Soldier suspended from school

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:13:53 GMT  <== Politics ==> 

Mark O'Brian at Albany (NY) News 10 - another zero intelligence suspension at a high school. This time of a 17-year-old high school senior who is an Eagle Scout and has already completed army basic training. They suspended him for having a two-inch knife in his car. [nicki]

The school web site is here. Snail mail addresses and phone numbers there. I sent the following. I confirmed the email for the superintendent, but I guessed at the principal's email. No bounce though, so it's probably correct.

Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:12:48 -0400
Subject: Matthew Whalen
From: "Bill St. Clair" <billstclair@gmail.com>
To: "George Goodwin, Superintendent" <ggoodwin@lansingburgh.org>
Cc: "Angelina Bergin, Principal" <abergin@lansingburgh.org>

Mr. Goodwin,

I read in a News 10 article about Matthew Whalen being suspended from Lansingburgh High School for having a knife with a two-inch blade in his car ( http://www.wten.com/global/story.asp?s=11283345 ). You have once again proved that "zero tolerance" is just another name for "zero intelligence".

A two-inch knife is a useful tool, not a weapon. Sure, you could use it as a weapon, but, with minimal training, you can easily kill a man with your bare hands. Are you going to ban hands? Or cuff students between classes? Crime requires intent. Unless you can prove that Mr. Whalen intended harm with his knife, his possession of it is not your business.

I demand that you remove this ridiculous charge from Mr. Whalen's record, and that you apologize to his family. Then rethink your insane zero intelligence policy. Everyone, seven years of age or older, should carry a pocket knife, always and everywhere. Only harm or threat of harm may be banned.

Bill St. Clair
billstclair@gmail.com

Add comment Edit post Add post

Comments (4):

I wrote this: Bob Jones

Submitted by Mike on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:55:09 GMT

I wrote this: Bob Jones fundamentalists fretting about dancing and rock music don't match your pissant spirits. Zero-tolerance, indeed; creationists are more understanding. I fart in your general direction. -Mike

Edit comment

Maybe you (we) should NOT

Submitted by Anon on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:10:25 GMT

Maybe you (we) should NOT fight this if we can assume that suspension might prevent Matthew from doing the Army thing - being out just might keep him alive. In any case I wonder if Matthew will be able to correlate the actions of his school superiors with those of his military superiors and think twice about following immoral orders?

Edit comment

I considered that

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:32:44 GMT

I considered that. I decided that it was important to fight the suspension on principle. Also, it's Mr. Whalen's right to choose how he uses his life, not mine, even if that choice is to die in the sandbox. But I hope they still teach in boot camp the soldiers duty to refuse an unlawful order.

Edit comment

Re: Soldier suspended from school

Submitted by dman on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:50:22 GMT

Mr. Goodwin,

I read in a News 10 article about Matthew Whalen being suspended from Lansingburgh High School for having a knife with a two-inch blade in his car. The decision to envoke a zero tollerance policy for any situation is ignorant at best. Are you sure you are qualified to hold the position you hold? You are a district administrator....do you even know what the definition of that is?? Guess I shouldn't ask since you are not smart enough to make a common sense decision. How about this....get over yourself, put your ego aside, get some help for your severe lack of standard human conduct, let the kid back in school...then find another job. Heard McDonalds is hiring....oh wait...they wouldn't even hire you.

Edit comment