2008 Woodie Awards
Statehouse blues
The demise of the textbook bill may be confusing, but Schoolhouse Rock says it all.
The Editorial Staff
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Opinion
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Boy: You sure gotta climb a lot of steps to get a textbook bill passed here in Annapolis.
It's just a bill.
Yes, it's only a bill.
And it's really sad that it just got killed.
It had a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It had a long, long wait
Without a conference committee,
But we hope it'll be a law someday
At least we hope and pray that it will,
But today it is still just a bill.
Boy: Gee, Bill, you sure must be upset about what happened.
Bill: Well I got so far. The legislature seemed intent on passing me so students would be able to buy cheaper textbooks next year, but a few delegates and senators got caught up in tacking me with amendments.
Boy: Amendments?
Bill: Yeah, a few state senators wanted to ensure I promoted competition among booksellers while a state delegate wanted to protect the interests of the administration and the University Book Center. Even though the SGA lobbied hard for a compromise, the senators and delegates couldn't come to an agreement on which version of me to pass.
Oh the textbook bill
Had political will,
And it seemed it would be signed until
The politics got real ugly
And it met a sad fate
Because Rosapepe and Bohanan forgot to debate
Whether they should let it be a law.
How we hope next year that they will,
But today it is still just a bill.
Boy: Well that's really sad.
Bill: It sure is. We all were hoping I'd make it, but I guess this is a hard-earned lesson.
Boy: That the legislators should stop arguing and get you passed earlier next year?
Bill: Yes, that, and that this is what happens when they get too caught up in political maneuvering to satisfy lobbyists.
Boy: Well if not the lobbyists, then who should they be listening to?
Bill: The students.
Boy: Oh yeah, I guess you're right.
It's just a bill
Yes, it's only a bill
And it won't be helping students until
Our politicians remember
That they should be so inclined
To pass identical bills
For O'Malley to sign
And if he signs it, then we'll have a law.
How we hope and pray that he will,
But today it is still just a bill.
Policy: The signed letters, columns and cartoon represent only the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback's editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Bill
posted 4/10/08 @ 9:57 AM EST
I strenuously object to my visage be associated with such tomfoolery. Expect to hear from my lawyers shortly.
- The "original" Bill
these usually suck
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:09 AM EST
damn. this made my day. wtg.
Dan
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:30 AM EST
You can't do any better than plagiarize schoolhouse rock? Come on.
Youtuber
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:54 AM EST
Wow, these lyrics match up perfectly. Original song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ
Graham
posted 4/10/08 @ 11:28 AM EST
While I would definitely have encouraged a graphic if you were really interested in educating your readers, this is a big step up from a prose staff-editorial. (Continued…)
Billma
posted 4/10/08 @ 11:52 AM EST
1. Dan, I don't they've plagiarized the 'Schoolhouse Rock' lyrics. In fact, the writer approached it with a creative mindset and sculpted the lyrics to fit the issue. (Continued…)
Good job!
posted 4/10/08 @ 1:23 PM EST
I love it! It's sad but true. In my education policy class, I read article after article about education legislation being stalled because politicians can't get their act together. (Continued…)
R.G.
posted 4/10/08 @ 1:35 PM EST
Dear Editorial Staff-
I encourage you to think outside-the-box more often. Remember, your main readers are (big) kids, and this is the kinda stuff kids will read, understand, and enjoy. (Continued…)
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