Zero Tolerance

As an example of zero tolerance and how far away it is from common sense, I present the case of the third grader who was suspended last week for using a permanent marker of his jacket, and then snuffing the jacket. Three days suspension for this major offense.

The school before this point had no policy of what type of markers the kids were allowed to bring to school. But snuffing markers, for those of us who failed to learn this in art class, is a gateway to heavier drugs.

(Much like fortune telling is a gateway to heavier crimes, like prostitution and drug use, or so the Denver police say).

What next? Locking magic markers in stores behind security glass, like they do spray paint? (Ok, completely different, but you get the idea.)