Shall we bring back the teacher's paddle and the Klansman's noose?

THERE IS A great deal of clamoring in certain quarters lately for restoring corporal punishment as the primary means for classroom disci- pline. Proponents are demand- ing that it's time to "bring unruly kids back into line," that we must "teach them to follow rules and respect authority," that they must "learn to obey their elders or suffer the consequences." This theme is emerging as a new rallying cry heard at school board meetings, in state and local legislatures and, I fear before long, on street corners.
....One has to wonder, where might this yearning for good ol' fashioned discipline lead? Would the next logical step be a call for restoration of the lynch mob's rope? That's not as far-fetched as it might first sound. One has only to compare a list of the top ten paddling states to a list of the top ten lynching states, and the basis for my warning becomes clear — seven states show up on both lists.
....What's behind this mindset that fuels a drive for inflicting violent punishments on the defenseless? Well, it's been around for millennia, and never far out of sight. The treatment of slaves, prisoners, soldiers, the mentally ill and wives is testimony to this deep-rooted, cherished tradition. It's fresh in our collective memory. And for many children, it's here and now.
....Schools systems that allow corporal punishment (a deceptively benign-sounding, clinical-sounding term) act as magnets and safe havens for the dangerously unfit. Put a bully, sadist or sociopath in charge of children, close the classroom door, pull the shade, and it's party time. Pity those children.
....Throughout the modern, civilized world, the teaching profession has largely purged itself of this worst-of-all afflictions. Teachers are held to a standard befitting their training as professionals, and assault and battery of children clearly isn't part of the job description. Many leading organizations that deal with children's issues have stated unequivocally that hitting children is counterproductive and should be prohibited. The list includes:

..• The National Association of School Psychologists
..• The National PTA
..• The American Academy of Pediatrics
..• The American Medical Association
..• The American Psychological Association
..• The American Public Health Association
..• The Child Welfare League of America
..• The National Association of Social Workers
..• The National Committee for the Prevention of Child .....Abuse
..• The National Mental Health Association
..• The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
..• The American Bar Association
..• The American Civil Liberties Union
... . . and more.

....Society will always be burdened with bullies — hopefully in dwindling numbers — and bullies have an equal right to earn a living, but they should be directed into areas of employment which offer them no oppor- tunity to indulge their perverse habits.

— Jordan Riak, May 8, 2010