Here is an example of the kind of informed and engaged citizenship we need in Alberta. Sirthinks and I follow each other on Twitter. I am @KenChapman46 on Twitter if you want to follow me. @Sirthinks is also on Twitter. He and I were active in the tweetfest that happened during the Committee of the Whole debates on Bill 44 last week. It was a most amazing evening where the anti-Bill 44 online community came together and shared ideas, opinions and information about the Bill.
Third reading of this terrible law will happen early next week so it is not too late to register your displeasure with your MLA and copy the Premier too. Bill 44 looks like it will pass as amended but opposition is not futile, indifference is.
There is a legitimate expectation in a democracy that we can and should hold our politicians accountable. However, if we citizens do not take account of our our responsibilities to become informed and engaged, then the power shifts from the people to the political elites and democracy diminishes.
Early last week Minister Lindsay Blackett said he only received 300 letters on the issue of Bill 44. I take him at his word. If that is true, then we citizens who are too passive or indifferent to care about what kind of a society we are creating and allow a backward law like Bill 44 to proceed unopposed then we deserve the kind of government we will get from this lousy piece of law.
Thanks to Sirthinks and all the others who are making their opposition known to their democratically elected political representatives.
The more I read your posts the more I support Bill 44. Thanks for clarifying my support for parental choice.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the campaign started by a couple of high school students? They are called "Students Against Bill 44"... they have a facebook group by that name.
ReplyDeleteAnon - what parental choice were you missing before? You had all you needed in the School Act. Are you staying Anonymous so you can target you kid's teacher from the shadows because you are planning be the first zealot to run the test case?
ReplyDeleteWhen you lose the case will you blame Judicial Activism? The Bill 44 wording is so intentionally vague by our government that it is going to be a gong show when it goes to court.
I just was given a link to a pro-bill 44 facebook petition.
ReplyDeleteIt reads:
We, the undersigned, urge the Government of Alberta to follow through with its proposal to enshrine in Alberta’s Human Rights Legislation the right of parents to be notified when school curriculum or materials include the explicit teaching of religion, sexuality or sexual orientation, as well as the right of parents to opt their children out of participation in such curriculum or materials without academic penalty to the child.
This is a perfect reason why the bill is so bad. The 646 people who have signed this are expanding it to include "materials." Does that mean the novel for English class or the play done by the drama class? I'm thinking the 646 people who signed this think so . . .
Anon at 3:44, why don't you grab a few anatomical parts starting with a spine and a set of balls and have the manhood to sign your name to your post. All you are doing is despoiling the already soiled PC brand with your hillbilly spam.
ReplyDeletePlease repost with your real name and claim to your 3:44 post and I might along with other informed Albertans on all sides of the argument give your post some thoughtful consideration.
Kevin Aschim
Anon at 3:44, why don't you grab a few anatomical parts starting with a spine and a set of balls and have the manhood to sign your name to your post. All you are doing is despoiling the already soiled PC brand with your hillbilly spam.
ReplyDeletePlease repost with your real name and claim to your 3:44 post and I might along with other informed Albertans on all sides of the argument give your post some thoughtful consideration.
Kevin Aschim