Teachable Moments

In a “very special Oprah” this afternoon, a chunk of the guests were the spouses of reporters sent to cover the war. One of the spouses, a middle aged woman, casually mentioned something about some event or another being a “teachable moment.”

How did the education come to this? What the hell is a “teachable moment?” Must we reduce the richness and passion of human existence down into moments that are “teachable” and moments that are not.

I think that perhaps, along with the golfers, the teachers should be exiled to Australia as well.

This creates a problem, though, because my mother, my mother-in-law, Catherine’s aunt and cousin, and many others I know are teachers or former teachers (perhaps the former teachers could be spared exile?)

Note to Oliver in the future: if you are ever faced with a teacher who uses the phrase “teachable moment” to you, you are hereby permitted to stand up and walk out of class and call me. We will immediately fly to Peru. I don’t believe there are any teachable moments in Peru.