Nine (9) Examples Of The New Stupidity

[Gravdigr]

I'm just gonna link the story, I'm too lazy today to copy/paste.

This story just makes me want to cry at the level of stupidity that flies right by these 'people'. They don't realize they are teaching these kids that there is no difference between a gun that can kill, and a PopTart bitten into the shape of a gun.

This type of person is a fucking idiot, and they are teaching your kids to become fucking idiots.

Here's the story.

JFC.

[Gravdigr]

Little green army men on a fucking cupcake for crying out loud.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Part of the problem is school teachers and administrators are quaking in their boots over this shit. They risk being fired and/or sued if some other parent catches wind of an incident where they used good judgment rather than follow the strictest interpretation of the law.

Say some kid takes the little green army man from their cupcake home, and the parent freaks out, then the shit hits the fan. I think the law itself is the big problem, an unnecessary "feel good" move that does no good and creates a toxic environment for everyone.

[DanaC]

I think bruce has nailed it.

You guys have an incredibly litigious culture. We've been heading somewhat in that direction ourselves, but we're nowhere near as far along. Parents complaining and potentially suing the school is much more of a potential problem over there. That's not to say we don't have our share of silliness. Kids getting sent home, suspended or expelled over stupid shit. But the fear of parental complaint power is I think a lot less.

[Sundae]

At my school there was a games afternoon, put together in lieu of Sports Day, which was cancelled halfway through due to monsoon-level rain - I actually thought someone had thrown a cup of water at the back of my head when the rain started, it was that hard and that sudden.

So there was a bouncy castle, various giant sized board-games, bat and ball games, Beat the Goalie etc.

One of the children slipped off the timber trail - a fixed part of the playground accessible to children every day - and grazed her cheek. The timber trail was not dangerous on a warm summer afternoon (the weather on the games afternoon.) At least no more dangerous than a pavement, which grazes and skins knees and elbows, or lamp-posts which can frequently be walked into or a stinging nettle in a hedgerow etc etc. She fell off a wooden walkway in the same way you can fall off a kerb.

Her mother freaked.

Now, the child was assessed by a qualifed first aider who happened to be an ex-nurse.
Skin wound. Horrible to have on the face but nowhere near a scarring issue. Had anyone walked into A&E with that child they would have been laughed out of the place. It was cleaned, and as it was shallow it was decided better not to dress it because removing the dressing would be more painful. And no, it was not bleeding. She was on the bouncy castle within 15 minutes.

When Mum arrived she demanded to see the teacher, the head of year, the first aider involved and the Head. Why was she not called? Why had her daughter been left to suffer FOR HALF AN HOUR before the end of schoool? Why had they not sought medical attention? She was going to sue this and that and she was going to demand the timber trail (bought by the PTA) was removed etc etc. The girl, who had completely calmed down after the shock of her "accident" was wailing by this point.

Saner minds prevailed.
I heard afterwards (school-gate gossip) that she did in fact contact a lawyer? solicitor? whatever with photos and claims, but was advised she had no case. The accident was documented, appropriate-level medical assistance was sought and all reasonable action was taken.

It did make the staff more wary though. Paperwork was always assiduously kept but when I was covering lunchtimes I spent a silly amount of my time filling in First Aid slips for children with small grazes, in case they got home and it was queried by their parent. I was known for having tissues and wet-wipes and spare gloves and all that. They were far more useful to the children than a piece of paper for a scratch on the leg.

[footfootfoot]

When children out outlawed only outlaws will have children.

[tw]

There is this thing called peer pressure that is suppose to (used to) avert such wacko responses. Peer pressure remains the most powerful tool for a sane society. What happened to peer pressure?

[footfootfoot]

It's not politically correct, as peer pressure was blamed for kids taking drugs and having drunken, underaged, unprotected sex. Not to mention, "If all the other kids were jumping off the Empire State Building would you do it too?"

[tw]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

"If all the other kids were jumping off the Empire State Building would you do it too?"

Those are only examples of peer pressure perverted because those responsible for attitude and knowledge (ie parents, top management) failed to due their job.

Attitude and knowledge (not dictatorship) are the primary responsibility of top management. It top management does their job, then the most powerful force in society (peer pressure) works for the benefit of all.

[footfootfoot]

Exactly. That's what I was getting at in my roundabout sarcastic way.

[ZenGum]

Footsie, I've told you about using sarcasm around TW.

[footfootfoot]

I know, I know. Will I ever learn?

[tw]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I know, I know. Will I ever learn?

Sarcasm is useful when your intent is to make as much sense as Bud Abbot and Lou Costello.

Did Soupy Sales not teach you anything?

[footfootfoot]

I was a little young for Soupy Sales, but seem to remember him giving bad advice to kids regarding their parents wallets.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Haul the kid off in cuffs, expel her, and charge her with a felony. That'll teach her not to do science experiments on school property.

Kiera Wilmot got good grades and had a perfect behavior record. She wasn't the kind of kid you'd expect to find hauled away in handcuffs and expelled from school, but that's exactly what happened after an attempt at a science project went horribly wrong.

On 7 a.m. on Monday, the 16 year-old mixed some common household chemicals in a small 8 oz water bottle on the grounds of Bartow High School in Bartow, Florida. The reaction caused a small explosion that caused the top to pop up and produced some smoke. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.

Maybe the death penalty.