The Diego Diaries: Callow Debate 3 (418 dd8)
=0=Debate
Callo glanced at Ironhide, then Conn, then the audience. "I think that dreams are wonderful and support them completely. I would hope that every child gets to explore every avenue available and find their way, taking whatever time it takes. I also think its important to have structures in place to guide children who aren't ready or don't know what the thing they want to do actually is. Having the expertise to allow them to find a pathway is important.
"I don't care if you call it tracking or just good guidance. I think its important to have a clear structure in place to meet all needs. It would be deficient to not do otherwise. Not everyone knows what they want at the moment they leave Intermediate Level Three."
"Then you don't mind tracking kids down a path that leads to something less than their biggest hopes? I think I remember how that went and I don't want to repeat it here," Ironhide said.
"Just because someone is being assisted down a certain path doesn't mean they have to stay there. Frankly, I didn't know what I wanted when I was a sub adult. Having a pathway in place to explore what I could do with the skill set I had would have been a good idea," Callo said smoothly.
Ironhide stared at this, the nemesis bot of his youth and knew he was going to say what it took to get the upper servo. He would have to be very careful that he didn't become the bad guy with this mech deciding to be another version of himself. Being more Ironhide than he himself was could get Callo elected. "That's not the idea of it. Once you're tracked you're on it. That's why its not finding favor here. It feels too much like Functionalism, the malignant strain of it, that is."
"Then it can be adapted," Callo said.
"The proposal was tabled due to the charged nature of the idea. I think it would be wise to remember that telling mechs and femmes what they can't and can do isn't allowed here anymore. If it takes longer for a child to learn a skill set then that's what we're here for. We can find the experts and devise the programs to make it so. School must adapt to the students, not the other way around," Ironhide said.
Huge applause greeted that.
Conn glanced at both, then the audience. "Well, I think we know what the people feel about that. Our next question is about our curriculum regarding the history of The System of Exception as applied to Cybertron from the Quintessan Oppression through to the current System of Exception and the Civil War. It would then flow into the history curriculum that speaks to the war and its aftermath including the retrieval of Cybertron and the colony here on Mars.
"Its a hot topic and there are a lot of individuals giving input from the Immortals of the Great Revolution to both factions of the Civil War. I would like and so would our listeners to know what you feel about that. Its something that's fraught for a lot of us. Ironhide?"
Ironhide considered the question and the tumultuous reaction of those who wanted the slavery of caste taught fully and those who either were sick of it or wanted it modified.
"One of the problems of the whole history of our caste slavery system was that we never had a chance to talk about it and work it out in our own heads what happened and how it kept repeating. My Appa Hard Drive and Amma Delphi were created during the Beginning when the Quintessans overtook us and decided to make products out of us.
"They told me about being sentient but hiding it from the enemy so they wouldn't know. It was part of the slow march to freedom, learning as best they could and figuring out how they could be themselves without being killed for it.
"My Amma Delphi was slated to be sold off world and that sparked the revolution. They'd networked together and were working toward the overthrow of the Quintessans and the bot collaborators that made things terrible when my amma and three others were slated to be sold because the Quintessans didn't see them as more than their utility.
"When my Amma was actually crated up the revolution erupted. For me to hear about their fear and the slow path to self awareness is a hard thing. My elders are my heroes and to hear what they suffered and how it never stopped, the oppression … its painful. The Functionalists came and then the System of Exception reared its ugly head.
"We have to deal with it or it will repeat. We have to explain to our children how we could keep putting ourselves into chains. How we could keep walking into slavery. We have exempt mechs and femmes here. We have over 1,500 Immortals here. As a former Praxian Military Elite, I can tell you that the System has to go. No one was higher than us but we were there to protect the people where we could. Even that wasn't enough.
"We need to be clear opticed and open to the truth or it will happen again. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I think that a truer statement was never spoken. We'll hash it out and the kids will be free. That's the point of education. Education and the truth will set you free," Ironhide said to thunderous applause.
"Thank you, Ironhide," Conn said, then glanced at Callo. "Callo?"
Callo considered the moment, then held to his course. "I'm a former high caste myself. Not as elite as you, Ironhide, but high enough that life was an open road for me. It allowed me an education, something I loved so much I stuck with it. It made my life better than most others. I recognize that this is not the case now. That ship has sailed. But I would hope that this curriculum would be fair and even handed. I would hate for it to lay down the possibilities of vendetta and paybacks for those of us born into a lifestyle that we didn't control."
"You could. Prowl did. I did. Stephonia of the Avatar Foundation did. You have control of your life. You had the resources to do the right thing yourself no matter how little or small it might seem against the totality of the System." Ironhide glanced at the audience listening with almost a frightening intensity. "The Elites held the line. We didn't have to. We could have fragged around like everyone else. We didn't. We put our money into the Avatar Foundation and it made a difference.
"A lot of individuals rose above the privileges of their rank and changed the world. Lady Sela at the Temple is a work and wonder as Old Hercy would say. She had the world at her peds and she turned toward good and the Will of Primus. She's a beacon of light and always was in a dark world just like the other priests, nearly all of them high caste to the last spark.
"We can say we couldn't do anything about what happened. My Appa when the love of his life was at stake sparked a revolution that overturned the tyrants who saw us as machines. He was barely educated then, afraid and overpowered but he did what he did for all of us. He saved my Amma and he set the path with the others for a future where everyone was free and everyone mattered.
"It was by CHOICE that we failed to do better. It was by CHOICE of those with power and resources that our people, our great and good people were enslaved over and over again.
"Say what you will about Shockwave and there's plenty to say. Before the hard aft rulings set in he was a Senator calling for reforms and justice. He fought against the System at great personal cost. He was a high caste who put principles over comfort. He put his aft on the line over and over again. He hid dissident scientists risking his life doing it.
"Then the forces of repression arrested him and he was put through empurata and shadow play until his spark broke into pieces. He RISKED. We could have ALL risked, those of us with the ability to do so. A low caste longshoreman who had nothing but the force of his words and charisma did and he became the greatest fighting Prime and the most decent mech in our history, Optimus Prime," Ironhide said with passion.
Huge applause broke out in the audience as they watched Ironhide mesmerized that he was speaking to their sparks this way.
"All of what we do in our lives is a choice. If we want to live slag and be slag then we chose it. We can rise about our programming and do better. Unless we teach the children that there were zero benefits from the System of Exception then its going to happen again.
"If it frags off some then too bad. I'm the highest high caste you'll ever meet and I want this done right. I want the entire truth told properly without watering down what happened. No one is going to go after those who were born into our caste. We have to make unity be the end goal of this curriculum. We have the ability and expertise to do it. All that's lacking is the will."
"Well, I'm glad you have a crystal ball, Ironhide," Callo said with an edge. "I'm glad that you can assure everyone that no one will be harmed for anything that comes out of that."
"I don't have a crystal ball. I just have faith in our people, Callo. You should try it," Ironhide said coldly.
A ripple of murmurs arose, then applause. It died out as everyone watched mesmerized.
"Callo?" Conn asked.
Callo was staring at Ironhide with a cold expression. "No, Conn. I think we've made our positions clear."
Conn considered the tension between the two, then began the next question. "We would like to know what you would do about integrating the human schools more closely with our own. Callo?"
"I'm learning about the humans and understand their importance to the rise of our people again. I think having them included as much as possible will be helpful for our kids to learn about others. Their schools do a lot of things with ours so I'm good with that and even expanding collaborations wherever feasible."
"Ironhide?" Conn asked.
"I agree. Some of us on the Board make an effort to go to the habitat schools to help where we can. Sunstreaker was a judge at a science fair that was held at Earth2 shortly ago. He also is part of the Art Project that visits all schools and shows children about art and art careers. He's one of the experts in the program we have to bring notable individuals to the schools for kids to work with and listen to for inspiration and perhaps career goals."
"Sunstreaker is your son, right?" Callo asked.
Ironhide nodded. "He was a big part of the first school and worked with kids in the programs. He makes his great talent available, he does a great deal of good all the time for kids."
It was silent, then Conn asked another question. "There's been controversy from some quarters about allowing access to the facilities, expertise and assistance of the School District by those who don't attend the public schools. Children using facilities, having access to health care and the district producing their materials is an issue in some quarters. What are your thoughts on this? Callo?" Conn asked.
"I believe we have a moral obligation to ensure that every child gets what they need. Even if you don't attend public schools I believe its okay for those children to attend what they can. I realize that part of the concern is availability of services and space."
"It's what's said, but that's not a problem. We work hand-in-hand with the Planning Commission to get our needs met in advance. The schools, hospitals and elder facilities have priority over every other project but housing. When we need a new school we get it. We have never been behind in our needs.
"There's no good reason to prevent any kid from coming to a school to participate in the programs and have services. No one pays for these schools. There is no money exchange nor taxes paid. We all work for them together," Ironhide said.
"I'm not one to downplay someone's genuine concerns, Ironhide. If some have this concern then it needs to be addressed respectfully." Callo stared at the big mech who looked like a hulking marauder. "You and I always had privileges. This is new to a lot of people and they have to become used to the idea of abundance."
Ironhide felt his tanks burn. "You and I never lacked for that. The Board as it stands works hard as frag to make sure no one in the colony and on Cybertron ever has to worry about it either. This idea has no basis in fact, the idea that there won't be enough to go around. We work overtime to make sure there's more than enough for everyone."
"Just so, its a process," Callo said with a slight grin.
"Which you and I have never had to experience or learn," Ironhide countered.
It shimmered between them, the bad blood of a lifetime.
"Perhaps," Callo said with a neutral tone.
Conn watched the exchange. "More?"
Both mechs shook their helms just as the bell rang.
"Well, this was exciting to me," Conn said as the room burst into laughter and applause. The tension which was almost overbearing bled off immediately. "I would like to thank all of our candidates tonight, Sunstreaker of Kaon, Piero of Polyhex, Hugh-E of Kaon, Lane of Capital City, Ironhide of Praxus and Callo of Praxus."
Huge applause filled the room.
"Tomorrow night will be the second and last debate for Seats 1, 2 and 5. Incumbents Carmella of Torus States, Sterno of Stanix and No-A of Slaughter City will debate with challengers Sirio of Capital City, Timbre of Praxus and new for us, Ron Witwicky of Los Angeles, California from Earth."
Huge applause greeted that.
Conn grinned. "I look forward to that. Before I let you go, I would like to thank IntraCom for their support of our debate, your attendance, our good audience here and at home, the Performing Arts Center for being our venue and all the debaters for their participation. Lastly, I would like to invite Lord Optimus to the stage to make some announcements related to voting that will commence with this election. Lord Optimus?"
Optimus arose to enormous cheering and applause as those gathered rose in respect as he made his way to the stage. He was touched and patted by the stoked crowd and when he reached Conn he shook servos in the warrior way. Standing before a podium he waited for the crowd to settle.
"Thank you for the warm welcome and for the skill with which you conducted this debate, Conn. My congratulations to everyone involved," Optimus said to loud applause. "Our elections are important and we have enormous attendance to them because we want our voices, all of them to be heard and our people to have a say in what we want to become as a recovering and re-emergent society.
"Because its so I've received a number of petitions for the right to vote in the elections held here. I have come to several decisions and have one pending given a legal review by the Attorney General's office. When that is concluded I will give my decision. Hopefully, it will be granted before the election itself.
"I received a student petition from the Intermediate Day School United Student Body Council about the right to vote in elections both local and federal. It was very well reasoned and expressed a great desire to undertake a civic duty though they are too young at this moment to qualify for voting rights.
"I personally believe in democratic processes and the right and duty of the people to participate so I am granting the right to vote in local, federal and special elections to all sub adult individuals in our colony and Cybertron."
He was buried in applause. After a mad moment including a lot of jumping and whistling from kids in the audience, it died down.
"I am extending the franchise to all sub adult mechs and femmes in the colony from Level Ones onward. They will be registered on the voting roles and have all the rights, duties and responsibilities of any other voter.
"I have also received a petition from the human habitats to vote in elections as well. After consultation with the legal community and the election boards, I was still uncertain about this. Do I extend the franchise to those with Cybertronian citizenship? I was informed that this was inherent in the granting of that citizenship. They have the right to vote in all elections held already. That includes Ron Witwicky's candidacy for the Board. He has that as an inherent right with his citizenship grant.
"What I was concerned about was the non-citizen residents of Earth that live here. It was with consultation with the Matrix that I reached my solution. I am granting voting rights to those of Earth who are full time residents for this election as a trial," he said as the room exploded in applause. "I will not grant them to those who do not make this colony their permanent full time residence. This franchise is extended through this election to this group and will be evaluated by the Election Commission to see if making it permanent for all elections is feasible. If that is concluded and the legalities match up, then the franchise will be permanently extended.
"Thank you and good luck to all the candidates. This was a very good debate."
With that, Optimus Prime walked from the stage to be enveloped by maddeningly happy sub adult kids.
=0=TBC 4-24-2022
Sorry about last night. It got to nearly SIXTY DEGREES and I almost lost me … uh, stuffing. Given the increased light, the ability to go outside without snow gear, I forgot how late it was. Thus, the longer piece today. HUGS!
PS. ALL NOTES ANSWERED TOMORROW!
