We have yet another zero logic case out of our schools enforcing zero tolerance policies on guns. We have yet another case of lunacy in our schools as part of the zero tolerance policy regarding guns. We have previously explored how teachers and school administrators are expelling or suspending students for everything from finger guns to stick figures. (here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). For a prior column, click here. Even nibbling a danish into a gun shape can get you expelled today. Now a 6-year-old kindergartner attending Old Mill Pond Elementary School in Palmer, Mass faced possible suspension or expulsion because he was spotted with a plastic Lego G.I. Joe gun — the size of a quarter — on to his school bus. After public outcry, the school decided that it would not discipline the boy. However, the boy was given detention after the discovery.
After a fellow student alerted the bus driver, the boy was taken to detention. He was forced to apologize to the bus driver — presumably for endangering the whole bus with the quarter sized LEGO toy. Then school officials sent home a letter to all parents alerting them to the harrowing experience and reminding them of the zero tolerance policy.
Once again, teachers and administrators insist on applying this policy will little judgment or logic. The fact that this boy was put into detention at all is moronic, let alone requiring him to apologize to a bus driver that a toy was brought on board.
Source: Wash Times
Gun Rights Group Offers Pistol, Ammo To Colorado Recall Volunteers
Perry Stein 12:15 PM EDT, Wednesday May 29, 2013
Gun rights advocates in Colorado are taking an innovative approach in their quest to take down Colorado Senate President John Morse (D), who, as a term-limited lame duck, pushed a number of gun-control measures through the state legislature this year.
Volunteers working with the Basic Freedom Defense Fund and El Paso County Freedom Defense Fund to recall Morse, can win gun-themed prizes, including a 30-round ammunition magazine, gift cards and a 9 mm pistol.
Volunteers need to collect 7,178 valid signatures to get the recall on the ballot, according to The Gazette. A spokesman for the effort told the paper that they have already surpassed that required number.
Morse was elected in 2010 and his term expires in 2014.
This situation has more to do with the rigid zero tolerance policy in public schools these days than gun control. Meanwhile gun nuts are threatening Colorado legislators with recalls and sending Bloomberg ricin laced letters.
@Mike Spindell, there’s a website called Daily Kos, and a pantheon of self-identified Democrats calling for either a total ban on civilian gun ownership, or a defacto ban by means of redlining. Gun tax, ammo tax, license fees, insurances – all “aimed” if we can use that word, at elimination of guns which fire projectiles.
Keep your gun. We just ban civilian possession of ammunition and component bullets, powder and primers.
Pressure-cookers are the reason. Nothing to do with your precious Second Amendment. Gun? Check. Functional? Check. Usable? Not in the least.
Fightin’ terrorism… gives us broad immunities.
“there’s a website called Daily Kos, and a pantheon of self-identified Democrats calling for either a total ban on civilian gun ownership”
Yankeefarmer I read DailyKos almost daily and I don’t see the call for a “total ban” you are talking about. If you can supply me with a link to a direct quote I will gladly admit that I am wrong. However, I do think it is very possible that you are reading into some statement the idea of a “total ban” and so you can disabuse me of my error in thinking.
“If this is a ploy by the anti gun lobby they are failing miserably. Gun sales have skyrocketed. We will soon see some of the results of the recalls on those that pushed gun control. Common sense on the topic of guns has long ago left the planet.”
Paul,
One of the peculiarities of paranoid thought is the assumption of the all powerful nature of those deemed a danger. This has nothing to do with gun control and everything to do with an authoritarian mindset that comes up with notions for “zero tolerance”. Most “zero tolerance” people are Republicans and most Republicans are against gun control. In fact please name me one Democrat who believes in “zero tolerance” when it comes to gun ownership.
You need to learn Paul, that not everything is all about you.
Getting back on topic, this is classically a situation brought about by people who believe “zero tolerance” is the way to assure social safety. When ZT is applied, then those tasked with applying it, don’t have any option to use reason and individuation to deal with the particulars of the case at hand. Legislators and Executives who put ZT into law falsely believe that by taking the judgment factor away from those charged with dealing with a particular case, the result will be fruitful. I believe the opposite effect takes place and what you get is extreme miscarriages of justice, of which this is one. What lessons will this 6 year old boy glean about school and authority from this?
A related ill to ZT is the concept of mandatory sentencing by Judges. All that has done is create perhaps millions of miscarriage of justice cases that have led to criminalizing people of color, overcrowded prisons, a broken criminal justice system and profit for prison entrepreneurs.
We call these people “educators?” I don’t even know what to say. I remember one case reported where a mother put a plastic knife in her first grader’s lunch box so he could spread his PB & J on a sandwich. He was either suspended or expelled, I can’t remember which.
I saw a picture of the infamous “knife.” It was identical to the ones the food service at the prison (and all the local jails) put on inmate’s food trays.
Next time I see our school superintendent, I will ask him about this and report back. He is an old friend and a veteran. In the rural south, people have a somewhat different perspective on such things. A lot of schools in the south shut down during deer season. They might as well, since most of the teachers, students and administrators would be calling in sick that week if they didn’t.
This is more than stupidity….this is child abuse!!! These school officials should be investigated & probably arrested….AFTER THEY APOLOGIZE TO THE KID.
Also I have to wonder about that other 6 yr old who reported him to the bus driver. I find that rather strange. Apologize to the bus driver or anyone else?….you gotta be kidding. This is insanity.
First of all we support those mighty corporations making these toys then terrorize a small child for playing with them.
Well you could write a letter to Old Mill Pond Elementary School in Palmer, Mass & let them know what you think. OR If you follow the link at the end of Mr. Turley’s commentary above it leads to the Washington Times a right wing newspaper if ever there was one & write a comment to tick off the fruitcakes posting there.
I am glad to see that agressive LEGO control has finally been achieved!:). There is nothing more dangerous that people in power who have no judgment and no common sense.
If this is a ploy by the anti gun lobby they are failing miserably. Gun sales have skyrocketed. We will soon see some of the results of the recalls on those that pushed gun control. Common sense on the topic of guns has long ago left the planet.
This is simply the standard hysteria that anti-gun nuts want to promote and so they are using this as an excuse to promote the anti-gun agenda. I would use this as a good time to file a lawsuit against the school system for totally lacking common sense. If they cannot apply rational thought to their jobs, they should not have them, or they should pay a steep price for keeping them.
Say what!!!!!!
“When Zero means Zero….It refers to common sense…rather lack of any!” – George b.
worth repeating
What ever happened to common sense?
We can not be too far from the day when someone is put into detention / expelled for saying something like “Give it your best shot.” or “I’ll have a shot at it.”
Another victory of the Cruel of Law?
Gun freaks on both sides of the argument.
Yes, this policy is just another Pavlovian response.
Kids are going to learn something they should not learn.
That’s pathetic!!!
Reblogged this on euzicasa and commented:
When Zero means Zero….It refers to common sense…rather lack of any!