Social Butterfly

By lawyerdaggett

January 24, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

I’m more concerned about public swearing. I was standing in line in the Lawrenceville post office yesterday listening to a woman talking loudly about her son. Her conversation was laced with obscenities. When did this become acceptable behavior. I’m no prude but I sure wish this kind of behavior would be kept private.

By Mike In Woodstock

January 24, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

The official’s wife made a total baffoon of herself. That’s the joy of the internet though. All those little idiotic things that would have been swept under the rug 20 years ago can now be brought out for everyone to see. Remember the AOL rep that got thrown under the bus a couple of years ago? That was an all-time classic.

By claude

January 24, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

lawyerdaggett I agree, I am stunned by the language of children especially in the presence of their parent(s). I have been forced to listen to filthy language in restaurants and in passing in the mall. When did this become the norm? I am beyond stunned, I am disgusted! Parents have obviously demonstrated this language. What I want to know is HOW DO REAL PARENTS EXPLAIN THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN?

By Dave

January 24, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Maybe the language was excessice, but it’s about time the line was drawn in the sand as to kids wanting to be hand fed, thinking of how many school days they can have off (“Go to school, stupid”), what they can get away with and publicly thumbing their nose at the establishment, rules and authority. I have two daughters that know if they ever pulled something like that, I would be the one they should worry about.

If you think for one second that the student was worried about the “safety” issue, I have some beachfront property in Oklahoma foe sell. Parents and the MTV population are constantly makeing excuses for and rolling their eyes at pretty much everything kids do these days. Guess what, if the school is closed, they’ll let you know. You go and call the flipping principle because you don’t have a snow day, you will be getting what you deserve.

By astro

January 24, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Okay, so the lady was a little out of line with what she said, but hey, she probably had a few dozen phone calls AT HER HOUSE.

I’m sorry but I really take exception to your comment

“but placing a phone call to the publicly listed number of an official who draws his paycheck from public coffers is not “harassment.””

C’mon… if you want to complain to a gov’t official, you call his office. When he is at home, then he is a husband, father, or whatever else, but leave the guy alone.

I suppose you think it’s okay to look up your Doctor’s home number and call them there instead of getting in touch with them through official channels, like his office line, answering service, or after-hours number.

The only time to call these folks at home is if you are a personal friend, or if they tell you to contact them there.

By No 4 Letter Words

January 24, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

I just tell my kids it’s a cultural thing and that our culture does not approve of using those four letter words in polite conversation, especially in public places where others can overhear.

By HS Teacher Too

January 24, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Claude, The way my parents explained it to me: “WE don’t speak that way, because WE have manners and WE know what is appropriate.” Of course, the knowledge of the consequences if we DID speak that way, made an impression as well. :) When my sisters and I asked why so-and-so would speak that way, we were simply told that they either didn’t know better, or that they were rude, etc. In short, my parents raised little snobs in that regard; mini-elitists, if you will, but we were raised to think we were “better” than that.

By Rick

January 24, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

While the lady did use inappropriate language, the phrase “GO TO SCHOOL” is exactly what the little twirp needed to hear. On his first job interview, this kid will probably ask “How many days off do we get and what holidays do we observe?”. He was no more interested in the snow being dangerous than I’m the king of scotland. He just wanted a day off. That’s the way kids are allowed to think these days.

By Gotoschool

January 24, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

What should have happened was the kid’s mom or dad walk up behind him and land a boot in his behind. GO TO SCHOOL!!!!

By Jane

January 24, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

If the lady in question did not want to answer the call she could have chosen to let the answering machine pick it up - I know that with technology caller ID is available. If I do not know the number or if the call comes up labeled as unknown I don’t answer.
Kids will be kids - some of us did things that our parents would be horrified to know about - even minor things that our parents would have considered to be totally unacceptable behavior. Most of us still managed to grow up alright. No, this conversation should not have been posted on line but by the same token the ADULT should have censored herself. Two wrongs do not make it right.
The student wanted a snow day - the SB in it infinite wisdom did not agree. Bottom line the student had to go to school or deal with the consequences (i.e., parents) but the student does have the right to voice her/his opinion to elected officials (Constitution folks). The student showed inititive in locating the phone number, calling and for those of you that have not checked the phone numbers are not listed as Mr. & Mrs. They are listed by whom the bill is sent to each month. All the lady had to do was state that she had reached a residence and if she had any concerns to call the following number (hopefully she did have access to her husbands phone number at work).

By Lee

January 24, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Calling a public servant at home is rude. Also, it was unfair to post her response, but not the boy’s original message- we have only his word that he was nice and polite. Finally, there is a bit of revenge here, as the student also posted the woman’s home telephone (but not his own) on the web, so she would get even more crank calls. It seems that this boy wants to be totally in charge and a controller, which makes me suspect he may have been trolling for a sharp response during his call, and probably was not all that polite. A little snot, to be sure.

By jd

January 24, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Did not the student call the office first, with no return call from the official?

By comeon

January 24, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Students over the age of 10 should have enough sense not to call an official to “complain” they didn’t get a snow day. This kid should “get over it and go to school,” so if that’s all she said, power to her. If she said more, I can’t blame her. It’s time children were taught to respect people in authority. And maybe it’s time for society to stand behind those same people, instead of allowing youngsters to ride roughshod over their elders. I think he should’ve been grounded by his parents.

By GetaGrip

January 24, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

If I had pulled that stunt, my parents would have driven me to school and made me stay there all day whether the school was open or not. Stop trying to make excuses for children who do what they want, when they want and how they want. Then they wonder why they got in trouble in the first place. Bottom line, if the crawler across the bottm of the screen doesn’t have your school list, strap them on tight, get your notebook and get your butt to school!

By Atlanta Pearl Girl

January 24, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Gee…… I have to say….there are two ‘bad’s here….. The student really shouldn’t question a school official…. I have to agree ‘get to school….. on the other hand….. the wife of the official really had no authority to return a phone call placed to her husband….. sounds a little witchy to me…. I could definately use a does of “Leave It to Beaver”or “Father Knows Best” manners in our world….. I think the crude and rudeness of everyone really will have an effect on our soceity as a whole….. Call it rose colored glasses on my part…but I really feel that if you wish it to be better…it has to start with ONE.

By Betheroo

January 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

In this case, folks, both parties were in the wrong. The student had no business calling the school official at home and then posting the call on YouTube. The school official’s wife made totally inappropriate comments to the student.

A total case of bad manners, or as we Southerners call it - “tacky.”

By Old Physics Teacher

January 24, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Give me a break,

A kid whines to a person’s personal home about a business decision, and you back him? Are you really serious? OK, Ms. Britt, how about I call your personal phone and complain about your work on this blog, huh? You’re OK with that? No, I didn’t think so. But it’s OK with you for a kid to call a person’s home because Mr. So-and-so is a public servant. Since when does that translate as he has less personal rights than you?

Accosting anyone at their home is inappropriate. The kid should have been ridiculed throughout the nation. The real problem is that his parents should have taught him better, as your’s should have too.

By Capt

January 24, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Hey…is that guys wife the one that had the sexy pictures on the school computer….if so that explains it.

By Are you kidding me?

January 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

The child was showing “initiative” by looking up the phone number? Lovely! I guess the child was showing “creativity” or maybe “individuality” by posting the message on YouTube. Give me a break! It’s this type of passive behavior by adults that encourages children to do spiteful things such as this. The student ABSOLUTELY had NO RIGHT to contact this official’s home. Period. Children need to be taught that there are rules of behavior and behavior like this is unacceptable. Freedom of speech is one thing. Rude behavior is another.

By JBK111

January 24, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

The kid should not have called the official’s home.

The wife should have given the message to her husband, who then should have taken it up with the principal of the kid’s school.

The administrator who called the kid’s phone call “harrassment” is wrong, based on the information that the kid called one time during his lunch hour, which would be somewhere between 10:30am-1pm, and supposedly left a “polite” message. The call is not “harrassment”, it is simply inappropriate.

Just a toss-off fact here…the school is located in Fairfax County, VA. The AJC reported today that Forbes has deemed Fairfax the #1 county in the US in terms of household income.

By Excuse me?

January 24, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I’m a little confused by S.B. First, I am of the opinion that listing one’s number in the directory is NOT an open invitaion for thousands of enrolled students to call one at home (is your number listed, or are you on the Do Not Call List?). Should I call James Kennedy or Ann Cox at home if my AJC wasn’t deliverd this morning? Should I feel free to call Shirley Franklin at home and ask directions to City Hall? Second, Why hold the lady accountable but not the boy who behaved childishly and got yelled at by an adult (Of course we don’t have a copy of the child’s message to her, but we can still find him faultless??). Have we become that PC that we cannot tolerate anger? Do we know what else was going on in her life to make her so angry? I was brought up that a gentlemen would never publicly humiliate or insult a lady. I guess now I have carte blanche to be publicly rude, insensitive, and insulting to whomever I please, and if they get mad they are the ones at fault. Sorry, but I think we should take our etiquitte advice from Ms. Manners, not YouTube.

By Jennifer Brett

January 24, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Thanks to all for the many thoughtful responses today. I agree with many of your comments. Atlanta Pearl Girl and Betheroo in particular both make excellent points.

I’ll sign off with a thought my minister shared recently: Be kind. You never know the burdens others are carrying.

I think that’s good advice for both sides in this case, and for folks in general.

By Grace

January 24, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Jane statement is so full of BS. The lady shouldn’t have answered the phone if she had caller id???? What kind of crap is that! If I pay the bill, it’s my right to answer what ever call coming in my damn house. GetaGrip was right on point when he talked about his upbring. The real problem that no one is addressing is the 17yr old parents. The apple usually don’t fall to far from the tree. How was he raised to think that he could call the home of a school official & complain about not getting a snow day. At 17, my parents would have grounded me for 2 weekends. My father would have said, “Since you want to be home, then you stay in the house.” We cater to these spoiled little brats & then we wonder why the judge is being so harsh after his 3rd offense. Guess what, if you don’t teach your kids to respect authority, the police, military, or his boss will. When he can’t keep a job, he will move back with the parents that created the monster.

By Jane

January 24, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

From what the article states the lady called him back after he left a message for the official. She did not NEED to do this anymore that the student NEEDED to place the phone call. Since when is voicing an opinion worthy of deciding that the student does not respect authority. No one has stated the other side to the story and “Grace” there are always two sides.

By 9th place trophy

January 24, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

This is the kid who will call his mommy when he doesn’t get an A in a college course.

This is the kid you’ll some day have to deal with extensive “sick days” from work. This is the kid that will EXPECT a raise regardless of the work he’s performed. This is the kid who’ll be unable to take constructive criticism becasue he’s been coddled his whole life and told self esteem is more imoportant than actual production.

This kid IS a total punk. He knew he shouldn’t call the official’s personal number - they make public announcements about closings - if you don’t hear your school, then you head on in.

He’s an even bigger punk for posting it on the web.

The only fault I have with the Wife is not being aware that these things go public now.

Jennifer Brett is an idiot who probably leaves work early when there are flurries in the air.

By Lucky Yankee

January 24, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

Just another example from the “Look At Me” generation. They want the attention, get it, then don’t know what to do with it (Britney Spears, anyone?) The current youthful generation has been raised on the asinine “raise their self-esteem” crap and now their self-esteem has been raised so high, they can do no wrong - or if they do, they were just “thinking outside of the box”. God help the future.

By Soulfinger

January 24, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

That was totally inappropiate for that person to call thier home. Under no circumstances would I ever allow a customer of mine to call me on my personal phone. Whatever response he got, he deserved. Lets stop making excuses for bad behavior from children.

By All-Seeing Nose

January 24, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

We ar a Nashun ful of rood crood Ideots. Jeb Bush for President!

By KultureFreedom

January 24, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I agree….I’m not sure what protocol school officials have with listing their home phone numbers, but I would think it was for someone to contact them (non-friend) for emergency purposes. Now when someone abuses this process and just decides to call to harass that person for NOT making a snow day, EXPECT TO GET VERBALLY BLASTED!!!!! This student is a young man (althought not able to vote) clearly knew what he was doing to the point of even TAPING THE CONVERSATION…. I thought there were laws in place AGAINST taping someone without their knowledge, It was not like they were in a public place, He initiated the call to the officials home, no the other way around. I’M NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT I WOULD THINK CRIMINAL LAWS WERE BROKEN HERE, and since he wants to play games and ACT like and adult, he should be in front of a judge like an adult!!!!!!!!!!! KIDS NOW-A-DAYS NEED TO KNOW THEIR PLACE in this “TIME-OUT” age…..nuff said.

By me

January 24, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Take you phone # out of the phone book. The principal wife should have not been meddling in her husband business. I guess that why he is the principal and she is the wife. This is a child, at that age every child is trying to get a free day. You guys act like you never inquired about some thing free. Go some where and pray about your attitude toward a teenager. Wife use your screamer for some thing else like a ball game or something, spoil One

By me

January 24, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Take you phone # out of the phone book. The principal wife should have not been meddling in her husband business. I guess that why he is the principal and she is the wife. This is a child, at that age every child is trying to get a free day. You guys act like you never inquired about some thing free. Go some where and pray about your attitude toward a teenager. Wife use your screamer for some thing else like a ball game or something, spoil One

By Michelle

January 25, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

Thank you “Give Me a Break”, “Lucky Yankee” and “Getagrip”!!! I am 28 years old and just want to know what is wrong with people these days? Clearly he hails from the new type of parenting households where Suzi and Johnny, no, sorry Kahnnur (Conner) and MacKenzzii (McKenzie) are never disciplined and can do whatever they like! He was on GMA this morning actually laughing about it. I would have in so much trouble if I did something like that. This is just one more example why our country is completely and totally screwed.

By Penguinmom

January 25, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this

btw, this was not a Live phone call. Both people left messages on an answering machine.

Really, both parties just needed to ‘let it go.’

The student should have just accepted that he lives in Virginia not Georgia so 3 inches of snow wasn’t going to cancel school. And the wife should have passed the message on to her husband than deleted it.

It was a bit stupid of her to call him back and leave a message but I don’t think it was acceptable for the student to call the official at home in the first place. Unless the man specifically has his home number posted as a way to contact him, he shouldn’t be contacted at home except in an emergency. Having to go to school is not an emergency.

By KultureFreedom

January 25, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I agree….I’m not sure what protocol school officials have with listing their home phone numbers, but I would think it was for someone to contact them (non-friend) for emergency purposes. Now when someone abuses this process and just decides to call to harass that person for NOT making a snow day, EXPECT TO GET VERBALLY BLASTED!!!!! This student is a young man (althought not able to vote) clearly knew what he was doing to the point of even TAPING THE CONVERSATION…. I thought there were laws in place AGAINST taping someone without their knowledge, It was not like they were in a public place, He initiated the call to the officials home, no the other way around. I’M NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT I WOULD THINK CRIMINAL LAWS WERE BROKEN HERE, and since he wants to play games and ACT like and adult, he should be in front of a judge like an adult!!!!!!!!!!! KIDS NOW-A-DAYS NEED TO KNOW THEIR PLACE in this “TIME-OUT” age…..nuff said.