Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 38

MiMTtti rnnnnMm'M'MMn B6 The Arizona Rcpuhlic Saturday, September II, ifrw i Editor Keven Ann Willey (602) 444-8499 OpinionsPNI.com The Arizona Republic THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: GUNS AND KNIVES AT SCHOOL Are zero-tolerance rules a good way to ensure safe schools? Can you tolerate zero tolerance? Do black-and-white policies work in a world shaded with gray? of stories. This one isn't about students being expelled for giving a friend an aspirin or innocently tucking a Boy Scout knife into a backpack. These stories are about school shootings. The names are as sadly familiar as the col Zero tolerance has a pice ring to it. So firm and decisive.

It's the simple solution to those thorny problems that parents, educators and others wish they could easily banish from children's lives. charter school. No other school would take him, his mother told Republic reporter Melissa L. Jones, after Tempe expelled him for a weapons violation. The mother says it was all a mistake.

The boy took the knife to school to trade for a Gameboy. Eventually, Should this boy have been expelled for bringing a collector's knife to school? fCUDO. UHeCBM91" wets lective sense of grief and disbelief they inspire: Littleton, Jonesboro, West Paducah, Edin-boro, Springfield. Ore. the knife fell out of his backpack, and he got busted.

The district says it has a responsibility to protect all its students. And safe schools mean no weapons. Zero tol Drugs? Institute a zero-tolerance policy at school. Violence? Institute a zero-tolerance policy for weapons. Just say no ARIZONA'S TALKING ABOUT mmmwl School districts redoubled their efforts to assure student safety after the massacre at Columbine High School and the public was with them.

Zero tolerance plays a big role in those efforts. It telis kids in no uncer erance. Some use cases like these to flagellate public education. They say it shows the breathtaking lack of common sense Are school districts to blame for strictly enforcing tough rules? and the bad things go away. But easy solutions have a way of biting the hand that pushes them out to save the world.

The story of 13-year-old Derek Daughetee, who was expelled from a Tempe school for bringing a Franklin Mint collector's knife on campus, is the latest in a long line of stories that make the policies look foolish. It points out the impossibility of fairly implementing zero Or does it demonstrate the lack of common sense among educators? The importance of zero-tolerance policies on weapons can be established with another long line among Others say it shows the failing of a simplistic approach to a complex problem. Still others argue that publicity over cases like Derek's simply drives home the point that there is no place for weapons of any kind on any school campus. What do you think? Send us your answers to one or more of this week's questions and we'll print a tain terms that weapons will not be permitted at school. It demands decisive action against those who ignore the rule.

But what about those who forget? What about those who don't think of the steak knife in their lunch bag as a weapon? What about the gray areas where a black-and-white rule seems unjust? The case of Derek Daughetee looks like one of those. The boy now faces a long commute to a sampling of your responses here next week. Can a zero-tolerance rule be fairly enforced? i WHAT We want t0 hear yur Pinion-Send us yur letters of not more than 200 words by noon Wednesday and we'n Publish as many nnvnil as we can next Saturday- Mail letters t0 Talking, The Arizona Republic, P.O. Box 2244, Phoenix Arizona 85002. You DO YOU can send e-mail to Opinionspni.com or respond online at www.

azcentral.comopinions. Our fax number is (602) 444-8933. THINK Letters must include your name, address" and phone number, and may be edited for clarity and length. HERE'S WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT CELEBRITY DEATHS We asked if the world had forgotten Princess Diana, and the answer was a resounding sort of. Only a couple dozen readers responded, but those who did voiced some strong emotions.

Here's a sampling of what they had to say. world even in remote villages. Somehow, it lessened our own loads as we saw her daily struggle against the heartless manipulations of the "unroyal" family that lured her, an innocent 19-year-old, into the slimy web of deceit that would ensure the future of the monarchy. Then, after dutifully producing "an heir and a spare," she became expendable. The abuse was there for all to see as she struggled to retain her sanity and survive.

It was obvious that the frumpy, dumpy palace women viewed this long-stemmed beauty with undying envy and contempt. And it is also obvious that now, since Diana's death, every effort is being made to expunge her memory from the planet. Margaret Carlson Phoenix Honorable mention Mother Teresa was a humble servant who patterned her life after Jesus. She was dedicated to helping the poor and downtrodden. Everything, she acquired she gave away.

She built a program to aid the sick and dying. That program continues. She achieved what she set out to do. Her memory lives on in the works she did. Today, we celebrate Mother Teresa's life rather than grieve over her death.

Princess Diana was a compassionate person, but not a servant. On the understand why the American people were mourning the death of Princess Diana. She was English, and the only good things to come out of England were John Locke, Liverpool and the Beatles. She was an English princess I never met. So why should I really care? As for John F.

Kennedy I felt bad because the legacy of his father died with him. John F. Kennedy was a great man who fought for democracy. He was a voice for the American people and when he died, it was a horrible moment. Pierce Korhouen Tempe Sad statement about American society Unfortunately, the American society has evolved in such a way that popularity and Invest time and money to help unfortunate The public needs to get over it.

People come, people go. This is life. People spend too much time worrying about the famous people who have tons of cash when there is a homeless person at the corner who just wants a quarter or two. Chris Sarantopulos Tempe Overshadowing our own families The people of the world know more about celebrities and famous people than they do about their own immediate and extended families. I grieved and was saddened by the death of Princess Diana because I watched her, read about her, envied her, wished she were part of my family.

I got to know her better than some of the members in my own family. But I have gotten over it. It is not something that needs to be brought up annually. The death that saddened me the most, though, was that of columnist and writer Erma Bombeck. She lived here in the Valley and I had the opportunity a few times through various events to meet her.

It was like visiting with my aunt or grandma. Timon G. Harper Cave Creek Humans create celebrity, mourn celebrity Many say the grieving process the public goes through with the death of a public figure is unjust and exaggerated. Public figures became famous because of the extreme attention they got from the public. When something tragic happens to the famous, there is a feeling of loss for many people, which is human nature.

Christopher LaBarbera Phoenix Grief for famous all out of proportion Grief for celebrities is too overblown. I don't offerings in front of a residence for public show. If they truly want to contribute to the person's memory, donate money in the celebrity's name to one of the charities or causes supported by that individual, and do it privately. People think that grieving has to be public or it doesn't count, which makes the whole thing very artificial. G.

Rockenhauser Mesa Premature death disturbs People wept more for Princess Diana than Mother Teresa simply because Princess Di was a young mother who died prematurely. Others could identify with her because she admitted that she had problems, much like everyone, and her life was not perfect despite the money and media attention. "Mother Teresa was an elderly woman who enjoyed a full life revered by the people she chose to aid. Some people, could argue that a woman who did not condone the use of birth control for the poverty-stricken people of India was not so selfless after all. Melinda Doto Phoenix Grief dies down with time Just because the publicity has died down about Princess Diana doesn't mean we have lost interest in her.

We grieve for only so long and then we continue on with life. Princess Diana was a young, vibrant, active person with her whole life ahead of her. Mother Teresa, on the other hand, was older. It was not a surprise when she passed on. It somehow seems easier to accept when an old person passes away.

They've usually been there, done that, etc. I grew up (through movies) with Natalie Wood. She was beautiful, talented, warm and radiated an effervescence. I cried when she died. I've experienced several deaths in my family through the years.

I've been humbled and have become emotional to everyone's passing. David W. Theisen Phoenix Something to cry about I have never shed tears over the death of a celebrity, but will have to make an exception on the day that we lose Paul Harvey. Bob Wombacher Page glory are what matters most. Mother Teresa did a lot more good for humanity than Princess Diana ever did.

But Mother Teresa wasn't as popular. She wasn't a contrary, she pursued lite among the rich and powerful. Hers was a life filled with personal problems problems we relate to. We also relate to her aspirations for wealth and power. At the celebrity as was Diana.

This makes a sad statement about American society. Genette Camontogne Phoenix time of her death, there was much left undone, many things not achieved. We mourn Princess Diana's death but do not celebrate her life. Philip M. Hotchkiss Scottsdale AJ Fairy tales often fall short Let those who are gone rest in peace.

As a little girl, I always dreamed of finding a prince and living in a castle just like Cinderella. Princess Diana was public enough to add some interest to my life through hers. She didn't have the foiry-tale life any more than I did. Like the cake I made last week, it was good, now it's gone. But I won't cry over it, either.

Vicky Wilson Mesa Vicarious human contact To me it seems fairly easy to understand why so many people grieve so intensely for people they've never met. It is clearly the Valley's own Erma touched life of fan The princess of hearts When I learned of the death of the people's princess, I cried. Inside, my heart still weeps for her. I loved her deeply because she was a royal who acted down to earth, and not like some god. She loved people in many ways.

I harbor bitterness toward the media for following her personal life too closely and making a big profit from her after she died. I will always love her, but refuse to buy stuff about her. I don't want the media She was one of your own; she is the only celebrity for whom I have truly grieved. She is Erma Bombeck, humorist, columnist, TV personality and, most of all, wife and mother. Erma knew how to hit the nail on the head with The Arizona Republic Incorporating 77m Phoenix Gazette 200 E.

Van Buren, Phoenix AZ 85004 Founded 1890 Phoenix Newspapers Inc. her short, funny dissertations on family, friends and the world in general. As wife, mother and wannabe writer, I aligned myself with her unique outlook and observations. I began writing a similar column for a weekly publication in my home state of New Jersey. I wondered what would happen to the humor in her writings if she were seriously EUGENE FMXIAM 1889-1975 Publisher, 1946-1975 LOMSA.WEILUL Chairman to profit by selling me her life.

I don't need it. She lives within my heart. Wilma Welch Winkelman Media lost objectivity The press shed crocodile tears and milked the Princess Diana story far longer than it deserved to be covered. The same with the John F. Kennedy Jr.

story. We would hope for more investigative reporting and less me-too reporting. Don Rhea Mesa Public grieving artificial I think the grieving for both Princess Diana and John Kennedy Jr. was the most ridiculous thing that has happened recently a combination of mass hysteria and media hype. It seems normal to feel a little grief at the passing of a public persona.

But it seems as if people are saying "Hey, look at me. I am making myself important by putting on this public show of gnef for this celebrity." It is a waste of time and money to place all those Erma Bombeck JOHN F. OPPEDAHL, President. Publisher. CtO result of our society, where human-tq-human contacts fizzle up and disappear in the name of efficiency, security and privacy.

We don't bank face-to-face, we use an ATM. We don't know our neighbors, we just go in and out with the help of the electric garage-door opener and relax behind the security of our block walls. We don't call people when e-mail will suffice. 1 argue that we, as humans, need these contacts to be emotionally sound, and so since we can't live, love and share with real people as we once did, we now cling to people the media introduce into our lives. I wept when Jerry Garcia died, and I never met the man.

Let's all try to restore some human contacts into our lives, maybe I'll introduce myself to my next-door neighbor. Mark Candioto Gilbert A pawn in castle's chess game We loved Princess Diana because she touched our hearts in such a profound way that the mere mention of her name brings instant recognition throughout the CATHY DAVIS, Executive vice President RICH COX, Semor Vice President! Operation and Product Management JON HELD, Senior Vice President ami Ourf financial Officer DAV ID ALLEY, Vice Preiuiruv Advertising TON1 ANTONELUS, lice President' Snatery and Organaatwuat Oeveiomem JIM DIAZ, Vice President Markrtmg warn KOTK ASINSM, HcePrrstdrmPraductum PAM JOHNSON, Senior I fir Prruarm' Sni and Executive Editor KEVEN ANN WUJ.EY. Eauvrafthr EJaonai Paget JCUA WALLACE, vr Preudmt amd ill. Erma never wavered; she was upbeat to the end. I am happy that I had the pleasure of corresponding with her (she was never too busy to reply).

We also met and shook hands on two occasions in Phoenix. As sad as I've felt, I love to boast at class reunions of my "relationship" with Erma. In a way, it is closure for me. Doris Cohen Scottsdale LEON LEVITT, Vice Where the Spirit of the Lord is. there is Liberty II Comttnan 317 ttsanVaXh aXadsdn,.