What's with these uneducated educators?

[Ugly Bear]

I, too, am skeptical about the worth of the petition. I held off signing it or taking action because I had no proof that, in fact, the student DIDN'T look like a clown, the way his Principal said.

Now I have proof:

This is what the Principal sees as a "clown." A 6'4" clown in a necktie.

Even if the petition does nothing, at least I'll be standing up to utter nonsense like this. I signed to say that I'll be God-damned if wearing a kilt makes me a clown.

#595, proudly so.

[Angus]

#636, hope it does some good!!!!!

[Mike n NC]

Frankly, I've tried to stay out of this matter exactly because I'm seeing more "righteous anger" expressed than any kind of constructive activity. I don't think that it's fair for any of us to express our concern in an accusatory or indignant manner to the principal or the school board...that kind of rhetoric usually accomplishes very little except to alienate people and make public servants circle the wagons against an onslaught from folks who "aren't from around here and don't pay taxes around here, either".

I believe that it was H.L. Mencken who said that, "...it is pointless to argue with someone whose paycheck depends on not being convinced."

You put people in an untenable position when you get up in arms about an issue before trying to find a more mutually agreeable solution. It seems way too late to base any actions on the assumption that this was an unfortunate misunderstanding that could have been resolved by providing some additional information and having a dialogue. I think that the principal should have just pulled out his cell phone and called the young man's parents on the spot but hindsight is 20-20.

So perhaps now that there is a little distance on the subject, they may find a happy resolution. Let's try to not turn this into an "us verus them" thing. This is an on-line community of thoughtful and erudite individuals and our ability to educate and set an example may prove to do more to help further the cause.

I guess that I'm just one of those people who, instead of storming the Bastille, first looks to see if I can buy up the real estate that it stands on, foreclose and tear it down and build a shopping center.

I'm sure that these administrators don't want to come out of this looking like a bunch of schmucks, so throw them a rope here so that they can try to at least make it look like a win-win situation.

best

AA

AA I agree completely with your right to, or not to get involved. Just a reminder that not making a decision is a decision in itself. No-one thought another single person would make a difference either...that person was Madalyn Murray O'Hair. A whole lot of people chose to not get involved...
There is no win-win when dealing with fanatics and bureaucrats, only win (them) and first loser (us). With the rash of kilt bannings we have heard about over the last year, it is time a stand was taken. Public officials and politicians respond best to pressure. Personally I feel that a person this narrow minded has no business around kids. My opinion.

Mike

[royce52]

The struggle to gain recognition of the Scottish cultural heritage in this country will go on for decades. It's not a battle that will be won with one scirmish. Keep the faith,,,and a claymore handy.

Royce

#636, hope it does some good!!!!!

[Silverlake_Punk]

Rejection of kilt at dance infuriates Scottish group
Columbia Daily Tribune, Columbia MO

Published Thursday, December 8, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU (AP) - Members of a Scottish group are calling for a high school principal to apologize to a student who was asked to change out of the kilt he wore to a formal dance. An online petition that was posted Nov. 19 already has accumulated more than 775 signatures from across the globe.

Members of the Clan Gunn Society of North America also are putting together a registry to provide Jackson High School senior Nathan Warmack with the items he needs to complete his Scottish ensemble.

After learning about his family history, Warmack wore the traditional red Clan MacRae tartan to the school dance in November. But he changed into pants at the direction of Principal Rick McClard.

Ron Anderson, superintendent of the Jackson school district, said he was aware of the Internet discussion but had not received any phone calls.

"We don’t have any comment regarding it," Anderson said. "It’s a principal decision, and that pretty much covers it."

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/...208News034.asp

[bubba]

Notice how Anderson is trying to get as far from the fuss as he can. He's gonna save his own *** by leaving the Principal swinging in the wind.

[Iolaus]

Notice how Anderson is trying to get as far from the fuss as he can. He's gonna save his own *** by leaving the Principal swinging in the wind.

You don't turn on your own in public, but there's probably been words passed in private. If I were Anderson, I'd have given the pricipal the what for, and then told him, "you're on your own."

[Rob Wright]

The *** covering has begun.

[Nick]

Some discussion of this at Sword Forum International:
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...5&pagenumber=1

[Nick]

Something from the SFI thread:

I hope you have the fortune to be in a very progressive job market, or in a very progressvie region that is immune to Global competetion. If not I hope you're wealthy enough you don't have to work or you have skills that are so rare emploers give you extra privilages. Otherwise if you're really that passionate about your right to choose your work attire, my tax dollars are going to end up paying to support you until you get over it.

The guy is a hiring manager at an aparrently Important Company(tm). Obviously an HR Evil Minion(tm). (No offence to any members who work for HR. Every department has a couple bad eggs).