Another idiot

Discussion in 'The Holocaust' started by Dave55, Oct 31, 2019.

  1. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    canuck likes this.
  2. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Just as Eisenhower predicted.
     
  3. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Good point!
     
  4. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    He probably believes in multiple conspiracy theories, refuses to have his kids vaccinated, doesn't buy fluoride toothpaste and thinks 9-11 was an inside job.
     
    Harry Ree likes this.
  5. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

    He was voted out of his position by the school board 5-2. I would be interested in finding out who were the 2 “yes” votes that wanted him to stay as principal.
     
    canuck likes this.
  6. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Idiocy or malice? hm.
     
  7. Vintage Wargaming

    Vintage Wargaming Well-Known Member

    Someone must have appointed him..
     
  8. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    I read a slightly more detailed report in the Guardian which seemed to suggest his response was based on the fact parents complained when they tried to teach the Holocaust but he wasn’t allowed to express an opinion on that. Similar thing happened to me during the Scottish independence referendum- because 16-17 year olds could vote I couldn’t discuss the issue - even though politics is one of my subjects - because the council didn’t want to be seen as “influencing” anyone.

    Not defending what he said but the case does seem to be a bit more nuanced. Should be able to tell Holocaust deniers to bugger off without fear of losing his job.

    School principal fired for saying 'I can't say the Holocaust is a factual event' | Florida | The Guardian
     
  9. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The email in question:
    Spanish River principal email 2

    "I don't take a position, but allow", is rather different to Holocaust denial.
    Given Septic parents' first amendment rights, I can have some sympathy with the bloke line-walking as a public employee.
    Whether such nervousness is right is another matter, but I'd want to see a much wider pattern of bullshit than that email before accusing someone.
     
    Incredibledisc likes this.
  10. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Are teachers allowed to teach a fact or do they allege something happened in history.
    Do they advise in lessons or teach in lessons.



    “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
     
  11. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    If the fact is disputed by a fair sized segment of dinlos in a country with the highest legal protection of freedom of speech, an active litigation culture, and strong rules on public servant neutrality: again, I understand this bloke's caution.

    The words of a previous first lady are one thing, but a current threat of legal action is another.
    I've not yet seen anything to say this man is a Holocaust denier.
     
    Incredibledisc likes this.
  12. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

    As many parents and grandparents of this site, my father joined the Navy at 17 to do his part. He had the ability to go to the Naval Academy first but differed because he wanted be involved as quickly as possible. He served, was severely wounded, spent months recovering, started a family and unfortunately could not overcome his injuries. I read a story like the above and to me we have become a society that become so complicated and we have lost site of what is just right.
    My wife always complains that I always just see black and white and maybe it’s true. The subject of the Holocaust being taught to 16-17 year old kids seems a bit ironic since it was the same group of young men many years back who actually fought and died to give them the freedom they have today.
     
  13. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Upon further reading I would like to retract my original, flippant post. Principal William Latson does not appear to fit the typical profile of a conspiracy theorist or Holocaust denier. As Adam has noted, he made no declaration of his personal views and, in fact, seemed to be communicating the school board policy he was obligated to follow.

    It is entirely possible that the Palm Beach County School Board, with 17,000 Jewish students and facing considerable political pressure, may have sacrificed Mr. Latson for upholding their own directives.
     
  14. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    This may be a case of some of us jumping to conclusions. The key seems to be was he "not allowed" to say because as a public servant he had been given clear instructions not to by the board? In which case its a matter of damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. In which case its the board who are the idiots and he's the fall guy.
     
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  15. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I never thought he was a Holocaust denier. I think we was parroting back something he had heard or been told and might have been a good portion of all he knows about the holocaust. In any case he was too ignorant to realize what a storm of crap he would bring down on himself by saying he 'can't say that the holocaust is factual', no matter what context he said it in. Actually, he should say it IS factual BECAUSE he is a school district employee. No loss and he will be replaced by another idiot.

    I haven't seen anything about the school board's views on the holocaust or instructions to employees to remain neutral. Can someone post it? Not trying to be a PITA about the school board's role, I just haven't seen it. I did see that Florida law says Holocaust must be included in curriculum.
     
    canuck likes this.
  16. smdarby

    smdarby Well-Known Member

    I read The Guardian article. This looks to me like a Holocaust denier who is hiding behind the "politically neutral" excuse. The thread title is accurate in my opinion.
     
  17. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    His lawyer in the article is pretty categorical on that.
    The fact he has a lawyer is sort of interesting.
    One that will run for a while, I think.

    The Florida Holocaust Education mandate thing carries some careful wording that could create this situation.

    The reason I'm cautious is, essentially, years on this place,
    Think I've seen a few elephants on this score, and am rather careful on the less cut-&-dried cases. It being a truly serious accusation.
    Doesn't wash off (rightly) when proven, but often a tad more proof is required.

    Intrigued as to why the parent enquired in the first place.
     
    Incredibledisc likes this.
  18. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    I think that in a litigious no win no fee country like the US many people have lawyers like dogs have fleas - indeed very similarly.
     
  19. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    It's murky and many key elements are missing from the news stories. The original e-mail dates from April 2018 and he was "reassigned" in July 2019 when the story was broken by a newspaper. It appears as though there was an ongoing exchange with the parent(s) but the chronology of events and precise content isn't easily found.

    He was fired not for his comments but because “while the email was receiving global news coverage, Mr. Latson failed to respond to communication from his supervisors and failed to assist the district in addressing the serious disruption caused by the aforementioned email and news coverage,” as explained in an executive summary given to the board.
     
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  20. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Policy 0.01 - Commitment to the Student, Principle I

    In fulfilling his/her obligations to the student, the educator - -

      1. Shall not without just cause restrain the student from independent action in his pursuit of learning, and shall not without just cause deny the student access to varying points of view.
      2. Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter for which he/she bears responsibility and shall not deliberately impose his/her own views on the student.
      3. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of the protected categories including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, ancestry, political beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression and/or gender identity, linguistic preference, or social/ family background and should make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
      4. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information that has been obtained in the course of professional services, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
      5. Shall not retaliate against the student who reported a concern in good faith during the course of an investigation.
     

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