Erik Millet, the N.B school principle that thought not airing the National Anthem was more inclusive is now snivelling about his future.
Erik Millett, who returned to Belleisle Elementary School on Monday, admits in an interview with CBC News that he is now questioning his own future at the New Brunswick school or even in teaching following the anthem controversy.
He received a lot of hate mail over his misguided decision, some of what was likely way over the line, and that is inexcusable. However the hate mail he received doesn't vindicate his bone headed decision to stop playing the National Anthem.
"There are many ways to demonstrate one's patriotism or one's love for a country," he said. "The anthem is one, flying a flag is another, volunteering in your community is another. I would argue that teachers and staff at my school, caring for children to make sure they don't go hungry or don't go cold or have all they need to learn, that is being patriotic.
To Mr Millet, doing his job is also patriotic. Sure flying the flag and volunteering, is patriotic, but doing their jobs looking after the welfare of the children in their care is what they get paid for.
As for the misguided, and perhaps slow parents that objected to the word God in the National Anthem, I say a hearty suck it. Accept it, or leave. Most countries have a god mentioned somewhere in their anthems.
When I was a kid, the non Christians simply left during the Lord's prayer, and got a day off of school for the Christmas pageant. They never once complained.
Minority rights shouldn't be to the exclusion of all others. As long as we are not forcing another religion on anyone, we should be able to say Merry Christmas, have Christmas pageants, and Easter eggs.
Canada is a Christian country, founded on Christian beliefs. Modern day Human Rights came about in Christian countries. Most countries where human rights abuses are rampant are not Christian. Perhaps this is a coincidence?
By the way, I am not religious, don't practice religion, didn't even get married in a Church or by a priest. I am not a fundie, just someone tired of watching Christians get the shaft. I guess it is because they turn the other cheek.
6 comments:
I've never even heard of anyone opposing the anthem for 'religious' reasons. A first. This guy has his own agenda and he's not fooling anyone. He's thinking of quiting ? - right, I'll believe it when I see it.
I am more disturbed in CBC's reporting of this story. They presented Mr. Millet as the victim of this event (which for the hate mail I understand), but he must be held accountable to the community, which the community has decided that this was NOT acceptable, since he works for the public.
Again the CBC presented the Conservatives as the Villians in this story. Agreed that in the House there may have been some exaggeration in some statements (though their exaggerations was quite tame versus some other things said by other parties), but the Conservatives members defended their constituents by defending the Anthem.
As for the CBC, well may I point you to the Fifth Estates interview with Shawn Hennessey, the man who pleaded guilty to accessory to James Roszko with the RCMP killings in Alberta. The CBC presented him as the victim of this tragedely, even though he is culpable.
I confess to having sent the poor Principal an e-mail expressing my thoughts but I ended with my sincere wish that he be merely fired as opposed to being tarred and feathered or even worse.
I do wish some conservatives would calm down a little. (Have you really won your argument when you call somebody a 'tool'?)
I was also disappointed with the CBC but it wasn't entirely unexpected. I watched a promo for the evening news and knew exactly how they were going to portray Mr. Millet.
Maybe next campaign he'll run as a Liberal!?
NeilD
What else of his own agenda is he indoctrinating these kids withs? I think there needs to be a full investigation. Also would he replace the Maple leaf with another flag instead indicating his convictions and loyalties?
How does anyone know that he was "vilified" in the e-mails sent to him? Because he said so and CBC reported that side of the story?
Until proven otherwise, he may have received angry letters from patriotic Canadians, calling him out for his biased position, as an educator.That would not be hate mail.
Bec, I am sure he got some nasty emails. Those are inexcusable, but I am not defending Mr. Millet.
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