ddhr.org - Pot-smoking principal

Last week, an elementary school principal in Oregon was found smoking pot in a state park. A big oops for a school administrator, an even bigger oops for a school district that won a supreme court case about requiring its athletes to take drug tests. But the worst part of the story is that the guy will keep his job. School Superintendent Kenneth Cox made this bumblingly stupid statement:

"We'd be shooting ourselves in the foot if we said, 'Well, you made this mistake, and we're going to find someone else for the job.'"

Mr. Cox, that's exactly what you're supposed to do! The guy messed up, he broke the law, and he needs to lose his job. To hold a double standard like that is not only ridiculous, it should mean the end of your job as well.

I'm not usually a fan of cops because they go through red lights and speed all over the place "in the name of protecting our streets", but County Sheriff Tom Bergin is absolutely right:

"What's he going to tell them: 'It's OK for me to do it, but you can't.' This whole thing is so upsetting."

I'm not hoping for the death sentence for this guy, I'm just hoping for a bit of fairness. If any other idiot got caught smoking pot, he'd probably pay a fine, maybe spend a night in jail, and be on some sort of probation. He certainly wouldn't keep his 6-figure job where he's in direct daily contact with children. #entertainment

Comments

Wendy

Jul 18, 2007

I'm going to have to say I agree with my outspoken husband and that sheriff. This is TOTALLY a double standard and doesn't teach anyone the right lesson. This is the lesson we learn: People with positions/money can get away with whatever they want! What a bunch of bulljive! Sorry, but I feel pretty strongly about that. I understand mercy and grace, but when people do something wrong knowing they can get away with it (i.e. cops speeding or driving home drunk just b/c they're cops and their buddy will look out for them), it really makes my blood boil.

I had this AFJROTC Sgt. who taught me one of the best things on leadership that I've ever heard. It's pretty simple: lead by example. If this school system isn't going to fire him, then this principal should step down from his position to show he is willing to deal with consequences of his mistake. I'm not saying that this man should never get another job in the school system. I just think he should have some sort of repercussion (voluntarily or not) for his action. After he steps down, if he has stopped smoking pot, he should get hired somewhere else and be on with his life.

As I write this, I realize there are several Christian themes here:
(1) We all make mistakes, but that doesn't mean there aren't side effects to our sin. That's the whole thing with the repercussion of sin. We are all sinners [Rom 3:23], but God forgives us when we repent (do an about face/turn away from our sin) [1 John 1:9]. He never says to us we won't have to deal with the repercussion of sin - i.e. STD from pre-marital sex.
(2) We should forgive those who have truly moved on from their sin. In this case, it would mean giving this principal another shot after he has moved away from smoking pot.
(3) Leading by example - Christ was tempted (hunger, anger, pride, etc.) like us, but he never sinned. He showed us how to live a life that would please his Father. He lead by example.

btw - I got the easiest math question today (1+1)!

John

Jul 20, 2007

I just don't think that we are being very logical or Christian in getting so angry about a person smoking pot. He was not seen getting high by kids, he was not high at school, he was out of town. If a cop drinks a couple of beers, is he treated like scum? Is there a difference? If you have ever smoked pot you know that it is far weaker and calmer than the affects of drinking alchohol.
God bless you all!!!

Dave

Jul 21, 2007

This has nothing to do with smoking pot. It has everything to do with breaking the law. Alcohol is legal. Pot is not. I'm all for legalizing marijuana, but since it hasn't happened yet, it's still a crime. It makes no difference whether smoking pot affects you less than drinking alcohol.

And I don't think bringing logic and Christianity into the mix is helping your argument at all. I'd like to hear a more logical viewpoint than the one I presented. And Christianity is all about recognizing that we as imperfect people can't have a personal relationship with God unless we recognize the need for a savior (someone/something that can pay the price). We as Christians should forgive this guy, but it doesn't mean his "sin" doesn't have consequences.

[I should've read Wendy's comment first.]