ObamaDear friends and followers of “Heart of a Shepherd”,

In the last two weeks President Obama informed Americans he, his Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Education (DOE), intend to direct a moral assault on our sons, daughters, and employees of public schools under the guise of “Transgender rights” for those “self-identifying” with the sex contrary to their biological birth sex.

Transgender symbolThe intended end is that boys will be given the right to go to the same restrooms, showers, and locker rooms as girls, as long as they “self-identify” as girls, an assertion that none dare challenge at the risk of federal lawsuits. Of course, girls are granted the same insanity since our president and the officials of the DOJ and DOE are equal offenders of moral innocence.

Because the president has threatened the federal funding of pubic schools that defy his edict, especially funds for meal programs that feed the poorest students, I could not be silent knowing the Hillsborough County School Board members are facing enormous political and financial pressures to cower to the DOJ and DOE.   Today I took time out of my schedule to exercise my right and responsibility of free speech before the School Board.  Before the meeting I approached one of the armed security officers and shared with him that I “self-identified” as a school board member and would like to sit in one of the comfy leather chairs with the rest of the board members.  Unfortunately, the right of “self-identification” might apply to boys in the public school going to the girls restrooms, showers, and locker rooms; however, I learned my assertion of “self-identification” as a school board member would have me promptly removed from the board meeting.School Bd Logo

Because I respect the role of the board members, all elected by the citizens of the county, I approached them with the respect they are due, but chose to assert my “self-identification” with them in the following address I read before them:

This afternoon I “self-identify” as a Hillsborough County School Board member whose duly elected responsibility is not only the financial oversight of the 8th largest School system in the country, but also the safety and education of over 200,000 students and employees of the Hillsborough County Public School system.

As a “self-identifying” school board member, I understand I am foremost an employee of the citizens of Hillsborough County and entrusted with their most precious possession…the lives and welfare of their children as they fall under my jurisdiction.

titleIXAs a “self-identifying” school board member, I understand my duty is to uphold the laws and regulations of our nation. I accept my oversight of Title IX and Sex Discrimination is no more and no less than to ensure that:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

As a “self-identifying” school board member, I understand my sworn duty is the education of Hillsborough County children and I am incensed that President Barack Hussein Obama would threaten the financial funding of the school meals programs of our most needy children to achieve submission to his baseless interpretation of Title IX.

Therefore, I will not cower or accommodate the fanaticism of federal government entities or employees that are willing to sacrifice the well-being of our children, families and employees to dictate a social platform that is nothing short of social engineering at the sacrifice of the spiritual, psychological, and moral well-being of Hillsborough County children.

Finally, as a “self-identifying” school board member, I acknowledge my care and the welfare of Hillsborough County children bears eternal consequences for my soul as I read in God’s Word:Matthew 18-6

Matthew 18:6 – “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

I urge this board to embrace decency and common sense:

  • Do not sacrifice our children’s moral innocence and psychological well-being.
  • Do not incense parents who expect you to do what is lawful and in the best interest of their sons and daughters under your care.
  • Do not put school employees in a position whereby they are forced to accommodate the president’s “Transgender bathroom” edict that is morally reprehensible.

Sincerely,

Travis D. Smith

“Self-identifying” School Board Member

Copyright 2016 – Travis D. Smith