What makes it even more messed up is that, according to the girl’s mother at least, the school had issued a list of supplies that students had to get for themselves. You guessed it, scissors was on the list. :rolleyes:
I’m not pitting the police for putting her in cuffs and arresting her; they were just doing their job. But certainly the school administration could have had more sense than to call the police in the first place.
Sorry if my rant lacks any “oomph.” I haven’t mastered the art of spewing fire and brimstone in the pit. I hope you’ll agree this is pit-worthy.
Well, then I will. I hate this “I am not responsible” society.
Handcuffing a 10-year-old because some moron called you is stupid.
Putting said handcuffed 10-year-old into a paddy-wagon is stupid.
Failing to immediately contact the 10-year-olds mother is stupid.
Not berating the morons who handcuffed a 10-year-old because they acted “in good faith” is stupid. (Another reason why thought trumps faith? Hmm.)
I’m sorry, but I expect the people who carry around guns and incarcerate others to excersise some judgement. And I expect good judgement. This wasn’t it.
Somewhere around here is a pitting aimed at a guy who his 8-year-old son to see a scary movie. Who gives a damn about a movie, says I, when stuff like this happens in real life? This is trauma.
Saddly, I’m somewhat surprised that they didn’t taser her, given that she was a minority in posession of a deadly weapon. You know what they say: today scissors, tomorrow an Uzi.
I haven’t read the article, but does anyone know if they were pointy ended scissors or round ended? Was she running with them? Inquiring minds and all.
Anyone with half a mind can clearly see that a child armed with a pair of scissors can construct a chain of paper men that could circle the school and hold it to ransom. What chance would local law enforcement have being so out-numbered?
It would not be too hysterical to also suggest that she could have also cut out paper in the shape of guns, bombs or even anthrax. Add this fiendish skill to the ability to colour-in and, well, you can imagine the kind of carnage that might have resulted. All that’s missing are some fridge magnets, and we already know how easily terrorists can buy them on the world’s blackmarket.
With scissors you could also hijack the school dinner queue and crash it into the science block. Will no-one think of the children!
Well said F G You have the clarity of mind required in today’s age of Terrorism. If you were an American you would make a superb Director of Homeland Security. Spotting those young terrorists would be child’s play to you.
Reading the article, no one seems able to admit that mistakes had been made in the handling of this incident. The school officials followed the letter of the law and and the police acted in good faith. So that’s ok then, no harm done.
If anyone admits they had a lapse in judgement, they’re inviting a huge lawsuit. Better to
A) Have a blanket policy that applies to everyone
B) Enforce said blanket policy without a hint of individual thought.
C) Stick to the script. “We did the right thing. Good faith. Blah blah blah.”
Do you know this to be a fact for this particular police department? There have been similar cases recently (one an elderly woman). In one case in particular the cop did what he was required according to regs he was following. The police department modified policy after the fact.
I don’t see the problem here. I mean, there’s only so many times you can yell, “You’re gonna put somebody’s eye out with that!” before you have to resort to tougher measures.
I want to know how they got the cuffs to fit a 4th grader with presumably narrow wrists. Unless she was a big 4th grader, in which case I’d go with the cops and cuff her.
Then I’d come back and arrest the Administration for being idiots.
I think the article mentioned that they were 8" long, so we’re talking about real live grown-up scissors that actually cut things. AFAIR, my school didn’t permit those, either. If I got caught with a pair of those, they would have been confiscated and locked in the teacher’s desk until June.
Cop is required (per regulations) to handcuff anyone transported in back seat of police car. Cop elects to not follow regulation and transports child without handcuffs. Child becomes upset about “going to jail” and begins to claw at his/her face with fingernails.
Looks to me like cop could be in trouble for not following regulations.
(Devil’s advocate here…I have no dogs in this fight)
