yesterday. I pointed out that there is a reason why we are not fully held responsible for things we did when we are young - our judgment is not fully developed.
I also said that I doubted there was anyone in the room who had not already done things of which, looking back, they were at least embarrassed if not ashamed.
I also said that I doubted we would ever forget them.
I share two from my youth. As well as how my parents reacted.
The 1st was 5th grade. A group of us guys were walking home. We encountered Patty - a very pretty girl. She had not paid attention to one of the boys. He started making remarks. Within a few moments she was circled, being taunted and pokes, several of them pulling on her clothes. I am sure she was scared. I was one of two just watching, but saying nothing.
When I got home I told my parents, who explained to me why I had a responsibility to speak up, reminding me of the Jews who had died when no one spoke up for them. I do not know if I heard the famous Bonhoeffer quote then, but my mother did offer the famous (is apocryphal) Edmund Burke quote.
The other was worse. I was in 7th grade, about a year later (having skipped 6th). It was Saturday morning basketball. I decided to trash talk a kid on the other team. He was black. I tried to get him angry with the N word. He screwed up his face, but did not lose his cool. Apparently one or more of the other kids at the game told parents who then called mine. I was read the riot act. i was also told how some people might call me a Hebe or a Kike. Why I was never to demean others like that.
I find it impossible to believe that after Mitt stewed for more than a day over the hair and then led the attack that he does not remember it. I find his "apology" appalling. I find his unwillingness to speak out against bullying unacceptable.
I did not say the words of the last paragraph to my students. But I heard several of them offer similar remarks.
What is said is to think that for some people Romney's action makes him more appealing, and even his weak apology turns them off.