SCHOOLS SHOULD OFFER COURSE IN CIVILIZED BEHAVIOR 101

The Supreme Court has banned the posting or teaching of the Ten
Commandments on school grounds. Immediate steps should be taken to
institute a course on a code of decency and appropriate civilized conduct.

Stress should be placed on the penalties for breaking the simple basic laws.

A few judicious lessons in ethics and what society expects of its fellow
citizens should be instilled in the minds of all students who go to school.
Courses could be taught on:

* Placing the emphasis on values, and not on things like drugs.

* Loving one's neighbors, whether in the classroom or on the street.
Students could pledge not to harm them.

* Honor and reverence of parents. That includes listening to them, for they
are older and wiser. Children should treat their parents with respect, for
they are the best friends they will ever have.

* The penalties for taking a life are severe, and few go unpunished.
Children could be taught that if they kill they will surely face death or a
life in prison.

* The value of their own life, for it is a precious thing. They should be
taught not to waste their life on drugs, crime, alcohol or anything that
can lead to their downfall.

* Not stealing other peoples' property. It may take time, but they serve
their sentence. Ill-gotten gains benefit no one.

* Not lying about their neighbors.

All these could be expanded upon, but with them a code of conduct and
decency could be instilled in the minds of our young ones. And that code is
badly needed.

JIM ANSTINE