Texsox

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 24, 2012 -> 03:28 PM) Tex, Please ask your principle if you are mandated to report knowledge of a 16 year old dating an 18 year old. I don't think the s*** will ever hit the fan for a 16 and an 18 year old dating or even, gasp, having sex, because the statute specifically says that's a defensible act. We have these conversations twice annually. he always says "if we are not sure, report it to the police." Again you are asking professionals to risk their careers based on them playing lawyer and cop.

From the Texas Attorney General Website and the training I have had Again, why would I risk my career, reputation, and income? I am not an attorney. If I knew a minor was dating an adult, I would report it, not play cop or attorney. I ONLY LOSE IF I FAIL TO REPORT. Again, if I fail to report that is the same as covering it up in the public's eyes. I only risk my job if I fail to report. And in case anyone is missing the point, I am saying what I would have done as a coach and teacher. I am not suggesting that what those coaches did was correct. It was wrong.

I found it difficult to believe he did use PEDs, but eventually was convinced. A procedural error doesn't sway my opinion that he was using. With the money they are earning, and the money labs could be making, I believe labs are continuing to design substances to help athletes and only the guys willing to spend seven figures will have them.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 24, 2012 -> 03:15 PM) Notice the "without malice" language. I would argue this was entirely WITH malice. I agree what the coaches did was with malice. Which is why I would have reported to the police. That way it could remain somewhat private if nothing illegal was happening. I would not have confronted the child and probably not have spoken with the parent.

If it turns out the child was in an illegal relationship and I covered it up? Damn right I would be fired. Do you think I would be fired for reporting it? When the s*** hits the fan and people start second guessing and demanding that everyone who knew be punished, what do you think happens?

https://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/childabuse.shtml

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 24, 2012 -> 02:26 PM) There's nothing illegal about a 16yo and an 18yo dating. These coaches corned the student and forced a confession which did not include any illegal revelations (even disregarding the less than 3 years clause) and then told her mother. McQuery saw physical sexual contact between a child and an adult and reported it to a prominent public figure who was his boss. These are not remotely the same thing, and I sincerely doubt every high school teacher who is knowledgeable of potential relationships between 16 yo's and 18 yo's are mandatory reporters. Like I said, this is a bit of a grey area and, if I were a teacher, I'd be asking my administrators about how to handle this situation. But I sure as hell wouldn't be comparing it to first-hand reports of actual child rape. I am not an attorney nor a police officer it is not my job to determine if a crime has been committed. Further I do not have to see a crime committed to be compelled to report it. If I suspect I am duty bound to report it. Plain and simple. Teachers are mandatory reporters. If I err on the side of reporting I do not risk my career or reputation. Again, tell me why I should risk my career, reputation, and income? If I report it and the police determine that the relationship is not illegal, I haven't lost anything. If I do not report it, my defense can't be later. well I, as an English teacher, decided that no law was being broken. I only lose if I fail to report.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 24, 2012 -> 10:37 AM) I figured that this was your angle since the OP. Stop being a dummy. McQuery saw an adult male sexually abusing a child. By Paterno's own admission, McQuery informed him that he witnessed sexual contact. In this case, a coach corned a 16 year old student and she admitted that she was dating an 18 year old. She did not admit to sexual conduct, at least according to the ruling so far. They are not on the same continent. The coach also did not report this to police or administrators but to the parents. Read all of McQuery's statements. he has said he did not know what he saw. The same continent is if I, as a teacher, have knowledge about a possible illegal relationship and if I do not report it, I am covering it up, and could lose my job. It's that simple. It is not up to me to investigate, I must contact police and force them to investigate. I may not agree with the current environment but I damn sure will follow them. It's not about agreeing with what should and should not be done. I'm not going to risk my career, reputation, and income. How does that not make sense to anyone?

If I do not report, I run the risk of losing my career. If I report I lose nothing. Seems really easy. Why would I want to risk my career and reputation?

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 24, 2012 -> 06:29 AM) Reports by an eye witness of child rape =/= a 16 year old dating an 18 year old with no confirmation of sexual contact. edit: though I'd hope that this incident makes schools in Texas examine their policy in instances like this where the age difference is less than 3 years (I don't know if knowledge of sexual contact between a 16 yo and an 18yo should be reported) and that they make sure their teachers are properly trained. Not equal but within the same area. McQuery wasn't certain what he saw, he's changed his story a couple times on what he told Paterno. If it turns out to be an abusive relationship and the coach did not report it, or only told her boss, her career and reputation is ruined. There is not downside to reporting it, the only risk is not reporting. Why should the coach risk their career and reputation by not reporting it?

Robin is in a nice position. 82 wins Robin = nice job Ozzie = underachievers

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 23, 2012 -> 08:01 AM) If the principal suspects something illegal, their next stop is either the systems top administrators (who then call the police) or calling the police. That is the law. We saw how sending it to the top administrator did at Penn State. I would not have hesitated to call the police. Gay or straight.

You can't just kick it up the chain of command, the coaches needed to call the police and be certain it was investigated.

http://mashable.com/2012/02/23/drinking-board-game-memes/

Really, two better than one? I need to get busy and read two. We're taking a field trip to see the movie. I am looking forward to watching it with my students.

I generally do prefer user taxes where possible, but mass transit just doesn't seem like a good area for any sort of user taxes. It could be argued that mass transit reduces pollution, lowers medical costs by reducing car accidents, and probably a few more things. Those are really hard to sell to the public with isn't benefitting from the service. But the main issue seems to be do we treat mass transit the same as roads. One pot or two. I'm trying to see which way would protect mass transit monies. Once I figure that out, I will have a better idea which way I would like to see it.

I need to ponder this a while longer, but my first reaction was to decouple it. I'm interested to see what I think after thinking about it some more.

I've been spending a little time at Goodreads.com and using their app to catalog and track books. As an English teacher it seems to be a decent resource. As a reader perhaps even more so.

QUOTE (knightni @ Feb 21, 2012 -> 09:01 PM) The 16 year-old minor is not the appropriate one to be the first to talk to regarding this. If there was a concern, the school's Principal should have contacted the parent first. Especially the way it was portrayed as being done. I agree the principal is a more appropriate choice, but the teachers still needed to go to the police. Just telling the principal is not enough.

It would also be impossible to paint a picture so pessimistic I'd argue with it. I think the proven part of the talent is down from last year, the upside is higher (even subtracting Dunn and Rios). I believe the attitude will be better.

I will sometimes heat up a deepdish in the oven. But never, ever, will pizza hit the microwave. I usually will just eat it cold.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Feb 20, 2012 -> 09:22 PM) I've watched every video on youtube on how to tie a tie and have put in hours of practice and really just can't seem to get it just right. It's pretty sad that I go over to my parents house before job interviews and weddings to have my dad tie it for me. One of these days it will click I'm sure. Not certain if this thought will help but for almost any regular knot, windsor, four in hand, half windsor, etc the short end stays and the long end wraps around it.

We scoffed whenever it was mentioned that Walker was respected around baseball. I think it was time, I believe hitting coaches and pitching coaches receive too much blame *and* too much credit.