School Refuses to Hand Out Diplomas
http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/06/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html
This ties in with last week's topic. An institution trains people in captivity for 12 years to be awarded a piece of paper they say is of great value, then withhold it on graduation day because the students' families are cheering. I particularly liked the phrase "keepsake diplomas"* given out just for show (that's right folks, diplomas are just printed paper). People are led to think a diploma is the product of their hard work and study, but you can't have rights to something that doesn't actually exist. The school system invented them and they can revoke them. Student pride only serves to keep students agreeable in captivity.
"The central Illinois school district... ...will continue efforts to make commencement a respectful and dignified occasion..."* Respect has to be deserved.
"...her daughter Amanda was handed the diploma by a high school secretary, not principal Tom Chiles. At least he could have come out and shook her hand and said congratulations."* You only congratulate someone if you think they've accomplished something.
*http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/school-relents-gives-out-diplomas/20070601155509990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001