Joshua Nightshade

Didn't happen.

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Ann Otoole

Look. I do not dispute what you say. I can see the control panel and see it appears to have limits. But it does not take away from firefox generating a flash error squawking for an update.

It is what it is and the hackers are always 1 step ahead.

Joshua Nightshade

Or, you know, you happened to click a link that had an embedded YouTube video in it and that was what popped up a flash update dialogue. Or you forgot that you were looking at cute kitten videos in another tab while you were browsing SLU. Or it didn't happen and you're insane. I don't really care. Stop shitting up a thread that has nothing to do with avatars or flash.

Ann Otoole

no. the flash warnings are in the avatar picture space. I am done arguing with you Joshua. I disabled the issue. I am no longer vulnerable. A great bbs feature.

Joshua Nightshade

Ann Otoole

btw:

.swf as an avatar?? - vBulletin.org Forum

Oh my. seems there is meat with the potatoes.

Joshua Nightshade

You linked to a ten year old thread saying that it's not supported in vbul and would have to be hacked into the system externally. Thanks for playing. Now stop trolling this discussion.

Ann Otoole

apparently the issue has resurfaced. Downgrade your flash and watch.

Cristiano

Ann, the thread you linked to was not even about a vulnerability in vbulletin, it was about the risks of allowing flash embeds. While there are ways to embed PHP code in a GIF, there is not any way to get SWF into a GIF or image file and have it run. Additionally, a flash file would need embed code. You said you are receiving flash errors on avatar images. Which ones?

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Ann Otoole

Can't tell you anymore. that option is disabled. you can raise it in the relevant forum for your bbs software. The first time I saw a flash error in a forum avatar I disabled it and will not go back. I see no images avatars nothing.

It was unexpected given what the apparent requirements for avatar upload are. Disabling this feature is the only recourse. I won't even link out to other urls for images. If not uploaded to SLU then I shall never see them.

Errafel Eccleston

Speaking of flash avatars!

Taco Rubio

I have some pretty funny "flash embed" jokes that I'll post in a less serious subform (like baking).

Anyway to me the point is, nobody should have to feel a need to defend themselves from bullying at home, work or school, and if it gets so bad that one feels the need to bring a stun gun in one's backpack, then the system is broken.

I was proud of the mom in this case, and proud of her son too.

She could have provided him with a lethal weapon. He could have used it.

He could have easily zapped some jerk, instead he just held it up and buzzed it, sending them scattering. That shows a lot more restraint than I had 45 seconds ago when I was 16.

Misty Harley

From the article Amity gave:

No. Just no.

It's not 'just the way it is'

I don't give a flying flip if the kid wore elf ears, paul bunyon boots and a 18th century wig.

That school district knows damn well who the bullies are. And by targeting the victim by attempting to get him to 'tone it down' they should have their asses served to them on a platter. Because they should have been dealing with the bullies.

If they are that freaking concerned about what kids wear to school....get a uniform policy in place for ALL the kids.

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Trinity Dejavu

Being told to conform doesn't change anything even if you do. That kind if rubbish just makes me boil.

Your bully wont change tack and suddenly become your BFF. Your card is marked and you're a known dependable victim. A bully doesn't care for the reasons used to single a person out.

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Zaida Gearbox

I was gonna say I've seen a flash error message in somebody's avatar, but I thought that was intentional.

Misty Harley

I decided to do something and sent the following to the Principle, the Dean of Students and the Guidance Councilor:

I found the contact information on the website for Arsenal Technical High School Web Page directly and am writing to you in regards to certain statements that have been placed on record by Principle Yarrell in response to bullying that has been occurring in your school district:

CNN.Com

The quote:

Young is known as a flamboyant dresser and Larry Yarrell, the Tech principal, said school staff had been trying to get him to "tone down" his accessories.
"If you wear female apparel, then kids are kids and they're going to say whatever it is that they want to say," Yarrell told The Star. "Because you want to be different and because you choose to wear female apparel, it may happen. In the idealistic society, it shouldn't matter. People should be able to wear what they want to wear."

It is disheartening to see a Principle of a school district go on record as addressing the person who is being bullied versus the those who are bullying the person. Yes, it is the easier route to take because it means that you do not have to confront the issue head on. It means that you do not have to address the person(s) responsible for the improper behavior or enforce the rules that you have in place to protect all students from harassment.

Although I do not have a child in the school district and live in a completely different state of which you are a Principle in, it is extremely bothersome to know that the attitude still prevails that if you ask a person to 'tone it down' the problem is solved. This issue is not about having an ideal society, The issue is about making sure that the adults set the standards of behavior for the 'children' within their realm of responsibility. As a Principle of a high school, it is within your power to make sure all teenagers are safe and to enforce rules and policies regardless of why those rules or policies were broken. It is your job and why you were hired by the school district. A job that you have not done.

Yes, Young broke the rules by bringing the stun gun to school. However, you and any others that have dealt with the complaints from Young, his mother and any other student that has been bullied within your school, is also at fault as the actual bullies are who backed Young into the corner and feeling he had no other means of protection. You sided with the bullies when you suggested to him to tone it down so he is not picked on. You have placed the blame for being attacked onto the victims shoulders and forced him to carry the burden of someone else's wrong-doing. You have not upheld the zero tolerance policy within your school district and you have not ensured the safety of all the students but only have ensured the safety of a few. A few who feel as if you support their endeavor to harm another.

You are very correct that 'people should be able to wear what they want without fear' and I will further add that they should be able to do so without fear or retribution from their fellow students while in the care of the district of which you are a Principle. That care should extend to traveling back and forth from the school as well as any school functions. Your care does not stop once the student walks out the door.

A few points to consider:

1. If your 'Sexting Policy' does not stop when the student walks out the door but is also inclusive of buses, school functions, school grounds (whether or not school is in session) shouldn't your Zero Tolerance Policy also cover the same?

2. The website link for the School Improvement Plan states very clearly "3. All employees will demonstrate professionalism and integrity." and "1. Students deserve to be taught in a safe, clean, secure, inviting classroom environment where they are treated with respect and dignity by teachers and peers regardless of ethnic or socio-economic background."

3. "9. Diversity is valued as demonstrated by culturally competent practices."


It's unfortunate that what has been written and linked within the webpage is not being followed by the Arsenal High School and it's even more unfortunate that students have become fearful of the bullies that they are to the point of willing to step forward but not name names because they fear the retribution from these bullies. Bullies that have had the green light by you directly for for placing the blame on the victims shoulders instead of where it belongs, on the bullies shoulders. At least one of these students has been willing to come forward and tell you that Young had a stun gun. And yet, they are not willing to to give names of the students who were the reason as to why the stun gun was brought to school to begin with. I find that shameful for a school district and very telling. Telling that they are comfortable reporting a wrong done by a victim but not a wrong done by the people who caused the incident to occur.

I urge the school district of Arsenal High, especially the Principle of Arsenal High, to address the Zero Tolerance policy by making sure all students are safe no matter what they wear, how they act or who they are. I urge the school district of Arsenal High, especially the Principle, to reflect on their own guilt for allowing this situation to escalate to the point of a student feeling the need to protect himself while walking the halls by bringing a stun gun to school.

Make the Zero Tolerance policy well known by linking it directly onto the webpage for the High School. Find out who the students were that had Young feeling as if he needed to protect himself since the faculty staff were not protecting him and instead placed the blame on him. If the district so strongly feels that his accessories is the issue (it's not but if that is what you wish to believe) tighten up the already very extensive and strict dress policy for Arsenal High, also found on the website linked above, and do not allow for any form of accessories to be worn by any student; male or female.

Take a stand and teach the students within your district to be respectful of each other by leading the way and being respectful and truly zero tolerant of poor behavior. It won't be easy, nobody is saying it will be. However you owe it to those students to be a role model. To lead them when others cannot and to show them what being an upstanding adult actually means.

Sincerely,

(signed name removed for here)

Tyabela

Really interesting that in 1. as quoted by Misty Gender and sexual preference are conspicuously absent from that statement. Nearly every statement of this nature I have ever seen tied to a school includes gender, sexual orientation and religion.

In light of that omission I think we know how much value the school puts on the Diversity they talk about.

I wonder if they get any federal funding. If they do they could conceivably lose it. Even if its just school lunch program.

Ayu Sura

If you haven't sent it yet - please change Principle to Principal!

I know, I know, I'm nitpicking - but it bugged me and distracted me from your message.

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Misty Harley

No, I already sent it....was told about that just a bit ago by someone as well.

Teach me to do this sort of thing prior to coffee.


Sorry about that but hopefully the message won't be lost or ignored because my screw up.

Sansarya

The irony that it's "Arsenal" high school and he brought a stun gun...

I've had to pull two of my children out of school because of bullying and get counseling and depression meds for my son because of it. My oldest daughter was beaten up at school while waiting for a bus because she's gay (no action taken by the superintendent, school board or principal or police). My youngest has been on home school for a year and half because I noticed signs of her becoming a bully/mean girl. When you are the parent of someone being bullied you want to keep them close and build their self-esteem. When you are the parent of a bully you want to do the same because it rises from the same lack of confidence. The worst bully in the school wasn't actually other students but the teachers and administrators who condone and contribute to the environment. Publicly humiliating children as a teaching "method" doesn't work, and I do realize our education professionals need more tools and better training to deal with the school violence, but we also contribute to their stress by not funding education enough, by overcrowding schools, by electing officials who don't make education a priority, the list goes on and on. I'm kind of at the point where I'd just rather educate my children myself rather than deal with the bullshit that comes from public education, and I'm sure many more parents are at that point too.

Amity Slade

The school's decision is in. They expelled him.

Arsenal Tech expels bullied teen who carried stun gun | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Misty Harley

From that link:

Seriously?

I understand why he was expelled and rules are rules. But for that quote above?

I just.....

Ann Otoole

So now the kid can study up, get a GED, and go to a community college followed by a 4 year school and get a degree and run for political office and then fire all the assholes that fucked him over. when he is 25. How's that?

Amity Slade

I would hope that in the long run, all this will turn out to be just a temporary setback for him. But the odds are stacked against a young black man without a high school diploma. And it only gets worse if a criminal record is tacked on top of that.

In the meantime, school administrators should not be hiding behind "zero tolerance" policies, and instead face the great responsibility that they have making decisions that will affect young people's lives forever.

Maggie

My daughter carries a can a mace in her bag to school. Not that crappy pepper spray that you get but the same can the police carry. I've told her not to show it to anyone, let anyone look in her bag, or tell anyone about it. But if she needs to to use it. Sure she will get in trouble and I will to but the alternatives could be worse.

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