ZT is a funny thing. You can never tell where it'll lead you.
Dumb Justice by John Yemma (From a Boston Globe article)
Guilty. No argument. Case closed......
ZT migrated into mainstream society in the early 80's as part of the Reagan administration's war on drugs. Since then it has become the preferred method of managing intractable social problems, especially those that affect young people.....
A report last year by the Harvard Civil Rights Project notes that the policy is in such widespread use across the country, that it results in suspensions or expulsions of millions of students, each year for relatively minor offenses.
Who can argue with zero tolerance policies on real guns or drugs in schools? But zero tolerance is a blunt instrument, especially in the hands of low-level functionaries........
Zero tolerance is an abdication of intelligence, an attack on rationalism by rigidity. It is an abandonment of that great, progressive tool: the second chance. Second chances have made more good men and women than banishment, prison and inflexibility ever will.
Tolerance defines civilization. Tolerance is the marriage of justice and mercy. By deciding not to consider circumstances, not to follow common sense, not to grant second chances, we diminish ourselves.
We default to the lower angels of our nature rather than believe that people have consciences, that as the great rationalist Thomas Paine put it 200 years ago, the widespread "repugnance we feel in ourselves to bad actions, and disposition to do good ones," is what allows us to govern ourselves.
No, need to be naive. No, need to loosen up standards at the airport. Bad people and bad actions must be dealt with sternly. Safety is of paramount concern when it comes to accidents or criminal acts. But zero tolerance for petty infractions makes a joke out of real crime and punishment.
db
Dumb Justice by John Yemma (From a Boston Globe article)
Guilty. No argument. Case closed......
ZT migrated into mainstream society in the early 80's as part of the Reagan administration's war on drugs. Since then it has become the preferred method of managing intractable social problems, especially those that affect young people.....
A report last year by the Harvard Civil Rights Project notes that the policy is in such widespread use across the country, that it results in suspensions or expulsions of millions of students, each year for relatively minor offenses.
Who can argue with zero tolerance policies on real guns or drugs in schools? But zero tolerance is a blunt instrument, especially in the hands of low-level functionaries........
Zero tolerance is an abdication of intelligence, an attack on rationalism by rigidity. It is an abandonment of that great, progressive tool: the second chance. Second chances have made more good men and women than banishment, prison and inflexibility ever will.
Tolerance defines civilization. Tolerance is the marriage of justice and mercy. By deciding not to consider circumstances, not to follow common sense, not to grant second chances, we diminish ourselves.
We default to the lower angels of our nature rather than believe that people have consciences, that as the great rationalist Thomas Paine put it 200 years ago, the widespread "repugnance we feel in ourselves to bad actions, and disposition to do good ones," is what allows us to govern ourselves.
No, need to be naive. No, need to loosen up standards at the airport. Bad people and bad actions must be dealt with sternly. Safety is of paramount concern when it comes to accidents or criminal acts. But zero tolerance for petty infractions makes a joke out of real crime and punishment.
db
