Unbeliveable

It is not so unbelievable that a governing body would for a program such as Character First. As you know the whole thing is geared toward the people being subservient to the authoritarian. To me the unbelievable part is that there are people who think that it is a good idea.

From Webster: Fascism:

1: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

I guess there is nothing new about people supporting fascistic ideas during times of trouble and turbulence but I fear that there are far too many people without an understanding of history and we are on the way to repeat the errors of the past.

Yesterday Ronda talked to a prominent Republican running for a state seat about using Character First in the public schools. From what I gathered, it is his position that while there may be (some) problems concerning the background of the Character First program he believed that it was at the very least a opposing force to what is being taught in public schools now. He saw it as a way to get his agenda across in a place that he considered, hostile to his conservative views. Since I have had supporters of Character First tell me the same thing I would guess that this is a common belief among its supporters.

I am also very unhappy with many of the things that are being taught in the public schools but I don’t think it is a good idea to replace a socialist agenda with a fascist one. Ironically fascism and socialism are on opposite ends of the political spectrum but they share much in common, that is the use of government force to coerce the people into a subservient position to those that govern.

OK, T.R. Blue Collar, I am sorry this is coming just now after your post and it is not directed solely at you. I am addressing all, especially those who are vocal on “both” sides of the CF issue. I am not sure how you hope to further your cause by belittling Commissioners or "the big church". You will simply push those already opposed even further away and alienate those you are trying to convince.

I would point out that "the big church" has performed a great service to Middle street neighborhood and the city as a whole in transforming the old high school into an attractive center for worship. They chose to relocate from a newer facility in a quiet area on 6th avenue to a dilapidated old building on arguably one of the higher crime rate streets in our city. I understand the funds they received as part of that deal fell far short of the renovation costs and I commend them on what they have been able to do, providing a corner stone for their new neighborhood. No I do not attend "the big church", I am Catholic and proudly attend Immaculate Conception. I support anyone to attend (or not attend for that matter) any church they chose.

I've known Commissioner Keith for several years now and though we do not always agree I hold him in very high regard. He is a regular person just like you and me who has cared enough to get involved. Feel free to disagree with his positions, vehemently if necessary. I think the personal attacks, however, against him, other commissioners, the city manager and Riverside Church are just as inappropriate as when CF supporters violated their own list of character traits in belittled and heckling Commissioner Schermerhorn during her comments at commission meetings. She and I also do not always agree but I believe everyone has a right to his or her opinion and to express or argue those opinions. I will state that doing so with personal attacks, snide comments, heckling, etc. only hurts your cause no matter what it is.

Once again, my sincere apologies to T.R. Blue Collar for taking your post as the opportunity to vent. The feelings I expressed here have been building for sometime. As a candidate I should probably avoid offending anyone but you'll find I am not a politician. I am someone who believes it critical that we as a community find a way to discuss, argue, debate and struggle with issues refraining from attacks on people and organizations who are simply trying to do what they think is right. We all have the right to disagree, I simply ask it be done showing common decency and respect for others.

Daryl Griffith
Candidate for Commissioner-At-Large
www.beam.to/griffith

DarylGriffith, a couple quick comments about your reply.

One thing you should keep in mind is that Rowdy is responsible for bringing the Character First issue back from its near death experience. For the most part the opposition had kinda run out of steam on that one. His letter to the editor managed to get it stirred up again so it only makes sense that he would be the named commissioner in T.R.Blue Collar’s post.

As far as furthering our cause, this commission made it clear to us that there was ABOSULUTELY nothing we could say or do that would change their collective minds about Character First. One of them even told me that he didn't care what the origins of the program were, he claimed that he could make good out of any program. I asked him about Mein Kampf and he said that one also. With a mindset like that, do you think it is possible for us to alienate anyone further?

I am curious, if a commissioner/city manager wrongs me in some way and I come here and post it using his/her name. Is that a personal attack?




Edited by - bhicks on 07/16/2002 1:41:00 PM

Mr. Griffith,

Your points are well taken. I do believe I was out of line with some of the comments I made on my previous post. Riverside church has done some good things for Three Rivers. I too feel that I was doing some venting about the article that was written last week. I will try to be careful not to mention any names in my future posts. I do not speak out on many issues that come before the city.

This Character Program that the city adopted is a huge mistake in my opinion and I feel that we as citizens need to do everything we can to continue to work for it repeal. That is why I feel so strongly about this issue. I will continue to do whatever I can as a citizen here to lessen the influence that this program has. I might step out of bounds from time to time and I appreciate you letting me know that I did. So I apologize if I offended anyone.

Hmmm now where are these hostile rable-rousers spouting their hateful words often reffered to as garbage?

Bhicks, I agree that it will help the cause of Liberty1st to keep the city's message board down. The commission cut their nose off to spite their face. The bottom line is that we, the citizens that are fighting to keep our freedoms and liberty, are just having to re-fight the fight that our founding fathers fought. Not on the battle fields of real estate but the battle field of morality. Every generation has their own battle to fight. Our parents fought WWII, their parents, WWI, etc. The character re-education is the fight of our generation. It is a moral battle that we as citizens need to be willing to fight. Is this CF Program dividing our community? I beleive it has the potential to do that. Is there a compromise? I don't know, I don't see one right now, but that doesn't mean to say that there isn't one out there. I don't want to see this community torn apart but I don't want to have the city government taking over our parental responsibility or being involved in something that has nothing to do with our job description as a city commissioner. That's the bottom line. I'll say it again, government makes a lousy parent and teacher.

Gretta Schermerhorn

"Government makes a lousy parent and teacher."-- Gretta Schermerhorn (<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)