Pubdate: 29 April 2001
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: Robert Merkin
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n738/a01.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis clippings)

4/20 ISN'T JUST ABOUT SKIPPING OUT TO SMOKE DOPE

Editor, The News:
Re: Students skip out on special day for dope (April 25).

I note with mystification that the lengthy and seemingly comprehensive 
story contains not a single quote or opinion from a single high school 
student, not from an absentee, not from an honour student who attended that 
day.

Police officers and school principals explain what happened in the high 
schools on 4/20, and even go so far as describing students' thoughts, 
feelings and motivations, and, where their feelings are deemed "wrong," 
telling them what their proper feelings ought to be.

If some students skipped from fears about the Columbine tragedy, these are 
their fears, and they have the right to their own fears. It is thoughtless 
and even cruel to punish them for "wrong fearing." Clearly school 
authorities were asleep at the switch in failing to address these fears in 
advance with supportive programs, information and counseling. But there's 
time for punishment now.

I particularly enjoyed Pitt Meadows Principal Wes Thomas' quote: "I believe 
in fairness and I believe this is fair. If they decide to skip out then 
they earned that suspension."

May I suggest a more accurate speech for this principal who knows why every 
student was absent, and knows what's fair for them? "I believe in my 
authority, and I have the power to suspend any student I wish for anything 
I wish."

Robert Merkin
Northampton, Massachusetts
- ---
MAP posted-by: Thunder