In Mt. Lebanon, PA, the local school system is in turmoil over a Top 25 list circulating among students at Mt. Lebanon High School. Apparently the list, compiled by students, ranks 25 female students, based on the “quality” of their body parts. The list has caused a furor among parents, particularly the parents of students whose names appeared on the list.

These parents have called for immediate disciplinary action, and will most certainly pursue legal action irrespective of the school’s disciplinary measures. The local police were even involved. Police Chief Thomas A. Ogden, upon investigating made it clear that no crime had been committed, even if the list was distasteful. Apparently one of the females on the list was derided because of her ethnicity, a situation for which the chief says there is a possibility that charges could be filed…for what? some form of distasteful insult? Are these parents serious in their waste of government resources for such an investigation?

Quite frankly there is nothing to investigate, unless the list’s authors were planning a crime, plotting violence or threatening individuals there is no justification for any punishment whatsoever…Students criticize, critique and insult their fellow students on a daily basis, just as their parents do, does the mere fact that these observations were in written form change the character of this situation?

So outlandish has the Mt. Lebanon furor become, that some individuals have called for the termination of the school principal and the district superintendent. Is this not evidence that public schools in America have given up on the task of educating our children preferring to tackle such meaningless drivel. There is no question that the students who penned this list are the byproducts of poor parenting, most likely fathers who have little value or appreciation for their wives and the mother of their children, that in and of itself is no crime and the fact that these children lack tact or appreciation for women as human beings is also no crime.

Society must not stoop to the level of regulating thought, which these parents are calling for. If ever there were a situation that amounted to much ado about nothing the Mt. Lebanon top 25 list would certainly foot the bill.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06116/685098-55.stm