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Zero Tolerance Archives
A New Trend in Schools
The term "Zero Tolerance" appears in a True story for the first time. A 5-year-old girl is suspended from kindergarten(!) for at item "that resemble weapons" -- a fingernail file.
Zero Tolerance: Time for a Rant
A lot of mail came in last week about my story on the kids suspended (and facing expulsion hearings) for playing with a "weapon" on school grounds -- a squirt gun. A few people didn't understand the story: it was not "about" water guns. It was "about" the "Zero-Tolerance" trend in schools.
There are obviously problems in schools from such things as drugs and violence. But terrorizing children with inflexible rules is not the answer. School principals have always had the responsibility to make and enforce rules, and punish accordingly when those rules are broken. "Zero-Tolerance" laws take that responsibility away. They mandate certain responses that can be way out of proportion to the rule violation in question. That is what these stories are about.
ZT: The Readers Argue
Four days after my editorial about the ridiculousness of ZT, two students at Columbine High School in Littleton (suburban Denver) -- just a half-hour from my house -- went on a shooting and bombing rampage at school. They kill 12 students and a teacher, and themselves.
Diane, somewhere in The South, wondered "If one of YOUR children (or nieces or nephews or grandchildren) were one of the many killed in the recent Colorado shooting, would you be such a cavalier critic of the Zero Tolerance 'trend'?"
Absolutely yes, though my position is not "cavalier" but well thought out, which is why one event, as bad as it was, doesn't change my mind.
First, remember that I live in Colorado. Second, hundreds of thousands of Americans have died in wars to protect our freedoms. I have no interest in trading them away for the false security these silly rules provide.
Response to ZT: Let's Mailbomb the Schools!
After yet more recent "zero tolerance" stories, the tenor of readers is "we want to do something about this!" I've had several questions like the one posed by Aaron in California: "I enjoy your passionate expose of Zero Tolerance mania. Quite frankly, this wave of political correctness and ZT have boggled my mind. I encourage and support your passion to wipe this crazy stuff out by taking action and making our voices heard. Do you think it would be helpful, when you publish such stories, to include an address for that school district so we can send a letter decrying these ridiculous actions they've taken? I don't know if school districts would be as concerned about letters from people who aren't in their district, but it would be one step better than nothing."
Continue reading "Response to ZT: Let's Mailbomb the Schools!" »
ZT: Reactions from Readers
I've gotten plenty of feedback on a recent rash of Zero Tolerance stories. Julie in Iowa (Iowa?! Sheesh. ZT has infiltrated!): "Wow, what a day to get an issue on zero tolerance. My six-year-old (kindergartner) came home today and told me that he has a girlfriend and that he kissed her on the cheek. I immediately thought of your stories of all the little people who have been suspended or worse because of doing something so innocent. I had to gently explain to him that it isn't allowed because some 'grownups' don't understand the kindness that children show to one another. He would get in LESS trouble for telling his teacher to kiss his ass than kissing his friend on the cheek!!" Send your son to this page when he's in high school, will you Julie?
ZT: Too Much Coverage?
A couple of letters regarding Zero Tolerance:
It is amazing sometimes what schools come up with. Those stories make wonder about the true example we are setting. These arguments all have a semblance of validity, and therein lies the danger. It seems like a good thing to do, but it is very, very wrong. As an aside, I think zero tolerance is probably being used because it is easier than having to monitor the situation and make decisions on a case-by-case basis. --Wayne in NWT, Canada
Most certainly they are. We wouldn't want the people that take care of our kids to think now, would we?! And indeed I even get "I-don't-want-to-think" reactions from some readers:
ZT: Legislative Action
I ran more "zero tolerance" stories last week, and I'm noticing a new trend: when I run the stories, I get mail from readers asking what they can do about this trend, since it obviously is a trend and not just an isolated happening. The new trend: many ask if I would please provide the mail/e-mail address of the schools involved so you can give the administrators a piece of your mind.
I do not think that will help. Sure, it's fun to abuse idiots, but the point is to get this kind of thing stopped. Besides: schools often have no choice: it's often a law they are following, not just school policy. Don't abuse the people who have no choice, abuse the people that made the law!
Reader Reaction to Airport ZT
I've had quite a bit of reaction to the latest airline (in)security story, which is posted on its own page. Some have told me the tagline was "mean", but far more have written of their utter frustration with jumping through hoops for officious morons. (I've indeed seen conscientious, intelligent, personable screeners. Sadly, who can argue that the few I've seen are the norm, rather than the exception?)
One Solution to Zero Tolerance
When a fourth-grade girl got nabbed by her school on "Zero Tolerance" grounds, her parents didn't lie back and take it. Here's the story, from my 26 May 2005 issue:
Zero Tolerance: The Backlash Has Begun
Here we go again: more Zero Tolerance stories. This week (7 January 2007 issue) is, I think, the first time ever that the entire issue consists of ZT stories, starting with this one:
The Public Be Damned
In the 28 January issue I ran a story about two murderers who escaped from prison in England. I noted the story was an example of "zero tolerance" mentality migrating to the real world:
Zero Tolerance: Fighting Fire With Fire
Just when I think there can't be even more outrageous examples of Zero Tolerance -- in schools or in real life -- I come across more that I just can't resist telling you about. But there is hope, which I'll get to in a minute. First, one of the ZT stories from this week's issue to illustrate:
Continue reading "Zero Tolerance: Fighting Fire With Fire" »
Virginia Tech, Columbine and ZT
Such it is with the timing of world events: As you probably know, I write True on Sundays. I'm on the road this week and had already finished writing this week's stories -- with the lead story about a guy who shot himself in the head. Today I went to lunch with Leo Notenboom (who is also speaking at the conference where I am). It's one of those places that has TVs everywhere, and I finally looked up at the one over my head and see "22 Dead in Shooting" at Virginia Tech. Lovely. By this evening the count was up to 33, including the gunman.
