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The Middle of the Road: By Randy Peters, a middle-aged, middle-income, middle-school teacher People have called me a political junkie. They're probably right. I do like to know about politics, but mostly I like to know the stories and personalities of the people behind the politics, not always policy. Events and circumstances may change a politician's view on an issue, but the personality doesn't change. After all, it's the politician who hires the staff. It's the politician who puts the people around him or her to make sure the details of the job get done. And it's the people around the politicians who can tell the story. I like sharing the stories with my students and anyone else who will sit still long enough to listen. I like to learn the factual stories and sometimes the fictional ones. I happen to own the entire West Wing series. I recently took a weekend to binge-watch the complete set of the new House of Cards episodes. I probably have an unnatural crush on Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord on Madame Secretary. I was fascinated with the Watergate Hearings and remember watching them in Mr. Oberle's eighth grade history classes. I read All the President's Men as soon as it was published. In fact, I still have that copy. I think my fascination with politics came from my dad. I knew he had connections to the Kennedy Administration, and I asked all kinds of questions. The questions weren't about Kennedy's view on civil rights. They didn't cover his stance on the Bay of Pigs. I wanted the background stories. Who were the movers and shakers behind the president? My dad used to transport President Kennedy's special rocking chair from the Air Force One to wherever Kennedy was staying when he came to the Los Angeles area, usually Peter Lawford's house. So what I wanted to know from my dad was, "Was the chair heavy? How did the chair get to Peter Lawford's house? Did somebody have to let you onto the plane after the President left? Who let you into Peter Lawford's house, and how did you know when to pick up the chair for the return flight?" I have a good friend who shares a similar interest in politics. During the most recent State of the Union Address, we were texting each other about who made what comments, who was falling asleep in the audience, and whose spray tan was fading. After these events, we get together to discuss the politics as if we were reviewing the Super Bowl. Recently we took a group of 35 eighth and ninth grade students to Washington DC. During our stay we had the honor of visiting our Representative Paul Cook. Representative Cook was an amazing speaker who talked to the students in the Capitol Building Resource Conference Room about his role in Congress and how he represents the people of Yucaipa and surrounding areas. He candidly spoke of issues such as the roles of the three branches of government particularly in regards to the recent visit from Prime Minister Netanyahu. He answered questions from the students with respect, as if he was speaking with adults. The students and I were impressed with Representative Cook's honesty and candor. But what impressed me most was the two young men who kept the Congressman on schedule and on point. Michael Fresquez, Communications Director, took care of us from the minute arrangements were made to meet with the Congressmen to the minute we left the Capitol Building. He and Peter Rescigro, Press Secretary, gave us a great tour of the Capitol. They made sure each student had a unique and memorable time. They answered questions and spoke with integrity to each student. We got to go through the tunnels and into the Capitol. They took us through the various rooms giving all the stories that we political junkies love to hear. But mostly they proved through their generosity of time and information that it's not just the politician, but the people behind him that make the difference. I extended and will continue to extend a dinner invitation to these gentlemen the next time they're in Yucaipa. Of course, I'll want to hear more stories. Keep your eyes on the road. Hi - My Name's Randy & I'm Addicted to Politics OUR YUCAIPA | MAY 2015 19

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