1. The teacher's action wasn't "fair",

2. The act of plagiarism wasn't that big a deal; and

3. Everyone does it.

All of which sounds like a lot of politicians, governmental agency managers, and corporate executives I know or hear about every day. They therefore appealed to the local school board which reversed the "F's". Understandably, the teacher resigned in frustration and disgust.

It is now reported that the citizens of that school district have demanded that the members of the school board resign or face a recall election. It has been stated that when the sports teams of this school visit other schools, (or sometimes even when they are on their own "turf" and the other school is "visiting") they are exposed to derision by the students from the other school. These students, it appears, cannot handle the derision, the catcalls, etc. and are complaining that such treatment is "unfair"

To be fair, obviously these particular students might not have been involved in the original crime (and plagiarism, like perjury, on any level is in the mind of this writer, a crime). However, we are not discussing that aspect of the situation.

The point is that there are still places where not only do people have and live by basic values, but they are letting their views be known.

It has been a long time since this sort of "action" has been evinced in the spotlight of National life. The writer "makes no bones" about the fact that he is very grateful, thankful and pleased to see this sort of reaction to this situation. The outrage felt is understandable. Although the lack of shame on the part of the perpetrators comes as no surprise, should it not be considered as a further evidence of the decay and diminution of basic values in our society? At this point however, the writer would ask a couple of questions.

1. Whether those who are making the noises of disapproval have looked in a mirror lately?

2. It is only to be hoped that the exhibited "righteous indignation" is not ("There but for the Grace of God go I") "self-righteous indignation" and that the people who are disapproving of the actions of the twenty eight students at this particular high school are themselves in possession of "clean skirts". (has anyone there yet picked up a stone?) It would be inestimably unfortunate if those who are now expressing their outrage at these happenings were themselves just as guilty of such actions as those whom they are now chastising.

3. Is this outrage/indignation aimed at the 28 students, their unacceptable actions, or the fact that they got caught doing it??

It may well be that those who "boo" the sports teams of this particular high school are very clear in their own minds that they are not castigating those who may be innocent but yet are representing the school, but rather the administration which allowed this to happen and the school board which reversed simple justice. It is to be hoped that they make this abundantly clear. Just as our Nation, now involved in a war against terrorism and terrorists is bending over backward to show that the attack is on the terrorists for their actions, not those of the Creed (Islam) which they claim to profess and follow.

However, perhaps it is a good piece of education. Not only for those students but, with a little assistance from their elders in pointing out what is going on in that case, to others. Without becoming "Holier than thou", one might point out to these young persons that even though this is not precisely in accordance with the adage "Birds of a feather flock together", yet still it is a very stellar lesson in what happens to a person if they are even in the vicinity of such activities. It has to do with consequences. It has to do with teaching kids that no matter how much they think the moral fiber of this country has been dissolved, there still are places where the moral fiber is very much alive. That "righteous indignation" is alive and well. It shows that the old Amish practice of "shunning" which is a situation where the people of the community even though they do not take any overt actions, they literally show by their actions of totally ignoring the guilty party, that they have no intention of having anything to do with the shunned individual. It does not surprise the writer that these students from the high school where the incident occurred might consider it to be "unfair" that they also should be treated in this manner, but it is a fact and not only a lesson for them but an example for other young people that certain actions are not going to be allowed or condoned in any way, shape, manner, or form.

In "Planning a Family" the writer talked about "birds of a feather" and the effect it has on others. The unintended consequences of the message such behavior has with those, especially the young, who are seeing all of this. As quoted, "It is said that "little pitchers have big ears". Allow the writer to assure the reader that their eyes are even bigger". I understand that it is not "fair" as the liberals would put it but life is not fair. There is nothing to "understand" about the social status of the families of the students or whether they feel "alienated" or they cannot afford the latest fad fashions. There are no extenuating circumstances. Is this not a good lesson for all who observe it? A lesson in what happens when one is linked, irrespective of how remotely, with unacceptable behaviour? And the lesson does not end with the students at that high school. It is even more the actions of the school board who reversed the "F's", the school board members who are resisting the call that they resign their positions, the voters threatening recall if the members of that school board do not resign, all of it.

So here in real life we see a living tableaux of actions and consequences.

As the song which is one of the trademarks of the group Peter, Paul, and Mary, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" repetitively inquires, "When will they ever learn??" How will they ever learn what they are supposed to learn if they are allowed to cheat? Even though it does not, in any way, excuse the actions of these twenty eight youths, one must ask, where is the example after which they should pattern their lives. Like the actions of their parents, elected officials, and others who should be setting an example for them to follow. Perhaps that they have learned that their actions have unintended consequences is, in this case, the most important and valuable lesson of all.

vurdraak@pacbell.net

Opinion Piece # 14

OLFACTORY OBSERVATIONS - Stop and Smell the Roses

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