Memo to Richard Wood: Staging Photos Will Only Make Things Worse

On Monday, I wrote about Democrat candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dick Wood, taking a two week trip on an African Safari.  His campaign has denied it up and down with his campaign manager Kathy Dale saying that “Wood is in South Africa for two weeks visiting schools, learning about what is going on in education globally”.  They even have a nifty picture on their website (seen to the left) of him visiting the Lubasi Orphanage and School in Livingstone, Zambia to back up their story.  But here’s where the lie breaks down.

The caption next to the photo says:

Truly committed to life long learning, Dr. Wood and his wife Carol, on a Road Scholar Program in Africa where among other things, they are visiting schools and experiencing how children live and learn in other parts of our world. (emphasis added is mine)

Aha! We’ve been able to get a hold of Dick Wood’s African Safari itinerary and we’ve been able to see what these “among other things” actually are. They include:

(See what exactly happens on a two week tour of schools learning about global education after the leap)

• Day 6: “Elephants and More” - Search for lions, perhaps to discover them after a successful hunt.
• Day 10: “Lower Zambezi River Safari” - Choose a river safari either by canoe or motorboat. By canoe the intrepid will paddle silently downstream for close-up study of the herds of elephants, pods of hippos, crocodiles and abundant bird life. Or, take a leisurely cruise by motor boat where you may attempt to snare the voracious Tiger Fish, the world’s strongest of fresh-water fish.
• Day 11: A night game drive searches for hyenas, porcupines, civets, genets, honeybadgers and the elusive leopard.
• Day 12: “The Remote Lower Zambezi” - Examine animal spoor, insects, vegetation and bushlore on a walking safari. Or choose a game drive, fishing or nocturnal drive.

A fundamental rule in politics is that when you’re caught in a lie, just confess and don’t try to make things up to cover up what it is you’re doing. (Oddly, not many politicians follow that most basic rule.)

Now, was it Wood’s intention to always go to the school in Livingston, Zambia?  Maybe.  Day 9 of his itinerary did have him going to Livingston to visit an orphanage.  But one day out of a two week safari does not a make it two weeks visiting schools and learning about what is going on in education globally now does it?