The socalled Buffalo Skinner

see whitehouseboys link (elsewhere on page)

Off the wall reflections by webster Bob Shepherd Most families and parents and institutions (schools or whatever) could probably be charged with (at least accused of) some version of accountability (structure, control, discipline etc). The Marianna case is battling back, looking for scapegoats, and some of those in authority are worried about image and damage control. Ironically, the success stories are unnoticed in the media eagerness for juicy stories, scandals, and "torture" headlines. So the victims "memory" suddenly improves, and juicy details suddenly "come back" to them, resulting in embellished exposés for the newly lionized investigative journalists. (And perhaps fame, celebrity, even book deals for the now-announced "victims" (real -- or slightly exaggerated). Wherever we turn to, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, etc -- integrity is a beacon. Abuse is an abomination. But so is lying. Always beneath the radar, it seems, is a good side. We have many stories, never heard of, where the boys took their abuse, grew up and graduated, then made something good of their lives, bringing credit both to their own resilience and resolve -- but also bringing credit (and satisfaction) to everyone along the way who believed in them, including (yes) the ones whom others have branded as "abusers." If you heal ten people, giving of yourself, all ten will go their way happier for your efforts. But I bet you only one or two of the ten will turn around and thank you. Administrators do their best with these kids, hoping they can make something good of their lives. Most of them do, even if sometimes they bog down for a while. Who knows when, or even if. There's a mystery to the alchemy of the soul. But even the socalled abusers, most of them, are trying to do their jobs the best they can. Most of them want to help those troubled boys. And many of them (themselves) have come from rough backgrounds, and they KNOW what helped them. They somehow understand a purpose behind the correction they themselves received, earlier. And have forgiven their own disciplinarians enough to grow up, to move on, and to try to do some good in the world. Remember, behind every storm cloud may be a rainbow. (But don't we have to look for it?)

Better a millstone tied about one's neck