Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Fresno tree incident offers a parable of our society - Bill McEwen - fresnobee.com

Fresno tree incident offers a parable of our society- Bill McEwen- fresnobee.com
Fresno tree incident offers a parable of our society

Posted at 09:38 PM on Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010


Five Central High School seniors thought they were pulling a prank: cutting down two mature trees in the quad to deprive junior classmates of shade.
Actually, they were committing at least $7,000 of vandalism and igniting a story that has become a parable on what's right and wrong with America.
Their act and the responses of their parents and the school district offer several threads for legitimate public debate -- as well as the kind of blind anger that is the trademark of anonymous Internet commentary.
Helicopter parents? Publicity seeking lawyers? Where to draw the line for punishment? Portraying yourself as a victim instead of owning up and accepting consequences?
Every issue has at least two sides, as we have seen in news coverage of the students' suspensions, their attempt to return to school, the hiring of attorneys and the sidewalk shouting outside Central.
ON THE RADIO
Listen to Bill McEwen's talk show daily at noon on KYNO (AM 1300).
Some of the outrage is genuine. Some of it


Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/03/20/1867136/fresno-tree-incident-offers-a.html#ixzz0j1XnBI7h