BULLYING: The cure is discipline

I appreciate Bill Rutherford’s “Bullying comes in many forms” on May 3. While we all need to be informed as to its many forms, my question is, what are we adults going to do about it? I’m getting sick of adults wringing their hands while they listen to Dr. Phil and others go on and on about this ever growing problem. I’ve yet to hear a plausible, effective solution.

I’m old enough to remember what to do about children who disobey and are mean to others. I was the principal of a school when two high school boys threw a little boy in a dumpster. These were high school boys bigger than me but once the counseling was over and the paddle was applied vigorously, those two boys wouldn’t even think of doing such a thing again. Not only that, they respect and honor me to this day. In fact, when approaching their class enjoying their 20th reunion, one of them called out and hurried over to welcome me!

Good old-fashioned discipline still works. Tough love changes lives. Give me a week in any school and the bullying will end. In all of my schools here and overseas, it was made clear to parents and students that misbehavior on or off campus would be dealt with by the school (and parents) because any student’s actions, no matter where they are, reflects on the school (and the parents).

JIM KORVER

Coeur d’Alene