Mitch Albom rocks out:

It was a code we boys were taught. The thinking was, you didn't start fights, but you didn't stand there and let yourself be a punching bag, either.

Today, it's not so clear. According to one school superintendent in Georgia, "Students cannot fight back. There are other means they can use."

This is such bull, um, poop, that I can't even see straight. Although that might be the scotch.

Before I rant, I should note that I love my parents. But somehow, there was always this feeling that "fighting was wrong, no matter what." It's not like I was raised Quaker, but the implicit instruction was always "walk away and live to fight another day." And I can't help but assume that that's the reason I'm a total wuss to this day.

I admit it. I can't fight for anything. If you want to take advantage of somebody, I'm your man. And the reason was, I was never told, by school administrators, parents, or anybody else in authority, that fighting back against agressors was okay. As a result:

1. I now believe strongly in fighting back against anything even remotely approaching aggression, hence my strong support for the (continuing, admittedly) War in Iraq. Fighting back is TOTALLY cool, as long as somebody else is laying his sack on the line.
2. When it comes to personal confrontations, I back down like my spine is made of jello and my wang is made of paper maché.

More Albom:

I don't understand why the little tortures kids pour on one another are allowed to go on unabated, but the minute a kid brings a pair of scissors through a school door, he's treated like a terrorist.

I agree (surprise, surprise). Not in the way that I think that the school administration should just turn schools into a Nazi state, cracking down on bullies as if they've committed assault; instead, schools need to back off. It's unlikely that a 2nd grader is going to bring a 9mm Beretta to school, so let them learn about fighting back (in a NON DEADLY WAY) early! Children are EXTREMELY malleable, and I would pay 100 grand now to ingrain the lessons that I could have learned for free in the 4th grade if my elders could have made it possible for me to defend myself without worrying about my "permanent record."

I guess what I'm saying is I wish I'd just kicked Paul's ass in the 7th grade like I easily could have (look at me...I'm huge) if I wouldn't've been so afraid of "getting in trouble." Not that I'm bitter. ::sob::