Hopefully, this time it makes sense. Somehow I pasted draft back over the real thing just before I sent it. Blah.
There may be hope for the US after all... certainly these kids appear to have a better understanding of cause and effect than their parents seem to. Their solution is innovative and "interesting" and will perhaps do a lot of good in that it raises the awareness of what seems to me to have been the primary cause of Littleton. If it ultimately leads to kids who see bigotry in action responding effectively it will be wonderful. Now if they were taught to respond effectively, that would be really wonderful. There is just one small drawback to their solution, inherent in this kind of response, and highlighted by "sociology teacher Heather Beck" who suggests that is should be used as a weapon rather than a reminder... so missing and messing the point. Can you imagine the pressure that will be placed on kids to conform and sign it? I think I can safely say that she is an example of what is wrong in American society and schools today. Well meaning control freaks... who will likely turn this effort from something innovative into just another school program.
Whatever. Let me not start ranting again. This is the most positive letter I have seen in a year. Now it would be interesting to see somebody recommending a program teaching teachers how not to be offensive, a teachers pledge about equality of students and pledging to control one another’s bigotry, stupidity and anal retentiveness, and perhaps one for kids on how to implement this... preferably without causing offence.
Hermit <Deciding yet again that the kidz are much more sensible than their parents>
PS /me saw the taunting reference and was immediately reminded of the wonderful scene in Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail.
French Knight: You don't frighten us, English pigdogs! Go and burn your bottoms, sons of a silly person! I blow my nose at your so-called Arthur King! You and all your silly English keniggets! Thppppt!
Sir Galahad: What a strange person.
King Arthur: Now look here, my good man...
French Knight: I don't wanna talk to you no more, you empty- headed animal food trough whopper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!
Sir Galahad: Is there someone else up there we could talk to?
French Knight: No! Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time, uh!