More like reality than satire. Teacher sues parents, students for loss of her merit pay...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

23. Who said anything about blame?

No one used that term but you.

Many parents do want to help their children. They just don't know how or are working two jobs to pay the rent.

No one has said or implied otherwise. My comments are directed at those who have no interest in being good parents or good students. Holding good people up as a shield for the bad serves no one -- especially the good. Like it or not -- admit it or not -- they are out there and they have to be held to account for their actions.

There are many levels of intervention: good parenting, solid communities, shared values, trained educators, viable schools, social safety nets. Then there is also the occassional Come-to-Jesus moment, if the euphemism will be permitted, some people acquire after being confronted by life's consequences. But if every resource has been spent and every sincere effort exhausted, then what?

Sometimes I feel like progressives are too quick to blame everyone except the person who wants to be what they are. Where is the dignity in that? How punishing to the innocent and how insulting to the idea of free will. Those are the only people I'm addressing.

The single mom working 2 jobs isn't to blame -- she's a frickin' hero and a role model (too bad dad won't step-up and be a hero too) and she's probably riding herd on her kids to make a better life for themselves and avoid her circumstances. But I wasn't talking about her and she shouldn't be used to shield those who earn their critcisms.