When the history of our time is written, a major theme should be the recursive multiplication of finer and finer rules to regulate what should be handled by common sense and good will.

I do know a kid who got a misdemeanor charge for a hallway scuffle at a public high school. It was settled with probation before judgment and the requirement to attend an anger management course; but it should have been handled by a detention and forgotten. He is now a teacher at the same school, and if he ever goes into administration might bring some needed perspective.