It is apparent that Jon Barela's response to a complaint that
he violated NM Republican Party Rules when he chose
not to vacate his state office before contesting against other
republicans,
will be to pretend that he has not heard the complaint.
I talked on the phone with the chairperson of the NNGOP
Rules Committee, Ms. Lou Melvin, on Monday, October 6, 2008.
She made a commitment during that phone call to then call
Mr. Barela and ask him about the circumstances surrounding the
complaint.
I would argue that, unless Ms. Melvin was being deliberately
dishonest with me, that she did in fact contact Mr. Barela.
I would argue that it is fair to suppose that Jon Barela was
aware of the complaint either Monday afternoon or Tuesday.
I personally cc'd a post link to Mr. Barela on Friday.
He had, and has, every opportunity to respond to a complaint
that he is in violation of a rule that is clear on its face.
His apparent response thus far; he still hasn't heard about the complaint.
Either that, or he sees no obligation to respond to the complaint
candidly, forthrightly, honestly, and rather immediately.
Which brings us to his several obligations as one of the most
senior role models of the student standard of conduct.
The student standard of conduct would require a student
who is the subject of a complaint to step up and address the
complaint. A student is required to respond to the complaint
candidly, forthrightly, honestly, and rather immediately.
The lesson students learn from watching the leadership of the APS, is to respond to a complaint by stonewalling the issue. If the complaint goes far enough, students will witness large sums of tax dollars going to the Modrall, or some other law firm, to litigate an exception for Mr. Barela.
Why do we tell children about George Washington and the cherry tree? Why is that among the first stories that we tell them?
It is because there is no point in having rules if there is not accountability to those rules. And further that, it is to be admired when someone stands up and voluntarily accepts accountability to the rules. And further still, that there are higher standards of conduct than the lowest standard of conduct (the law) and those that hold themselves accountable to a higher standard of conduct than the law are to admired accordingly.
Which brings us back to the lesson that Jon Barela and the
rest of the good ol' boys teach students in the APS every day;
that is absolutely alright to avoid the consequences of
misconduct by any means at your disposal.
The school board teaches it to the Superintendent,
who teaches it to a myriad of mid level administrators,
who teach it to principals, who teach it to teachers,
who teach it to students.
Then we wonder why when a child is asked about their
misconduct, their first inclination is to avoid the consequences
that they have earned.
If we really want children to grow up to embrace honor and
courage and character, someone has to show them what it
looks like.
I would encourage Mr. Barela to step up as a role model.
I would encourage Mr. Barela to show staff and students what
it looks like to embrace character and courage and honor.
I expect that he will not.
I expect that he will continue to stonewall the issue until after
another election in February cements his position on the APS
Board of Education.
Then he will offer,
Oops, my bad.
Obviously filing a complaint is of no consequence in enforcing
rules when one of the good ol' boys is involved.
Every generation expects the next generation to be
the first generation to hold itself honestly accountable
to meaningful standards of conduct and competence;
while they busy themselves excepting themselves from
honest accountability to any standards at all.
Every following generation then falls short of the expectation
set for them, following instead; the example that is set for them.
We should not be so worried that our children
never listen to us, as we should be worried that
they are always watching us. sinclair
cc Jon Barela upon posting.
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