User: LyNn

If by "similar experience," you mean a school paddling, then yes I was subjected to them. If you meant the taking-off-the-shoes-before-the-paddling, then no. In my case I dont think shoes were an issue: the paddling hurt too much for me to be thinking about my shoes causing problems or my makeup running or whatever else.

========== In Reply To ========== I was paddled at school earlier in the current school year for smoking on school property. There was really nothing unusual about it except that the female teacher who was present at the paddling told me to take my platform shoes off since they were rather high, and could cause me to fall or throw an ankle during the paddling. Since there was really nowhere to sit down and take them off, she undid the zippers for me so I could step out of them. I then walked over to the principal's desk in my socks and bent over for my 3 swats(normal amount for a first offense). It was humiliating! Any girls have a similar experience?

I'm glad that your state has seen the light and has stopped this barbaric practice for the most part (and would be more than willing to get to the root of a child's problem and reach out to help them. It's time for those other 20-plus states who still weild the paddle without thinking to follow suit. And yes, you are right: paddles should be used on boats-- not on butts. Lynn

========== In Reply To ========== That more than likely would not have happened in North Carolina. Over half the school districts here ban that evil paddle to start with, but the schools here try to get to the root of the problem before they decide to hit the child. Its hard at any age to lose a relative, especially one you were close to, but it is especially hard on a 13 year old girl who is already going through a tough stage of her life as it is. The school should have provided the counselor for this girl to be able to talk to before they just hit her like that. When is this country going to wake up and ban that evil paddle in the classroom, where its only purpose is to hurt children??? Paddles should only be used on boats!!!!!!

This is mainly for those of you who live in one of the 20-plus states which still permit school paddlings, (mostly in the South.)

I have a friend in Mississippi (which, along with Texas, ranks among the top school-paddling states year after year.)
My friend was recently paddled for a minor infraction. If the school officials wouldve taken a breath and had brought in the school psychologist, instead of wielding the paddle to Laura at the drop of a hat, they wouldve learned that she had recently lost a relative and that her slight slip of behavior in the classroom was a psychological result of this family loss. (But no, before taking any steps to look into the matter and/or try to help her with some counselling, the school officials wasted no time in applying the paddle board to Laura's behind, which later led to more behavior problems than wouldve ever happened. Remember, we're talking about a 13-year-old who had recently lost a beloved grandma.)

Schools in the Southern States, these so-called beacons of righteousness and hospitality, need to abandon the age-old "Spare-the-rod-and-spoil-the-child" mentality which has been passed down from generation to generation, and they should attempt to reach a school-age child's heart and mind before they reach the child's behind. There may be so much inner-pain the child is suppressing due to whatever incident (home-related or otherwise.)

I think you hit that right on the head. Schulz is Peanuts. Most if not all of his characters came from some part of his life. I don't feel anyone could fill his shoes. ========== In Reply To ========== I can't BELIEVE that even 22% of the people who have voted on this poll think that ANYONE except Charles Schulz could do "Peanuts". Charles Schulz IS Peanuts and as much as I'll miss the strip, having anyone else attempt it would be an abomination. We're not talking "Garfield" here! 22% of the voters are DEAD WRONG! This should be 0%.