Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Monday, August 08, 2011

Ford's school advertising suggestion criticized

A comment by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford suggesting advertising be allowed inside school buildings is causing some controversy.

Speaking on a local radio station last week, Ford suggested companies could pay to advertise on gym floors and walls inside schools.

In the Thursday interview on the Fan 590, Ford said it's ridiculous that school gymnasiums sit empty when they could be generating revenue.

Parent Leslie Middaugh said schools aren’t the right place for advertising.

“Even if you carefully choose who you allow to advertise in schools you are endorsing that company, you are endorsing that product,” she told CBC News.

Middaugh said she could never support advertising in school hallways or gyms.

A 'slippery slope,' trustee says


Trustee Chris Glover agreed, and said Toronto public schools are no place for ads.

“Advertising is not a donation, it’s a business deal,” said Glover.

“And what the corporations want is access to our students in exchange for money. The danger is that it’s a real slippery slope. Once you become dependent on private advertising revenue then you have no way of backing out.”

School Board trustee Howard Kaplan said Toronto school gyms are used regularly by community groups outside of school hours for minimal fees.

Origin
Source: CBC news 

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