# Running with scissors (changed title) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 13, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587 "2004-12-13T13:11:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/1 "2004-12-13T13:11:57Z")
A ten-year-old 4th grader in Philadelphia was arrested – as in taken away in handcuffs – for bringing scissors to school. [http://www.nbc10.com/news/3990377/detail.html](http://www.nbc10.com/news/3990377/detail.html) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/2 "2004-12-13T13:20:49Z")
I hear that almost all students keep pointed sticks in their bookbags! Arrest them all! ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/3 "2004-12-13T13:37:29Z")
> [@Nordic](#): > > I’m not pitting the police for putting her in cuffs and arresting her; they were just doing their job. Well, then I will. I hate this “I am not responsible” society. 1. Handcuffing a 10-year-old because some moron called you is stupid. 2. Putting said handcuffed 10-year-old into a paddy-wagon is stupid. 3. Failing to _immediately_ contact the 10-year-olds mother is stupid. 4. 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. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/4 "2004-12-13T13:46:09Z")
not enough information on that linked article. 10 year old girls doesn’t necessarily equal small and cute. at least she wasn’t tasered. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/5 "2004-12-13T13:52:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/6 "2004-12-13T14:25:58Z")
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. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/7 "2004-12-13T15:59:20Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/8 "2004-12-13T16:06:56Z")
The cops don’t deserve to be let off the hook. They’ve got discretion about whether handcuffs are necessary and this patently was _not_ necessary. They should have berated the school for wasting their time and just left without making an arrest. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/9 "2004-12-13T16:10:46Z")
Poor kid. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/10 "2004-12-13T16:13:11Z")
The Paddy Wagon thing is what bothers me most. Having been in one, er several, I’d be raising holy hell if anyone put my 4th grader in one. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/11 "2004-12-13T16:25:03Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > 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? Nonesense. You’re completely missing the point. The reason this kid deserved to get arrested is because scissors are a gateway weapon. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/12 "2004-12-13T16:27:34Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/13 "2004-12-13T16:34:47Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > 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. 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.” ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/14 "2004-12-13T17:19:43Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > They’ve got discretion about whether handcuffs are necessary 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. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/15 "2004-12-13T18:40:09Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gamaliel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gamaliel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gamaliel)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/16 "2004-12-13T19:09:05Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > 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. They were forced to use handcuffs because, as we all know, cops always follow every rule and regulation to the letter. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/17 "2004-12-13T19:20:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/18 "2004-12-13T19:28:20Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > 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. 😉 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. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/19 "2004-12-13T19:30:34Z")
> [@Gamaliel](#): > > They were forced to use handcuffs because, as we all know, cops always follow every rule and regulation to the letter. :rolleyes: Hypothetical: 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) ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587/20 "2004-12-13T19:30:42Z")
Apparently, concealed carry of school supplies is a crime but reckless idiocy isn’t. Too bad. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-with-scissors-changed-title/279587.md?page=2)