[lit-ideas] Re: School Days

People in power are apparently powerless against their own idiocy.  In Memphis 
several students have been suspended for bringing drugs to school -- dangerous 
drugs like aspirin or anti-biotics.  A rule is a rule and the rule says NO 
DRUGS.  Just as brilliant is the policy of suspending students for unexcused 
absences.  Oh, yeah, that'll teach 'em.

School administrators aren't the only mindless ones.  Tennessee recently passed 
a law that ANYONE AND EVERYONE buying alcohol must show the cashier a photo ID 
-- doesn't matter if your face is as craggy as oak bark, your hair as white as 
snow and you're being wheeled through the store on a gurney from the old folks 
home with IV's still plugged in -- doesn't matter, by God, you still must show 
the cashier your driver's license if you want to buy a bottle of beer.  Don't 
complain, it's the law.  Makes sense too, no young person knows how to fake an 
ID or would if they could.  

As long as there are people with power there will be idiocy.  That's an 
inviolable rule.  Get used to it.

Mike Geary
Memphis

 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Julie Krueger 
  To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:49 AM
  Subject: [lit-ideas] School Days


  My daughter just started 8th grade.

  The primary school supply requirement is a binder w/ various compartments.  

  My daughter has such a thing.  With a small brief-case style handle and a 
long shoulder strap.

  The shoulder strap is obviously to make it easier to carry.  Helpful when 
you're running up and down 3 flights of stairs with no a/c.

  Many of the Jr. High kids own the same style binder.

  In their infinite wisdom, the administration and teachers have decreed that 
students not carry "bags" around with them. 

  Thus, the shoulder strap use is verboetten, and the binder must be carried by 
the handle.  Having the strap over the shoulder causes the hall monitoring 
teacher to yell at you "strap off, strap off", and if one starts walking 
quickly because one does not want to be tardy to class, the teacher will 
actually chase after.  Literally give chase.  My daughter has been scrupulous 
about this rule, but she has witnessed what happens when it is broken. 

  I ask my daughter why the handle and not the strap.  

  "Because we're not allowed to carry backpacks or bags and this way it isn't a 
backpack, it's a binder."
  "Ahhh.......!  Why aren't you allowed to carry backpacks or bags?" 
  "Because they said they don't want people carrying around things that could 
be harmful."
  "And taking the strap off your shoulder is going to change the contents of 
your binder/bag???"

  Julie Krueger
  No Child Left Behind!!

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