Subject: BOE Meeting:

"I had hoped that Mr. Carl was merely 'pugnacious' ... and felt that would be a good addition to the Mullica School Board."

This is your quote from yesterday's post. Do you know what the definition of pugnacious even is? From Merriam-Webster online: Pugnacious: having a quarrelsome or combative nature. The synonym for this is (for those who don't know what a synonym is it's one of two or more words that have the same or nearly the same meaning) is BELLIGERENT. And what is the definition of belligerent? Inclined to or Exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness. This is something you think would be a good addition to the school board?????? This isn't a good addition to any board or any group period. Just dig your hole deeper with this one. First the rumor fiasco, then the BOE meeting feedback and you feeling his pugnaciousness is a good thing-you need your head examined on this one. Maybe you're just AFRAID to say anything negative about Mr. Carl for fear you may incite his pugnacity onto yourself.

RESPONSE: Thanks for the important vocabulary lesson. Actually I tend to find Ms. Hunt a bit 'pugnacious'. I suspect that those ... who during contract negotiations have been on the other side of the table from Ms. Hunt ... might find her 'quarrelsome or (having a) combative nature' ... and yes, I find that a good thing.

As for the first rule of holes; STOP DIGGING ... any regular GadFly reader should know, it is often ignored here.

What I find more troubling, is the apparent lack of reasoning and thought that has been on display most recently by Mr. Carl. His irrational muddling of the facts regarding the issue of 'flipping a coin' raises legitimate questions regarding his intellect...or who he is getting advise from. That concerns me more than the 'combative nature'. A 'combative nature' based on an intellectually defensible position which is often demonstrated by Ms. Hunt has legitimacy. A 'combative nature' based on a desire to win at any costs ... that involves not wanting to hear new information that contradict one's views ... is not a service to any group.

If Carl truly was 'intimidated' as a new player by a seeking of a flip of a coin to resolve the tie ... however, it was posited by the school administration ... he has now had some time to reflect...and one might hope that the saving of $7,000 for a Special Election might be more seriously considered. The representations from the School administration was that in the case of a tie ... a flip of a coin, had been used in the past as a private decision to resolve the tie and save the expense of a new election. The notion that this would 'not be legal' strains credulity.