School bullying and the Anoka Hennepin District 11 current events.

We have a national mythology. We are better than other nations. We treasure the individual. We treasure individual rights. We treasure the freedom from intrusion into our private lives, and value privacy and choice in lifestyles and reproductive decision making, because we treasure "the family."

Then there is the reality of zealots wanting others to conform to their prejudices and belief sets.

Most certainly the Romans had cruel ways of executing people. They probably did waterboarding too. But that does not mean I have to bow to your cross, and what you say "The Cross" means and stands for; and you insult me greatly, my individuality, and my intelligence when you say bigotry and bigoted conformity is "God's way" when in truth it is nothing more than your way, and you think you've a pipeline to God or you are dishonestly blaming your prejudiced world-view on God.

Another myth, this one local, you can have a "zero-tolerance" policy toward bullying, when you make Verboten any discussion of the motivations that bullies may have, including those nurtured in them by their parents; and by strong peer group pressures to conform. It is anti-individualism, including a third mythology, the individualism of a squint-with-Clint or a flex-and-pose and carry an Uzi type of Schwartzenegger-Rambo character is what "individualism" is about. That mythology may be helpful in signing up boots on the ground in Afghanistan, but it has no place among school children. Yet video games and films promote violence while kids are stuck into crowded peer-group situations where if they act out the violence they see depicted in a positive way they only can do it among themselves, against one another.

Usually, bullying also involves collective picking on individuals where isolated circumstances are sought out and numbers favor the bullies. That is a shade less than courageous. It is the mentality of Klansmen.

That said, as things you can agree or disagree with, there is a range of reporting:  the PAL covered here, with MPR having an extended online report, here. The PAL website is here.

Here, you can read a series of Minn. Indy coverage.

In particular I liked the extensive MPR item (again here) because it represented broad coverage and because it mentions Laurie Olmon, a quality person, and a very vocal anti-bullying advocate.

Also a telling thing to me, the petition the PAL is taking the time and trouble to circulate, "... we the undersigned citizens of Anoka-Hennepin School District No. 11 do whole heartedly support and desire that the School Board adhere to ..." as quoted in full, here. Wholeheartedly is one word, not two. Not only are they a pack of self-centered bigots with antiquated ideas and a lot of hate, they don't mind looking illiterate too.