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Schoolboy Turns in Found 'Weapon', Gets Suspended For Effort
Publius' Forum ^ | 12/14/06 | Warner Todd Huston

Posted on 12/14/2006 12:25:17 PM PST by Mobile Vulgus

In school we tell our children that guns are bad. We tell them to be good little children and turn in those bad, evil guns to a parent, a policeman or a teacher. We tell them to do the supposed responsible thing. Be an upstanding citizen and take that evil gun out of circulation so that someone else won't kill half the city, runs the logic.

So, a young boy at Troy Middle School near Joliet, Illinois follows this sage advice and what is his reward?

He is kicked out of school for following his indoctrination.

On November 15th, 13-year-old student Ryan Morgan was expelled from school in supposed compliance with the idiotic "zero tolerance" policy against weapons with the school district claiming that young Ryan had "possession of a gun".

Sounds menacing, doesn't it? A gun! Imagine that?

Well, maybe it isn't so ominous after all because this "gun" turned out to be a mere toy pellet gun that Ryan and a friend found hidden in the boy's bathroom. It seems that Ryan had heard a rumor that this "gun" had been hidden there so he and his little friend went there to do the "right" thing and retrieve it to hand it in to the office.

As a reward for his diligent efforts to be a good, responsible citizen the school recommended that Ryan be expelled for a year. A slap in the face for performing what he has been told is his civic duty.

Later, this supposed policy that the district's lawyer, John M. Izzo, said held the district "bound by state law to bring an expulsion recommendation" against this poor, dutiful child was upheld by the school board. Consequently, honest little Ryan is to be thrown out of school for his offense.

Superintendent Larry Wiers said that "purposeful possession of weapons is one of the most serious offenses a student can commit and requires close consideration by the administration."

Yes, little Ryan, even if you are trying to do the "right" thing, turning in a gun found laying about the place, you are to be punished.

Wait, it gets worse.

As mentioned, this penalty is supposed to leave young Ryan expelled for a full year. Of course, the school board really does "care" about education, you know? We know this because they say so, you see. So, instead of leaving him expelled and sans educational opportunity they are going to pay for a year of home schooling.

Not only is Ryan being punished for trying to fulfill what he is told is his duty, but now so are the taxpayers who will have to pay double for this young man to be educated. With property taxes already paying for his education once at the school, it will now be doubled for his home schooling.

Lawyer Izzo earnestly announced that "it would be in the best interest of the student and the school to continue provide this student with educational opportunities through home bound study." But, what is "in the best interest" of the taxpayers who are being forced to pay double for this kid who was only trying to be helpful, Mr. Izzo?

So, what is it, school administrators? Are we teaching our children to do the "right" thing and turn in found weapons to the school administration to take them off the street, or are we teaching children that to get involved in any way is tantamount to pulling that trigger on themselves? Are we teaching our children that taking a gun out of circulation is important or are we teaching our children that school administrators cannot be trusted?

It would seem the later in both cases.

The lessons here are disheartening. The Troy Elementary School District just taught young Ryan Morgan that if he sees something wrong going on that he'd darn well better turn and walk away, stay out of it, don't get involved. Because if he does, we have taught him that HE will be the one in trouble. See a kid waving a weapon? Pretend you see nothing. Hear a kid getting beaten? Close your ears lest it be imagined you were involved. Happen to come across a rape in progress. He sees nothing. A break in? What break in? And, what would happen if Ryan someday hears two terrorists talking about their next target? Heck, it isn't any of Ryan's business. Move along nothing to see here, little Ryan.

So much for civic mindedness.

So much for doing the "right" thing.

So much for good administration of our schools.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: banglist; bradywatch; eddieeagle; education; gun; illinois; leftistschools; nra; publicschools; school; subzerotolerance
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Boy... follow your heart and get suspended!
1 posted on 12/14/2006 12:25:19 PM PST by Mobile Vulgus
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To: Mobile Vulgus

In a previous life we could say there is more to this, or something else is going on, these days, this is no surprise at all, that is sad.


2 posted on 12/14/2006 12:28:20 PM PST by SF Republican
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To: Mobile Vulgus
I posted this on antother thread on this story:

I heard the kids mother on the radio this morning. She descibed what her son told her happened. From her explaination, it sounds like school officials caught wind of a gun being in the school, they cleared all the girls out of the cafeteria, and were preparing to check all the boys for weapons. That's when this kid came forward and addmitted he had found a gun. So, yes. there is more to this story.
3 posted on 12/14/2006 12:30:02 PM PST by jaydubya2
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To: Mobile Vulgus

before we get the baby thrown out with the bath water, remember that 'zero tolerance' policies were enacted because these same dolts tolerated drugs, weapons, etc..

the 'zero tolerance' per se isn't the problem (see how they're steering ut to that conclusion?), its' idiots with no clue in charge.

if we do away with zero tolerance, schools will again become full of drugs and guns, etc..


4 posted on 12/14/2006 12:30:07 PM PST by camle (keep your mind open and somebody will fill it full of something for you)
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To: Mobile Vulgus

It kind of reminds me of the saying: "The path to hell is paved with good intentions".


5 posted on 12/14/2006 12:30:20 PM PST by lovecraft (Specialization is for insects.)
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To: Mobile Vulgus
We tell them to be good little children and turn in those bad, evil guns to a parent, a policeman or a teacher

Wonder who the "we" is?

It's certainly not what the NRA Eddie Eagle program teaches.

A found firearm is not to be touched by the child.
They are told to leave the area and inform an adult.

6 posted on 12/14/2006 12:30:59 PM PST by ASA Vet (The WOT should have been over on 9/12/01.)
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To: Mobile Vulgus

He's lucky, now he can be home schooled.

who says 'no good act goes unpunished'... I know , I know, it should be unrewarded 8-)


7 posted on 12/14/2006 12:31:01 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Merry Something PC.)
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To: Mobile Vulgus

Just another school teaching liberal mindset. How upsetting.

I wonder if they can't put him in another school in a different part of town?

Also, as to the homeschooling crap...not only do the taxpayers have to anti up, but what about the parents? I am for homeschooling, but I know it requires lot of parents time to home school their children.

What a stupid stupid decision. Poor kid.


8 posted on 12/14/2006 12:31:18 PM PST by Lucky9teen (If someone offers you a penny for your thoughts, tell them "I was thinking how cheap you are")
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To: Mobile Vulgus
There has to be more to the story. ....because if there isn't, this is beyond psychotic.
9 posted on 12/14/2006 12:31:30 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Mobile Vulgus

No good deed ever goes unpunished.


10 posted on 12/14/2006 12:31:55 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: SF Republican

When I was in grade school in the late-80's, I brought a spent shell to show-and-tell. My interested teacher asked me what kind of gun I shot. Today, the same act would get a student a two-week suspension, if not more. The world is mad.


11 posted on 12/14/2006 12:32:44 PM PST by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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To: Mobile Vulgus
Superintendent Larry Wiers said that "purposeful possession of weapons is one of the most serious offenses a student can commit and requires close consideration by the administration."

"Purposeful" posession, to any critical-thinking capable individual, would not include the purpose of turning a found pellet gun in. NOTE: This assumes that the details of finding the pellet gun and securing it for proper disposal by the relevant authorities (i.e.: the school administration, in this case) were correctly reported.

12 posted on 12/14/2006 12:33:43 PM PST by MortMan (I was going to be indecisive, but I changed my mind.)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Please see post #3.

It may help explain his motives.
13 posted on 12/14/2006 12:33:57 PM PST by jaydubya2
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To: Mobile Vulgus

Troy where?


14 posted on 12/14/2006 12:34:17 PM PST by Jim Verdolini
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
And if, during the year of home schooling, he should find another gun and turn it into his publicly-funded homeschoolers....

Woe Betide him! He will get Short Shrift!

15 posted on 12/14/2006 12:36:13 PM PST by C210N (Bush SPIED, Terrorists DIED!)
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To: Mobile Vulgus

Same story from earlier today - different source.



14 DECEMBER 2006 | CBS 2 CHICAGO
Posted on 12/14/2006 11:23:06 AM CST by Extremely Extreme Extremist

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1753483/posts


16 posted on 12/14/2006 12:37:01 PM PST by Arrowhead1952 (The terrorists have many allies in the United States, especially in the democrat party.)
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To: Jim Verdolini

The school is in Shorewood, IL - outskirts of Chicago.


17 posted on 12/14/2006 12:38:02 PM PST by Teflonic
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To: Mobile Vulgus

The lesson here: Don't be a stool pigeon.


18 posted on 12/14/2006 12:38:35 PM PST by ozzymandus
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To: Mobile Vulgus
"... The lessons here are disheartening. The Troy Elementary School District just taught young Ryan Morgan that if he sees something wrong going on that he'd darn well better turn and walk away, stay out of it, don't get involved."

"... I'm not mad, I'm proud of you. You took your first pinch like a man and you learned two great things in your life. Look at me, never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut."

QFT.

19 posted on 12/14/2006 12:39:06 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: Mobile Vulgus
I'm not a litigious little fellow at all (unusual for an attorney, I know), but part of the reason we have school administrators who behave like this is that there is no real consequence to their absurd decisions and rulings.

Sue them. Make them lose their jobs. Make the schools pay a fortune for these abuses of power. Force some people into bankruptcy. Take their homes. Ruin their marriages. Make their children cry.

Until they suffer a real punishment for abuses of discretion, the abuses will grow more frequent and pronounced. Pain & Pleasure, Reward & Punishment, and all the jazz.
20 posted on 12/14/2006 12:39:40 PM PST by HitmanLV (Rock, Rock, Rock and Rollergames! Rockin' & Rolling, Rockin' with Rollergames!)
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