Where is balance Academic priorities 312

"Zero tolerance" means "zero thinking" -- the administration claims NOT to have any responsibility, becuase all judgement has been taken out of the process. So when a butter knife is found in the open back of apick-up truck, the Honors Senior who drove (his Mother's truck) to school is suspended, and put into a diversion program for juvenile delinquents with violence problems. Justification: "Zero Tolerance"

There is NO due process (They never determined WHO put the butter knife there), just think of the possibilities this opens for bullies! Slip a butter knife into someone else's locker (through the vent holes) or ... and Voila! the administration will persecute your target for you -- even baseless allegations of wrongdoing have been used to justify punishment of schoolkids with otherwise spotless records and good attendance and grades -- what do you think that means?

There is NO consideration, amelioration or circumstances to think about -- judges and lawyers are beginning to speak out about "zero tolerance" -- because it sends the WRONG message about the law. (It says the law is stupid, you can abuse it, just don't get caught etc.)

JUST SAY "NO" TO ZERO TOLERANCE. Banning real weapons neither requires nor is achieved by Zero Tolerance programs. These are counterproductive, they (on average) worsen the the problems they are intended to solve. It is a good sound-bite for a politician AND NOTHING MORE.