The idea of corporal punishment in schools drives me totally insane. The idea of having teachers discipline kids by spanking them or rapping their knuckles with a ruler seems contrary to the important life lessons that we expect teachers to impart on our children. Sure, I know teaching is a rough job. My mom was a public school teacher for 20 years and she'd often share with me her frustrations in dealing with kids who were disruptively rowdy in her classes.
However, Maria Pantalone, a Toronto high school principal, seems to have gone a little overboard. According to news reports, Pantalone confessed to throwing human poop at a 12-year-old boy. Not only that but it seems that the court is ruling that she can get her job back! The circumstances of the incident have been sealed by the court because the victim is a minor. But in the principal's defense, the judge seems to think the circumstances were exceptional, and according to Pantalone, "I couldn't take it anymore. It was total, total frustration."
Yeah, I get it. Some kid was a brat and you lost your shit. Then, you threw it at him. But does that mean you deserve to get your job back? I don't think so. Do you?
About MetroDad
I'm a French-named, speed-reading, former public policy analyst now trapped in the body of a Asian-American fashion executive. I've ridden elephants in Sri Lanka, imbibed snake venom in China, skiied the Italian Dolomites, eaten barbecue in Pakistan, travelled to every state except North Dakota, visited 28 out of 32 major league ballparks, worshipped at the altar of Graceland 5 times and have shut down most of the nightclubs in Paris. That being said, I still get lost every time I go through the Lincoln Tunnel.
It's safe to say that we'd probably get along if you can truly appreciate the real beauty in...a good Peking duck, Sunday's NYT crossword, nice manners, Scrabble, Law & Order, spontaneous travel, Otoro, Jim Jarmusch, Tabasco sauce, Morrissey, Haruki Murakami, Peets coffee, Radiohead, listening to baseball games on the radio, Thievery Corporation, X-Men comics, fresh powder, Southern BBQ, Christopher Hitchens, bloomin' onions, mid-century design, the warmth of a good scotch, a great day spent fishing where you didn't catch a damn thing...
On a related note, I'd like to believe that I probably have absolutely nothing in common with another human being who really loves any of the following: pro bass fishing on tv, NASCAR, low carb Cabernet, Kathey Griffin, Microsoft, the Olsens, Applebees, Jessica Simpson, romance novels, tofu bacon, Pamela Anderson, ballet, "Survivor" or HUMMERs. Similarly, I could also never be friends with someone who mixes up "they're", "there", and "their". I will give you a smidge of credit if you know the difference between "if" and "whether". But if you leave any participles dangling, we're breaking up.
In conclusion, let me just say...
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
(The Designater Hitter Rule has got to go)
