A school in Pennsylvania has suspended

[polmaven]

a student for skipping gym class to go and talk with Senator Obama in the diner across the street from his school. He even had the forethought to ask the Senator to sign a "permission slip" excusing him from gym class that one time.

It apparently made no difference to the school authorities. He has been given a one day suspension. He has said he will use the day to campaign for Senator Obama.

I heard this briefly on Morning Joe when I was on my way out the door this morning, so I can't give more details, but to that student I say...Good for you!!!! If the facts are as I understand them to be, this young man has, In my opinion, done himself, his family, his school, and his community proud. What he did was and opportunity for a civics 101 lesson, and for the school not to recognize that is, I think outrageous....!

[hobbit709]

1. Schools are no longer an institution of learning

They are a place where you are indoctrinated to follow orders and not to question anything you are told.

[WinkyDink]

5. "NO LONGER"?? I think it ended sometime in 1543.

[hobbit709]

6. I still had some teachers that encouraged critical thinking

And I graduated in 1968 but you could see where it was going then.

[Zachstar]

15. I got my diploma last year

A few teachers tried desperately to teach reasoning and critical thinking into their classes but they were often hounded by schedules and of course the state that suddenly decided they wanted teachers to waste time to teach students how to take a test better.

One of the ways I finally got out of the mindset of an idiot Republican was experience taught to me by several of those teachers when I was in school.

If we had more of that in the Classrooms. I believe that there would be FAR less support for the neocon agenda if schools were changed to promote children teaching themselves while learning experience from others.

[WinkyDink]

21. Heh. Joking. I was ONE of those "question authority" teachers! I taught

literature, and one can do a heck of a lot of eye-opening with that subject.

[olkaz]

38. Uh, speak for your own school. Mine was incredible.

A small public school with great community support churns out the best and the brightest, every year. Unfortunately, people don't want to be involved, don't want to spend money on teachers, and don't care about consolidation and class size.

So yeah, your school sucks. My public school rocked.

[GetTheRightVote]

117. If one public schools sucks then they all do, we are suppose to have

schools of equal access, education, etc. or have you forgotten.

[ananda]

39. Indeed, school are now for the most part..

.. training grounds for future prisoners,
military personnel, corporate-fascists.

[BornBlue]

66. Well the public school system was originally designed

to train students how to be good factory workers. The public school system was implemented during the industrial revolution to 1, keep kids off the street, and 2, give them basic learnings skills and fear of authority. Pretty sad isn't it, and we wonder why no one in this country is involved or even cares for that matter.

[ieoeja]

98. Thomas Jefferson said we needed public schools to educate the voters.

If you expect the people to run their own country, as in a democracy, then the people need critical thinking skills. They have to learn how to learn.

A King George III compatriot wanted to destroy public schools for the very same reason. As an opponent of democracy, he did not want the people educated. More on that topic in post #97.

[Obamanaut]

59. And this is exactly why I do not think public (government run)

schools serve a useful purpose.

I would much prefer that my school tax dollars go toward vouchers so someone else's kids (mine are grown) can get a decent education.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

67. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water

There are good schools, and there are bad schools. Eliminating public schools in favor of vouchers wouldn't change this, except that the wealthy would all be sending their kids to the good schools, and the poor, who wouldn't be able to afford the good schools, would be sending their kids to the bad schools.

[Obamanaut]

95. Maybe it would work like supply and demand. When parents

started removing kids via voucher for private schools, and the government schools started losing dollars, perhaps the government schools would make an effort to improve to keep the youngsters from fleeing. It appears that all we are doing now in the public/government schools is throwing money at the problem, and it isn't working.

I read within the last couple of weeks about the terrible drop-out rate. Some of this can be blamed on boredom. Then, when bills began to pile up, some of the drop-outs turn to crime.

Consider that the average reading level for a newly incarcerated person in Florida is the sixth grade. When I volunteered in my local school system (and getting a spot was an uphill struggle) I was in a CARE (Children at Risk in Education) 5th/6th grade class. These were kids who identified as PROBABLE drop-outs. I think it's pretty scary when one can identify kids that early who will probably not finish school. There was an outstanding teacher in that class, BTW, but he has since retired.

edited because I failed to spell check

[sakura]

75. You might want to consider investigating a few public schools

(i. e., volunteering) before coming to that conclusion. My son is in an excellent public school, and it's not just his district. I taught for years in two districts that were doing wonderful things, and have had the opportunity to train teachers in dozens. You can teach critical thinking in every subject area (even math and science) and they are doing just that. Suggesting that vouchers are the way to get a decent education is out of touch. All that will do is subsidize schools that pick and choose who can attend. As someone who attended parochial and private schools, I can attest to that-- significant numbers of students were "asked to leave," and the remaining students knew that any behavior outside of a narrowly prescribed norm would result in the same. On top of that, there was little room for critical thinking-- it got in the way of the textbook driven lesson plans. Are all parochial and private schools like this? Of course not. But all do have the ability to choose who will attend. And that changes the demographics of who attends and it changes the schools overall performance.

[Obamanaut]

81. I have volunteered. The local high school let me file

attendance slips for three days, even though I had an interview with the principal and his assistant where we discussed my skills with math and English, and spoke of the local community college I was taking Spanish (I was retired and taking classes because I wanted something to do) and was asked to tutor other 1st semester students.

A school board member last year said in a board meeting that approx 25% of adult males in our county are at best semi literate. The high school has classes on taking the FCAT. Fluff classes abound, and are sought after.

I've been a special ed teacher aide in a prison, and have an application in for teacher aide at another (I quit the other prison in 2004).

[sakura]

86. I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience.

I haven't taught in Florida, myself, but I do know that until recently, their standards (state standards-- what every child should be achieving) were some of the lowest in the nation. I know this because I work with standards for a living, and I'm familiar with those for all fifty states. In terms of administration, my experience has been that schools tend to reflect their community. The school I taught at in South Texas was run quite differently from the school I taught at in Oregon, and the schools I've visited around the country have shown differences as well. There are definitely some districts that don't welcome outside help-- it's pathetic that they'd ask you to file attendance slips. Obviously not the best use of your talents. The school I taught at in Texas (high school) did not take advantage of volunteers, either. In that case, they were worried about possible criminal background. In my son's district (Oregon) to volunteer you must have an FBI background check done. It's expensive, but it removes all question. The school in TX couldn't afford to do this.

The FCAT class (which sounds abysmal) is a direct result of NCLB. NCLB was a great idea, but it was implemented on a lowest common denominator plan. That is, what is the easiest way to get results? For some states, it was to lower standards to the point that they were meaningless, and devote countless hours to test taking skills. But the way that the law was written supports this: a good idea was turned into window dressing.

I agree with you that there are definitely problems in most public school systems, but I disagree with the idea of dismantling the system via vouchers. There are better ways to fix the system. Portland, OR, for instance has a hybrid of neighborhood schools and focus schools. Focus schools run particular programs that are open to all students, and are typically filled by lottery. We have several schools that focus on foreign-language immersion, others that focus on arts, math and science, environmental science, etc. Additionally, we have a large number of charter schools. For the most part, the community's needs are being met-- Portland has one of the highest rates of "capture" (number of students in community attending public school) in the nation.

[ieoeja]

97. John Adams' first big splash in public life.

John Adams first hit the limelight arguing against King George III's appointment of a certain judge to the equivalency of a Supreme Court for the North American colonies (up in Nova Scotia, I think). John Adams opposed this judge because this judge wanted to close down all the public schools.

The reason the judge gave for closing down the public schools were all the same reasons we hear today: the schools were failing, they cost too much, private schools could do a better job, etc.

Decades later when all the players were safe in their graves, the judge's private correspondance became public. In these he admitted his real opposition to public schools was because uneducated people were more prone to doing as told by their "betters". He wanted to keep the people stupid and content.

I have a feeling that decades from now we will learn of similiar sentiments from the Rightwingers advocating the destruction of public schools today.

[LisaM]

110. I think that vouchers are just a ploy for rich people to get us to pay for tuition

at private schools.

Oh, they're not MARKETED as that. But that's why Republicans love them so much.

[Butch350]

88. Hey!

TEACHER! Leave us kids ALONE!

[roguevalley]

93. just a thought. if they left campus without permission and crossed a

street, that is a huge no no. the school and the teachers are personally liable if they get hurt or taken. that is probably why. personally, I would have done the same but perhaps you are upset over the wrong thing. My thought is that it is liability and leaving the grounds without permission.

[hobbit709]

94. I think an hours detention would have been more in line with the crime.

[madeline_con]

119. They're also responsible for the students.

Editred for speeling

What if the kid had been hit and killed by a car as he crossed the street?

He should not have come to school that day, or a parent should have signed him out.

Safety and liability win, I'm afraid.

But what the kid did was cool.

[WinkyDink]

2. LINK? A Google News search turns up nothing.

[rodeodance]

57. OP says it was on the tube--morning joe.

[WinkyDink]

72. Yes, I read that. I'm wondering why the OP wasn't curious enough to go beyond SCARBOROUGH.

[polmaven]

115. The answer to that is a little thing called

The Office. Did you see that I was on my way out the door this morning when I briefly heard it? I may have time to do quick posts here during the day, but not google searches and listening to you-tube. I don't have speakers anyway, and, even if I did, it would NOT be kosher to listen to it during the work day. I'm afraid my "curiosity" is limited by um..well..by keeping my job.

[demmiblue]

3. Interesting story!

I especially liked this part: "He even had the forethought to ask the Senator to sign a "permission slip" excusing him from gym class that one time." :rofl:

I agree with you, it is a wonderful real life civics lesson... what is wrong with that school?!

Thanks for posting!

[mckeown1128]

68. Wow talking about enforcing the rules...

when they don't except a permission slip from the likely 44th president of the United State... geeze.

[SoxFan]

4. I skipped school to go to a Mondale rally in 1984

I told my homeroom teacher, Sr. Judy Cooper, what i was doing, and her only provisio was that I load up on Mondale and John Kerry buttons so she could pass them out to other faculty members.

Sister Judy rocked!

[Zachstar]

7. This is why the school system needs to be completely replaced.

The schools do not care for free thought they want your ass in that seat studying for that test so they can reel in the money.

Teachers that talk about life skills and experiences (You know the things you actually listened to and remembered) are being told to shut up and teach to the test.


I say less than 10 percent of the stuff taught of those tests actually meant anything useful for this job market.

The children are being taught to conform and be little test takers rather than learning ways they can compete for jobs against those coming from China and India for example.

It needs to end.

[sakura]

77. The school system does not need to be replaced. NCLB does.

And every teacher I have talked to since NCLB's inception agrees it needs to go. Again, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[DearAbby]

8. I think the young man learned a valuable lesson

He took a risk, and has to pay for the consequences. One day lost for a chance of a lifetime.

[Buzz Clik]

14. He also learned that the administrators in his school are assholes.

That, too, will be applicable in the private sector.

[DearAbby]

24. Oh yeah,

The School's decision was pretty harsh. I can understand, you don't want kids walking off campus on a whim. They are responsible for their safety as well. But this decision was harsh, yeah they're being assholes about it.

[Buzz Clik]

30. Visions of Asst. Principal Ed Rooney (from Ferris Bueller's Day Off):

"Your ass is mine, you little twerp!"

[DearAbby]

35. Hahahaha!

I don't believe they were that bad...that was a great Movie.

"When Cammeron was in Egyptland,
Let my people go."

:rofl:

[EnviroBat]

48. "ED! Ferris Bueler's on line two..."

:rofl:

[Skinner]

9. I expect to take some heat for this, but whatever.

I think this is fair.

When the student cut class, he knew the consequences. And yet he chose to cut class anyway. Because for him, the chance to meet Senator Obama was worth the risk that he might get suspended.

The school has rules, and they need to enforce them. I think the school has a legitimate concern that they should not be sending the message to their students that some kids are going to be permitted to break the rules, while others will not. The note from a Senator Obama was a nice touch, and funny. But Senator Obama doesn't have the authority to decide who can cut class.

I think this kid should be commended for having interest in politics. (In fact, I would not be surprised if he received a little praise from the school administrator while that administrator was giving him the suspension.) And what's more, he learned an important lesson: Some things are important enough that they are worth breaking the rules.

If he were my kid, I'd be proud of him. I'd be especially proud if he took the suspension without complaining. Because he earned it.

[Buzz Clik]

16. The punishment doesn't fit the violation.

Being tossed from school -- and losing any opportunity to learn for those few days -- is hardly the logical consequence of missing one gym class.

I agree that he knowingly violated the rules and must accept the punishment coming his way. It's the punishment that makes no sense. Early morning detention, after school detention, or brief ineligibility from extracurriculars might make sense. This makes no sense.

[Skinner]

23. I agree that suspension is an odd punishment for missing class.

They tell you that you can't miss class -- and then they make you miss even more class if you do it! It makes no sense.

But that's beside the point, IMO. For whatever reason, that's the punishment they chose.

[Buzz Clik]

25. On that, we agree.

[DearAbby]

42. I would have assumed

they would give the kid, detention, study hall. but another day off?

[polmaven]

76. I do agree that some sort of punishment was warranted,

but back when I was in school (granted, that was back in the dark ages), we might have been given detention and/or the requirement to write an essay on the reason for the skip time.

I suspect this may have been an interesting essay. With his choice of how to spend his suspension day, he is obviously not a slacker.

[Apollo11]

27. It's only a one day suspension

I agree with Skinner. The principal has to make it clear that the rules apply equally to all students and if you break the rules then there are consequences you will have to face. A one day suspension is not a major punishment.

Otherwise it sends out the message that students get to decide for themselves which classes they want to attend. That might be OK in principle (at least from a libertarian standpoint) but could lead to chaos in practice.

[MelissaB]

34. He broke the rules when he could have checked out of school and back in.

It only takes a little planning.

[CherokeeDem]

17. I agree...

he did skip class without permission so he did have to face the consequences. My point in post 12 was that the school should have been more responsive to local events and given these students an opportunity to go see the candidates. It appears there was little advance notice so perhaps the school didn't know. That said, I would have gone myself and taken the consequences as well. I am proud of this student. I agree with you..."Some things are important enough that they are worth breaking the rules."

[Blue_Roses]

31. well said

As someone who teaches, I agree. As I read the OP, I laughed, because this kid took a chance at meeting Obama at the risk of getting suspended. I'm sure he knew it was possible, but I would have probably done the same thing --as a kid.

As a teacher, you're right, there are rules and everyone has to abide by them. If this kid had gotten permission by his teacher, mother, or administrator for say, maybe, a history lesson "moment" or any other thing that would constitute a "learning" experience, it would have been a different story. He got suspended for not obeying the rules, not going to see Obama, per say. This could have been a great time to discuss this in class.

Damn rules.:evilgrin:

[ScarletSniper]

44. I agree with you..maybe they could have given him a detention instead of suspension..

[LWolf]

10. Did his parents sign him out of school?

If they did, no problem.

If not, if he just left campus on his own, I would have suspended him, too.

A note from Obama to excuse truancy isn't an excuse. Only his parents or guardians can excuse him, and that should be done ahead of time.

You didn't provide a link to look for more information.

Edited to add:

I would suspect, if a presidential candidate were speaking close to a campus, that many parents would have opted to take their kids. Is this boy the ONLY one who attended, or just the only one who attended without having his parents sign him out?

His school is legally responsible for him unless his parents have done so. Criticizing them for taking their responsibility seriously is without merit.

[Orsino]

18. Yeah. We can applaud his political activism *and* his suspension.

And even the "excuse" from Obama--which at least serves as some kind of verification as to where the missing student was.

Bad decision by the kid, apparently, but perhaps made with good intentions.

[LWolf]

114. If there were a candidate speaking that close to my school,

I'd want to take my whole class.

Of course, we'd have to do some lessons about persuasive speaking techniques, and ask them to identify what techniques they observed, and whether or not they were persuaded, and why.

There would have to be an objective, educational purpose, and it would have to be made crystal clear that the teacher, the school, etc. was not endorsing or promoting one particular candidate in any way, or asking students to accept and support what any particular candidate had to say.

I'm not sure, in today's polarized, heated political climate, if we'd be allowed to do so.

[Bad Thoughts]

11. Good for both of them

The student learned something valuable. The school enforced discipline.

[CherokeeDem]

12. I Grew Up in South Carolina...

granted I was in public school many years ago but when both Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon came to my city, the schools offered to give us excused absences in order to go see them. My parents, very liberal, thought it was important for me to see even Richard Nixon so I went to see both. (Now, they wouldn't give Bush a glass of water if he came to their door!)

I agree with another poster...schools aren't about education anymore...it's all how much Federal money they can get and how much control they can exert over their students. Too bad they don't think educating all of them is important.

[dgibby]

80. Ike

When I was in 1st grade, Ike made a planned whistle stop in my hometown and many students went to see him. My parents (both repubs) decided to keep me in school. That was in '51 and I'm STILL NOT OVER IT!!! Ha! Just wish I'd been old enough to skip that day. Good for the kid. He'll never forget the experience of meeting Obama. I sure haven't forgotten NOT meeting Ike and I can't remember what I had for breakfast this am!!

[Buzz Clik]

13. You get a suspension for missing one class? The logic escapes me.

This is the modern day answer to debtors' prisons -- you cannot afford to pay your debts, so you go to jail where you will NEVER be able to pay your debts.

You violated school rules by skipping gym class? You are supposed to go to class to learn or (in the case of the gym class) stay fit. So, we'll throw you out of school for a while ensuring that you will learn NOTHING.

[davidpdx]

20. I doubt one day of suspension will hurt him much

I wish I'd done something like that when I was in high school. It's actually pretty brave.

[Zachstar]

28. Many students are organizing to put an end to the suspend system.

You saw kids who did not want to learn cooped up with dumbass conform material in total silence when what they REALLY needed was some consoling.

Students are getting fucking sick of their friends who really need help being suspended and expelled. They are getting fucking sick of solutions saying saying that kids just need a pill a day to make the bad behavior go away.

So what are seeing more and more is students contacting their state and federal governments asking them to change these systems. They are getting organized to protest peacefully. etc...

So it is time for a change in our school system or the end of mandatory public schooling. Either way works because countries without mandatory schooling are kicking our ass.

[Buzz Clik]

36. bingo!!!

Well stated!

[MelissaB]

45. He left school grounds! Who's supposed to be responsible for him if something had happened to him?

As I said below, I'm an Obama supporter, but I'm also a teacher. Crazy things can happen when kids leave school. Also, he could have avoided this easily by checking out of school and then back in later. How difficult is that?

[Buzz Clik]

47. He deserves punishment for sure, but tossing him from school is a logical disconnect.

When a kid skips, logic dictates that the most painful punishment is MORE school, not less.

[MelissaB]

49. An in school suspension would be a better alternative. What bothers me is posters

who think this shouldn't be punished.

[powergirl]

19. I let my 13 year old skip school to go to an Obama rally in Dallas with me

I think it's ridiculous for kids to get penalized for seeing an actual political campaign. They can leave school for football, band, cheerleading, etc. This is much more important. Since my kids go to Catholic school, I was able to pull this off without any flack.

While at the rally I saw an all girls Catholic High School there - they excused them to attend the Obama rally. Later in the week, they were able to see Sen. Clinton (it was the day a motorcade cop died in an accident. ) The nuns will forgive me. O8)

[ScarletSniper]

46. Key thing is you let your kid skip school..if his parents had done it would be okay..

[powergirl]

60. You're right about that one

He should have asked mom or dad about this one. You just can't take off. I do think the punishment is a little on the steep side. Hey, but rules are rules and he made a choice and knew the consequences. I typically take the side of the school/rules in these matters. It's too bad, the school didn't make a decision to let the kids go see both candidates for some type of field trip/polysci class.

[ScarletSniper]

62. It would have been nice if the school let a class or two go over to the diner...

I only take the side of the school because I think kids need to be protected from themselves sometimes. I think if something happened to those kids while off the school premises and without permission, a completely different tune would be sung!

Both boys were just on MSNBC, one said he'd do it again, exactly the same way, and the other said, he broke the rules and received just punishment.

[LisaM]

111. EXACTLY. My mother would arrange for me to skip classes

If there was some opportunity she saw for me that was educational. Most parents do this. Heck, now I'm hearing that parents are letting kids skip classes so that the family can all go on vacation together!

I think this is totally the parents' call. The school can't give permission for a political rally, without granting a blanket opportunity for people supporting all the candidates. It's not their job to take sides, but I'm sure that if a parent had arranged it, it would have been fine.

[Red Zelda]

22. Here's a fact:

Pennsylvania has more rancid idiocy than any state in Dumbfuckistan

[Buzz Clik]

32. I think we tend to favor the home team.

In my experience, Indiana comes in first followed closely by Kansas.

[TheDoorbellRang]

26. I thought there were two kids who had skipped school to meet him

Wonder if the other kid got punished, too. If not, there must be a bit more to the story.

[MelissaB]

29. It's easy enough to check out and back in to school. He should be suspended.

I say that as a teacher who wants kids to follow the rules and be treated equally. There was an easy way around this, and he didn't take it.

[Zachstar]

33. Then I say that you are a system teacher in my view without a good understanding of Civics

I have no will to even begin with you.

[MelissaB]

40. WTH is a "system teacher"? My brother left school and went across the street for lunch

and was suspended. Shouldn't he have been? This kid could have avoided all of this with a little planning.

I take it that you don't teach and don't know the stories about kids just leaving for one reason or the other. He could have been kidnapped, raped, shot, etc., and who is supposed to be responsible for him?

[ScarletSniper]

37. If something had happened to this kid while crossing the street..his family would have

sued the school probably, or they'd be getting the blame for not watching or controlling his movements properly. What if someone decided to snatch him, or harrass him?

I'm an Obama supporter, but I can see the other side of the coin. They probably suspended him to discourage future issues like this.. I mean what do you do, if more than one kid decides to do this?

[MelissaB]

41. Ditto that!

I'm an Obama supporter, too, but just because he skipped school to see Obama I'm not going to justify it.

[CreekDog]

43. there is no proportionality in punishment these days

everything seems to be a suspension and there are no extenuating circumstances.

[NC_Nurse]

50. If my son got suspended for that, I wouldn't care. Screw them.

I would complain, but that's about it. School admins can be pretty obtuse these days.
No point in giving them the time of day. You want your kid to get a good education?
Get involved with their studies yourself. never depend on the school to help you.
Just my .02. I had three kids who went through the public schools in what was a pretty
good school system, one had Asperger's syndrome. Even with a fairly decent budget and
some great teachers, if it hadn't been for my interventions...

[ScarletSniper]

51. If one of your kids wandered off without the school s' permission or knowledge..and god forbid

something happened, would you blame the school?

[NC_Nurse]

61. Not in high school. Preschool or elementary school, yes.

Middle school, depends on the situation.

[ScarletSniper]

63. Not in High School? So, if he was hit by a car, etc after leaving the schoolo without permission..

you'd let the school slide, and staple no responsibility to it?

[NC_Nurse]

65. Yep. Ever had a teenager? They are pretty impossible to contain when they

are determined to go where they want. It's naive to think the school can control everything, every
minute. I take responsibility for my own kids. I taught them to look both ways. If they don't do it,
I don't see where it's the school's fault...

If my child is dead, suing the school ain't gonna bring him back. Period.

[ScarletSniper]

70. Glad to hear you say that..though I suspect many would behave differently...

[NC_Nurse]

83. You're right. Lots of blame throwing these days. I work in medicine - we've

seen our share. ;)

[graycem]

52. Morning Joe is about

to talk about this story, after the break.

[ScarletSniper]

55. It was in Dunmore, Pa..and it was more than one kid...

[Arkansas Granny]

53. He broke the rules, he gets the punishment. Senator Obama does not have

the authority to excuse the student from class. Surely this young man knew the risk he was taking when he skipped class. Truth be told, if he's like most high school students, he probably considers a one day suspension as a bonus.

[TexasLady]

54. Here's what I'd tell my own kid had one of them done this

You are at that age where more and more you have to make your own decisions. Sometimes you will make choices that could result in a punishment. But if your choice is one you can live with, and you believe strongly in it, do it. Weigh your choice, and the consequences, then do what you know is the right thing for YOU.

[ScarletSniper]

56. One kid said he'd do it the same way...the other kid said he deserved his punishment

[The Backlash Cometh]

58. Civil disobedience. As American as racoon hunting.

Sorry, I just saw an episode of Trading Spouses yesterday and I'm still laughing. Kid was disgusted because his new mom wanted to ban racoon hunting, a fine American tradition, he said.

I'm neutral in the hunting debate, but, to tell you the truth, it was pretty gruesome. Dog scares a racoon up a tree and you get to hear its shrieks as it realizes its cornered. Sounds like a baby screaming in pain.

[Norrin Radd]

82. Racoons kill cats and small dogs, and carry diseases.

They are pests.

[The Backlash Cometh]

89. Do they kill rats too?

Those attic rats are too fast for cats. But the young are vulnerable.

[Norrin Radd]

108. Probably not. I've seen them attack stray cats, but ignore

oppossum.

[onehandle]

64. Senator Obama is not his parent and he broke the rules.

They were correct in their punishment.

That being said, good for him for taking interest in politics.

[demwing]

69. So the punishment for missing school is...

missing MORE school.


That's intelligent.

[WinkyDink]

73. It always has been that punishment. It's the make-up work.

[grantcart]

71. thanks for this

[Hope And Change]

74. K & R!

:kick:

[samsingh]

78. is Hillary becoming the new bush?

[polmaven]

90. Um, Huh?

I'm kind of at a loss for the connection......

[samsingh]

96. Obama's name missing from ballets, people getting

suspended for meeting with him, etc.

[polmaven]

101. Aw, now why'dja have to go and

insert venom into what was a perfectly friendly thread?

And WHAT, may I ask, do you think Senator Clinton has to do with either of those two things....Oh, and by the way....it is spelled ballOts. There is no E in the word....

[guruoo]

79. Good for the student, good for Obama.

A free day off to campaign for his candidate.
Kid should wear it as a badge of honor.
Fuck the school.

[Norrin Radd]

84. Gym or P.E. is worthless. Just a place for the bullies to give one

extra attention, and for the coaches to kiss the arses of the sports players and flirt inappropriately with underage people.

Fuck the rules. I used to skip school regularly. It's mentally refreshing.

[crispini]

85. Ahahahahaha! Good kid.

LOL, a "permission slip" from Senator Obama! I love it! :rofl: What a kid!

The school authorities in all likelihood have rules that they feel like they "have" to follow or may even be required to follow by their administrators. But still. Good for the kid.

[tokenlib]

87. This is a win-win for the student...

What a story to tell his grandchildren some day. And that signed permission slip? What a keepsake! I'm sure he took the one day suspension with a smile--

What a minor price to pay for meeting the next President.

[PRETZEL]

91. I agree with the school,

I praise the kid for wanting to meet Sen. Obama, but he broke the rules. Does it matter that it was Sen. Obama? Too many things could have happened. What if on the odd chance he was hit by a car crossing the street, not likely but in the excitement he may not have been paying attention. What if one of Sen. Obama's security detail over reacts and sees this kid running toward him?

The consequences do fit the crime. He may not be allowed in school for a day, but he will most certainly be responsible for the missed work.

[bunnies]

92. lol. It was 2 students and they actually got notes from Obama!

What a riot. Whats a one day suspension really matter anyway. Its one day. And now they both have notes from Obama to laugh about when they're older. Good for them.

[NewHampshireDem]

99. As a teacher and school administrator I say

Fuck you all you school/teacher/administrator slammers.

Skipping class=suspension is pretty standard.

Have you ever tried to find a kid when their parent calls only to tell them, 'Uh, we all thought Johnny was here, but we don't know where he is?' Do you think that's good for anyone?

Have you ever spent 15 minutes (or even more?) trying to find a kid when the building has been evacuated because the fire alarm system is malfunctioning, but you don't know that, and so you think there might actually be a fire someplace ... and you have to account for *every* *single* *student* because, god forbid, that missing kid might be someplace in the building and injured.

Unless Obama is his mama, or his papa, and he brought the note before he left, he broke the rules and put himself--and potentially others--at risk.

If you think, 'Oh, he just ducked out of school, no big deal,' you really need to think about why it is a big deal. At the schools where I've worked, we've taken school skipping seriously because we take our responsibility for our students' safety and well-being seriously.

On the other hand, if he had simply asked before hand, I'm sure he could have found some way to be excused and attend the event.

[uponit7771]

103. Good points...

[Trillo]

109. "Fuck you all you school/teacher/administrator slammers."

Yes, we all know that is the Educational Establishment's attitude.

It's a wonder that the 25% that education works wonders for don't seem to learn the "Fuck you all" attitude as well as the other 75% who learn it quickly.

[goldcanyonaz]

100. Rules are in place for a reason. He skipped class, gets free press, and also got to meet Obama,...

Pretty good day if you ask me.

[Generator]

102. Yeah rules are there to show you who rules you

The rulers. Zero tolerance. Never liked it, still don't like now that I'm a parent. Anything but this boring ass conformity that leads people to vote Republican and join the miltiary. There is no independent thought-just rules-just like the military and those that love the military and love war, and love arbitrary rules. Gotta get over that love of the military! Anyone that hates rules could never have all these freaking wars that have destroyed the planet. So you know what? Fuck the rules. Oh and the rulers.

[goldcanyonaz]

105. So, you'd feel the same if he/she skipped school to buy beer?

[Eurobabe]

104. What happened to CIVICS CLASS

or is that a Honda thing? :shrug:

[Texas Hill Country]

106. k&r - from a hillary supporter no less.

[Bake]

107. I can't help but wonder what you'd be saying if the kid had gone to see Hillary ...

What if he'd cut class to go meet his girlfriend?

What if he'd cut class to meet his pot dealer?

This kid did a good thing but he did it the wrong way. He could likely have easily gotten permission. I certainly didn't want MY kids arbitrarily cutting class without telling me about it and getting permission, IN ADVANCE.

Bake

[polmaven]

118. First, did you see my avatar?

I am a Hillary supporter!

I do not think going to see his girlfriend or his pot dealer would be anything close to being a first hand civics lesson, do you?

I said above that sure, some type of penalty was called for, but suspension was not it. Maybe detention and writing an essay on why he did it, and what he may have gained from it.

We don't know if there was advance notice. From what I have been able to put together, Senator Obama may have gone into the diner as a result of a last minute, or unannounced decision.

[JuniperLea]

112. That is just plain wrong!

Good for the student! This gives me hope for the future... a youngster who is actually interested!

[Trillo]

113. This is a good reason to pay students for attending schools.

By doing so, if the student doesn't show up, they don't get paid. Just like the rest of us who have to work for our dollars.

However, since students aren't paid, the only tool in the punishment toolbox is banishment. I guess when the only tool you have is a sledgehammer, it becomes the tool of choice for all punishments.

[GetTheRightVote]

116. Yes, they should have the rest of the student body follow in this person's

actions then they would perhaps grow up to vote.
That is one of the reasons why Obama began to run anyway, to get young people involved in their nations voting system, Democracy, etc.

[Swamp Rat]

120. The punishment is illogical, ridiculous even.

They should have the student write a paper about his experience, for example.

:dunce: