November 16, 1997

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

Here is a telling little vignette, captured neatly in two letters, as to how our information outreach strikes its roots in the communities - as often as not, by default - because the soil is ready for the seed.

I ship them to you with real glee on sunny Sunday morning. They speak for themselves and are a tangential but ironic finale to the "Swindler's List" kangaroo trial in Canada that, luckily, ended for columnist Doug Collins in a victory.

"Swindler's List."

Think about the ripples of such trials when a certain pithy vocabulary becomes part of the public domain!

First letter:

"My granddaughter, aged 14, has just been suspended from school. Her "crime?" There was a showing in class of "Swindler's List", and she dared to laugh! The teacher asked why, and she replied that she had never seen anything so ridiculous in her life.

An innocent point of view from a young girl, and all hell is let loose! She has been suspended until her dad signs a paper guaranteeing that she would not laugh in future ". . . at the misfortunes of others!"

He refused to sign, and suggested another use for the paper. He did, however, remind the school of their legal obligation to provide an education for his daughter.

So the kid is currently at home while the school authorities discuss the matter, no doubt with the local "controller." The outcome will be interesting . . . at the least!"

Second letter, in response to my request for details:

"Thank you for your concern in the matter of my granddaughter's school suspension. I would have loved to take it further, but her father dosen't want her to be singled out for any more attention.

I can see his point (grudgingly!) but it wouldn't be my way of tackling it. But, the school authorities have apologised, and so it is now ended - until the next time!

She has been reinstated, and it was all a big mistake, we are told.

The school was rather hasty in its decision and, anyway, the kid wasn't suspended for laughing at the film, they now realize, but for being disruptive by laughing in class!

It is my guess that the local "controller" has shushed it up but, of course, THAT will never come to light.

Anyway, my thanks once again. Keep on with the fight. I thoroughly enjoy your Z-grams.

So much so, in fact, that I think I should share them with the Education Department!"

Thought for the Day:

"I was a former liberal who. . . grew up in a family whose motto seemed to be:

"If your blood is being sucked, do not squirm because you'll inconvenience the bloodsucker".

( Another thoughtful ZGram reader )

Comments? E-Mail: irimland@cts.com

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