[alban lusitanae]

Obviously you hate the US.

Huh? what? what gave you that idea?! Just because I criticize a country, or my own, I hate it?! I'm not allowed to criticize?

When one understands how the government works both in politics and administration there is a better option to change.

Read my post again. I said the answer is changing the system and not to act in the system. You chose to work in the system. That's ok. I don't do that, that's all.

When you have studied the issues presently before the education boards, it's not about "being a good boy". It's how to suit an entire population as a whole. Understanding the current issues of school violence, sexual harassment, etc has a trade off with expelling students which are problematic; thus, increasing the uneducated portion of the population widening class systems gaps. There is freedom of speech & freedom of actions but life does hold boundry's for all; there are rules in life and kids need to learn them the same as adults. One can not do as they wish all the time. I find it ironic how you can comment on such issues when you are not currently involved in them here in the US.

Oh I see. So if we aren't of the USA we can't criticize. Brilliant. Why don't you make this a completely american forum then? You seem to have a problem with people who have different views and opinions, because they live in different countries. I don't think that's very correct. And I'm sorry, "no touching" rules are supposed to be taking serious? I think you have to solve your violence issues some other way, not with this rules. They aren't going to solve anything.

however, when one has stood in the aftermath/shambles of 9-11, a definitive action was necessary.

What? what does 9/11 has to do with anything?! Now that's an excuse for every action?

It's ironic, I do try to understand other's ways of life and have an appreciation for it, weather I agree with it or not. I do try not to insult those unlike myself regardless of their religion or their political beliefs.

Not insulting anyone. Criticizing, and I can do it with everything, I'm free to do it. So are you and anyone here. You have criticized me and my views. Seeing me having a problem with that? Criticize me. Debate. That's why we're here for.

I am merely attempting to explain a system which I have formally studied for years to someone who has no appreciation nor willingness to wish to learn about it.

FYI, we have a discipline called Introduction to Politics in our junior high. I work on the TV network and I am a technical translator. I KNOW your system. I just don't like it, and yes, I don't appreciate it, but that does not mean I don't understand it. On the contrary. But again, not accepting that someone has a different view and attempting to classify every different opinion has an insult... well...

I agree that it's extreme to not allow hand shakes or High 5s, but this kid knew about the "no touching" rule and yet he still put his arm around his g/f.

Granted. Have no argument against that. Following question: what's wrong with his atittude? What sin has the kid commited?

Even if it has nothing to do w/ violence...maybe it'll be an end to things like 5th graders having sex in classroom

So... to end 5th grade classroom sex we should abolish touching? Is that it? That's a quantum leap in logic IMHO.

Or there was another thread where a girl who's 12 said she'd given HJs in class before. Rules aren't strict until people start taking advantage of the mild/moderate rules they have in place.

Do you honestly believe the no touching rules are going to stop kids from doing anything? It starts in the HOME, not in SCHOOL. If the kids are raised right, and not let alone to their own devices, something that Sera said in other posts and I totally agree, things might change.

Like at my work... some people have been taking advantage and leaving early/ coming in late...long lunches..etc.... so now they are wanting to enforce stricter rules about time/attendance. Now if those people had performed w/in the limits set...then it wouldn't have been a problem...it's when you try to go outside the limits...that they become more strict.

So, when there is a problem, impose ever increasing control and stricter rules. When are you telling the young girls to use Burkhas then? Don't you see? You are fast on the track to that. Doesn't take much.

And yes we all have freedoms of speech and expression...but then when we are in school...at work...etc... we usually have to go by other's people's rules.. that's just life =\

No we don't. If you think that way, you are not a citizen. You're followining rules blindly, without trying to change them. I'm sorry you have delegated you free thinking in someone else. I truly am...

Rocking the boat usually only makes things harder.

You know, you're starting to creep me out with this display of utter terror of change... fight for it. And I don't mean take arms in the fire mode sense...

I one of the first people to say that I sure don't always conform to what society thinks as the "norm" but I also know how to express myself in a way that I don't also hinder my advancement in either school/work.... I know to pick my battles!

You already lost the war, my friend. I'm sad you think that way, honestly. There are no battles to pick, because the battles you fight won't matter to change anything...

These freedoms you talk about, why don't you apply them to the 14 year old sister with condoms in her room.

5th grader with an arm on shoulder vs. 14 y.o. with dildo and condoms...yes, it's the same situation, I can see it now...

I did apply freedom of choice. If she was doing it to know her body, I said and quote "Here's my advice mate. Talk to her and tell her what you found. Tell her that you are not judging, and that she is right about knowing her body and discovering it and there is nothing wrong with it. Having real sex so soon is not.". I sustain that having sex so soon it's wrong. However, no touching rules is not going to stop 5th graders to have sex if they want to and that's a fact.

Why do you think there should be a mandatory sex age?

Because very young people should know their bodies well and understand the implications of sex for a long time before they do it with someone else. That includes 5th graders of course. But again, no touching ruels (the topic, remember that) will not change anything, it might actually do worse.

Seems to me you pick interests which suit you. Maybe you had a sudden pang of morality. You sound like a politician.

? Did I forget to reply to anyone? Did I forget to reply to any of your questions? Don't understand where this is coming from...

Make a mockery out of the very Country I defend in the military, you have no shame. Yay, for Democracy we are a world power here in the USA.

So, you're argumenting about my mockery (wherever you got that idea) by replying that you are a military officer and the USA is a world (military) power? Not a good argument.

The US ED system has issues but think about protesting and voting out your government officials for accepting US Financial Funding during the wildfires you had in Portugal a few years back.

I did. And also sent pictures to the authorities about aircraft dropping incendiary granades (you know how it works obviously) in the forests. They did nothing, because they are corrupt and take money from companies who want to:

- make turistic settlements
- buy wood at lower prices (burned wood)
- clear land for large areas of Eucalyptus globulus Labil, trees that grow much faster and higher profit.

You think I'm attacking the USA? Ok. Here goes: I think that the portuguese government is the most corrupt government in Europe, above Italy. See? I criticize my country as well. And I don't see it as betraying my motherland. Not doing or saying anything is.

I doubt the US government is going to change the political system to suit you, me, or anyone else for that matter. It's the system which our country is founded upon.

We didn't have to over throw communism to have democracy--A. Cunhal in 1974. We have always had our basic values based on a Democratic nation.

Actually, our democracy is going down fast, but that's another topic.

Rdan, you're military. I respect the military more than you could probably believe. However, you follow orders. The only laws that apply to you are the commanding hierarchy, and the rules of engagement. If these rules of engagement dictate that you have to place yourself into a bomber and go to other countries and bomb them, you are not supposed to think about the orders. You are suppose to follow them. Going against the orders everytime you received them, you couldn't be a good soldier. You would second guess every action you took and that would get you killed.

However, the system you don't see changing and don't believe will change would change if people took more action to change it and not follow the line of "this wil never change so might as well conform". I'm sure you are a fine soldier and love your country, but you have to understand that a system can always be better and no one is going to change the system from the inside. That's a fallacy. People on the system (meaning inside the society which has the system) must conform and not stir too much or, as Buttercup said, suffer the consequences. That's not democracy, when you have to make silent influences inside the system like a petty conspirator to try to change anything (which you don't), instead of having freedom to speak out without being afraid to be expelled, fired ou fired upon.