Wow you guys are funny, you make me feel like i'm back in my most difficult class. Let me give an example (I promise to make this on-topic by the end of the post)
The class is small. There are 12 students. 6 of them "Get It" (like the majority of the members here on Fauna), and 6 of them don't "Get It" (like some we all know and sometimes love.)
Now, keep in mind that I'm teaching math in my classes. A typical "bad day" starts with one or more of my unruly students questioning everything that I do in my class. Most of them are breaking at least one or more rules. I have to give them warnings, sometimes give them penalties, and some get kicked out.
One of their favorite complaints is something like the following situation:
"Sally" is one of those borderline students, mostly she's a good girl, but sometimes she will speak out. The other day she brought food into the classroom. I told her to put the food away and gave her "the look". She complied and was chastised. Most of our communication was non-verbal, but I saw her level of chagrin, she saw that she was in trouble, she complied, and it was over. End of exchange. Then "Edith" (same class period) seemed to be eating as well. "Edith," I said, "Are you eating?". Her response, with her mouth full of visible food (yuk) says "No." to which I respond "Throw it out!" because I know she's lying to me. She continues to lie "It was my finger I was chewing on." and so I insist that she get up and throw it out. So then she starts a tirade into how it's because she's black, it's because I don't like her, etc., and uses the "punishment" that Sally got as an example of my bias. See... she doesn't GET IT. She doesn't realize that I just want peace and order in my class so I can teach math. She doesn't realize that Sally didn't make waves, didn't lie, and didn't start harangueing me. When Edith continued her volley of attack, "God gave me a mouth, and I'm going to use it," in the end I had no choice but to have her escorted out of my classroom.
Now this might not seem relevant to some, but the things I've seen here on Fauna remind me so much of this miserable class I teach. Keep in mind that I teach six classes a day, and five out of six of those classes while having their moments, have no major issues. The problem class, and another of my classes, are targeted at "at risk" teenagers who are least likely to graduate from high school. These students are the notorious ones who are most likely to be "problematic". I do not have the same issues with my other class that is the same.
I get kind of tired of hearing the students whining about my supposed biases, pushing every single limit, and taking up my time, and the time of my "good" students with all of this garbage. Sometimes the entire period goes by and no teaching takes place because so many of those students just don't "get it." I've had to get hard nosed and heap major penalties on the students who continue to harangue me and hold up the learning in the classroom environment. Eventually some of these kids are going to not only be kicked out of my classroom, but their behaviour (mirrored in all other classes), will get them kicked out of high school and make their future possibilities limited.
In any society, it is important to understand the rules, and when you don't agree with them, understand the proper ways (and improper ways) of trying to get the rules changed.
It seems to me that Dr. Owens, like the other moderators, has his own personality. He handles things in his own way, and that's okay, because he does not go beyond the boundaries of his job. He might not handle things perfectly, but nobody expects him to be perfect. Harangueing him, and Rich, is like my students who don't "Get It". Arguing the rules and the verdicts passed down won't make Rich decide differently.
Frankly the examples from the Leverton thread, compared to the inane chatter that has gotten others warned and even banned, are ridiculous. At least in my opinion.
Anyway, I'm not sure that this post makes much sense, but I thought I would share my opinions.
