Jason Silver

Web Development by CrookedBush.com Inc.

My Journal and Diary

2005

February

Friday, February 18th, 2005

Big Brother Is Watching

What kind of Trudeaupia do we live in? Perhaps we're not far from being a lberl (read communist), regime where none shall question the government?

Patfield, a Grade 8 student at John Dryden Public School in Whitby, Ont., was touring the Governor General's official residence with about 60 students on Tuesday when he spotted Clarkson and asked: "Is that the woman that spends the money on the Queen when she comes?"

...then...

...the 15-year-old high school student whose question about government spending resulted in his class's tour being cut short... Following the Ottawa incident, Patfield was told he was to receive a three-day suspension. The school reversed that decision Thursday.

Imagine being suspended for asking hard questions of our political leaders? At least there was some back-pedalling:

[Adrienne] Clarkson defended the boy's - and anybody's - right to ask questions about how government money is spent.

"Of course in my opinion there is no inappropriate question, only inappropriate answers," said the one-time journalist known for getting her questions answered.

"(The question) shows, at least, an interest in what's happening in the office of the Governor General and I thought questions like that should be answered."

I thought this was well said:

Parenting expert and author Barbara Coloroso said the incident is an example of "zero tolerance being zero thinking."

What a sad comment on reality. Fortunately, the suspension was lifted, and everyone has apologized.

Beware of asking questions.

~Jason


Tags:politics canadian 0 likes