Leave a message for your Class of '68 friends.  As long as it isn't too profane, it'll be printed.  Have you suggestions for the reunion?  Are you coming? 

FROM PAT TUCKER

Wa-HI
1968 vs.2008 -- A Cultural Shift



Scenario: Bob Buchannan goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school
parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1968 - Mr. Neher comes over, looks at Bob's shotgun, goes to his car and
gets his gun to show Bob.
2008 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Bob hauled off to jail and
never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized
students and teachers.

Scenario: Sam Schluter and Dennis Ledford get into a fight during football
practice.
1968 - Players gather. Dennis wins. Dennis and Sam shake hands and walk off,
still buddies.
2008 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrest Dennis and Sam. Charge them
with assault, both expelled even though Sam started it.

Scenario: Dan Huntley won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1968 - Dan sent to office and given a good paddling by Mr. Neher. Returns to
class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2008 - Dan given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD.
School gets extra money from state because Dan has a disability.

Scenario: Larry Siegel crashes into parked car late at night and his Dad
gives him a whipping with his belt.
1968 - Larry is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college,
and becomes a successful lawyer.
2007 - Larry's dad is arrested for child abuse. Larry removed to foster care
and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Larry's sister Jane that she
remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.  Larry's mom
has affair with psychologist.

Scenario: Jeff Buerstatte gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1968 - Jeff shares aspirin with Mr. Bieloh down by the creek.
2008 - Police called, Jeff expelled from school for drug violations. Car
searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Jim Hahner takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July,
puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1968 - Ants die.
2008 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Jim charged with domestic
terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers
confiscated, Jim's Dad, Dutch, goes on a terror watch list and is never
allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Manuel Mendoza fails high school English.
1968 - Manuel goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2008 - Manuel's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear
nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation
is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and
Manuel's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Manuel given
diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak
English.

Scenario: Dick Ashmore buys a condom from Vern at Vern's Popcorn stand.  His
mother finds it in his wallet by noticing the telltale "ring" in the
leather.

1968 - Dick is questioned by parents and grounded for 2 months, girlfriend
breaks up with him.  Vern is prosecuted by city as a pervert and thrown in
jail for 2 years.
2008 - Dick is hailed as a hero for caring so much about preventing STD's
and unwanted pregnancy, school holds assembly in honor of Dick and his
sensitivity.  Vern is lauded as "WW businessman of the year".  Ina Monahan
asks Dick to advise Randy McDougall.


Scenario: Eric Johnson falls while running between classes and scrapes his
knee. He is found crying by a teacher, Jo Lynn McBee. Jo Lyn hugs Eric  and barely touches his crotch to comfort him.
1968 - In a short time, Eric feels better and goes on to class.
2008 - Jo Lyn is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She
faces 3 years in State Prison. Eric undergoes 5 years of therapy.