For comparison with the article on LGBTQ+ matters in the Nov.-Dec. 2021 edition of Bethesda Magazine at pp. 156-162 (See here), take a look at its instructive article by Eugene Meyer in its Sept./Oct. 2007 edition, discussing Attorney John Garza (who is suing MCPS in the litigation referenced in the new article) and his organization, Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum. As far as I can determine, it was never posted on-line, but below are the pages from the print edition, followed by links to a transcript of the News Talk program referenced several times in Mr. Meyer's article (and my comments on the article, sent to some of my Teachthefacts.org friends:
"Minority Retort" from Bethesda Magazine (Sept./Oct. 2007) on the Montgomery County Health Education Controversy
Here are links to the transcript of the New Talk discussion I had with John Garza in May 2007, courtesy of Teachthefacts.org, Jim Kennedy, and Chris Grewell.
http://vigilance.teachthefacts.org/2007/05/newstalk-transcript-first-part.html
Subject: Bethesda Magazine
All:
On Sunday, the Sept/Oct. issue of Bethesda Magazine hit the newstands in Montgomery County. In it, there is an article by Eugene Meyer entitled "Minority Retort: How did so few people create such a ruckus over the county's new sex-ed curriculum?" The article will not likely be on line until November, so I think there would be a serious copyright problems if it were to be posted on public web sites. (The magazine is only 3 years old, and I suspect they would be very sensitive to such issues. I know I would be were I its publisher.)
The article has a pretty accurate description, as far as it goes, of what has been going on the last few years. I see a few errors, but none are significant to our litigation concerns. If you are interested in the atmospherics, however, read on.
1. While Meyer says I am 60, that is not yet true. I will not be 60 until mid-autumn. Sixty, hmmm. Well, as Satchel Paige said, "Age is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter."
2. John Garza is quoted as saying that I told him I am proud of my son who went to Princeton. A calumny. One of my sons went to Yale (and then Harvard Graduate School of Education), the other went to Penn -- Princeton's arch-rival. Should I demand a correction? :)
3. The Scopes Trial was in 1925, not 1924. 1924 is only an interesting date for Washingtonians because it is the only year a Washington baseball team won the World Series. Perhaps that is what Meyer was thinking about.
3. The Scopes Trial was in 1925, not 1924. 1924 is only an interesting date for Washingtonians because it is the only year a Washington baseball team won the World Series. Perhaps that is what Meyer was thinking about.
4. Meyer also reports that Garza told him that he changed his mind about his suggestion that we have lunch and discuss our theological differences, saying that "I dont want to waste his time if he [Fishback] thinks he's going to save me." I found that curious, because I wrote to Garza saying I would be happy to continue our chat, as long as he did not think he was going to save ME. I have no illusions about changing John Garza's mind and heart, but it is always useful to learn other more about other people's perspectives.
5. The article quotes Garza as e-mailing the following to Meyer: “I want to correct something David F. said a while ago. God has never talked to me.” Here, in fact, is the direct quote from the e-mail I sent to Meyer describing our post-NewTalk chat on May 1 (which I cc’ed to Garza): “John told me after the program that he personally does not care what individuals do with their lives, but for him, ‘If God tells me to walk on the left side of the road, I walk on the left side of the road.’ (John, if I have that quote wrong, please correct me.)”
If Garza felt the need to clarify, fine. But he did not deny the quote and he did not have the courtesy to copy me with the e-mail. Of course, this is typical of CRC tactics. On March 29, 2007, I sent a letter to the State BOE in support of the MCPS decision and providing information on the AMA/AAP/APA positions on matters of sexual orientation – a letter I cc’ed to Garza. Garza responded to Meyer, but did not cc me. I only found out about the letter several weeks later when it showed up on the CRC website. I mentioned this to Garza after the NewsTalk show, and he blamed it on his secretary. (This is lawyer talk for “the dog ate my homework.”)
Of course, the theological exchanges I had with Garza are irrelevant to the litigation issues.
6. As interesting as the main article is, I would principally recommend reading the side-bar interview with a health education teacher at B-CC High School. I am glad we have such teachers.
David
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