stories/estero.html
I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Bode's actions brought so much grief to him and others. Hopefully he has learned from this not to behave in such a fascist manner. His previous behavior and his kindness has absolutely nothing to do with the issue. Nor do your feelings about it. He behaved horribly, and it was right for him to suffer the consequences. Death threats at 3am were way out of line, but my letter was not. Zero tolerance laws that make it a crime to possess a kitchen knife on school property are an abomination. Anyone who supports such insanity deserves strong feedback.
I'm glad that you felt safe at Estero High School. It is my belief that most schools are safe and that there is absolutely no reason for any of the zero tolerance policies. I've read of a grade school kid being taken to the police station in handcuffs because he drew a picture of a gun. This is unconscionable behavior on the part of all the adults involved. There have been a handful of school shootings in America. Tragedies all. But part of living in a large society. Ten times as many kids die in car accidents traveling to/from school as are killed by crazy people with guns/knives/hands. Unfortunately, neither is 100% preventable. Life is dangerous. You are going to die. Get used to it. Embrace it. As I said in my letter, if you think our school children need protection then do it, protect them, with extreme prejudice. But with the possible exception of some inner-city schools, it's rarely necessary.
I weigh 230 pounds and lift weights. My body could be classified as a deadly weapon. One thing is missing, however. I'm a teddy bear. I have no intention of harming anyone, unless they initiate force against me, my family, or my property. The same is true of anyone else at an American school. The weapons they carry are of no consequence. Their intention is all important. Armed people with good intentions and good training enhance school safety. People who would disarm the victims are more dangerous than the crazies.
>What you may not know is that a few sophomores had been arrested for >the same thing a few months earlier and had been given the same >punishment, how could he treat linds any different? I understand >where he was coming from.
He should have received strong feedback for the earlier occasion as well. His behavior was wrong. Period. Zero-tolerance rules are wrong. Period.
>Now me and Linds are still friends, we will be starting Florida Gulf >Coast University in a week and we are both very excited. What you >dont understand is that Linds only wanted it over but comments like >yours made it even more painful to her. Everywhere the senior class >was there were reporters sticking a microphone in our faces. It hurt >everyone including Lindsay. I hope that now you have the whole story >and will no longer write things before you know where the people >actually in the situation are coming from. I hope that me, an >eighteen year old college freshman could have taught you something. >Thank you for your time. > Wildcat
Good luck to you and to Lindsay. And God bless.
-Bill St. Clair bill@billstclair.com