[Religion Moderator]

It's more like two kids throwing spitwads in class. If one has been warned, the other must stop, too.

Insisting the other kid started it or must be equally warned, will get him nowhere.

[presently no screen name]

Right. In that scenario it's an even play.

Not in this situation. More like one kid (MD)gets to keep his spitballs and walks away 'knowing' he was wrong and the other one (PNSN) has his spitballs taken from him and warned personally.

Insisting the other kid started it or must be equally warned, will get him nowhere.

right - because one would expect 'the teacher' already knows the background and evaluates it before issuing what one would expect a FAIR reprimand - first hand knowledge and not second hand, like from a 'tattletaller'. We can say teacher,judge - whatever, someone in authority who REFLECTS THE VIEWS of the school/court, whatever.