Discussion Club

[Ladphrao]

Awhile back, a dicussion club was created where teachers could come together to discuss issues of interest to those of us involved in education. However, there have been three ESL teachers who have devoted their lives to this discussion club and have gotten into position where they can control what is said and who is allowed to speak at the club.

One of the things many a Farang living in Thailand misses most is the opportunity to engage in lively, even sometimes heated, debates, which are pretty much taboo in polite Thai society. Maybe it is just my working class background showing through, but I have never been scared to join into a trash talking contest, after all, it is just words being exchanged, not fists or bullets. This discussion club could provide a nice occasional place for someone to drop into and join into a stimulating verbal joust.

However the three that have taken control of the discussion club at my school do not allow debate. They will only allow people to express opinions that are aligned with their own, which are quite negative in regards to Thailand, the Thai educational system, and Thai culture in general.

The three have run just about everyone off from the club which is pretty deserted now. Recently a well-respected member with a doctoral degree working at a top northern university was run off by the three questioning his academic legitimacy and truthfulness of his statements. Actually just about the only people visiting the club these days are unsuspecting newbies who the three pounce on to give “advice” to about how bad everything is.

The three will run me off as well; there is no doubt about it. I do not have the time or energy to expend in fighting the good fight, while the three have devoted their lives to promoting their cause and preventing others from speaking. I know I should just let it go, but I am a true blue yank in some ways and the freedom of speech is very dear to me. I hate to see intolerance and tyranny win even an insignificant battle, although I can’t see how the three will benefit from their “victory.”

Let me make it very clear I am talking about the discussion club at my school and this post has nothing to do with this forum or the moderation policies of it.

Furthermore, any resemblance between anyone mentioned in this post and any regular posters on this forum is purely coincidental.

Edited July 25, 2006 by Ladphrao

[the scouser]

....this post has nothing to do with this forum .....

I'd better close it as being irrelevant, then.

Scouse.