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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBobby
When Bobby entered school he became an instant favorite with his teachers. He was well dressed and polite to adults. Quick with the answers, Bobby was bright and engaging. He seemed to get along with everyone.
Always smiling and offering to help his teachers and classmates, Bobby was the shining example of what a student should be.
Always smiling and offering to help his teachers and classmates, Bobby was the shining example of what a student should be.
During recess one day a student was seen in a heap on the ground. Scuffed up and disheveled, the child was crying. When the teacher asked what was wrong, the crying child said that 'Bobby pushed me down'.
When confronted with the accusation, Bobby didn't deny his actions but said he was not trying to hurt the other boy. That he was trying to keep the other child from hurting himself on the playground.
Bobby said the crying child was trying to climb up the big-boy slide and that it was much too dangerous for him.Bobby said he just wanted to stop the other boy from being injured.
When confronted with the accusation, Bobby didn't deny his actions but said he was not trying to hurt the other boy. That he was trying to keep the other child from hurting himself on the playground.
Bobby said the crying child was trying to climb up the big-boy slide and that it was much too dangerous for him.Bobby said he just wanted to stop the other boy from being injured.
The teacher, being impressed with Bobby's concern for others, still cautioned him that pushing people down isn't the way to help them. Bobby said he felt bad about his actions and promised not do it again.
The crying child was told to dry his eyes because Bobby now knew it was wrong to knock people down and it wouldn't happen again.
Bobby apologized for any misunderstanding, saying he would do better in the future. The recipient of Bobby's help was told to dry his eyes and stay away from the big-boy slide.
The crying child was told to dry his eyes because Bobby now knew it was wrong to knock people down and it wouldn't happen again.
Bobby apologized for any misunderstanding, saying he would do better in the future. The recipient of Bobby's help was told to dry his eyes and stay away from the big-boy slide.
As he got older there would be more and more incidents of students being the beneficiaries of Bobby's help. And Bobby being Bobby, polite, so well dressed, coming from such a good
family, and still quick with the answers, he always explained his good intentions and then promised to do better next time. Teachers would praise Bobby's ability to admit when he was wrong and how he was
always striving to do better.
How lucky his fellow students were to have someone like Bobby looking after them! Isn't it any wonder his name was Bobby Beacon! So kind, so caring, so magnanimous!
family, and still quick with the answers, he always explained his good intentions and then promised to do better next time. Teachers would praise Bobby's ability to admit when he was wrong and how he was
always striving to do better.
How lucky his fellow students were to have someone like Bobby looking after them! Isn't it any wonder his name was Bobby Beacon! So kind, so caring, so magnanimous!
One day a student was found naked and unconscious in the bathroom. His face a bloody mess; his body drenched in water. At the hospital, the student said that Bobby beat him
and repeatedly shoved his head in the toilet.
'Shocked! Shocked! I tell you! No one could have anticipated this!' was the immediate reaction from his parents and teachers. Bobby knows better! Bobby was a shining example of benevolence!
The hospitalized student must be lying! There had to be a good reason for Bobby's actions!
Bobby, as always, had an explanation.
and repeatedly shoved his head in the toilet.
'Shocked! Shocked! I tell you! No one could have anticipated this!' was the immediate reaction from his parents and teachers. Bobby knows better! Bobby was a shining example of benevolence!
The hospitalized student must be lying! There had to be a good reason for Bobby's actions!
Bobby, as always, had an explanation.
The beaten and bloody student was up to no good. He had bad-mouthed the principal! He smoked pot! He cut class!He associated with drop-outs! He was a bully! Bobby said he had to
do what he did to protect others. That was he just trying to help.
But, of course! His teachers knew there had to be a good reason. The injured student was a trouble-maker and Bobby was just trying to make the school safer for everyone. Bobby wasn't hurting the other
student. He was engaged in tough love!
do what he did to protect others. That was he just trying to help.
But, of course! His teachers knew there had to be a good reason. The injured student was a trouble-maker and Bobby was just trying to make the school safer for everyone. Bobby wasn't hurting the other
student. He was engaged in tough love!
Not everyone agreed. Many students came forward to tell how Bobby had helped them as well. Stories of being tripped up on stairs and shoved against lockers began to emerge.
Many were accused of hating the school and of trying to make Bobby look bad.
Many were accused of hating the school and of trying to make Bobby look bad.
Still, fearing how it could look to outsiders, the school threatened to harshly repuke Bobby unless he promised to change his ways.
Bobby, being Bobby, spoke before the whole school. Saying how he was only trying to help. How he had the best of intentions and acted in good faith. How mistakes were made and that everyone
could learn from what has happened and they could all strive to do better in the future. Now that they all knew that tough love wasn't the way to act.
'What a great speech!' exclaimed his parents and teachers. Many of whom spoke of how this was the best outcome for everyone involved. How those helped by Bobby should now follow his example
and put all this unpleasantness behind them. That Bobby was moving on with his life and they should too.
Bobby, being Bobby, spoke before the whole school. Saying how he was only trying to help. How he had the best of intentions and acted in good faith. How mistakes were made and that everyone
could learn from what has happened and they could all strive to do better in the future. Now that they all knew that tough love wasn't the way to act.
'What a great speech!' exclaimed his parents and teachers. Many of whom spoke of how this was the best outcome for everyone involved. How those helped by Bobby should now follow his example
and put all this unpleasantness behind them. That Bobby was moving on with his life and they should too.
Until the next time...
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Bobby (Original Post)
Solly Mack
Mar 2014
OP
The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants. Albert Camus
Tierra_y_Libertad
Mar 2014
#7
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)1. I'm assuming this is a parable?
steve2470
(37,457 posts)3. Bobby the sociopath....
am I getting warm ?
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)4. I suppose some would see Bobby that way.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)14. This sort of Bobby?
Boudica the Lyoness
(2,899 posts)5. I know someone who operates in sort of the same way.
This is behavior that some people are born with.
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)6. and some encouraged by nurturing.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)7. The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants. Albert Camus
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)8. Great quote.
Autumn
(45,109 posts)10. Wonderful post and so true.
Recommended
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)11. Thank you, Autumn!
deaniac21
(6,747 posts)12. You sure this wasn't Eddie Haskell?
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)13. Eddie would have grown up to be a televangelist.
Spheres of influence and all that.
LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)15. Bobby will grow up to be majority whip
or President. He'll fit right in.
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)16. and he'll continue to be ever so helpful.
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)17. ...