretch my boundaries. It has become unacceptably easy to rely on my romantic image of the roles I have played in the New York City Department of Education.  I have not been a leader. I have not been a follower. I have always been an iconoclast. My individuality has caused me to gain and lose numerous interesting and worthwhile positions.  I'm comforted by my integrity but disturbed about my failures. My iconoclasm must cease. I must take up the reins of leadership.

Another impression I'm left with from Bill's speech is that he's hopeful, and his hope is based on concrete steps, gains and possibilities. NCLB is up for renewal in 2007, he said. If the Democrats can get off their complacent asses, take a stand, take back the Congress (if the voters can feel that their voices are heard, that the election process  is fair and not rigged), then maybe NCLB will be voted out.

I tremendously respect Mathis for bringing his lawsuit against NCLB, trying to overturn it in Vermont. All the examples he gave of definitive steps, demonstrable gains, is cause for hope.

Chriss Hyndes, with the Pretenders, sings in Revolution,
"We can't just wait for the
Old guard to die
Before we can
Make a new start."

I am ready to make that new start.