I think by now, most of you have received your April/May 2009 issues of Gilbert. The one with the photograph of the cow on the front of it.
If you follow the cover to the story of Winkie, on page 35, you discover how to make a cow do anything you want it to do, which could come in handy some day.
The Lunacy and Letters portion of the magazine is looking for some opinions on this issue. If you have any, please write in to the Editor. What you liked, what you didn't like, etc. We want to hear from you.
I thought the opening Editorial titled "Pacifism" was quite interesting. Especially in light of a conversation I just had with my neighbor, who works in a local high school. She said the teachers are no longer allowed to touch the students. If two boys get into a fight, the teacher must stand by, stating firmly, "Stop fighting," or. "Please stop fighting," and never try to physically pull them apart, else they may be sued. It seems to me some level of pacifism at work here.
Monday, May 25, 2009
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Nancy, I have not had a chance to read my Gilbert yet. However, after reading what you described, I would be hesitant to label it as pacifism so much as school systems trying to cover themselves. If that seems pessimistic or negative, I based my opinion on 29 years of teaching experience, 21 of which have been in public schools. Using the working definition of pacifism as opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes or gaining advantage or that it is an opposition to use of force in any situation--- I do not see that as applicable, with all due respect. What I do and HAVE seen is teachers breaking up a fight and getting injured filing lawsuits against the school district and/or the parents of the students involved. Sad, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe very last quote in the editorial was Chesterton saying, "They preach that if you see a man flogging a woman to death you must not hit him."
ReplyDeleteSo, yes, I did interpolate, as I doubt high school kids are trying to kill each other. On the other hand, I do hear stories where they are actually trying to kill each other, so maybe it's not that far out of reach after all. Except I didn't mean that the teacher would "hit" the student, merely attempt to extrapolate him from the fight.
What in the world can a high school do then when two students are fighting? Call the police? Is there no way of settling it within the school system?
Ack!! I still have not received this issue...
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping it's just because we moved to a new house recently and not all of our mail has caught up with us?
There has GOT to be a better way to get a cow to move! I grew up on a hobby farm, but we didn't have cows. It's evidently effective, though.
ReplyDeleteRe: Chesterton's Mail Bag, The Trouble with Morals. In wandering around the blogosphere this morning after "working" 8 hours (11 pm - 7 am), during which time I was able to read the Cow Issue from cover to cover, I came across this:
ReplyDeleteLetter to “Dear Abby”:
“Dear Abby: I am in love and am having an affair with two different women. I can't marry them both. Please tell me what to do, but don't give man any of that morality stuff.”
Abby’s answer:
“Dear Sir: The only difference between humans and animals is morality. Please write to a veterinarian.”
It struck me as somewhat Chestertonian. But then maybe that was because I had been up all night!
Some schools have intervention teams that can take down an out-of-control child, and nearly all public schools have police officers now. It is dangerous to attempt to stop a fight or a child who has gone berserk. However, when dealing with elementary children who fall right in front of me, I do not tell them to pick themselves up. I help them up, especially if they are crying; and damn the do not touch ord(i)nance. When I had to apologize to a second-grader, we shook hands and then he wanted a hug, so we hugged in front of everyone at recess, teachers and students. Sometimes, a touch is just appropriate.
ReplyDeleteBut I recently heard from a friend who had a child throw himself down on the ground, screaming that she had pushed him. She had been warned not to hug this child who propels himself at teachers. When he propelled himself at her, she put up her hands in self-defense, and he actually collided with her with his chest and then threw himself down. It's a no-win situation.