Ed Emery: Public education responsible for homosexuality, socialism

Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, a long-time opponent of public education, took some of his strongest shots yet in a bizarre rant that included his statement of support for more charter schools in Missouri and flowing tears.

The spectacle took place at the annual chili supper of the Columbia Pachyderm Club Thursday, according to an article in the Columbia Missourian. Emery was the keynote speaker.

"If our schools produce socialists, collectivists and gender confusion, we are headed in the wrong direction" Emery said to applause from the crowd.

He went on to explain that because educators in the U.S. don't teach Christianity, things like homosexuality and gender politics have become normalized. He referred to homosexuality as a mental illness, and said the increased acceptance of homosexuality represents a "reversal of the character of America."

"How can harmful thoughts and unnatural behavior that formerly portrayed mental illness, suddenly become normal behavior, even privileged by government mandates," Emery said. 

Emery whose children did not attend public schools, and has little or no knowledge of what takes place in today's public schools became quite emotional during his speech.

Emery, choking back tears, continued, saying that schools do not focus on student achievement, only the "strength of the institution." He told a story of a legislative event he attended, along with many school administrators.

"We were informed about the positive impact on the community, how many groundskeepers they hired," Emery said. "But there was not a single word about students."

If Emery listened to more than this particular public school educator, he would have found few, if any others, who did not speak about their students.

Of course, that wouldn't be worth any tears.

(Note: The story has been edited to remove a reference that said Emery had not attended public schools.)