The Cockles of My Heart Are Warmed

Let there be peace

Gary Jimenez's faith in American values has been restored, thanks to a kind deed by an anonymous Republican. Last Saturday, Jimenez discovered two slashed tires on his Volvo station wagon, parked on Friars Road, with a note telling him to remove his pro-Kerry bumper stickers.

On Tuesday, when Jimenez checked his mailbox at Clairemont High School, where he teaches English and journalism, he found an envelope containing $200 and an unsigned note that said:

As a Clairemont High alum and a Republican, I was angered about the story about your tires. Please take this money and get yourself some new radials. Teachers are the only hope for the world.

"I was pleasantly shocked," says Jimenez. "That kind of gesture restores your faith in people and emphasizes that there are a lot of good Republican people out there."

Jimenez, who stays in touch with several of his former high school students fighting in Iraq, had planned to send a care package to a young military man named Angel Jimenez (no relation), who twice has called him from Iraq during class time. The teacher was disappointed that he'd have to use that money instead to replace his damaged tires. Thanks to the unknown donor, however, that care package will now go out after all.