Governor Palin Avoided the Debate

I wanted Governor Palin to do well in her debate. I wanted her to represent women well, with a firm grasp of the ideas. I wanted to hear her vision of a McCain / Palin administration. My expectations were much too high.

Governor Palin set her agenda. Her appearance for a debate with Senator Biden was not a discourse of ideas. It was simply a performance and demonstrated that Governor Palin has good recall of the talking points. It is not a debate when Governor Palin unabashedly states:

“…And I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I’m going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also…”

It is not an exercise in exchanging ideas or defending political platforms. The so-called debate becomes a performance of canned bits of dialogue. The moderator cannot surprise with unexpected question if there is no intent in answering. No follow up is necessary. The agenda is to repeat the prepared points - and repeat catch phrases that are suppose to resonate. Say words like “maverick”, “reform” and toss in some folksy phrases like “doggone it” to show that here is a real person.

It may come as a surprise to Governor Palin that I do not want my neighbour to be Vice President or President. My next door neighbour and her family are terrific. She has the common sense to know that she could not hold the second highest office in the United States. - It is a sham to pass off this performance as a debate. It was theatre - and it could have been performed by any of a multitude of theatre students, without the excessive winking and inappropriate smiling.

It is disingenuous and it is insulting to the American people, whether Democrat or Republican. That was an insult to women. We can be better than that. And eventually, Governor Palin will have a real news conference where she will have to answer questions from journalists. These journalists will have follow-up questions. It will not be possible to hide behind canned, prepared material. It is sad that it will have to reach that level of public embarrassment.

Catherine Forsythe

Teachers Armed with Guns

In a few weeks, schools and universities will be in session. It will be the beginning of school routines and schedules that will be the focus of students’ attention. It is also a time for concern for many parents about basic school safety. There have been far too many school shootings for parents and students to believe that these are rare, isolated incidents. Some university students want to be armed as a means of basic self defense and as a deterrent to further violence.

A Texas school district is allowing teachers to carry firearms:

“HARROLD, Texas (AP) — A tiny Texas school district will allow teachers and staff members to carry concealed firearms to protect against school shootings, provided the gun-toting employees follow certain requirements.

…”When the federal government started making schools gun-free zones, that’s when all of these shootings started. Why would you put it out there that a group of people can’t defend themselves? That’s like saying ’sic ‘em’ to a dog,” Thweatt said in a story published Friday on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Web site.”

link: Texas district will let teachers carry guns

Both sides of the debate have valid points. Those opposing weapons on school grounds believe that alternatives have not been exhausted and that this further promotes a gun culture. Others believe that, without an adequate, immediate means of self defense, students and teachers are helpless.

The Harrold Independent School District has moved this issue beyond debate. There will be concealed weapons on campus. It is a policy that other school districts and educational facilities will follow. No matter what side of the argument one favours, it is readily apparent that the care-free days of youth disappear at a much earlier age. And that is sad.

Catherine Forsythe