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