I had a side question for those of you who've been following that discussion. For the kids who several months earlier had sparked controversy and racial tension by hanging nooses from that tree, what, in your opinion, should the punishment have been for them. And I'm not talking legalistic, here, as if there was not a clear law broken, the prosecutors hands might really have been tied. But if you were making the laws, what punishment would you feel was appropriate?

I've heard some suggestions that they should have been permanently expelled from school, rather than suspended. I'm not sure that removing them from the educational system would be a productive thing to do, though. I think if I could choose, I would require some kind of community service, hopefully in a capacity that would require them to work together with the black community in the area to accomplish something positive.

Good question. I will think about it and reply later.

As it happens Nick, I actually put community service and a fine in my original post to you in the main thread and I stand by that. Your opinion of the community service being involved in the black community sounds just about right.