DISCIPLINE

HE SAID IT WITH RHYTHM AND RHYME, ENGLISH POET RUDYARD KIPLING, LESS THAN A CENTURY AGO.

"RIDE WITH AN IDLE WHIP, RIDE WITH AN UNUSED HEEL,
BUT, ONCE IN A WAY, THERE WILL COME A DAY
WHEN THE COLT MUST BE TAUGHT TO FEEL
THE LASH THAT FALLS, AND THE CURB THAT GALLS,
AND THE STING OF THE ROWELLED STEEL."

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS STILL DICTATES THAT WHEN A DRUG FREE CAMPAIGN IS CONDUCTED, A YOUTH WHO STUMBLES INTO DRUG USE OR ADDICTION, IS PICKED UP, NOT SPANKED AND POINTED AGAIN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I KID YOU NOT; THIS IS WHAT I HEARD FOR THE BEST PLAN OF ACTION OF A LOCAL DRUG FREE INITIATIVE. WHY CAN'T A PARENT, COUNSELOR, EDUCATOR OR POLICY MAKER, YOU NAME THE EMPOWERED ENTITY, RECOGNIZE A WILD, ADOLESCENT PONY WHEN HE OR SHE BUCKS LIKE ONE? DRUG USE SYMBOLIZES A REARING UP, STRIKING OUT, RUNAWAY HORMONES, A SPIRIT OF REVOLT. THE COLT (OR FILLY) MIGHT NOT EMBRACE A TAMING, BUT A "THERE WILL COME A DAY." TAMING OF THE BEAST USUALLY RESULTS IN A TRACTABLE, WORTHWHILE, USEFUL AND BELOVED HORSE. VIRTUALLY EVERY CHILD GROWING UP - IF ADULTHOOD IS THE GOAL - MUST FACE HIS OR HER DAY OF A SPANKED RECKONING, OF DISCIPLINE, THE GREAT ENABLER.