SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2007
Scenario:
Jack
goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in
gun rack.
1957 -
Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his
shotgun to show Jack.
2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off
to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors called in for
traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark
shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and
Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario:
Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good
paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt
class again.
2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie.
Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a
disability.
Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car and his Dad gives him a whipping
with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up
normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed
to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that
she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom
has affair with psychologist.
Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the
smoking dock.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug
violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English,
goes to college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles
appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for
graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school
system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro
given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot
speak English.
Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model
airplane, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2007 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with
domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home,
computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never
allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny
falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by
his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes
on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her
job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
My How Times Have Changed