Will D.S. Day run for the leadership of the Conservative Party?
Montreal Gazette: Day to quit politics.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Parent Central: Is Dalton McGuinty afraid to talk about sex?
A Parent Central/Toronto Star article wonders if Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is afraid to change the Health curriculum that deals with sex education. Conservative groups do not want sexual orientation to be discussed at primary and junior grades (kindergarten to grade-six). Social conservatives and teachers must know that teachers already have the right to discuss sexual orientation at any grade in any subject because the Ontario Human Rights Code includes prevention of discrimination of services based on sexual orientation.
Perhaps social conservatives tolerate Black History Month, Chinese New Year, South Asian Month, Hanukkah, disability awareness activities, general multicultural activities, and boys and girls track and field. They cringe when something so gay as sexual orientation is mentioned in the classroom. However, the social conservative must know that because of the Ontario Human Rights Code, teachers do have the right to discuss topics that includes sexual orientation at any grade just like they can include discussions about race, gender, ethnicity, and religions. Currently, most public school teachers do not exercise that right.
Teachers do act in loco parentis where teachers have the authority of a parent in a classroom. Teachers decide in the best interests of their students as a parent would decide in the best interests of their children. If teachers to wish to discuss sexual orientation with their students, it is extremely unlikely that they would discuss particular sexual activities between same-sex couples. In the primary grades, class discussions may occur after a teacher reads a story about two daddy penguins, two moms, or a sissy duckling. Discussions may include different kinds of families. There may be a discussion about the use of the word "gay." as in "That's so gay!" Primary students do use this phrase.
Concerned parents may wish to ask the teacher to inform them if discussions or a story being read about sexual orientation may take place so that they can withdraw their children from the classroom for the day or period. As mentioned previously, a teacher acts as a "parent in the classroom" and he/she is a professional. The teacher does not need to have parents vetting/censoring books and other materials in the classroom. A good teacher may mention to the parents through a monthly class newsletter units of study that will take place. However, the teacher does not need to list specific resources such as books about sexual orientation or other topics.
Social conservatives, teachers, and students must know that the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not a half-right, but a full-right like the other rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. While parents, teachers, and students do need to have good relationships, everyone must know that public schools serve the public good. They are microcosms of society. If we do not discriminate based on sexual orientation outside our schools, then we must not discriminate based on sexual orientation within our schools.
PART I
FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION
Perhaps social conservatives tolerate Black History Month, Chinese New Year, South Asian Month, Hanukkah, disability awareness activities, general multicultural activities, and boys and girls track and field. They cringe when something so gay as sexual orientation is mentioned in the classroom. However, the social conservative must know that because of the Ontario Human Rights Code, teachers do have the right to discuss topics that includes sexual orientation at any grade just like they can include discussions about race, gender, ethnicity, and religions. Currently, most public school teachers do not exercise that right.
Teachers do act in loco parentis where teachers have the authority of a parent in a classroom. Teachers decide in the best interests of their students as a parent would decide in the best interests of their children. If teachers to wish to discuss sexual orientation with their students, it is extremely unlikely that they would discuss particular sexual activities between same-sex couples. In the primary grades, class discussions may occur after a teacher reads a story about two daddy penguins, two moms, or a sissy duckling. Discussions may include different kinds of families. There may be a discussion about the use of the word "gay." as in "That's so gay!" Primary students do use this phrase.
Concerned parents may wish to ask the teacher to inform them if discussions or a story being read about sexual orientation may take place so that they can withdraw their children from the classroom for the day or period. As mentioned previously, a teacher acts as a "parent in the classroom" and he/she is a professional. The teacher does not need to have parents vetting/censoring books and other materials in the classroom. A good teacher may mention to the parents through a monthly class newsletter units of study that will take place. However, the teacher does not need to list specific resources such as books about sexual orientation or other topics.
Social conservatives, teachers, and students must know that the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not a half-right, but a full-right like the other rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. While parents, teachers, and students do need to have good relationships, everyone must know that public schools serve the public good. They are microcosms of society. If we do not discriminate based on sexual orientation outside our schools, then we must not discriminate based on sexual orientation within our schools.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
R-r-r-roll up the price increase!
As usual, I expect a price increase in Tim Hortons products during the R-r-r-roll up the Rim contest. Customers do not complain during the contest period.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Whose Pride?
Toronto Sun's Sue-Ann Levy wrote,
Is the mainstream press gay? Mainly no.
Were the major mayoralty candidates gay? One (possibly two) out of six, five, four...
Were the former and are the current city councillors gay? Mostly no.
Other than deciding on city and corporate financial support for Pride, the LGBT community can decide on its participants in the parade and week's events. The LGBT community doesn't need to be controlled by outside individuals and groups.
"Yet the [Pride community advisory] panel members conveniently ignore the fact that all the mainstream press, the major mayoralty candidates and most city councillors were in agreement last year that QuAIA and its hateful messaging does not belong in the parade."
Is the mainstream press gay? Mainly no.
Were the major mayoralty candidates gay? One (possibly two) out of six, five, four...
Were the former and are the current city councillors gay? Mostly no.
Other than deciding on city and corporate financial support for Pride, the LGBT community can decide on its participants in the parade and week's events. The LGBT community doesn't need to be controlled by outside individuals and groups.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
One year without looking at Blogging Tories
I've gone one year without looking at the Blogging Tories website and its related websites. Yay!
Also, Rogers cable customers in Toronto can enjoy a free preview of Al Jazeera English on channel 176. I don't know how long the preview will last.
Also, Rogers cable customers in Toronto can enjoy a free preview of Al Jazeera English on channel 176. I don't know how long the preview will last.
Groundhog Day cancelled due to excess snow
Groundhogs in the Toronto area will not need to report to work as Mayor Ford has proclaimed today as an official Snow Day. Instead, Mayor Ford will be sending his weasels to monitor weather conditions around Toronto.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
