New Portobello High School - PPAG/"Save Porty Park"

[Betty Windsor]

[Bob Jefferson]

In a sense, yes. We fully realise that the school is in very poor condition, but what is the point in spending money on it when it is going to be demolished soon anyway? The Council has already had to spend millions of pounds in essential repairs over the last few years, just to keep it open. And for many parents, it means that an older child has had to put up with a sub-standard school in the hope that their sibling will benefit from a much better replacement school. Would you deny local children the opportunity of an education in a school they deserve? A school in a parkland setting with its own playing fields? A school that is surrounded by greenery instead of concrete? Shame on you.

[Porty]

The school is being replaced because it is unfit for purpose. The condition of the buildings is one component. Due to the ppag court action some current pupils who may have benefitted from a new school will miss out.. So spare me the faux concern.

[Betty Windsor]

Preserving parks and open spaces is a winner because it doesn't need to be explained to everyday Americans.
Frank Luntz

What's a no-brainer for Americans becomes complicated when self-interest gets in the way.

[seanie]

Mmmm....

Posting Michael Jackson videos was a little underwhelming, but quoting American Faux News Pundits?

You've thrown in the towel on the coherent rational argument stakes, haven't you?

[Makaveli]

[seanie]

And money has been spent on the existing school out of necessity.

[Betty Windsor]

[Makaveli]

You quoted me and then started saying 'If the school is in as poor a condition as you say it is' which looks like you are speaking directly to me.

[Betty Windsor]

I apologise if I gave the impression I was speaking to you directly. I meant "you" plural, meaning the "you" that support destroying the green space.
Presumably you think the school is not in a poor condition? Which begs the question-why support a rebuild on green space?

[Makaveli]

There you go again presuming things. Do you not read what folk post?

And I don't support destroying green space I support the building of a new school. If the only viable way of doing that is on Porty Park then I am afraid that is what it will have to be.

[Betty Windsor]

There I go again what exactly? Pointing out the hypocrisy of your position?

[Makaveli]

[Betty Windsor]

What presumptions am I making that are not true?

[seanie]

Do you understand what hypocrisy means Gillian?

[Bob Jefferson]

Ah, so Betty Windsor is Gillian Dunn then? Why didn't you say so Gillian? I thought you were just some mad old bint.

[Betty Windsor]

[Makaveli]

Your first biggest presumption is thinking you know my opinion before I express them.

[seanie]

[Betty Windsor]

[Makaveli]

How many times do you have to be told that a rebuild on the same site makes no economic sense and that the new school on the park is the viable alternative?

[Betty Windsor]

I think this is a case of "knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing" as Oscar Wilde famously said.

[seashell]

I think it is a case of Betty refusing to listen to common sense or fact. But then facts can be terribly inconvenient.
What price a continuing education for existing pupils, Betty? Where would you put them during a rebuild on a site that is too small?
The fact is there was a limited number of options. The park offered the best option. End of story.
You don't want the park built on - and that's fair enough. But sooner or later you're going to have to concede that a) the needs of the many outweight the concerns (however justified) of the few and b) you're flogging a dead donkey and holding yourself up to ridicule with your refusal to accept what is factual.

[Makaveli]

Well said Seashell. Summed up very well.

[Bob Jefferson]

I've noticed that PPAG supporters are rather keen on Wilde. If only they could find some wisdom to go with their second-hand wit.

[seashell]

[seashell]

[Epykat]

[seashell]

[seanie]

[Puerto bella]

Why don't you just call each other a bunch of 'forking earth holes' and be done with it?

[seashell]

if the cap fits and all that.
the sheer hypocricy of Epycat calling me immature is quite simply breathtaking, given her previous posts.
I fully accept that tempers run high over issues where people perceive they have a stake in things, but to ignore the facts of the matter and continue to make untrue assertions gets more than a little wearing.
Just for the record: I live in a street where a new school was build around 15 years ago, where previously there was open green space. And I don't have a child who is either at PHS or will go there. My own teen goes to North Berwick. So I have personal experience of the issues and no axes to grind, unlike some people.

[seanie]

[Porty]

[Puerto bella]

Very clever P if you intended that: (one of the Wiki definitions of Parity ....)

Parity (sports), an equal playing field for all participants, regardless of their economic circumstances.