Scout's Dishonor

October 14, 2009

Matthew Whalen is an Eagle Scout and takes the "Be Prepared" motto seriously. He keeps a sleeping bag, water, and food in his car in case he ever breaks down. He also had a two-inch pocket knife he got form his grandfather. Unfortunately for the honors student, officials at his high school in Lansingburgh, New York, found out about the knife and suspended him for 20 days for violating the school's "zero tolerance" policy on weapons.

Comments

LarryA|10.14.09 @ 7:07PM|#

Obviously the Boy Scouts didn't get the memo. You aren't supposed to be prepared any more. You're supposed to wait for FEMA.

|10.27.09 @ 7:02AM|#

That's funny

al roney|10.14.09 @ 8:05PM|#

Extended interview with Matt found here:

http://www.wgy.com/cc-common/p....._roney.xml

|10.15.09 @ 2:40AM|#

Add to this the 6 yr old that was facing 45 days in reform school for wanting to eat his school lunch with a camping utinsil that had a small knife, fork and spoon.

The "Zero Tolerance" policy is the absolute worst piece of trash rule ever written. It's like the Department of Education thinks teachers and principals are not capable of excersizing judgement.

Jaydub|10.15.09 @ 11:36AM|#

JohnD, an excellent point, but they could not teach you grammar or how to spell. If they can't do that, how could they exercise judgment of any sort?

Larry is right. We should wait for FEMA.

|10.16.09 @ 9:31AM|#

screw you, asshole

|10.16.09 @ 2:39PM|#

Jaydub,

Since JohnD was referring to the "Department of Education," you should have used the third person pronoun "it," i.e. "If it could not do that," how could it exercise judgment."

It's not too late for you to go back and get the G.E.D.!

DADIODADDY|10.15.09 @ 4:20PM|#

yeah, yeah, yeah....spork, cold dead hands...nothing to see here, move along

|10.16.09 @ 2:40PM|#

"and get your G.E.D.," Assmunch.

The Libertarian Guy|10.16.09 @ 10:07PM|#

But... but... Big Father Government Knows Best!

|10.20.09 @ 1:38PM|#

When I was in 4th grade, I showed my pocket knife to some other kids while waiting for school to start that day. A while later, while sitting in class, the principle came to the class and asked me to hand it over and come get it after school was over for the day. My parents weren't even notified.

This was way back in those whittle and spit days of 1988.