Oompa Loompas use Twitter to debate the Emera Chocolate Factory

I woke up this morning only to hear that the House of Assembly was open last night and I missed it.

Tweeter was alive with NDP member Dale Kirby fending off Ministers and PC backbenchers on the issue of Muskrat Falls.

The use of Twitter by Dale Kirby is reasonable as the Tories will NOT open the House of Assembly. The use of Twitter by backbench Tories may be the only real opportunity to show their zealous loyalty.
The use of Twitter by Ministers is an insult to the public they serve.
The use of Twitter by Ministers to debate a 6 billion dollar deal represents regime tactics you'd expect from North Korea.

We live in a modern democracy but we would be hard-pressed to defend that.

We are living under a government that will not listen to critics - regardless of their background or expertise.

We are living under a government that will block and thwart due processes that were established to protect our system from incompetence and corruption.

We are living under a government that will not provide open access to information to the people, the media, and the Auditor General.

We are living under a government that does not serve the people - but abuses the power the Premier says she is humbled by.

Remember Wonka had a chocolate factory and so did we under Joey - and apparently we will get another Upper Churchill too. 

One thing we should remember - is that the government we get is the government we deserve so perhaps we should all reflect - and then take the action necessary to advise the oompa loompas that this project is not on.

Beautiful Humber West - Great District - Tough Decisions

Humber West is beautiful - the potential is astronomical for future tourism development and industrial growth. The electors are intelligent and they must consider many factors as they head to the Polls.

In my opinion as I have mentioned many times before - this district is a leader in environmental advocacy and has shown the way in many areas of discussion - forestry, tourism, construction, development, greening up, and land-use planning. The citizens are engaged and are never shy to state an opinion.

When Danny was the Premier - it was extremely difficult to support anybody else from the practicality of partisan politics. Although this is one of my most undesirable state of affairs - I do understand.

Vaughn Granter is not Danny Williams and does not have the ability to lead versus follow. This was evident in his poor choice regarding the community debate. If you really believe in democratic principles - which I have to believe a high school principal must - then you absolutely do not refuse a debate.

When a people driven organization sets up an all-candidates debate on whatever the issues - and a candidate does not show up it only means one thing. That individual has complete disrespect for the electorate - and the choices they make to assist them in choosing a representative. When the candidate says - I have decided to go my route instead (knock on doors) then he has said it will be my way - or in this case what the party wants.

You see the debate was set up for the people - by the people - is there anything more democratic? No there is not.

I am but one citizen and I am not a voter in this by-election - but I trust the people of Humber West will consider that one decision of Granter's very seriously and also believe that because a general election is coming in the fall - it is very practicable not to elect one from the government side. This I am sure will get Humber West some real attention and perhaps send a message to anybody who seeks to represent them - that the people decide how they want their democracy to unfold.

Vaughn Granter - not the choice for Humber West - examine why

Let's look at the possible reasons for Vaughn Granter's decision not to participate in a debate regarding the environment - organized in the district he seeks to be elected in.

First: we are talking about a district (Humber West) that has lead the way in environmental discussions in the past - including topics such as clear cutting, mechanical harvesting, tourism development projects, salmon fishing, river stewardship, and most recently the burning of tires at the paper mill for energy.

Second: we are talking about a principal of a high school and a PC website proclaimed educational leader.

Third: we are talking about the location of the debate which is the Grenfell University Campus. The baby of the PC government - promoting autonomy and independence for the institution. (until somebody stopped the progress)

Possible reasons:

1. Vaughn Granter is not an educational leader and has no respect for the democratic process. Thereby making him a political fraud. (his own decision)

2. Vaughn Granter is an educational leader - does believe in the democratic process but has no backbone to buck the party brass. (not his own decision)

3. Vaughn Granter believes he should debate but is afraid to tackle Rosie Myers and Mark Watton. This means he is not the best candidate for the job. (his own cowardly decision)

Examine - if he is a political fraud then obviously - he should not receive a vote. If he is being told what to do then he will follow the party line on issues and not what's best for you the voter. Or finally if he does not feel comfortable with the issues of the district to debate - then he cannot be the best representative.

Any other possibilities you can think of?

The shame remains though on a principal who avoids a significant debate - being held at an educational institution. The example he sets is appalling.

High School Principal setting Bad Example for youth of Corner Brook Regional High

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.