Was Suspended from School for Having Leatherman Micra. Seriously?

[leghog]

Actually, Its a reality because selfish people and criminals don't follow laws or rules as it suits them, forcing those that have the authority to do so to enact laws/rules/policies to correct these behaviors.

Again, they are not forces top make zero tolerance rules. They do so because they won't take care of the "selfish people and criminals". And , again, it is stupid way to administer, manage, and lead.

The poorer the behavior and the more these behaviors happen, the more rules are put in place to combat them. It's not the "administrators" fault that they have to do this, but the fault of the people whom choose to break or flaunt the rules/laws. Lack of common sense, selfishness, discourtesy and greed are ruining it for everyone else (this country and elsewhere) whom chooses to have manners and follow rules and laws. It is easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing.

It is the administrators' fault, and it is they who lack common sense and sound judgment by emplacing and enforcing zero tolerance rules.

 

[leghog]

You're right, idealistically. In reality, well, what's the reasonable alternative in this particular situation?

You deal appropriately with the "goons, as you call them, vs treating everyone like a goon or potential goon.

 

[leghog]

My understanding is that the US military has strict rules regarding what knives and guns new recruits, and active soldiers, can carry, even in war zones. Yet the military seems to be functioning effectively. And such rules are enforced by officers who lead men into combat.

Have you ever served in the U.S. military. Commanders have WIDE latitude. Those with zero tolerance mentalities do not make it far or long.

Federal buildings like courthouses have strict "zero tolerance" rules.

Courthouses, yes, but the difference is it is due to enacted legislation vs poor/lazy leadership decisions. Federal buildings, no ---- I see that claim often on BF, but it isn't true. In can say this from experience because I'm in federal buildings almost daily.

 

[leghog]

Back 20+ years ago parents used to parent. Parents used to teach their children morals, ethics, common sense....and the big one... RESPONSIBILITY....for ones own words and deeds. Passing blame has also become all too common these days.

They still do.

Do you have kids? If so, do/did you teach your children morals, ethics, common sense....and the big one... RESPONSIBILITY....for ones own words and deeds?

 

[Oakengroves]

C'mon bladeforums posters! Most of us are well aware that multi-tool and knife users are a dying breed among young people. One of the largest reasons is the fact that we have allowed arbitrary, unreasonable policies to infect our schools and other public places.

Unreasonable, arbitrary rules do not deserve respect or compliance. People have elected to defy and ignore arbitrary and absurd laws for centuries. Here are a few examples: (1) civil rights activists performed sit-ins and elected to ride at the front of the bus; (2) people drank alcohol during prohibition; (3) unmarried people engaged in intimate acts; and (4) a kid used his multi-tool in a reasonably safe manner while in class. These defiant behaviors are natural and noble because some rules place fundamentally unreasonable restraints on individual autonomy that must be ignored.

There are likely many unreasonable, antiquated laws in your jurisdiction that you defy on a daily basis without thought, and would likely continue to do so if they were enforced. As individuals who love knives and multi-tools, we have a duty to contest, challenge, and ignore unreasonable restrictions on our personal autonomy and right to carry basic tools.

Again, I commend this young man for practicing reasonable, safe multi-tool use, and encourage him to keep carrying and using multi-tools. If you were my son, I'd likely be filing a civil suit, writing letters to the school district, and lobbying for an overhaul of the school's "weapons" policy. In the future, two glances and deep pockets, friend! Ride on!

[video=youtube;Hp9QacQA7lc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp9QacQA7lc[/video]

 

[KB3AUM]

sorry to hear that you may have lost your personal property.
I would like to tell you something a very,VERY wise person told me once-"the difficulty in life is choice, may you always choose wisely"

you appear like a very smart young man,im sure you learned several lessons from your ordeal.
best of luck with all your future endeavors.

 

[Krav]

People and their definition of what constitutes a weapon and what does not are often ridiculous. So many people try to control everything. As someone said earlier, as you grow older, you will find that things generally worsen.

Society worsens, I don't feel there should be any need for anyone to bring tools or weapons to school. That be said we should look at the government ultimate creation. (Sheeple)

 

[DB731]

But seriously, I think the teacher is over reacting. She's being the kid, not those that she's teaching. There's a fine line between enforcing a rule and blowing things out of proportion. I don't think that Mirca is a legitimate reason for suspension; I'd probably walk into the school the next day with a Dark Knight waki from Barry Dawson.

.

Enforcing rules differentially or being accused of enforcing rules differentially just begs for a discrimination claim. Kids distort things and they even make up stories when they come home. I doubt the school has time for something like that, and rather than spend valuable teaching time measuring and judging devices that kids don't need to have in school in the first place, they opted for these "zero tolerance" policies. Like Kilgar said, blame the lawyers, bad parents, and bad kids.

 

[mmarkh]

Just leave your knife at home. Why start trouble? The next time could be a lot longer suspension .

 

[jobasha11]

Wrong. Rules/Laws get put in place because people tend to push boundaries or think that somehow the rules don't apply to them. Then there are those that feel that don't need to follow anything they don't agree with. The thing that these all have in common is that they are self centered/selfish behaviors that are not necessarily good for everyone as a whole. They way to change is not outright defiance or breaking the rules/laws, but to pursue to change them thru legal means. Until then one is bound to follow them the same as everyone else.



I highly suggest in the future you refrain from insulting the membership/other posters in this manner. It is an infractionable offense to do so. You can and will do better.


The OP had a responsibility to know his schools rule/policy. He chose to be ignorant of them. He chose to disobey them.
He caused his own problem and now has to pay the consequences for his actions. The teacher was only doing her job according to the policy given her. If she did not, her job could be jeopardized. I would far rather have a good teacher looking out to protect our schoolage children than to ignore the situation until someone gets hurt.

Cough cough kardas a dickhead cough

 

[jobasha11]

C'mon bladeforums posters! Most of us are well aware that multi-tool and knife users are a dying breed among young people. One of the largest reasons is the fact that we have allowed arbitrary, unreasonable policies to infect our schools and other public places.

Unreasonable, arbitrary rules do not deserve respect or compliance. People have elected to defy and ignore arbitrary and absurd laws for centuries. Here are a few examples: (1) civil rights activists performed sit-ins and elected to ride at the front of the bus; (2) people drank alcohol during prohibition; (3) unmarried people engaged in intimate acts; and (4) a kid used his multi-tool in a reasonably safe manner while in class. These defiant behaviors are natural and noble because some rules place fundamentally unreasonable restraints on individual autonomy that must be ignored.

There are likely many unreasonable, antiquated laws in your jurisdiction that you defy on a daily basis without thought, and would likely continue to do so if they were enforced. As individuals who love knives and multi-tools, we have a duty to contest, challenge, and ignore unreasonable restrictions on our personal autonomy and right to carry basic tools.

Again, I commend this young man for practicing reasonable, safe multi-tool use, and encourage him to keep carrying and using multi-tools. If you were my son, I'd likely be filing a civil suit, writing letters to the school district, and lobbying for an overhaul of the school's "weapons" policy. In the future, two glances and deep pockets, friend! Ride on!

[video=youtube;Hp9QacQA7lc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp9QacQA7lc[/video]

Completely agree with you. Nothing would change or get done in this world if people didn't stand out above the the rest to have there voices heard. Love the video by the way.

 

[Krav]

Cough cough kardas a dickhead cough

There is a area for this behavior if you choose to do so, look at whine and cheese.

 

[B.F.U]

Thanks for all of the input, guys. It was temporary lapse in judgement, but we all have had those days when we haven't had enough coffee. I just want other people to be aware of this, and what could happen. I'm taking responsibility for my actions, but I'm still in disbelief of how the school handled the situation. The new school classroom is in an office building, not an actual school campus. This means that none of the zero tolerance rules apply there.

What I've learned is that as a knife enthusiast and hobbyist, I have the responsibility to be discrete, and find better times to use my tools. Thanks again for all of the thought provoking discussion on this.
Rock on, guys!

I can't believe no one has acknowledged your response yet. They are too busy fighting.

I think it's great you haven't argued with everyone, but instead have listened to and taken in their advice. Keep on keepin on man.

 

[AddictedToGear]

That is really messed up, I think transferring was a good decision depending on how good the school you went to was. I was in high school a year ago and we had guys that carried pocket knives and no one ever bothered them, usually everyone that carried knives were in wood shop and we were just smart enough not to use them in front of regular teachers. Suspended for a multitool, plain and simply stupid, the schools are pussifying kids.

 

[jbmonkey]

So kids with emotional problems magically appeared in the last 20 years? If kids were allowed to bring knives to school, would you volunteer to keep watch over them and be financially liable if one was injured?

Let me ask this: if a kid doesn't bring a knife to school on a given day, is his/her life somehow traumatized from that separation? I mean they ARE back home after school, correct?

I am not following your rebuttal and redirection to my comment. Ill make it clearer. I think zero tolerance is a bad idea and fails far more than it succeeds. Your opinion will vary...so be it......

 

[jbmonkey]

Back 20+ years ago parents used to parent. Parents used to teach their children morals, ethics, common sense....and the big one... RESPONSIBILITY....for ones own words and deeds. Passing blame has also become all too common these days.
20+ years ago parents also disciplined their children when wrongdoing was done. Nowadays it is left to teachers, counselors, police officers and the like to teach individuals the consequences for improper thinking and behavior. Zero tolerance may not completely be the answer, but it is better than allowing those irresponsible individuals to run rampant without consequence. One shouldn't blame those tasked with enacting rules or laws without understanding the reasons why they may have had to do so in the first place.

Fine points...but I disagree with some...especially the last statement. It doesnt matter though we wont solve issues on these boards. thanks for the well thought out feedback. Appreciated the discussion.

 

[whetrock]

I graduated in 13, and faced similar problems as you have during my duration of HS. In short it was almost like a totalitarian regime of at times, but got much better towards the end, and I felt like I really had a accomplished a great deal after I got out of there. I got my Spyderco Native confiscated my freshman year, but it was given back to me by the principal after a couple of weeks. The principal was a real stickler for rules, and regs, and reminds me a good bit of the teacher you had your run in with. Coincidentally enough, I found out my senior year that my Ag teacher was a bit of a knife person, and was curious as to what knife I carried on a given day, he really felt knives were indispensable, and appreciated my advice quite often, on his purchases, he didn't even raise an eyebrow when I gifted some of my classmates in one of his smaller classes Opinels, and Rough Riders. Though we all had our diplomas by then, and were attending the last days of school. But the point I'm trying to make is teachers, opinions, and enforcement of policy vary a great deal, and your being taught by a mixed bag really. It sounds like it worked out for the best, and your quality of education has improved. Good luck, and be sure to carry your knife. I'm not for stirring up trouble, though that's hypocritical coming from me, but still you can carry a knife many places, and discreetly, but you're a junior, and don't have much time left there anyhow.

 

[AQuenga]

Does anyone remember shop?

 

[Murdamook]

I think people are forgetting the venue in this situation. The person in question was at school. The children in a high school, while at school, aren't subject to many of the rights the rest of us have access too. The entire goal of rules and regulations on a school-level is to remove any potential threat that may detract from the learning environment and subsequently interfere with another child's ability to learn. The teacher in question saw the knife and felt strongly enough that this could interfere with the rest of the class and any potential lesson. It doesn't matter if all of the children are "sheeple", that's not the school's priority. The priority of a school is to provide a safe and manageable learning atmosphere. He broke rules and regulations that are defined and he paid the price. This isn't about "effective leadership", it's about creating blanket policies so they can avoid case by case incidents and just allow learning to occur. A principal is an administrator that is there to handle things and ensure-at all cost-that the learning environment is maintained. Their duty is not to inspire or be a brilliant leader; merely to maintain. High School is not the forum to attempt to bring about change.

 

[DB731]

In addition to teaching the subject matter to the kids who are willing to learn, the teachers must also essentially be babysitters to those who do not. Asking them to be criminal profilers and weapons specialists and be responsible for injuries on top of that is quite unreasonable. If a kid brings a knife to school while the rules specifically prohibit that, that's a failure on the part of the parent, not the teacher or administrator.