How much more F'ed up can we get?

[mwmorph]

I'll bet you this is not how it happened and you're missing out on parts of the story, but then again, the media's not interested in truth, it's all about entertainment.

When a freind of mine was in a PR consultation meeting for handling media relations (He's a Colonel in the Air force), he said the thing that struck out most in his mind was the former CNN exec saying "The news is not interested in the truth, it's not about the truth, it's about entertainment and ratings"

I'll bet money it happened closer to this
1. Student takes call in class
2. Teacher tells student to stop
3. Student keeps going, finishes call
4. teacher disciplines student
5. Student argues/yells/possibly cusses at teacher
6. Suspension of student for behavior

99 times out of 100, this student is not some irreproachable angel this story makes it out to be and the family seems pretty self centered and seeing it and their child's actions through rose colored glasses.

 

[RapidSnail]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: lykaon78
The level of Bush Derangement Syndrome on this board is unbelievable. ...

How embarrassing - he has a syndrome named after him. If I worshipped him, I'd try to keep this as quiet as possible.

 

[RapidSnail]

DP

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: waggythe kid was right to take the call. BUT it is against the rules and the kid deserved the punishment.

NO cell phones in class. they can' t make a exemption for one person and refuse anyone else.

Perhaps, but it's a silly rule, regardless. Most of the kid's fathers are deployed, hrmm, mebbe if fathers want to say goodbye or something, they should be allowed to do so. Sounds like typical anti-american bull shit found in these so-called academic institutions.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: waggythe kid was right to take the call. BUT it is against the rules and the kid deserved the punishment.

NO cell phones in class. they can' t make a exemption for one person and refuse anyone else.

Perhaps, but it's a silly rule, regardless. Most of the kid's fathers are deployed, hrmm, mebbe if fathers want to say goodbye or something, they should be allowed to do so. Sounds like typical anti-american bull shit found in these so-called academic institutions.

The school is making a point NOT to politicize the situation. How can you call this anti-American? They're enforcing the rule the same as they would in any situation.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: lykaon78

Originally posted by: Jschmuck2

Originally posted by: lykaon78
The level of Bush Derangement Syndrome on this board is unbelievable.

Its a matter of proportionality you idiots. Did the kid break the rules? Yes. Is the punishment consistent with the crime? No.

OP: Even in Texas liberal bias has infiltrated the educational system. Once that happens family values and support for the troops (or good old fashioned patriotism) is replaced by the 'blame America first' philosophy.

How do people like you make it through the day without spattering your brains across a wall? I really want to know. Are you like some kind of movie villain where pure hatred keeps you moving?

I have a tinfoil hat I'd like to sell you.

The point is that many are so blinded by their views of the Iraq war that they can't add a modicum of prespective to their thoughts on this kid's actions.

Put yourself in this kids shoes. Your father is in Iraq fighting a war. He has a limited window to call and you may not hear from him ever again (literally). Your cell phone rings while you are in class. Do you take the call?

Now that we've settled that issue; what is more important for that kid's immediate well being? 10 minutes of class or 10 minutes of a phone conversation with the most important man in his life?

If he felt that talking to his at-war father was more important than following school policy and risking punishment (and most people, including myself, would), then he should done just as he did, *THEN* take his punishment with some semblance of dignity, rather than heart-string-tugging and whining about it.

 

[biggestmuff]

OP, why am I supposed to be outraged?

 

[lykaon78]

Suspension for cell phone use is not a reasonable punishment. Not even close. My wife teaches high school science and the kids simply lost their cell phone if it is seen in class. The parents have to come in to get it if they want it back.

Detention, Saturday school or even in-school suspension would be more appropriate than out of school suspension.

 

[KMFJD]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: lykaon78

Originally posted by: Jschmuck2

Originally posted by: lykaon78
The level of Bush Derangement Syndrome on this board is unbelievable.

Its a matter of proportionality you idiots. Did the kid break the rules? Yes. Is the punishment consistent with the crime? No.

OP: Even in Texas liberal bias has infiltrated the educational system. Once that happens family values and support for the troops (or good old fashioned patriotism) is replaced by the 'blame America first' philosophy.

How do people like you make it through the day without spattering your brains across a wall? I really want to know. Are you like some kind of movie villain where pure hatred keeps you moving?

I have a tinfoil hat I'd like to sell you.

The point is that many are so blinded by their views of the Iraq war that they can't add a modicum of prespective to their thoughts on this kid's actions.

Put yourself in this kids shoes. Your father is in Iraq fighting a war. He has a limited window to call and you may not hear from him ever again (literally). Your cell phone rings while you are in class. Do you take the call?

Now that we've settled that issue; what is more important for that kid's immediate well being? 10 minutes of class or 10 minutes of a phone conversation with the most important man in his life?

If he felt that talking to his at-war father was more important than following school policy and risking punishment (and most people, including myself, would), then he should done just as he did, *THEN* take his punishment with some semblance of dignity, rather than heart-string-tugging and whining about it.

:thumbsup: THIS

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: lykaon78

Originally posted by: Jschmuck2

Originally posted by: lykaon78
The level of Bush Derangement Syndrome on this board is unbelievable.

Its a matter of proportionality you idiots. Did the kid break the rules? Yes. Is the punishment consistent with the crime? No.

OP: Even in Texas liberal bias has infiltrated the educational system. Once that happens family values and support for the troops (or good old fashioned patriotism) is replaced by the 'blame America first' philosophy.

How do people like you make it through the day without spattering your brains across a wall? I really want to know. Are you like some kind of movie villain where pure hatred keeps you moving?

I have a tinfoil hat I'd like to sell you.

The point is that many are so blinded by their views of the Iraq war that they can't add a modicum of prespective to their thoughts on this kid's actions.

Put yourself in this kids shoes. Your father is in Iraq fighting a war. He has a limited window to call and you may not hear from him ever again (literally). Your cell phone rings while you are in class. Do you take the call?

Now that we've settled that issue; what is more important for that kid's immediate well being? 10 minutes of class or 10 minutes of a phone conversation with the most important man in his life?

If he felt that talking to his at-war father was more important than following school policy and risking punishment (and most people, including myself, would), then he should done just as he did, *THEN* take his punishment with some semblance of dignity, rather than heart-string-tugging and whining about it.

i agree here, a suspension really isnt that big of a deal, i got one when i was in HS and all i thought was SWEET 4 day weekend

Originally posted by: Venix
Suspension would be extreme even if the kid were taking a call from his crack dealer. Warn him, take his phone away, or give him detention after school at worst.

i also agree there, zero tolerence FTL
being suspended for a phone call is a bit much

 

[Anubis]

How much more F'ed up can we get?

o and on this topic that 10 year old girl in florida who got expelled from school for bringing in a steak knife to cut her steak she was having for lunch with was much worse

IIRC popo was also called and all that

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: MrChad

Dr. Saxenian says it's school policy; There are to be no cell phones allowed during instructional time.

Seems pretty clear to me. No cell phones allowed in class. If it is an emergency, there are ways via which a parent can get in touch with his/her child. The fact that his dad was in Iraq when he called is irrelevant.

Exactly. Regardless if his father was in Iraq or at the North Pole is irrelevant.

It is relevant. My buddy gets very limited access to the SAT phone in Iraq. He has to call when he is given his allotted 30 minutes. I'd say speaking to your father when he calls you from a war zone is more important than any school policy.

Rules are good but reason prevails.

 

[skace]

Wow some of you guys are short sighted. So kids should be able to tell the teacher exactly who is on the phone and then walk out into the hall and talk through class. You don't see a loophole here? Don't any of you remember being in High School?

Here is a reminder, kid needs to go to the bathroom during class, asks permission and goes. Other kids pick up on it and use the bathroom as a way to skip entire classes. A simple privilege becomes a loophole. This leads teachers to all sorts of ridiculous efforts, such as timing students or telling kids to wait until after class. In steps cellphones. Student receives a valid call, tells teacher it's important and steps out for 15 minutes during class to answer it. Other kids pick up on this, text friends to call them, when the call is received they say it is important and step out for the entire period. Teachers realize the cell phones are a major distraction and that they don't have a decent method of telling who is on the phone, so they create a rule where by parents with emergency calls should call the school directly and they will then get the kids. It was created for exactly this scenario.

Sure, in this case they punished the legit person, but had they made an exception that exception would then be abused by non legit cases.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: skace
Wow some of you guys are short sighted. So kids should be able to tell the teacher exactly who is on the phone and then walk out into the hall and talk through class. You don't see a loophole here? Don't any of you remember being in High School?

Here is a reminder, kid needs to go to the bathroom during class, asks permission and goes. Other kids pick up on it and use the bathroom as a way to skip entire classes. A simple privilege becomes a loophole. This leads teachers to all sorts of ridiculous efforts, such as timing students or telling kids to wait until after class. In steps cellphones. Student receives a valid call, tells teacher it's important and steps out for 15 minutes during class to answer it. Other kids pick up on this, text friends to call them, when the call is received they say it is important and step out for the entire period. Teachers realize the cell phones are a major distraction and that they don't have a decent method of telling who is on the phone, so they create a rule where by parents with emergency calls should call the school directly and they will then get the kids. It was created for exactly this scenario.

Sure, in this case they punished the legit person, but had they made an exception that exception would then be abused by non legit cases.

I somewhat agree. The mother should have notified the school of the situation beforehand and said that their child would be taking any calls from his father due to the extreme circumstances there was no way to contact the father other than when he calls.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: skace
Wow some of you guys are short sighted. So kids should be able to tell the teacher exactly who is on the phone and then walk out into the hall and talk through class. You don't see a loophole here? Don't any of you remember being in High School?

Here is a reminder, kid needs to go to the bathroom during class, asks permission and goes. Other kids pick up on it and use the bathroom as a way to skip entire classes. A simple privilege becomes a loophole. This leads teachers to all sorts of ridiculous efforts, such as timing students or telling kids to wait until after class. In steps cellphones. Student receives a valid call, tells teacher it's important and steps out for 15 minutes during class to answer it. Other kids pick up on this, text friends to call them, when the call is received they say it is important and step out for the entire period. Teachers realize the cell phones are a major distraction and that they don't have a decent method of telling who is on the phone, so they create a rule where by parents with emergency calls should call the school directly and they will then get the kids. It was created for exactly this scenario.

Sure, in this case they punished the legit person, but had they made an exception that exception would then be abused by non legit cases.

I'd be very surprised if the teacher didn't already know the circumstances. How about picking up the phone and verifying? So long as it sounds like an adult (high schoolers are rarely good at faking an adult voice, they all sound like children), that's good enough for me.

Besides, if kids don't want to go to class, you can't make a rule that will prevent that. Bathroom breaks and cell phone calls aren't even good loopholes. When I was a Senior (class of 2003) we could literally sign ourselves out for the day in the office. I don't see a problem with that. Personal responsibility is the name of the game.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: Baked
Rules are rules. Just 'cause your daddy's invading some country for Darth Cheney doesn't exempt you from the rules. You're not really that special.

Patricia Hill says she's written letters to Congressmen, Senators and even the Vice President.

Why skip the president? Oh that's right, he can't read.

Wow, I respect you generally, but that's a pretty douchebag thing to say. The boy can't help it, his dad could be dead the next morning.

How would you like that? I think its a retarded rule, and it's not right, certainly in this situation.

the kid was right to take the call. BUT it is against the rules and the kid deserved the punishment.

NO cell phones in class. they can' t make a exemption for one person and refuse anyone else.

So if your wife cut off your penis, and you were driving really fast to the hospital, you wouldn't bitch if a cop pulled you over and gave you a ticket?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: Baked
Rules are rules. Just 'cause your daddy's invading some country for Darth Cheney doesn't exempt you from the rules. You're not really that special.

Patricia Hill says she's written letters to Congressmen, Senators and even the Vice President.

Why skip the president? Oh that's right, he can't read.

Wow, I respect you generally, but that's a pretty douchebag thing to say. The boy can't help it, his dad could be dead the next morning.

How would you like that? I think its a retarded rule, and it's not right, certainly in this situation.

the kid was right to take the call. BUT it is against the rules and the kid deserved the punishment.

NO cell phones in class. they can' t make a exemption for one person and refuse anyone else.

So if your wife cut off your penis, and you were driving really fast to the hospital, you wouldn't bitch if a cop pulled you over and gave you a ticket?

actually in the case of emergencies cops will generally let you go and many times escort you to the hospitial

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: skace
Wow some of you guys are short sighted. So kids should be able to tell the teacher exactly who is on the phone and then walk out into the hall and talk through class. You don't see a loophole here? Don't any of you remember being in High School?

Here is a reminder, kid needs to go to the bathroom during class, asks permission and goes. Other kids pick up on it and use the bathroom as a way to skip entire classes. A simple privilege becomes a loophole. This leads teachers to all sorts of ridiculous efforts, such as timing students or telling kids to wait until after class. In steps cellphones. Student receives a valid call, tells teacher it's important and steps out for 15 minutes during class to answer it. Other kids pick up on this, text friends to call them, when the call is received they say it is important and step out for the entire period. Teachers realize the cell phones are a major distraction and that they don't have a decent method of telling who is on the phone, so they create a rule where by parents with emergency calls should call the school directly and they will then get the kids. It was created for exactly this scenario.

Sure, in this case they punished the legit person, but had they made an exception that exception would then be abused by non legit cases.

So whats to stop a kid from just pretending they need to go to the bathroom and sitting there reading a pocket size playboy all day every day? Obviously the teachers would catch on and restrict "that" kid

Personally, when I was in school I could of explained this situation to any one of my teachers and they would of let me do it. And if I had one who wouldn't then I would make something up about using the restroom and do it any way.

There probably aren't that many kids who have dads in iraq and if everyone in the school starts saying so they would instate something like "your other parent or guardian needs to call and verify" so that they could weed out the real kids from the fake.

This isn't rocket science.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: Baked
Rules are rules. Just 'cause your daddy's invading some country for Darth Cheney doesn't exempt you from the rules. You're not really that special.

Patricia Hill says she's written letters to Congressmen, Senators and even the Vice President.

Why skip the president? Oh that's right, he can't read.

Wow, I respect you generally, but that's a pretty douchebag thing to say. The boy can't help it, his dad could be dead the next morning.

How would you like that? I think its a retarded rule, and it's not right, certainly in this situation.

the kid was right to take the call. BUT it is against the rules and the kid deserved the punishment.

NO cell phones in class. they can' t make a exemption for one person and refuse anyone else.

So if your wife cut off your penis, and you were driving really fast to the hospital, you wouldn't bitch if a cop pulled you over and gave you a ticket?

thats pretty fucking stupid actually.

1) if such thing happened i sure wouldn't be driving. the risk of passing out due to blood lose is pretty good.

2) 99% (there are some assholes) of the cops out would stop you and call for a ambulance

3) this has nothing to do with the kid in any way shape or form. the situations are not familiar in the least bit.




i got in trouble when younger. I didn't bitch about it. i knew what the rules were and accepted the punishment. As i said a few times the kid didn the right thing (though don't think we are getting full story) in takeing the call. The school was also right in punishing him

 

[EMPshockwave82]

Originally posted by: lykaon78
The level of Bush Derangement Syndrome on this board is unbelievable.

Its a matter of proportionality you idiots. Did the kid break the rules? Yes. Is the punishment consistent with the crime? No.

OP: Even in Texas liberal bias has infiltrated the educational system. Once that happens family values and support for the troops (or good old fashioned patriotism) is replaced by the 'blame America first' philosophy.

Did the punishment fit the crime? That would be determined by school policy and previous punishments handed out for the same action.

The high school I went to it was against the rules to have your phone outside of your locker unless you had just walked into the school on your way to your locker or you were taking it out of your locker to go home.

I know of several students at the high school I used to go to that have thought they were above the rules set forth and have met similar punishments as this kid.

As long as everyone is treated equally and the rules are clearly posted it is his own fault.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Rules are rules.