LP>>I suppose when I have a kid & am subjected to the nagging daily &
LP>>all-year round, I, too, will succumb & buy their silence.
 RM> Nah... It's like anything else, the actions are based on
 RM> previous experience; if you hang tough and fight the good
 RM> fight early on, they learn that those actions are simply a
 RM> waste of energy and then stop doing it... It's only when
 RM> a parent gives in early in the cycle that things get worse
I sure hope so; one of my friend's kids are BRATS (ages 4 & 7.)
Another friend whose kids I haven't seen in awhile TELLS me hers are
brats (ages 12 & 7.)  From what I've observed, my friends don't exercise
consistent discipline & give in when they get tired.
 RM> over time.  Teachers, by and large, have learned that you
 RM> have to start off tough or suffer later...
Ahhhh.  No one ever told me this, I had to figure it out.  My sense of
propriety was offended from the beginning that students would say some
of the things they pop out with from time to time, not just requests for
parties or freebies, but intimate personal information.  I wasn't in
school THAT long ago (graduated high school in 80,) but we would never
have asked teachers if they were pregnant, living with someone, a
virgin, had used/or currently using drugs, what they were earning, or
some of the other truly dreadful things my students want to know.
 RM> Btw, I didn't comment at the time you mentioned it, but
 RM> hasn't anyone watching a gorilla mascot dunking a basketball
 RM> suggested that it more than a little racist?  I know that
I've never heard anyone have a problem with it.  Nobody knows who the
Gorilla is, whether he's white, black or brown.  We're pretty sure he's
a he.  If he's a she, she must have a terrible hormonal imbalance.  He's
a really short, stocky little dude, about 5'6", but he can do some
amazing things with a basketball & a trampoline.
 RM> seems far out, but I seem to recall some guy getting reamed
 RM> for saying something along the lines of: "That little
 RM> monkey is really quick!".  Those of us old enough know, that
 RM> this expression has nothing to do with race, and more to do
 RM> with the age of the person being observed, but that didn't
 RM> prevent someone from taking offense!  I'd be amazed if there
 RM> hasn't been something similar concerning the Sun's mascot!
I think if there had been a problem, the Suns' organization never would
have hired the guy.  As I remember, he used to dress up & attend the
games as a fan, & was hired because of his antics.  He's really
funny, in spite of the fact that he never says a word (I wonder if he
hasn't had clown training.)  I got to "talk" to him one time (I talked,
he gestured answers.)  The Suns' owner had noticed the San Diego Chicken
(hey, does that mean they're cowards?  Donna?) & wanted Phx to have a
similar marketing tool.
Phoenix doesn't seem to have as much of the PC police & racial unrest as
other places I've heard about or visited.  Most people are pretty laid
back about everything, including race, altho' we get rare conflicts
between racial groups in the high schools, the catalyst of which usually
seems to be gang related.  I haven't seen the intolerance here that I've
observed when visiting other places such as Washington, D.C., Georgia,
S. Carolina, Minnesota, England & France, but that's just my opinion.
The kids love The Gorilla (to use his full name!)  If he didn't show up
at a Stay in School assembly, they would feel ripped.  The two people
they most want to see are The Gorilla & Barkley.  Barkley showed once.
The Gorilla has been there every time.  Barkley most definitely won't be
there THIS year.  I think it's safe to say he is out o' here.
Leona Payne
... If at first you don't succeed, try looking at the docs.
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