Elementary Teacher Accused Of Tying Kids To Chairs With Computer Cords

[The Straight Story]

Elementary Teacher Accused Of Tying Kids To Chairs With Computer Cords

POSTED: 2:44 am EST December 10, 2005
UPDATED: 7:45 am EST December 10, 2005

EL MONTE, Calif. -- A teacher at a Los Angeles-area elementary school is accused of using computer cords to restrain students to their chairs at the waist and legs, according to a Local 6 News report.

Police said two boys and a girl at Maxson Elementary School were apparently tied to their chairs for about five minutes with computer cords at the school.


El Monte police said the incident could be considered a misdemeanor or a felony of child abuse or emotional abuse.

The teacher in question, who has not been identified, was placed on administrative leave.

http://www.local6.com/news/5506133/detail.html

[Speck Tater]

1. What's this country coming to ...

... when schools can't even afford handcuffs and rope any more?

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. or whips and chains

[kwassa]

3. Budget cutbacks, you know.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. You know you really mess up computer cords doing that

[TahitiNut]

15. Just another school shortage. Proper tie-downs weren't in the budget.

:silly:

[LWolf]

5. I keep waiting to see this headline:

"Teachers accused of teaching!!!!"

With all the daily headlines about teacher atrocities, surely that one has to pop up some time.

[The Straight Story]

6. Knights of the south bronx, superb movie about a teacher

who taught class and chess :)

[LWolf]

7. I just heard something about this recently;

thanks for the reminder! :hi:

[Horse with no Name]

19. It already did. Did you miss it?

It was in Texas.
Teachers were giving the students the answers to their standardized testing.
They didn't want to see any child left behind.;)

[frazzledmom]

48. They were doing that here in Colorado too

Can't afford to lose anymore funding.

[Robert Cooper]

8. "they will not tell us what is going on," says Parent Myra Ortiz

Parents said that they knew nothing of the incidents and had not been notified by the school. "This is weird to me that they will not tell us what is going on it," parent Myra Ortiz said. "(It) is a major thing and something has to be done."

http://www.local6.com/news/5506133/detail.html

Nice. I'm sure that helps when it comes to therapy for the kids.

I'm just waiting for some fool to say this was a disciplinary matter and the kids deserved it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Dear Parents,

Today in the computer lab, we discovered that several children had been tied to their seats with computer cords. The teacher was suspended and medical care was made available to the children.

Of course, we feel this is an unfortunate and isolated incident. If we become aware of any other children being tied to furniture, we will let you know.

Sincerely,


:rofl:

[Robert Cooper]

13. What a surprise...

...to find -you- responding to -me-.

What are the odds?
:eyes:

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Well gee, that is how these discussion boards work

You post, someone replies.
:crazy:

[Robert Cooper]

27. ah, but how many can predict who that "someone" will be? ;-)

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. I'm all over this thread

Don't flatter yourself.

[Robert Cooper]

33. Don't deny the obvious ;-)

[madeline_con]

38. Isn't not knowing what makes it so exciting? n/t

[Robert Cooper]

41. It would, were that the case...

... P is trying to show me she's not obsessed with me.

I'm keeping score ;-)

[EFerrari]

22. Dear Parents:

Today in the computer lab, we discovered our furniture had been vandalized. We apologize to the district for our lapse in maintaining our equipment.

While we feel this is an isolated incident, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you the school is still asking for USB cord donations.

Sincerely,

:rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. p.s.

Our spring fund raiser will be for new computer chords, secure tie downs and a new computer teacher.

:rofl: :rofl:

[EFerrari]

24. LOL!

omigod

:rofl:

[madeline_con]

37. Don't forget...

"In our ongoing effort to cover our asses, we felt it unnecessary to inform anyone of any potential problems, including abuse, bullying, faculty incompetence, unsafe conditions, violations of the 1st amendment or the separation of Church and State that may or may not be occurring in your child's school. We will continue to serve the community with the highest standards and integrity."

speeling eror

[Robert Cooper]

60. They laughed at Abu Ghraib too...

...wonder where they got the idea torture is funny?
:eyes:

[madeline_con]

36. Being tied down for five minutes....

caused the need for therapy?

We had paddling in schools when I grew up and I have yet to attend couseling sessions, have killed no one, and am even a school employee (where the paddle has been abolished) to boot.

[Robert Cooper]

44. Interesting to note how many here think child abuse is funny nt

[madeline_con]

46. I don't think child abuse is funny....

I do think a kid can get over being tied to a chair for 5 minutes, unless the adults around him make a mountain out of a molehill. It's five minutes. Worse things could happen.

[Robert Cooper]

54. I'm sure parents take comfort knowing this is not the worst...

...thing that can happen to the children they send to school....

...and that some teachers think the idea of teachers tieing up little kids is a hoot...

...Perhaps all parents -expect- their kids to be tied up by teachers...

...helps build character...

"worst things could happen", absolutely, not only can they be victimized by a teacher tieing them up, they can be laughed at and made the butt of jokes amongst teachers.

Curious that no one expects the families of these children to appear at this board and read the mirth and merriment that has attended this topic. Perhaps invitations should be sent.

And you can be sure that -whenever- the quality of the PS system is being discussed, some of the responses to this topic will be prominently linked as examples of the professional nature of -some- of the teaching staff.

Hey, "worse things could happen". No need to make a big deal about some of the people here being used as examples, right?

:sarcasm: liberally applied.

[Robert Cooper]

68. Let's apply that 'logic' to Abu Ghraib, shall we?

"I do think a kid can get over being tied to a chair for 5 minutes, unless the adults around him make a mountain out of a molehill. It's five minutes. Worse things could happen."

'I do think a terrorist suspect can get over being water-boarded for 3 minutes, unless others around him make a mountain out of a molehill. It's three minutes. Worse things could happen.'

Almost sounds like something Cheney would say, doesn't it?

Once you defend the 'logic' of torture, it can be applied in so many ways.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. No child left untied.

[renie408]

17. That was funny. n/t

[EFerrari]

21. LOL!

[MichiganVote]

11. Crummy little tattlers.

[ultraist]

12. I'm not surprised

There are a lot of those types out there.

My daughter has a teacher who is verbally abusive to the kids. She SCREAMS at the children daily and says very inappropriate things. Last week, she screamed at some child, "It is WRONG to talk about OUR PRESIDENT of the United States that way," and took him out into the hall. The kid had said Bush caused 9-ll.

She has numerous odd rules, for instance, children cannot put their books in their laps ("it's SCHOOL PROPERTY and should be on the desk). If a child forgets and places the book in the lap, she'll scream at the top of her lungs, "THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE." Mistakes are "UNACCEPTABLE" in full volume, in her class. These kids are sixth graders, mind you.

This woman has been teaching for forty years and is tenured. Due time for her to retire.

[Robert Cooper]

14. Way past due...

...a lot of teachers are quite good, and far too many are control freaks.

A shame tenure gets in the way of replacing your daughter's teacher.

Have you considered asking the school to transfer your daughter to a different teacher? Or is that possible for you?

[ultraist]

16. We did ask for a transfer

The assistant principal was very hostile, he said she's 'one of their best and most qualified teachers.' We were told that they'd have to switch her off her team, which means take her out of all of her other classes (she has great teachers for those) and that it's unlikely they'd do that. He also told us we could file a formal grievance against her but it was apparent to us, they'd retaliate someway. I have two children in that school and honestly, didn't want to deal with a big crisis.

Fortunately, my daughter is extremely well behaved and doesn't get screamed at but it upsets her to see the other kids shamed. We're just living with it until she finishes that class in one more quarter. You have to pick your battles.

[renie408]

18. Or you have to homeschool, which is what I ended up doing.

We were having some funky things with my daughter's teacher and classmates and I wasn't feeling the love from the principal. So we ended up homeschooling her (my daughter, not the principal). I am lucky to be in a situation where I can do it. I know it is not something everyone can do because of work constraints.

[madeline_con]

39. We changed schools....

under "freedom of choice", when the local school received an "F" from the powers that be.

We probably would have moved him anyway, due to overall quality at his previous school.

My son's doing well, getting good grades and flourishing. I don't mind driving him to school (10 min. each way). :)

[Robert Cooper]

20. I had a teacher like that once...

She was very unpleasant: head of the English Department. I transferred out and there was retaliation, so I understand where you're coming from.

When your kids are free of her, you might consider filing a grievance with the board against her. But if the school staff are going to have it in for you, it does make it tough to get this teacher out.

Have you tried to explain this situation to your daughter?

[ultraist]

26. Good idea

I've even thought of having my daughter carry a recorder in her backpack to get some of her rants on tape to submit with a complaint at some point. The teacher seems to target the Black kids more than the white kids which also is disturbing to my daughter since her brother (our adopted son) is Black as are many of her friends.

My daughter is handling it well all in all, we discuss nearly daily, after each incident. She's ll so she's able to process it pretty well although it does rattle her somewhat. If she were younger, I'd definately take her out of that class, regardless of the price we'd pay.

We homeschooled her for two years because of other weird teachers so she understands that part of going to public school is dealing with a big dysfunctional system. She still wants to attend tho, she has lots of friends and some great teachers. It's a mixed bag.

[Robert Cooper]

28. With a tape you could interest the papers, ACLU...

...and of course a grievance would be a slam-dunk.

[Blue Diadem]

30. Just make sure you are a one party state

and not two party. If your state is two party then the teacher has to be informed.

By the way, I did send a tape recorder to the middle school after my daughter was not only verbally abused but physically abused by a teacher. It wasn't just my daughter, or her class having problems. Another girl from a different period borrowed the tape recorder and got the worst screaming/chaos..kid slammed into wall sounds I ever heard. The male teacher was awful and had been known for his craziness for years but all of his reprimands somehow never ended up in his file, thanks to the principal. She had told me he had "problems" but yet she covered for him.

All we ended up with was the teacher getting an official reprimand only due to an unknown kind soul alerting a school board member for me..who in turn called me. After that it was out of my hands.
We rejoiced when within a few years both the principal and that teacher retired.

[ultraist]

34. Thanks for the tip, I didn't realize that

Another girl from a different period borrowed the tape recorder and got the worst screaming/chaos..kid slammed into wall sounds I ever heard.

That's horrible. I have several friends who've transferred their kids into different schools due to problems with teachers. Schools are very protective of their own. Public schools are very closed systems.

[progressivebydesign]

43. They used to smack us regularly with wooden paddles...

In the jr. high I went to in Arcadia California. The two principal types would take a student in the office, make them bend over, then give them some smacks with a wooden paddle.

Now, as a grown female, I realize what sick fuckers they were to be having me bend over and get spanked by these men... with no other people present. Can you just imagine the headlines if that was reported today?

[rucky]

29. Teachers like this should be sent...

to private schools.

[Robert Cooper]

61. ...to Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, or one of those secret prisons...

...if terrorizing a child or two in elementary school is so hilarious, they'll fit right in.
:eyes:

[Vidar]

31. duct tape is cheaper

[madeline_con]

40. Depends on how much you use..... n/t

[madeline_con]

35. It's so much easier....

to bring a bag of M&M's to school.

At random intervals, ask "Who's doing what we're suposed to be doing?" or a similar question. Hand out one M&M to each kid who's doing whatever that may be, sitting quietly ready for reading, writing their essay, etc.

It's amazing how well-behaved a kid can be over somethig so tiny. It also keeps the staff off the evening news. :)

[Robert Cooper]

45. That's not a bad idea except...

...you need to be careful about chocolate. Most chocolate companies make a plain chocolate as well as a peanut/chocolate confection (like M&Ms Plain and M&Ms Peanut). These companies oftenuse the same facilities for both and usually contain a warning to the effect that their plain products may contain peanut bits.

The reason this should be noted is because some kids have allergic reactions to peanuts.

And then there are Type I diabetics for whom any sugar product is a problem.

[madeline_con]

47. Is it just me, or have you picked everyone's ideas apart?

Of course, a parent would inform the teacher of any allergies or diabetes, and they'd get something else.

[Robert Cooper]

55. And parents should expect teachers to feed their kids in class, or...

...should they expect their teacher to be one of those who thinks tieing up little kids is hilarious?

It is -so- hard to know what to expect from some teachers these days. And it's not like they tell a parent in advance 'I think tieing up kids is good humour and don't worry if it happens because':...

"...worst things could happen" - yes, it is -very- hard to know what to expect.

One has to wonder how anyone could form a poor opinion of teachers or school.

:sarcasm: liberally applied.

[Robert Cooper]

56. self-deleted (duplicate reply: system was a tad slow) nt

[Nevernose]

52. Or offer a variety

Sugar-free, nut-free, chocolate free, or offer candy-free choices like bathroom or homework passes. IMO, just being nice to people works pretty darned well, too.

[Robert Cooper]

57. Rewards are good, but...

...are you really going to withhold a bathroom pass? A basic human function that can have harmful consequences if ignored?

And how does a homework pass help a little kid to learn? Isn't it sending the wrong message that any kid who behaves properly can -skip- homework, as if homework is something everyone should be happy to avoid?

Isn't a teacher's praise enough anymore. We don't do gold stars for behaviour and class-work anymore?

We need to train them like animals with bits of food to get them to jump through the hoops? Or deny them permission to go to the bathroom in anything but their pants if they misbehave? And grant them the 'privilege' of skipping school-work as a 'reward' for good behaviour?

Interesting.

[SmokingJacket]

70. I very much agree with positive reinforcement...

but I would be outraged if a teacher plied my kid with candy. Candy has no place in schools. Kids are too fat as it is.

When I was a teacher I gave stickers, positive notes home, and weekly popcorn parties if the class received enough positive points. That worked too. ;-)

[Robert Cooper]

72. That's what I'm talking about...

...I'll bet your methods worked well with the kids, too :-)

[progressivebydesign]

42. Hey! I'm a product of El Monte elementary schools!

They didn't tie us up.. they just smacked us on the ass with a paddle regularly. And see how well I turned out!

[Nevernose]

51. If you hit MY kid, I'd break your wrist

And I'm a product of the Texas eduational system -- I had my ass smacked more than a few times, and the teacher occasionally prayed while doing it!

[Endangered Specie]

49. Im not going to purely blame the teacher for this...

some parents dont know or dont want to discipline their kids, they just drop them off to some other unlucky person to handle.

This is gonna get me flamed, but a good spankin' is a very effective child behavioral development strategy.

[Nevernose]

53. There are plenty of management strategies that work

And also don't involve corporal punishment. As I mentioned to some other poster, one of the reasons corporal punishment (which I was a product of) has fallen into disfavor is that if you were to hit (or spank or whatever you call it), I would hurt you. No one hits my kid but me.

A good teacher can stop most problems well before they even occur. If they can't with one kid, for whatever reason, then a good teacher finds someone who CAN, or at least deal with it in a non -violent manner.

I'm not flamin', either -- I know where you're coming from, since I have a kid of my own, and I swatted her rear this afternoon for disrespecting me. All I'm saying is that the well-trained teacher has other alternatives. Tying a kid to a chair smacks of frustration (no matter how deserved) and not of discipline, or, especially, SOLUTION.

[Robert Cooper]

58. Yes, let's ignore the laws against child abuse and beat some discipline...

...into them. Nothing educates a child better than fear and anxiety.

And when that child is of voting age, they can support Bush and Cheney's campaign for more liberal attitudes towards torture.

Hey, if we can torture little kids in PS, we can certainly torture a few terrorist suspects, right?

:sarcasm: liberally applied.

[Nevernose]

50. I am a parent and a teacher

I asked my students at the beginning of the year: what makes a good teacher? The plan was to agree to their top five requests, and they would agree to the top five answers of "what makes a good student?"

The number one response was "doesn't scream." I've never needed to scream; the kids like me, and therefore do what I ask of them. Simple equation.

But the number two response was "doesn't hit."

Admittedly, a disproportionate number of my kids have had some experience with the Mexican education system, but the number was still WAY too high. Who the fuck is hitting my kids? I seriously doubt it's going on at the high school level much, since so many of the students at this level (and at my school) have weapons as a matter of course, but this shit still pisses me off.

For fifty minutes every day, and for thirty minutes before and forty minutes after school, I am your child's parent, and I love your kids as if they were my own. I would expect no less from whomever is teaching my own child. Incidents such as this make me seriously question the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

[Robert Cooper]

59. Welcome to the club (pardon the pun)...

...there are many of us challenging the authoritarianism inherent in the PS system because there are too many teachers and staff who take it into their heads that they are judge, jury and executioner, no intervention required.

The challenge is decades old and is even more relevant given the way politics has skewed to the right and authoritarianism is rampant in society.

[rucky]

62. So it's okay for YOU to make torture jokes?

:eyes:

I actually don't see ANYONE making jokes about torture, just pointing out a double standard.

[Robert Cooper]

63. Care to explain the joke?

Because I don't see it. That "club" has two meanings and that I acknowledge the fact in no way makes a joke out of torture or child abuse.


"I actually don't see ANYONE making jokes about torture"

Happy to oblige:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566099
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566120
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566135

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566561
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5568498

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566530

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566590

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5570522
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5570838

...and all are from this thread.

See any of these people making a serious statement about this incident?

By contrast:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5566613
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5568163
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5568210
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5568529
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5570234
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5571757
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5573968
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5565960&mesg_id=5573876

...and I'm not even counting my own articles.

I trust you can see the difference between the first group of posters and the second.

[rucky]

73. get some sleep, and quit calling people out.

I'm not even going to read these links.

nobody approves of torturing students, and some of us use satire to make a point.

[Robert Cooper]

74. The hilarity escapes me...

..."I'm not even going to read these links."

Next time you can't see something I'll know why ;-)

"some of us use satire to make a point"

Indeed. And if I claim everything I wrote is "satire" does that mean you're humour-challenged?

Engaging in sadistic 'humour' about abused kids in a public forum might not be the smartest use of "satire", hmm? How many people who have actually been abused will read this? Think they'll appreciate the humour? What about the families of abused children? They'll see the humour, will they?

How nice it is to be free of trauma to joke about abused kids to "make a point" about -not- abusing kids.

Wouldn't want to give the wrong impression about Democrats and liberals in general, would we? The freepers would have a field day, wouldn't they?

[rucky]

77. NOBODY WAS MAKING FUN OF ABUSED KIDS

You may disagree with the approach, but the sentiment is there. I object to you going down every response to a thread and expressing your approval or disapproval to what was written and how it was written. You may think there is one "proper" tone to deal with a serious issue, even if you don't abide by your own sanctimonious set of standards.

The "joke" i made was a reference to corporal punishment being more common in private school, where many parents support it. There was no reference to violence or torture in my comment (although some "survivors" of private school may disagree). How you got from there to Abu Gharib is beyond me, but you didn't hesitate make your list of good eggs and bad eggs and give us the tongue=lashings you thought we deserve.

I suspect this is a sensitive issue to you, but it's not necessary to take that as a license for any higher moral ground than the rest of us who post on this board. I take issue to you lecturing ME about how a "liberal" is supposed to act. It shouldn't matter, but I taught fifth grade at a title I school for three years and have dealt with shit that you couldn't imagine. How about a 10 year old girl with no father comes home to find that her mom moved to Mexico with her boyfriend and their kid? How about the laptop grant I got for another girl who was pushed down the stairs at home and couldn't go to school for 6 weeks? Now I make in-home visits for special-needs kids. Not for the thin-skinned.

I think I've earned my "liberal stripes" and I certainly don't need you to tell me how to react.

I am done with this. You may have the last word if you like.

[Robert Cooper]

78. If you shout louder do you think you're more convincing?

"I object to you going down every response to a thread and expressing your approval or disapproval to what was written and how it was written. " Since that's what is done at DU, I suggest you take up the question of my continued membership with the management.

"The "joke" i made was a reference to corporal punishment being more common in private school, where many parents support it. There was no reference to violence or torture in my comment (although some "survivors" of private school may disagree). How you got from there to Abu Gharib is beyond me,"

Had you examined the list I provided, you'd have noticed your reply wasn't amongst them. Your defense of your reply is interesting but irrelevant to my statements. Asking me "How you got from there to Abu Gharib..." is a straw man, since I didn't use your response as a basis for my claims (see, it does pay to examine a list to be sure you're argument actually makes sense).

"but you didn't hesitate make your list of good eggs and bad eggs and give us the tongue=lashings you thought we deserve."

"We"? I suppose if you feel the shoe fits...

"I suspect this is a sensitive issue to you, "

And to a lot of people.

"but it's not necessary to take that as a license for any higher moral ground than the rest of us who post on this board."

I was unaware I needed a "license for any higher moral ground". I thought that was a -goal- of all enlightened beings. If my position appears "higher" than the rest, perhaps they are the ones who need a lecture, not the person who has attained that "higher moral ground" (and thanks for the tacit acknowledgement).

"I take issue to you lecturing ME about how a "liberal" is supposed to act."

I do not see a "lecture" as some kind of obligation that anyone should listen. It's entirely up to the listener whether they take anything useful from what is said, or not.

"I think I've earned my "liberal stripes" and I certainly don't need you to tell me how to react."

Then perhaps you should slip me into your "ignore" column, or simply don't read me, or read me and rant and scream. It's entirely up to you.

"I am done with this. You may have the last word if you like."

Well, we'll see about that "last word".

But I -do- hope you're not one of those teachers who shouts at students when you're unable to obtain agreement. Frustration can lead to some impulsive behaviour, as appears to be true in the case of the teacher descibed in the OP (at least, I'd hope it was impulsive and not planned, otherwise ReadTomPaine's remarks are more to the point).

[Moosepoop]

64. Seems like a fire safety violation

in addition to any abuse angle. What if a fire breaks out in a school when there are kids tied at the waist and legs to their chairs? I imagine it would take several minutes to untie them. In this case there were three kids tied up. How long would it take to untie all three waists and all three sets of legs in an emergency? Do the other kids wait around for the teacher, or follow the evacuation instructions without him/her? Or does the teacher drag 3 chairs with kids tied into them down the halls and to the outdoors?

[Solon]

65. Not to mention their health and safety issues...

First, many computer cords, like the power cord, are quite narrow compared to a high chair restraint, harness, or seat belt. That is for a reason, computer cords are NOT designed to be used as a restraint of any sort. To use them as such can put someones life in danger. Two things to consider are these, one is that the cords could cut into skin, particularly if they are really small but strong, like a typical USB cord. Another thing is this, kids can be thrown into a panic by being restrained in the manner that these kids were put in. Combined and you have a formula for causing injury and even death, theoretically.

[Robert Cooper]

67. For at least five minutes, plus ...

...all the time while this event was escalating, these kids would have been terrorized.

Terrorized little kids have a way of losing bladder control.

So on top of being terrorized they might have experienced humiliation as well.

And how many kids joined the teacher in enjoying this little scenario I wonder?

How many learned to enjoy inflicting terror on others?

[Solon]

69. Kinda of reminds me of those shows on TV...

About forensics and shit, where they show pictures of crime victims, etc. I've seen what electrical cords can do to the human body, on adults, from deep bruising to cutting the skin, I don't see how anyone can make light of a situation like that. It only takes a matter of minutes for such damage to be done, some people are truly sick in the head.

[Robert Cooper]

71. I'm reminded of a story I was told ...

... about a study done to see if good healthy American college kids could be turned into torturers.

As I recall it, two booths were set up with a chair and restraints in one and a console in the other. A window between the two rooms allowed visual contact.

One person (a knowing accomplice to the study) was strapped into the chair and electrodes attached. The test subject was taken to the booth and shown the console: a dial to control the flow of electricity and a meter to register the amount flowing.

The subject was instructed to increase the voltage, step by step. Each time the 'victim' increased his appearance of distress.

The study showed that the subjects were willing to increase the voltage to "Fatal" when encouraged by the tester.

We as a society are well-trained to obey authority.

And we spend about 12 years as children in an authoritarian state-run institution designed to decide which people will succeed and which will fail in life.

And we wonder why kids rebel?

[Robert Cooper]

66. Very good point...

...obviously this teacher wasn't planning on any adults seeing this.

Just kids. :eyes:

How much damage did that teacher do to the two who were tied, plus the kids who witnessed it, plus the kids who hear about it, plus their parents.

They all learned a lesson about authoritarianism in the schools.

How many good teachers will never erase the doubts these kids and parents have gained from this experience? After all, society tries so hard to teach kids and parents to trust schools and teachers. What damage is done when that trust is betrayed?

over and over and over again... one news story after another after another...

[ReadTomPaine]

75. Abused with electric cords, how charming.

What a short step from this to bodies in a freezer. Criminal profilers talk about this sort of behavior all the time. Just off the top of my head, Wayne Williams, Tony Lee Walker, Charles Manson, John Norman Collins and John Zarinsky were all fond of using electrical cords in a similar manner. They aren't good company to have, especially if you work educating children.

I wonder what scene was going thru that teacher's mind as they tightened those bonds and saw the fear in their captive's eyes. Did they like the pretty marks the cords made on their young charges? I'm glad LE is involved with this, it's possible precursor behavior.

[Xenotime]

76. I guess they ran out of handcuffs and leg irons.