Reply #32: Great post. It is important to know if this was structural...

[YvonneCa]

...and it seems it was...how did that come to be? You said, "But isolating the system that allowed and/or caused torture, and prosecuting the architects of that system, could be possible, and, I think, is necessary." That would be my goal as well.

I have never been in the military, either...but I HAVE worked in a government structure (education) for many years. Here's another way to think of this:

Corporal punishment has been banned in public schools for years. Suppose a new superintendent came in and reinstated it. I, as a teacher, now continue to work within that structure. I have some options. I could quit my job, loudly or quietly. I could go to superiors and make them aware of what was happening. I could say nothing, but refuse personally to participate in corporal punishment. Or I could 'go along to get along'...because that's the new system of which I am a part. (I may have left out options, so feel free to add them. :7 )

Personally, I'd want to quit...loudly. For my values, for the kids, to stop what was happening. Some, like me, would stay...maybe because they had families to support...also a highly valued choice. They might speak out, if they didn't feel their job was in jeopardy. Some might have participated, feeling they had no choice. And some might have cheered, saying "It's about time! These kids need REAL discipline."

Now, the local newspaper (a really good investigative one :7 ) gets the story and wants the superintendent's head (figuratively). So he pretends to know nothing and blames the teachers who actually administered the spankings to kids.


What should happen? IMO, the truth needs to be told. Punishment should be reserved to those who made the decision to either 1) use corporal punishment, or 2) administer it excessively with great glee.

Thoughts?