[starbase]

They were found guilty and sentenced to the state reform school, where they would remain until they turned 18.

That is brutal. I'd say they were over correcting. I remember my grandma (born in 1893,now deceased) saying her parents taught her that if she walked by an apple orchard and saw even apples that had fallen to the ground she was not to take one because it was the farmer's property.

But she never told stories about such, as you say, Draconian punishment.

I support teaching the ideals, but would suggest punishments should have more measure than the one you describe.

[okie01]

I support teaching the ideals, but would suggest punishments should have more measure than the one you describe.

I agree.

But the contrast between the "Blytheville 3" and the two Broward County punks, or the culture that Dalrymple described, suggests that, if one must err, one should err toward the punishment favored in 1937 rather than none.

It seems to set a better tone for society...