Stupid School Administration Here In Georgia

You've read my rants about zero-tolerance policies in schools, and how they seem to be enforced at the exclusion of intellectual thought.

Well, in Clayton County, Georgia, zero-tolerance seems to apply to more than just weapons and drug offenses. Apparently, they have a zero-tolerance policy covering self-defense.

At his Jonesboro middle school, Daryl Gray says he has been hit, called gay and even had his shoes urinated on in the school restroom. But in March, Daryl, a Jehovah's Witness who had not been in trouble before, struck another boy in the face with a pencil. The blow left a scar on the bully's face.

Daryl says the boy he struck in the face hit him on the head first during math class at Pointe South Middle School. Like Daryl, the boy who hit him was suspended for 10 days, according to Daryl's mother, Jeanette Gray.

But that boy was charged only with misdemeanor battery because his blow, unlike Daryl's, did not cause serious physical injury. Also, for fighting back, Daryl has been guilty in juvenile court of aggravated battery. The judge gave him probation and ordered him to pay over $300 in restitution to the victim.

So the victim of years of bullying, beatings, name calling and humiliation, finally stands up, and HE'S the one facing the biggest penalties?

"Just because I was trying to defend myself they want to say I'm guilty," Daryl said. "I feel like I'm going to continue to be abused at school and nobody's going to help me."

One voice of idiocy, Clayton County Schools Assistant Superintendent for Area 3 Linda Tanner, explained the system's policy concerning self--defense...

"Students cannot fight back... Violence is not the answer to bullying."

But Tanner also said students who are being attacked by bullies are only allowed to restrain their attacker or ask for help from a teacher.

Shouldn't the focus of punishment should be on the bully, not his victim? What the heck is wrong with the Clayton County School System?