We are tired to death of the political posturing that goes on day after day, but when it affects our children's welfare, it borders on criminal negligence.
The rhetoric of some people in the community who have railed against the decision by an Education task force to hold school classes on Memorial Day is disgraceful.
We hate to be cynical, but what would most of our children otherwise be doing on Memorial Day? How many would actually spend the day contemplating the importance of our slain soldiers or participating in meaningful ceremonies? Sadly, most of them would be at the beach, in front of the televison or shopping.
Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds has said she will ask teachers to focus on the importance of Memorial Day during classes that day. That would be good for the children and should reassure some of the railing veterans that the task force decision is in no way disrespectful to them.
Over and over again we watch as our children suffer from the failures of their elders.
One key factor in the need for makeup school days is the serious physical problems at the territory's schools. Schools have been closed this year due to flooding, bee infestations and roof problems. Why should these conditions exist in the first place?
Our children – on a good day – are faced at school with teacher shortages, bathrooms that don't work, lack of textbooks and a plethora of other problems that reflect the failure of their elders to set the proper priorities.
Now, supposedly responsible adults are making them the pawns of their own need for attention.
To the veterans who have supported holding classes on Memorial Day, we take our hats off to you.
To the veterans and non-veterans who have used this issue to promote their own narrow agendas, we ask this: Where do you place our children on your list of priorities?