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.
Americans worship at the idol of the law, and no matter how idiotic or Pharisaic the law, Americans will follow it.
They will never, ever lift their hand to strike at the system.
Only the discretion of a higher official, a judge, someone allowed, by American law, to have the discretion to override the law, will succeed in extricating the lad.
"...the school district claiming that young Ryan had "possession of a gun". "
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When the boy handed the gun to the school principal, wasn't the principal in possession of a gun on school property?
If they want to play gotcha...
"Zero tolerance policy" my ass. Mens Rea is required. "Zero tolerance" means that the administrator cannot consider extenusating circumstances or the fact that the offense may appear relatively minor. In a courtroom analogy, it's a matter of sentencing. But sentencing doesn't come into play if there is no offense. Now, if the kid was caught with the gun and his EXCUSE was that he was turning it in, and the administrator doesn't know whether to believe him or not, I can see him saying, "The law says no guns, and I can't suppose WHY the kid brought the gun." But as reported, it sounds as if there is no supposition required.
I wonder if the state's rule would require his mom to suspend him for a year.
But it surely would include knowing where the "weapon" is and, instead of reporting it, hand carrying it to the office.
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.
See post #3.
Unreal-ping
Homeschooling at taxpayer expense. What an interesting concept.
So the writer is full of crap. The boy didn't turn in a found weapon. He flipped when the discovery of his crime was imminent, hoping to get a light sentence.
I should've been more suspicious: Since when is a "pellet" gun a "toy" gun? It's not the same as a rifle or handgun, but it's no toy. In my head, I thought of something akin to those plastic-disk-shooting guns, but I know better. A pellet gun is a gun that can be used to inflict significant injuries. If I were the principle, I might check the rule books and see if the "zero tolerance" policy truly applies to non-explosive "guns," but I would shed no tears if I had to suspend the kid for a long time.
But, but, but,... the *rules* just for the unwashed masses, not the liberal elite.
Schools tolerate teachers and administrators with zero brains.
Who did he hear the rumor from?
There's more to this story
No good dead goes unpunished!
No tolerance rules are passed because principals are gutless and teachers are brainless. They dont have enough brain to figure anything for themselves so they go to the book.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
"Homeschooling at taxpayer expense. What an interesting concept."
Homeschooling would be one of the many options available to parents and students under a voucher system for education. What's wrong with busting the public school monopoly?
Even more proof that no matter what you have been told, people in authority are never to be trusted.
Next time kid, just keep your mouth shut and stay out of trouble. It's not worth the consequences you'll suffer at the hands of idiots.
Thanks, metmom, for the ping.
This school ordered the boy to be homeschooled (or, as officials put it, to "home bound study") for a year, at taxpayers' expense.
This ping list is for the "other" articles of interest to homeschoolers about education and public school. If you want on/off this list, please freepmail me. The main Homeschool Ping List by DaveLoneRanger handles the homeschool-specific articles.
No doubt, the school officials suspect this boy, and maybe they have good reason to believe he's just playing innocent. On the other hand, the officials could be wrong.
Any links to a transcript of what the mother was saying?
Psychotic lunatic lieberals strike again!
Ok, I found a link with more about the parents' side of the story:
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_348001946.html
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