Principal without Democratic Principles?
Vaughn has worked in the education field as an educational leader since 1987, and he is a graduate of Memorial University (Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education) and Saint Francis Xavier University (Master of Education).
Above forms part of Vaughn Granter's resume on the PC Party website. Granter of course is their candidate in the upcoming by-election in the beautiful district of Humber West.
Here we have an educator and a community leader who also happens to be a high school principal - and he has decided not to participate in a debate. This man has essentially looked democracy in the face and said - I don't believe in you.
Many candidates representing the party of a sitting government - often turn down debates and more often than not media speculates on why and basically finds excuses for them. Randy Simms pointed out the other day to a caller that the reason Granter said no is because he is the only one with something to lose. Well there you have it - an excuse for a candidate not to debate. Not that Simms said it was okay - but he did not impose the ridicule on this man that was deserved.
Granter should be held up as an example by the people of Humber West - that ducking the principles of democracy does not pay and should not be rewarded. It simply is enabling bad behavior - and as a principal - he should understand this.
Avoiding debate is a product of the elite and has nothing to do with grass-roots people democracy. It has caused such disasters as Iraq, and the corporate disasters embodied in an Enron debacle. This is because the elite purchase elections as opposed to winning the voters - one important step of which is the Debate.
For those voters in Humber West old enough to remember - think of the significance of the first televised presidential debates between Nixon and Kennedy. Think of the difference it made to future generations. Do you really believe that Mr. Granter - the man who is seeking your vote - has ever talked of John Kennedy - or perhaps even quoted him - the same way Danny did?
If this man wants to hold the reputation of an educator and academic leader - he must participate in the debate - or unfortunately he is a political fraud. If one cannot stand up for the basic principles of democracy - he should not win this election and should consider why he remains an educator. If the PC machine trumps a persons fundamental beliefs - he is nothing more than a collective part of grease wanting to keep not earn power.
2 comments:
Sue , I have alerted Mark Watton to your very revealing article .
The novel idea that young people , children and students are watching and learning about democracy from a high school principal, who refuses to participate in a public debate , probably has not come up for discussion .
A teacher's function is to motivate children to learn and to explore new ideas , but in my opinion Grantner's way could be construed as something akin to indoctrination .
Yours is a whole new concept , who better to start with than eager young minds .
An excellent idea whose time has come and as Mark Watton is all about new ideas ,hopefully he will intergrate this into his campaign message .
Sue,
Not only does it speak loudly about Granter's poor example to students, it shows a true contempt for the issue being discussed.
He's openly stated he doesn't have the time to prepare for the debate and has stood by while his supporters have down played the importance of the issue.
Barry
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