Seems like a pretty disgusting example of abuse of power. How can you hit someone, even as a means of punishment, who probably doesn't understand why you're doing it? Exactly what lesson do you believe you are imparting? Its probably you who needs the beating.

"The report, based on federal Department of Education data, said that of the 223,190 public school students nationwide who were paddled during the 2006-7 school year, at least 41,972, or about 19 percent, were students with disabilities, who make up 14 percent of all students."

(And on a side note, this doesn't paint a rosy picture of the American South.)

Full New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/education/11punish.html?_r=1

According to this study by Common Sense Media, parents still aren't getting the message about keeping tabs on their child's online behavior. Especially when you read a statistic like: "13% of teens said they posted naked or semi-naked photos or videos of themselves. Only 2% of parents said their kids have done that." Wake up folks. That's more than 1 out of 10 kids. If your child has more than 9 friends, someone in that group is the culprit. Is it your kid?

Here's a sample of the new report's findings:

• 37% of teens said they used social networks to make fun of other students, but only 18% of parents believe their own angels do so.
• 13% of teens said they posted naked or semi-naked photos or videos of themselves. Only 2% of parents said their kids have done that.
• 24% of teens said they signed on to someone else's account without permission, while only 4% of parents said their kids have done that.
• 28% of teens posted personal information that they normally would not have revealed in public, but 16% of parents said their kids did that.
• 23% of teens downloaded or shared files illegally, while only 10% of parents believed their child was a thief
• 18% of teens pretended to be an adult while on a social networking site, but only 8% of parents thought their kids were imposters.

"Researchers analysed four studies involving children aged one to 12 taking Tamiflu or another anti-viral, Relenza.

The children were being treated for normal seasonal flu but the experts behind the research said their findings would extend to the current swine flu pandemic.

Dr Matthew Thompson, a GP and researcher at Oxford University, said: 'I don't think we have got any reason to think our results would be any different.

'The current swine flu is generally a mild flu illness... it does not seem that different from current seasonal flu.

'We would be happy to say our results apply to the current swine flu strain.'

He said children with mild symptoms should be treated in the same way as if they had any other mild flu - with drinks to cool high temperatures and rest.

There was no need for children who were otherwise healthy to be taking Tamiflu or Relenza."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6004014/Swine-flu-Tamiflu-harm-outweighs-benefits-for-children.html

Its not often that a Father has the best and worst day of his life all in the same day. But for Jose Alvarenga of Paraguay, that is exactly what happened. Doctors told him his newborn son died shortly after birth. Four hours later, his son's body was delivered for a final goodbye and when Dad opened the coffin to see his son one last time, he looked upon a breathing, living baby.

How could this happen? Read the full story here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1205165/Father-opens-coffin-dead-baby-alive.html