Posts by Nicholas King

Sophia Thomas7 said:Feel free to point out those specific problematic posts over on LJES where they're provoking or being outright rude to Frank Williams7, and we can easily hash it out there.

I’ve read the post by rustydrifter10 five times now—there isn't a single mention of her specific name, so searching for it is just a waste of time. 😕

But, if you're asking whether she got caught in the crossfire, yes—but let’s move past the "how" and "why" or what percentage of the blame she bears for creating this whole mess ourselves.

This is a situation that is incredibly typical for LJES, one that you all really ought to discuss and take a stand on: what is the proper response when someone crashes a half-assed thread and starts acting all high and mighty and moralizing? Honestly, I find it just as offensive when people try to condescendingly disqualify participants from a thread by labeling them as "this kind of person" or "that kind of person"—simply because they started joking around—along with that excessive moralizing drenched in political correctness. That kind of behavior is exactly what consistently produces the aforementioned crossfire.

rustydrifter10 said:Basically, this is the most controversial part of the whole thing, and honestly, there's plenty of it scattered throughout the PDF. I don't think the LJES community needs to tighten its grip too much here; given the nature of the topics we dive into, a little bit of casual chatting, some off-topic banter, and even a bit of lighthearted teasing should be perfectly fine—I really don't see a reason to overhaul that specific section. What I am talking about is that unpleasant side of things where people start hurling insults, engaging in nasty trolling, or just being plain old provocative... That’s the stuff that shouldn't be allowed, if you ask me. At the very least, those kinds of posts should just be deleted.

We need at least two more moderators right this second—that’s my only demand.

Just look at them (well, look at you 😬)—on ŽuD there are exactly six of them, and you can't even attempt to troll for a split second without getting absolutely crushed 😢. On the US site, there are five—though, I suppose, you might actually manage to slip under the radar there... 🙂.

rustydrifter10 said:I’ve gone through most of this thread now, and... wow. Just, uh. Wow. 🤦

Honestly, looking back at the thread, I feel like way too many posts escaped being banned, even though if you ask me, they really should have been nuked. It was just a complete free-for-all—people were throwing insults around, trolling left and right, and hitting each other with those annoying ad hominem attacks... it was just everything, all at once. Personally, I’m of the mind that if a post doesn't have a damn good reason to stay up, it should be wiped from the board. If we actually enforced that, half of those toxic posts and the messy reactions they triggered probably wouldn't have even happened in the first place.

Personally, I don't think I’d be the right fit for a moderator role on LJES. I truly feel that the PDF deserves a much "softer" touch when it comes to moderation, but even looking at it from a leadership perspective, I think things have gone a bit too far in some places lately. Now, don't get me wrong—TetaU2 and Sophia Thomas7 are excellent mods, but we were actually just discussing how we should approach the PDF with a bit less zero-tolerance toward insults and aggressive trolling. I really hope to see that shift happen soon! That being said, my vision isn't about handing out bans for every little thing or turning the place into a sterile zone where jokes, casual off-topic chat, or even a heated debate are completely forbidden.

Just like a few of the others have been pushing the envelope lately, you’ve definitely crossed some lines in your own posts too. This whole thread is just loaded with double entendres, and honestly, you've been right in the thick of it. :/

I really appreciate all the good intentions being thrown around here, I truly do, but I feel like we’re starting to lose the plot between these two different threads. Anderlon originally kicked this one off with the specific goal of addressing a few key questions, but it’s morphed into something else entirely. It’s turned into this massive catch-all space where any member of the administration feels like they should jump in whenever they want or feel necessary. Because people are bouncing back and forth between topics so much, it’s getting harder to tell what actually belongs here, and we're definitely losing that sense of continuity in the discussions.

The core concept behind having separate threads—one strictly for questions and another for general discussion—is actually pretty solid. For a while there, both served their purposes perfectly and kept things moving along smoothly. But honestly, as time goes on, trying to maintain that specific structure has become a real headache, and let's be real, it’s getting pretty inefficient too. I haven't quite decided on my next move yet, but I'm definitely looking at shaking things up and making some changes soon.

As much as that might seem like a good idea—or even a self-evident necessity—it’s ultimately going to end up being nothing more than pointless pedantry from the LJES council.

To start with, there are incredibly few topics that would be exclusively LJES-related; almost any serious "L" topic, or a decent chunk of the "E" topics, could easily fit into either the US section or ŽuD. Consequently, what's left for LJES are mostly "S" topics—and if you actually take those seriously, they could just as easily live under "Health."

A long, long time ago, I (quite wisely and presciently 🥳) suggested that we create a sub-forum on LJES similar to a "chicken coop," where the rules would be a bit more relaxed—allowing for much more banter. I think I even proposed some (witty and clever 🥳) name for that specific thread, though I can't recall it now. That could potentially be one way to handle this.

Honestly, I don't grasp this sudden urge to enforce "lower tolerance for this and that" across the entire forum, while leaving MK as this untouchable exception where basically anything goes. I don't see why people who, for whatever reason, don't feel at home in MK shouldn't have other spaces where they can post a bit more casually.

BTW, I am not an advocate for insults, nor do I insult anyone—but, it really is grotesque when someone who is usually perfectly pleasant narcissistic rage suddenly starts whining the moment a diagnosis is applied to them.

Brian Edwards78 said:If we’re talking about a total communication breakdown, that would mean you aren't even able to post on KzB. But honestly, that would be an incredibly low, cheap, and downright pathetic move—one I highly doubt this administration would ever pull on even one of their own community members.

Now, if we look at a hypothetical fellow forum member who—let’s say—decides to wake up in the middle of the night and flood KZB with twenty different threads about family, pets, and how much they love every single admin individually and collectively... well, in that specific case, I think saying "never" might be a bit of a 😁stretch.

copperpuma11 said:I remember this one time back in middle school, hanging out with a friend during a break. We were probably in 6th or 7th grade. Both our faces were a mess because I had a massive nosebleed, so we ended up smeared in blood—it was a total disaster. Two teachers were hovering over us, trying to pull us apart while a group of kids cheered us on. It makes you wonder what they actually could have done in that moment, and whether they would have been held liable if one of us had actually been seriously hurt.

Fast forward to now, and I’m working hallway monitor duty at the high school once a week. The hallway is about 250 feet long and split into three sections by fire doors. If someone decides to get violent with someone else at one end of the hall, my presence at the other end isn't going to stop them. Plus, in a situation like that, anyone from the principal to a parent could step in and detain you. Honestly, all I can really do is hope nothing like that ever happens.

I'm not saying this to be dramatic or to complain about working conditions, but I just wanted to point out that teachers aren't everywhere at once. Even with the best intentions, we aren't omnipotent.

Look, a police patrol doesn't just exist to jump into action when things go south; the mere fact that a patrol is out there actually deters people from deciding to cause trouble in the first place. It’s more or less the same way a hall monitor affects students: their presence alone reduces the number of kids who decide to get physical with one another.

On the flip side, when a hall monitor isn't where they're supposed to be—and let's be honest, kids aren't stupid; they know exactly where that person should be and what they should be doing—it fosters this "if they can cut corners, so can we" attitude toward rules.

Even if nothing else, if a hall monitor had actually been present somewhere nearby, there would be an actual account of what truly happened—and that part is far from trivial.

Charles Murphy6 said:

I can't even begin to process this level of sheer, unadulterated nothingness. You really sat there, stared at your screen, and decided that providing absolutely zero substance was the best way to contribute to this conversation? It’s frankly exhausting to witness such a blatant display of emptiness, though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised given the current state of things. If you're going to take up space in my feed, at least have the decency to provide a coherent thought instead of this hollow void. I completely get why everyone is acting like I’ve lost my mind after I laid out exactly how these situations should be handled: you give them a month-long suspension from school and mandate intensive family therapy.

He really shouldn't be allowed to just lash out at anyone he pleases, let alone target someone younger and weaker right in the middle of a high school hallway, but clearly, he thinks he’s somehow above the rules.

Do you think this reprimand will actually stick, or is he just going to brush it off? I honestly can't decide what his future looks like five or ten years down the road. Personally, I’m hoping this slap on the wrist serves as the wake-up call he desperately needs to finally get his act together.

You have to isolate a bully from their environment, even if it's just temporary, because of the toxic influence they exert on the other kids. Right now, he’s acting like some kind of local celebrity, and honestly, it’s infuriating how every single newspaper in town has been obsessively covering his every move.

I’ve made this point before, and I’ll say it again: when things go sideways in our elementary school system, the absolute pinnacle of what they consider a "pedagogical solution" is simply shuffling a kid off to a different school and calling it a day.
Of course, a reprimand isn't some life-altering event for a student; at its core, it’s just a scrap of paper stating they’re in trouble for this or that.
If the school actually manages to function like it’s supposed to, then we can finally start talking about moving forward. There has to be a mandatory protocol where violence is reported directly to the Center and the relevant Department of Education. From there, you take the next step, which is transferring the student to a different school. But which one? That depends entirely on what the psychologists decide based on their official evaluations—whether that means placing them in a specialized program or a school specifically designed for kids dealing with behavioral issues, which, let’s face it, definitely exist within NYC.
The law is written in stone, and apparently, the concept of suspension just doesn't exist in our legal system anymore; frankly, I’m not even sure what we'd actually achieve if we forced some kid to stay home for a month, because at this point, it feels like a completely futile gesture.
As if he’d actually consider that some kind of reward.
The issues we’re facing here run far, far deeper than anyone seems willing to admit.

To be perfectly honest, the real issue is that absolutely nobody—and I mean nobody—actually witnessed the "first half" of this whole cafeteria blowout, regardless of which of the two conflicting versions turns out to be the truth.

Neither the teacher on duty, nor the kitchen staff... basically, nobody saw a thing.

Emily Gonzalez51 said:The school district implemented a new policy—something schools everywhere seem to do—but we keep pointing out that these moves are completely ineffective and might actually backfire.

Teasing is never an excuse for physical violence.

Nothing—absolutely nothing—can justify physical violence (actual violence, mind you, not self-defense) 🙂. I was simply trying to point out that those two articles—to put it mildly—are hardly a sufficient source of information regarding what actually transpired.

I mentioned earlier that the school basically took "something" from what people on the forums were claiming "should have happened."

If you take a moment to compare the coverage from Free California and The Evening News, you’ll notice a massive discrepancy in the actual facts being reported—ranging from whether an eighth grader practices karate or wrestling (which doesn't even matter for the incident itself, but it certainly speaks to the credibility of the journalists), down to how they frame the altercation. One outlet claims it was unprovoked, while the other describes a kitchen confrontation where the two participants—as expected—offer completely different versions of reality. The sixth grader claims he just "accidentally bumped into him," while the other sixth grader says, "Look, I admit I can be a jerk sometimes, but..." Meanwhile, the eighth grader insists he was struck and that the other kid threatened to finish the fight outside (which, okay, isn't impossible, I guess).

Now, look, I don't have any sympathy whatsoever for violence or bullying, but these two news articles alone are definitely not enough material to draw any solid conclusions.

BTW, the school has already notified the Youth Services Division and the CZSS—so, at least they've actually done something about it.

Paul Wilson72 said:Expulsion via an expedited process, keeping the attacker far away from the victim, juvenile detention centers...

Trust me, that guy wouldn't even make it to the next morning alive...

Juvenile halls and even prisons are meant to be rehabilitative institutions, so if they can't act normal, they should be sent there to be taught a lesson in cases like this...
As for those paper-thin disciplinary actions, they aren't worth the ink they're printed with...

There are facilities specifically designed to correct or strictly monitor the behavior of violent individuals. We've reached this level of aggression today because nobody reacts, and there's effectively no punishment for this kind of behavior—at least nothing these violent types actually feel.

By the way, that sentence you bolded just means you'd feel differently if it were your own child being attacked by a savage like that... It's easy to talk when it isn't personal, but if it were your kid on the line, I guarantee you'd change your tune regarding those savages pretty quickly...

Let’s just take a moment to set aside the fact that attending K-12 is mandatory by law and look at the bigger picture: where do you actually see this kid in one year, five years, or ten years? Look—you’re essentially stripping them of an education, which means they lose any chance at gaining the skills needed for a job that can actually put food on the table. What kind of behavior are you even expecting after implementing your little measures?

A juvenile detention center? Do you honestly believe someone is going to come out of there rehabilitated and completely transformed?

Separating the aggressor from the victim? Congratulations, you’ve basically just suggested a standard—well, let's call it a "pedagogical"—measure 😁. See, under standard disciplinary guidelines, moving a student to a different grade or transferring them to a different school counts as such a measure. Of course, you've already decided that all they'll be told is "don't hit your brother" and then nothing happens at all.

BTW, why is it so hard for you to grasp that disagreeing with your logic doesn't automatically mean I'm siding with the aggressor or kissing their ass?

Paul Wilson72 said:An 8th grader brutally attacked a 6th grader right in front of the school building

"The school board decided that the student will face disciplinary measures—that was confirmed by Principal Puhalo," 🙂 🙂 🙂

Now I'm just waiting for someone to step up and try to "save" this bully by digging for excuses or searching for some deep-seated trauma to justify his behavior.
But what about the victim? Who is going to protect them from him?

So the attacker gets "punished" 😂 🤣 with mere "disciplinary measures"??? That sends a pretty terrible message to everyone involved... 🙄

What exactly are you asking? I’m not sure I follow—you didn't even finish the thought. I guess I'll just sit here waiting for the rest of the sentence to actually make sense. I suppose I should get straight to the point—if there even is one. I'm looking for something concrete. Something substantial. I don't have the patience for vague generalities or those half-baked ideas that people seem to throw around these days without a second thought. If we’re going to discuss this, let's actually deal with the facts—real, tangible details—rather than just spinning our wheels in some endless loop of theoretical nonsense. It's exhausting, really. I suppose I should probably address this proposal regarding how we penalize attackers—it’s a subject that seems to spark quite a bit of heated debate around here, isn't it? Honestly, looking at the current situation, I feel like the existing measures are somewhat... lacking, if I'm being completely honest. There really needs to be a more structured approach to how we handle these types of aggressions. It feels like we are constantly reacting to incidents after they've already caused significant damage, rather than having a deterrent in place that actually carries weight. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but it seems to me that without a more rigorous set of consequences—something that actually bites—people will just continue to act without any regard for the rules. We need a system that doesn't just offer a slap on the wrist, but one that imposes actual, measurable accountability. It’s a complex issue, I know, and I’m certainly not claiming to have all the answers, but the status quo feels increasingly insufficient to me. Schools. Honestly, where do we even begin with the state of the American education system? It feels like every time I sit down to think about it, I just end up more frustrated—though, I suppose that’s my default setting at this point. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there seems to be this massive, widening gap between what our students are actually being taught and what they actually need to survive in the real world. It’s a bit of a mess, really—if you can call it that—and I don't mean to sound like I'm just shouting at clouds, but it's hard not to feel this way when you look at the curriculum. We have kids moving through the grades—from the little sixth graders all the way up to the eighth graders—and it feels less like actual learning and more like a frantic race to pass standardized tests that don't mean much in the long run. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but it feels like the entire structure is built around bureaucracy rather than, you know, actual intelligence or critical thinking. There’s a certain lack of depth that’s just... well, it's disappointing. You'd think with all the resources available in this country, we could aim a little higher than just rote memorization and busywork. But instead, we seem stuck in this loop of outdated methods and administrative red tape that stifles any real creativity. It’s a complicated issue—obviously—but it feels like we're failing to prepare the next generation for anything beyond a multiple-choice exam. Just my two cents, I suppose.?

Henry Hernandez7 said:It seems you’re quite well-versed in my specific issues—so maybe you'll be the one to actually agree with me for once...

I already stated: I'm only as informed as what can be read right here—I don't recall ever being part of the Soccer community 🙂.

I have absolutely no idea about the case you're bringing up—but, let's look at the facts: your initial question was "why a penalty for a post that doesn't deserve it," and only after that did you start trying to play judge and jury with that whole "if I'm being targeted, then he should be too" logic.

In short: when a huge number of people keep telling you the exact same thing over and over again, perhaps—just maybe—it might be worth doing a little self-reflection. That's really all I'm attempting to convey 🙂.

Henry Hernandez7 said:I suppose I should probably start by saying that I don't normally weigh in on these kinds of threads—it feels a bit unnecessary sometimes, I guess—but after seeing what Henry Hernandez7 had to say about the recent developments, I felt compelled to offer my own perspective. It’s just... well, it’s complicated. There isn't a simple way to frame this without getting bogged down in the minutiae, but if we are being honest—and I think we ought to be—the current trajectory seems somewhat misguided. Maybe I'm being too cautious, or perhaps I'm just looking at the data through a much more skeptical lens than most people here, but there is an undeniable sense of friction in how things are being handled. It’s almost as if the decision-makers are ignoring the fundamental realities of the situation—which, frankly, is frustrating to witness. I mean, you can't just bypass the established protocols and expect everything to run smoothly; that's just common sense, isn't it? Or at least, it should be. Anyway, I'll leave it at that for now. I suspect there will be plenty of debate regarding this, and I'm prepared to defend my position if anyone feels the need to challenge it—though I'd prefer to keep this civil. Never.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the "Should we" thread—honestly, I don't see why this is even being brought up here. I suppose I should probably start by saying that there isn't much to go on here—just a single word, really. It’s a bit of a blank slate, isn't it? I guess I'll just sit here and wait for someone to actually provide some substance, because right now, we're all just staring at a void. Maybe it was a typo, maybe it was a test—who knows? I tend to lean toward the latter when things feel this... sparse. Regardless, if there's an actual point you're trying to make, I'd suggest fleshing it out a bit more before expecting a real discussion. Just my two cents. Is this where we host the banned? 🙂

Redom:

The KGB is essentially the only venue left where banned users actually have a platform to speak their minds; they can't send private messages, and they certainly aren't allowed to post anywhere else—so, I suppose, there's a real need for... I suppose I should probably start by saying that—if there is even a way to properly frame this particular mess—that things have become increasingly disorganized lately. It feels as though we are constantly circling the same drain without any real sense of direction, which is, frankly, exhausting. I was looking back at some of the earlier discussions—and I mean really digging through the archives—and it strikes me how much the tone has shifted. There used to be a certain level of... well, let's call it "intellectual rigor," if we’re being generous. Now? It’s just noise. I guess I might be being too hard on everyone, but it certainly feels that way from where I’m sitting. Henry Hernandez7 seemed to suggest a different approach earlier, but I find myself questioning whether that’s actually viable in the current climate. And don't even get me started on what loneraven25 was rambling about yesterday—it was completely disconnected from the core issue at hand. Even Nicholas King, who usually has a bit more sense than most, seemed to be drifting off into pure speculation. Maybe I'm just being overly cautious—or perhaps just overly cynical—but I can't shake the feeling that we are losing the thread entirely. We need to pull ourselves together, or at least attempt to, before this whole thing becomes an absolute farce. I suppose one might worry that they’ve been banned—effectively silenced without even being granted the right to an appeal.

- "I suppose it’s actually quite easy to just scrub someone from the ban list and wipe them from the server entirely—which means you won't get another shot at witnessing these kinds of situations ever again...That’s a threat—but honestly, it doesn't exactly "strengthen your case" one bit. 🙂;

You asked, and you were answered quite politely. There was no mockery, no sarcasm, and certainly no insults involved here. Your little jab—this petty attempt at a "gotcha" moment regarding whether a card has ever been shown—is actually the crux of the issue. Because, in fact, it has happened, and more than once at that. What... I suppose you’re asking me—though I can't quite say why anyone would bother with such a vague inquiry—but if this is directed at me, then fine. I'm listening. What is it? He hasn't exactly been withdrawn, has he? I mean—if you look at the facts—it’s almost as if he’s never even stepped back once. Maybe that's just my perception, but I guess it seems pretty clear to me. To you. It seems like it had to happen that way—though, honestly, I suppose it hardly matters in the grand scheme of things.

I don't follow soccer that closely, but from what I can gather around here—and I realize my understanding might be somewhat limited—you seem to be... I suppose I should probably address this—though I’m not entirely sure why anyone would bother—but there seems to be some sort of discussion brewing regarding certain individuals from that one specific coastal area. It’s all rather tiresome, if you ask me. I mean, I guess it might matter to some people, but personally, I find the whole thing to be quite tedious—perhaps even a bit much. Not that I'm making any definitive claims here, mind you, but it feels like we're circling the drain with these repetitive topics. Maybe it's just me, but it seems unnecessary. I suppose you’re going to go throwing yourself right into the middle of it—just diving headfirst into the fray without a second thought. I guess that's your style, isn't it? Maybe you think playing the hero is always the best move, but honestly, jumping into the thick of things like that—without even weighing the consequences—seems more like reckless bravado than actual strategy. It's a bold way to live, I suppose, though it usually ends in nothing but a mess. I suppose I should address the local supporters—those die-hard fans who seem to think their loyalty alone carries the team through every slump. It’s a bit much, isn't it? Honestly, the sheer intensity they bring to the stands is almost exhausting to witness from a distance. They act as if every single match is a matter of national survival, though, in reality, it's just another game of soccer. Maybe that's just how it works in this part of the country, but I find the constant fervor a little misplaced. And you're out here leaving comments that look just like this cardboard cutout nonsense. It really begs the question—where exactly is... I suppose I should probably start by saying that "crowded" doesn't even begin to cover it—it’s more like a total suffocating mess. It’s that specific kind of overwhelming density where you can barely draw a breath without bumping into someone’s shoulder or getting caught in some mindless shuffle. Honestly, it’s exhausting. In this persistent cycle of such behavior—even when one knows perfectly well it’s going to end in a red card—it makes you wonder... I guess it just becomes a matter of whether they actually care about the consequences at all.

And why on earth is the Women's Corner positioned above the Men's Corner?

Furthermore—why is Hardware placed above Software?

And I suppose one must ask: why is Jerry ranked above Tom?

Keith Wells2 said:Look, your problem—and honestly, the problem with most people—is that you’re living in a total fantasy land. You have zero clue how the real world works. You keep pushing these "kill them with kindness" solutions like we're in some damn fairy tale... It’s pathetic. You don't get why people act the way they do. Try this: go put on a bright white shirt and a Pride flag and take a stroll through Oakland at one in the morning. When some predator or creep approaches you, try to have a deep, intellectual conversation about their behavior and show them some empathy. If your little utopian experiment fails and you end up covered in blood, go ahead—hit up the ER, then call the FBI, then file a report with the DOJ, and finally run to the media to cry about how intolerant society has become. Then, give the FBI a call a month later to ask if they actually caught anyone or if they’re even doing anything at all... Good luck with that. 😂
Look, that was just a parallel I was drawing with some kid in the same boat, if you catch my drift... dealing with diversion into adulthood... 👍
Then you gotta ask yourself why it’s even happening like this... what's being done to stop it... and what's actually being handled right now—or more likely, what's being ignored...

If I did, we already went over this a few months back in that thread about "violent minors," so go read it yourself...
Go read up on the actual fundamentals behind why some kid turns violent. Figure out why that behavior keeps looping until it just becomes their whole routine...
Teenagers are one side of the scale, and parents—especially when dealing with the younger guys—plus the authorities are on the other side... and the whole point of those officials is to keep everything balanced.
Look, since the system is broken and both sides of the scale are busted—just go read the main thread if you don't believe me—the whole balance is shot. All we're getting now is a massive surge in juvenile violence and everything that comes with it. Kids are people just like adults. You've got the good ones, the bad ones, the sensitive types, the sociopaths... whatever. If there's zero prevention targeting those "troublemakers" or certain groups, then what’s actually stopping them from acting out? Nothing...

Give me a break... you want me to drop a few examples just to test that "empathy" of yours? 🙄
Go ask some cop what happened when two punks tried to beat him senseless in New York City just because he told them to chill out... honestly, I hope you run into some kids on the street who decide to jump you and run you over, or better yet, they assault and kill your daughter and dump her in a ditch like what just happened in Ukraine, and nobody gets charged because they're some rich kid's son and the laws don't apply to them. Then maybe you'd shut up and stop posting this garbage. Or what, do you think *they* deserve a heart-to-heart and a hug too? Ask that girl if she feels the same way. I can go on all day, just say the word, since it's so easy to just close your eyes, play dumb, and preach about love and being kind to everyone 🙄

Even though I have a pretty good idea of where this is going, I’d still love to hear your take: what exactly would be your proposed course of action—what specific steps or measures would you suggest—to resolve or, at the very least, significantly improve this whole situation?

Jessica Howard5 said:As for grading, my daughter actually took a hit back in high school because her class had so many students she couldn't get a chance to raise her grade. She ended up stuck with a B. It was Chemistry—she was right on the edge between a C and a B—and when she finally stepped up to answer a question to boost her mark, the teacher told her right in front of everyone, "I can ask you, but then I’m taking time away from someone who needs to fix a failing grade, so if they agree, I'll call on you." My girl just sat back down and said, fine, let them fix their grades. Same exact thing happened with Music Appreciation. You won't believe this, but out of the first eight grades, not a single kid had an A in music. There were endless retakes and a sea of Cs and Ds. I think there were maybe fifteen Bs total out of 200 students?! And this was at a top-tier magnet school in Indianapolis. What kind of ridiculous subject is Music Appreciation anyway? When she explained how the tests worked, I told her that the C she got is actually a win and she shouldn't stress about music for the rest of her life. Personally, I can barely recognize myself in a mirror, so I'm doing just fine, hahaha.

"Grade inflation"—trying to artificially boost an average—is anything but a desirable or acceptable practice. Students who, at the very last second, pressure their teachers to "bump them up" lose, to put it mildly, any credibility when they demand order and accountability within the school system. And that goes for the parents involved as well.

I told her that a C is actually a great grade and that she shouldn't stress herself out over music appreciation in her actual life. I mean, I only ever saw Era from that other world and barely even that, so I’m not missing out on anything hahahaha.

This kind of disdain toward music—or indeed, any form of culture (in a life sense, not just as a school subject)—is honestly quite pathetic. Reducing life down to just being, existing, and whatever else essentially disqualifies someone from engaging in serious discussions about matters far more significant than the flaws in our entire educational system.

To be blunt (and perhaps unpopular), it isn't true that you "aren't missing anything." The sheer volume of grammatical errors in your posts significantly undermines your authority when discussing what schools should look like: ranging from the fact that the old-school systems (which you claim were better) produced people with these specific writing struggles, to the fact that you view linguistic literacy (much like any other culture) as irrelevant, clearly showing you don't care about the basic form through which you present your own arguments.

If writing and literacy are truly unimportant, then—following that exact same logic—our current school system is doing just super-duper.

Jessica Howard5 said:I’ve noticed something else, and I know it’s true because I have three kids and all three of them bring it up. I remember seeing it during my own school years, too. There are teachers out there who just don't play fair when it comes to grading. You've got some instructors who are incredibly strict and rigid with certain students, yet they have a handful of little favorites they constantly let slide—acting like nobody notices. What’s the reality from your side? Parents, what have you seen? And teachers, be honest: do you actually have those "golden children" you're willing to forgive everything for, while punishing someone else for the exact same mistake?

A huge chunk of grades is earned through written tests—meaning the grade is just a direct result of points accumulated, which doesn't really leave much room for favoritism. Now, when we're talking about oral exams, I suppose a student isn't exactly qualified to judge the quality of their own response—or anyone else's, for that matter.

There’s also another layer to this: it’s practically impossible to accurately capture the knowledge level of thirty different students using only five available grades, nor is there any human being capable of grading thirty people without making mistakes. A rule that really should be standard—though I doubt many in the American education system actually follow it—is "when in doubt, give the benefit of the doubt to the student." That way, at least this inevitable subjectivity doesn't end up unfairly penalizing the kids.

As for this whole "teacher's pet" narrative, I'm sure there's a grain of truth to it—but I honestly believe most of it is just a mix of urban legends, childhood bias, and the simple fact that if you're an unpopular kid armed with a failing grade, it’s incredibly easy for people to slap the "teacher's pet" label on you.

Emily Gonzalez51 said:

It’s absolutely absurd! This whole situation is like trying to drive a semi-truck through a narrow alleyway—completely impossible and utterly chaotic. kaže:
I couldn't agree more. It’s exactly as I've stated before.
Once again, we are witnessing nothing more than a pathetic attempt to dodge accountability and hunt for scapegoats.
And there is a child waiting for us in the future.

I cannot agree with you. Every educator who has contributed to this thread has reached the same conclusion: the system is fundamentally broken, and we have provided plenty of concrete, real-world examples to prove exactly where it's failing.

The rest of the squad basically has their spotlights aimed directly at the instructors. 🙂

I know I’m going to get crucified by every teacher on this forum for saying this, but I honestly have more respect for the students who act out externally than those who suffer in silence. One group is practically screaming "help me" through their behavior, while the other just shuts down entirely. It’s a tragedy when that plea for help goes unnoticed.

I am convinced there are effective ways to ensure even those who refuse to raise their voices are finally noticed. 🤔
As for those who manifest their disorders through outward aggression, there is such a staggering level of incompetence that one is left speechless. When you have a student who sets fire to a trash can in class one day, throws tear gas the next, and spits in another kid's sandwich the third, you are simply paralyzed—especially if you are just starting out in this profession.
It is my firm belief that someone should have intervened with kids like that long before they even reached middle school.

The second breed of parent I’ve encountered is the "pseudo-expert" who thinks they’re a licensed pediatrician. No offense to anyone who actually earned their credentials—there are exceptions—but from what I’ve seen, these self-proclaimed gurus are absolutely exhausting.
The pressure placed on a child to be "above average" simply because their parents claim to be "above average" is nothing short of psychological tyranny. It is an absurd standard that treats children like corporate assets rather than human beings.
It’s absolutely infuriating what is happening. These kids are being systematically bullied at home with all sorts of toxic influences, and then they burst into school like a powder keg ready to explode.

I have to admit, I’ve never encountered anything quite like this. It’s pathetic, honestly—those poor kids.

When you don't actually want to solve a problem—well, you just form a commission. It’s the same logic as saying, "if you don't want to deal with the actual complexities of an issue, just blame the system" 😁.

Claiming "the system is broken" provides nothing more than a superficial consensus: essentially, it’s a way to relegate the problem to the realm of the unsolvable. The system is at fault, and what can we possibly do about it? "The system"—that’s just "them." By dividing everything into "us" versus "them," the system becomes this nebulous (and frankly, non-existent) entity that is, by definition, malicious, incompetent, and foolish.

As long as we avoid the direct question regarding whether there are certain educators who should be banned from teaching altogether today, none of the "educators participating in this thread" will acknowledge that elementary fact—if anyone actually stated that, I sincerely apologize, as I don't recall seeing such a sentence—and presumably, teachers are a vital component of the system. Therefore, this agreement that the system is failing is nothing more than selling smoke.

On the other hand, "the rest of the group" (there goes that "us" vs "them" mentality again) unanimously confirms the existence of idiot parents in all their various guises: ranging from the aggressive idiot to the hyper-ambitious idiot.

Kate Cox2 said:Of course, I don't expect anyone to suddenly achieve spiritual enlightenment overnight, but perhaps—just perhaps—people might take a moment to actually reflect on their own behavior.

The police were called—though, let's be honest, they didn't actually do a damn thing—and the countersuit was never even filed. To what end? I can't speak to exactly how NASA handles things in this specific instance, but I certainly know how they operate in others; you file a report, and of course, NASA just sits on its hands. Nothing changes. Things remain exactly as they were.

This is actually a pretty useful and interesting read regarding how the police handle these types of situations.

Emily Gonzalez51 said:Fine, if you go to a steakhouse and the meal is garbage, you blame the chef. But if a kid grows up without a shred of work ethic or basic manners, I suppose you'll just point the finger at the teacher?

Can you try being reasonable instead of getting so defensive? We are discussing whether education and upbringing are subjects that can be studied and evaluated. Are you honestly suggesting the teacher carries the entire burden for a child's development?

Let’s be real here: talking to you feels like I’m constantly one step away from losing my cool entirely. I honestly can't decide which is worse—the possibility that you simply don't grasp a single word I'm saying, or the fact that you seem to think playing the part of a completely unhinged, sarcastic, passive-aggressive clown is somehow witty or charming.

The whole narrative you're pushing—this idea of "ill-mannered, uneducated kids with no work ethic" being dumped into the hands of "poor, martyred educators"—is quite possibly the most exhausting trope in the entire American teaching profession today.

Emily Gonzalez51 said:It is utterly baffling to me how anyone could equate a botched dental job or some subpar service with the fundamental importance of upbringing and education. 😕 You are comparing apples to oranges here.

What I did was draw a distinction between messing around with "technology" and actually critiquing the disastrous results when that technology is poorly applied.

Upbringing and education aren't some sacred, untouchable mysteries where the outcomes can't be clearly identified or subjected to rigorous critical analysis. The idea held by a certain subset of enlightened types—that they are somehow the chosen ones passing down Thought and Truth from one generation to the next to a bunch of unworthy nobodies—is frankly nothing more than a joke.