Well, he’s back: Beto O’Rourke has returned to the news.
The erstwhile 2020 presidential candidate is embarking on an all-new journey.
As reported Thursday by the University Star, America’s favorite skateboarding, punk rock politician is expected to…let’s see…here’s a drum roll…
…As it stands, it looks as if Spring 2021 students of Texas State University will be learning from instructor Beto.
His department: Political Science.
From the Star:
Pending finalization of his hire, O’Rourke will join the department as an instructor teaching a synchronous online class. Political Science Chair Ken Grasso says he discussed potential class subjects with O’Rourke, who he says gravitated toward Texas politics.
Ken recalled:
“He originally approached people in the administration…and expressed an interest in teaching. I was thrilled. He’s got a unique take on things with his experience as a congressman and as [a] senatorial candidate and even a presidential candidate. So we’re very happy to have him.”
The department chair hailed Beto’s expressed desire and motivation to teach and connect with young people, particularly during a “crucial time for the state and the country.”
Will O’Rourke’s presence boost enrollment? Ken’s not saying:
“I don’t know that so much it’s going to increase enrollments; it’ll certainly increase visibility. That’s always a good thing. We tend to sometimes to get lost in the shadow of other institutions.”
Of course, online is one thing; face-to-face may be a bigger draw. And the latter could occur, depending on the course of COVID.
If class moves to a room, TSU will try to keep the size small and the interaction maximized.
One grand appeal, in Ken’s view: Beto’s real-world experience in the state’s House of Representatives.
“He’s an actual practitioner out there. You don’t know a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins, and none of us have walked in his moccasins.”
Yep — he’s been there:
“Man, I’m just born to be in it.” Beto O’Rourke seemed to come from nowhere to the brink of a presidential candidacy—but he’s been on this journey for his whole life. O’Rourke spoke with Joe Hagan. Photographs by Annie Leibovitz. https://t.co/WhmQGZnbUg pic.twitter.com/a7DCoaZdtd
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) March 13, 2019
Of course, those shoes are perhaps most famous for treading about while promising to confiscate families’ firearms.
Personally, I miss Beto — he was an entertaining headline helmer.
But if he’s going to be teaching young skulls full o’ mush — particularly about politics — I hope he’s found time to check Google over his most prominent platform plank.
Last year, O’Rourke vowed to take from millions of U.S. households their AR-15’s. Simultaneously, he offered assurance: Don’t worry — you can keep your hunting rifles.
Hopefully, he’s since been informed that the most popular hunting rifle in America…is the AR-15.
The media needs to stop fear-mongering. The only guns you will have to sell back are weapons of war, designed to kill as efficiently and effectively as possible. The American people are with me on this: AR-15s and AK-47s belong on the battlefield, not in our communities. pic.twitter.com/SJDG0oPA49
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 19, 2019
Will that make the syllabus? Only time will tell.
Either way, aspiring Longhorn learners will likely soon be under the tutelage of the most rock ‘n’ roll representative the state’s surely ever seen.
Will the class have Trigger Warnings, or will those be banned?
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
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