Choking incident has Thompson Falls parents in turmoil

The Missoulian ^ | 12/8/05 | JOHN STROMNES

[Bear_Slayer]

THOMPSON FALLS - An alleged “choking game” incident in an unsupervised locker room at Thompson Falls Junior High School seriously injured one student and is being investigated as a possible assault, school officials acknowledged this week.

It also has caused an uproar among some parents who say other youths have been threatened, bullied and physically abused at or near the school in recent months.

[Bear_Slayer]

For parental awareness.

And another reason to Home School

[MineralMan]

From the rest of the article:

"The board will meet again Thursday night to decide whether to suspend or expel the student who perpetrated the choking game incident against Barnes' son.

The student in question has been removed from school pending a decision by the board.

The matter also is being investigated by a law enforcement officer assigned to the school district."

---

Arrest the little creep and charge him with attempted murder. That should put a stop to this nonsense.

[Marty]

I read the rest of the article and agree with you. This was clearly assault and the kid who committed it needs to be arrested, tried and put away along with anybody who helped him out. The school is in serious trouble with this one.

[Marty]

I read the rest of the article and agree with you. This was clearly assault and the kid who committed it needs to be arrested, tried and put away along with anybody who helped him out. The school is in serious trouble with this one.

[tfecw]

This isn't a kid who let a game get out of control, as was pointed out, it's attempted murder. Is everyone so out of touch in this town that they can't make that connection?

[CrazyIvan]

If the perps pass it off as a case of homosexual erotic asphyxiation the ACLU will be there to help them out.

[wideawake]

It is unbelievable that the expulsion of a student who tried to kill another student is even an issue.

He should be in custody.

[razorback-bert]

He said the district has signed a contract with consultants to provide ongoing staff development on bullying, violence and anger issues. The program is called “Love and Logic,”

Looks as if the school board has fixed it.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

I don't see what the problem is. It's just "socialization."

</sarcasm>

[Mad Dawg]

Two things:

1. If Barnes "was not a willing participant" then he was a victim and this was aggravated assault. I have been personally and professionally involved in too many situations where the inflicter(s) of pain and torment, when challenged, said,"We were just playing." Confronting sociopaths is so awful that many people, like journalists, administrators, and parents of the sociopath will hem and haw and hedge rather than admit what is before their eyes."
2. Who wants to bet the school has a "zero tolerance" policy about self-defense? Schools end up punishing victims who resist assault, while not providing safety and protection. Once again what looks like compassion ends up providing support and assistance to the powerful at the expense of the weak.

This is an outrage. Unless the parents of the perp are Republicans, look for media support for counseling and therapy and a school-wide kumbaya sing-along. If they are Republicans, the little thug will be excoriated in the press and, if there are guns at home, locked up for a LONG time.

[RichardW]

Been there several times. Beautiful location. Guess it can happen anywhere. Shame.