Posted on 01/16/2004 11:28:30 PM PST by chance33_98
Teen arrested after teacher sickened by his asthma medicine
ABC13 Eyewitness News (1/16/04 - MAGNOLIA, TX) A bizarre story in Magnolia ends with a teenager in lock up and a teacher in the hospital. Now the boy's family is concerned he's being treated unfairly.
The boy's family says eyewitnesses actually saw the boy take a couple of puffs from his rescue inhaler for treatment of asthma, then blowing the medicine at a teacher. The family, though, says he's a good kid and the charge of using deadly force simply doesn't fit the crime.
Judy McCreary wants desperately to see her son. Sixteen-year-old Michael Todd is in custody at the Magnolia Juvenile Detention Center, arrested and accused of illegally discharging his asthma inhaler at school.
"It's absurd. It's ridiculous. It's an inhaler," said McCreary.
Todd's family says the medicine was albuterol, a drug commonly used to prevent the onset of asthma attacks.
Both the school district and Montgomery County Constable's office say the discharge of medicine was unrelated to any medical necessity, though, and resulted in health consequences for a teacher. She apparently suffered an allergic reaction and went to the emergency room.
Todd's uncle, Steve Wilson, says the school told him the teen blew the medicine toward the teacher while asking her a question. But he also says witnesses believe the incident was not intentional.
"It's possible he was playing a joke, or whatever, to see the smoke come out as he talked to her," theorized Wilson. "That's possible, that it was not malicious."
Todd's family says he's been kicked out of Magnolia High School now because of the incident. More concerning, though, they say is that he may not be released from the juvenile detention center before Tuesday.
McCreary said, "I just think it's wrong to hold him four or five days is not right. Not when he's never been in any trouble."
The state legally has two business days to hold a detention hearing in any juvenile case. Since Todd was arrested Thursday, Friday would be day one. The weekend and Monday holiday don't count, so Tuesday would be two business days, although in reality it is nearly day six.
But the juvenile department has suggested that they may hold a special Saturday hearing on this case.
The reason the albuterol is effective is because it is so rapidly absorbed - by the time you could blow out again the residual albuterol would be extremely low. Sounds like a "placebo effect" (on the part of the teacher) to me.
Sounds like only one side of the story to me.
You'll notice that the entire story is based on statements by the boy's family. I don't suppose they could be biased in any way?
I'd be willing to bet they didn't witness the incident.
No, those are from the ranch style beans on the plate next to the steaks.
Most teachers are unfamiliar with common sense. My daughter kept getting lice from school. When my wife discussed the problem with her teacher, the teacher assured us that they had checked the children in the class, and there were no lice present. There were only nits, so we didn't have to worry. (No, we don't have chickens, only eggs!) My wife tried to explain the facts of life to the faculty, but she doesn't have a teaching degree, so what does she know?!
We've never had a problem with lice since we started homeschooling.
There are people who lack common sense in every profession, including yours.
As for teachers and unions, some school districts don't give the teacher a choice. My conservative daughter HATES unions, but was told by the administration that the $900 per year dues would be deducted from her salary, regardless.
I guess it depends on whose ox is gored, huh?
Indeed. Most professions, however, unlike the teaching profession, do not require years of leftist propaganda classes intended to train common sense out of you.
In most professions, lack of common sense results in lack of success. That's another area where most professions differ from the teaching profession. In the teaching profession, nonsense is considered wisdom, e.g.: muliticulturalism, whole word reading, bilingual education, diversity training, tolerance of same sex attraction training, fuzzy math, bizzaro social studies, Maya Angelou on reading lists, etc., etc., etc.(with apologies to Oscar Hammerstein II).
Because of the wacko mindset in the ed schools, schools have become mere socialist, deconstructionist indoctrination centers.
My mother was admitting clerk at an ER for decades. They see the same bums over and over--all on welfare. The solution? "The doctor can see you in about six hours." Most leave. I once had to go to the ER, and walked right into the back. I was sick, however. Two women out front--crying from "headaches" that could alleviated only by prescription drugs--were ignored until they left.
Of course broad generalizations are never true of all the people in the group! But that doesn't make them not true. Most black voters vote democrat. That is a broad generalization, and is true in spite of the fact that a small minority of black voters vote Republican.
It is indeed true that most public school teachers are left-leaning liberals lacking in common sense. The existence of a minority of teachers, like yourself, who have their heads screwed on straight fails to negate the truth in my generalization.
BTW, did they teach you in ed school that generalizations are invalid if there are exceptions to them?
Department Mission
"To prepare educators and researchers to build inclusive democratic communities in schools and society through critical and reflective research, teaching, and service."
TLAC Policy Statement on Diversity
The Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC) does not tolerate discrimination, violence, or vandalism. TLAC is an open and affirming department for all people, including those who are subjected to racial profiling, hate crimes, heterosexism, and violence. We insist that appropriate action be taken against those who perpetrate discrimination, violence, or vandalism. Texas A&M University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity institution and affirms its dedication to non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, domestic partner status, national origin, or disability in employment, programs, and services. Our commitment to non-discrimination and affirmative action embraces the entire university community including faculty, staff, and students.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.