Yeah, I'm not sure what that "Side" could possibly consist of. I guess we could always look on the bright side that she didn't punch, stab or shoot her, but an adult spitting on a 7th grade girl is pretty sad. The school suspending the girl and sending her home was evidently not enough punishment for Ms. Koenen. She is now getting her 15 minutes of "fame".
Why would a parent send a daughter to live with an Aunt..Sounds like there were troubles already in the mix. I'm not approving on the "Spitting" incident but there appears to be another story here. Keep your troubles in your own town!!
Well you know there is such a thing as wanting your child to have a good education. She has every right to want a good education for her daughter.
Sorry to inform you but trouble already lives in your town. That "adult" and I use the term adult very loosely, is the trouble. Why not try acting like an adult and not like a child.
No offense, but if I work my [bleep] off to live in a certain area, I want my kids to grow up with the values of the area..not from the kids being shipped in from other areas..You can call it what you want..but I expect most agree.
Actually I tried to have my kids grow up with values that they developed on their own, outside any "area" influences. I did my best to instill good morals and decision making and then let them "find their way".
First of all my child did not always live there. Since I have to explain myself to the ignorant. I was actually employed in a neighboring city that is the original reason why my child was in school in Danville. That was the best option I had in order for my child to get to and from school safely. Furthermore, the school has excellent academic standards, unlike the school district we live in (which is the largest school district in the State of California) I would have never put my child in a situation like this had I known something like this would happen to my child.
Just like when a person is choosing a college, they look for the best educational options to suit their needs for success. That is exactly what I was doing for my child. You need to keep your troubles off of the forum if you are going to assume things.
Cherese you are comparing apple and oranges when it comes to Pre-College education to College. I pay taxes to the school district my child goes to..Do you??
If you are going to try and beat the system..do it quietly..Don't bring a child from out of district and make waves..thats all I'm saying.
What's your idea of "making waves"? Should a parent accept her daughter being assaulted?
And btw-what's wrong with a parent wanting the best education for their child? We all pay taxes for supposed equal education, so don't even go there. If all school districts actually were equal, we wouldn't have this problem- but don't blame a parent for wanting the best for their child.
Ms. Koenen not only should be charged for the spitting, but also for pushing the girl. Sounds to me like the school took charge and, since it was in its jurisdiction, they became pro-active. The one with the temper issues is Ms. Koenen, you think?
From what I hear this was a racially motivated incident and is being covered up as only a "spitting incident". The incident was brewing for many months by Ms. Koenen daughter, Gretchen, (White) who was taunting Alexus (African/American) for many months on end (on school grounds-during school) but the school never paid attention to it. Gretchen is a bully, loud mouth trouble maker and all the students know that. Ms. Koenen apparently teaches her children at home to hate others based on their skin color and economic status and then to spit on them as if its nothing. Someone needs to educate this woman (and family) that all people are created equal and should be treated as such. Also, I wonder why only the victim, Alexis, is named in the paper and was the only student suspended from school? (I hope it wasn't because she is Black going to school in a mostly white neighborhood.) It was both the students fault for fighting and not just one student. What would your child do if they were being constantly tormented in school about their race (which wasn't their choice) and the teachers and administration did nothing about it? One thing for sure, is that one day they would erupt like a volcano. Its called stress. I don’t blame Alexus’ parents for suing the school disctict and the Dentist’s wife. I hope that one day we all can get along as one race, the human race.
Since it is contained in the Police Report, I believe that Phoebe Koenen's address is a matter of public record so it doesn't do any good for someone (Phoebe?) to keep deleting it from these posts.
IS the suubtext here that Charese from sac sends kid to Danville, Kid has trouble adjusting, parent has trouble with adjusting or am I reading this wrong? I will withhold judgement until Charese of Sac sues for big money for emotional scarring Then This will be A ghetto scam
The only trouble my child had adjusting too was an adult assaulting her.
"This will be A ghetto scam"
Let me define ghetto for you: a poor densely populated city district occupied by a minority ethnic group linked together by economic hardship and social restrictions
Are you assuming I am ghetto because I am of a minority race? I have never nor do I live in the ghetto. Furthermore, I unlike you do not discriminate against those because of their economic status.
Koenen's address may be a matter of public record, but what is it you hope to gain by posting it here? Not only is it inappropriate in this forum, it also reeks of vigilante justice. That makes you better than Koenen . . . how?
Phoebe is the problem! She apparently taught her daughter that it is ok to spit on someone. What she SHOULD have taught her daughter is that spitting on someone is a serious offense. I believe it is one of the highest forms of disrespect and pray that no one ever puts me in the position in which I will have to consider what action to take. Some people are ready to kill over that. Luckily this took place in a middle school versus in a high school or a college or on the streets for that matter.
It is not unreasonable that Alexus' mother wanted her to attend a better school. For years MY mother drove me 30 miles to attend a school in another city that was better than the schools in our district. If half the stuff that is going on now was going on back then, for sure, she would have driven me 60 miles instead of the 30!
I am glad that the school district stepped up. The original article that I read allowed me to believe that nothing further would be done.
First of all you may want to learn the difference between expel and suspension.
Expel/expulsion: is the full-time withdrawal of a student's right to attend a particular State school, on the authority of the Secretary
Suspension: Suspension from school is a denial of a student’s privilege to attend school and school activities for a specified period of time
No, both children were not suspended in this case. Why, your guess is as good as mine. When I worked for the School District's it was normal practice when two children were involved in mutual confrontation regardless of who was at fault both children are disciplined. Depending on the circumstance one may be suspended a few more days then the other. In this case the investigation of the classroom incident was never fully investigated. This may have happened because of the after-school incident. The after-school incident would/should have taken precedence over the the incident with the children.
I don't see posting Ms Koenen's address as vigilante justice. I see it as simply underscoring for her the thought that, "Stupidity should be painful"; or in this case, painfully embarrassing. Perhaps this will help dissuade her from exhibiting similar behavior in the future.
Your aggressive temperament over something so comparatively trivial suggest you have a few anger management issues yourself. When was the last time you “lost it” and acted stupid? Please don't say "never" because that would make you non-human. The woman lost her composure and now regrets it; she will still have to pay for her actions. I think most will agree that an angry teenager acting like a horse’s petunia will test anyone’s patience.
Yes, my patience has been tested by people young and old. The difference is I would never do anything so degrading to anyone. I have lost it many of times. Who hasn't but, there are limitations people especially adults should know right from wrong. She only regrets it because of the mess this has caused. I don't think she regrets what she did. If she did, she wouldn't have denied the allegations to begin with. I have no ill will towards Mrs. Koenen, because I am a very forgiving person. I am at the point to where I have forgiven her, it will be awhile before I forget the incident.
Actually, my remarks were directed at Caladan and his creepy idea of justice. You will get your day in court. I also am sure that the people involved in the incident are very passionate about it. But to me it sounds kind of trivial compared to everything else that's going on around us. It’s a human interest story. If it had been about another murder report, there would have been only half as many comments to this thread. Besides, the words and actions of the two girls were probably more harmful than Mrs. Koenen's goober. So, if the DA has the time and resources to look at this..... then have at it.
Koenen's "goober" is capable of transmitting any number of diseases, not to mention just the sheer humiliation of having been spit upon. There's no contest between that and what may have transpired between the girls.
I thought goober would get someone's attention. Sorry, I'm being flippant. Do you really think this incident rises to the level of passion that is being generated here? If Mrs. Koenen had thrown a water balloon, she would not have made the paper.
I saw two teenage young ladies going at one another recently. The language would have embarrassed a longshoreman. I guess this is America 2008, and I will have to adjust to the new reality of murderous video games, pornographic R rated movies and the general breakdown of civility.
This is not really about the saliva is it? Saliva sounds so much better than spit. If Americans get generally paranoid about saliva, we will all insist on blood tests before giving or receiving a smooch.
Let's see......Mrs. Koenen put saliva on someone.... doesn't register. Mrs. Koenen spit on someone.... Bingo! Stop the presses! It's all about disrespecting or humiliating someone, correct? Spitting being the ultimate insult in many cultures. If you think that this incident is worth all this fuss, then get a rope and we'll string her up. :)
Goober is a perfectly legitimate word; I didn't have a problem with it. I just put it in quotation marks to indicate that it was . . . well . . . quoted! :D
Saliva doesn't sound any better than spit, and I can't believe you're trying to compare it to a water balloon. Wouldn't that be something! Hey, instead of spitting, toss a water balloon. Instead of knifing someone, toss a water balloon. Instead of pulling out a gun or engaging in road rage, hey . . . toss a water balloon! Alas, if only . . .
The human mouth is the dirtiest place in the body; saliva harbors a whole host of bacteria and germs that can cause illness. Nowadays, we have HIV and hepatitis to worry about as well. If Koenen spit in the girl's face and her saliva happened to make it into her eyes, nose, or mouth . . . that is NOT like being hit with a water balloon.
Personally, I don't think anyone here has been especially "passionate" one way or the other. Everyone has remained civil and relatively low-key in this discussion.
Oh, and . . .
<---50 years old and swears like a sailor . . . I don't, however, engage in fisticuffs.
Just my opinion. My goodness you get excited quickly . I didn't compare a knife to a water balloon, did I? Where did that idea come from? It seems to me, you take a concept , and just run with it, don't you? And it also seems to me, that a water balloon would cause more harm than a spot of saliva. Not passionate? Go back and read some of the "expressive" comments about something so trivial. Some of their words tell it all. :)
Oh, not a'tall. I just think it's ludicrous to compare spitting with water balloons, the same as it would be to compare water balloons with knives, guns, etc.
And . . . correct, HIV is not carried in saliva. Saliva, however, *does* carry blood IF that individual happens to have gingivitis or other gum disease, or mouth sores. I wouldn't want to be spit on by anyone for a whole host of reasons, and that would be one of the many.
The repeated posting of the alleged spitting perpetrator’s address is a blatantly transparent attempt to intimidate the woman and could be construed as an attempt to incite vigilante justice. I am glad that the Contra Costa Times is stepping up to the plate and removing her address each time it is posted. We have a system of justice and anyone seeking to circumvent that system might incur his or her own personal liability. Let’s all practice civility!
If "stupidity should be painful," how's this: Caladan is named as an accessory to someone causing bodily harm or worse to Koenen, because of Caladan's insistence on posting her address. Stupid is as stupid does. If that hypothetical were to actually happen, you would seriously deserve prosecution.
There is absolutely nothing that justifies an adult spitting on a child. Merely having one's *name* printed in a newspaper as the perpetrator constitutes "painfully embarrassing" all on its own. That has already been accomplished. If someone really wanted to find her address, you've proven that that can be done easily (oh, bravo :::eyeroll:::) . . . but posting her address in a very public venue serves nothing more than to deliberately fan the flames of potential mayhem and violence.
Spell.Chic to Chewy: "Personally, I don't think anyone here has been especially "passionate" one way or the other. Everyone has remained civil and relatively low-key in this discussion." (Comment from below)
Oh really? Then why do you find it neccessary for you to take Caladan to task? "Stupid is as stupid does?" and "deliberately fan the flames of potential mayhem and violence." Do you expect mayhem and violence? That's kind of high keyed, don't ya think?
And also, please be so kind to explain to our dear friend "JustMyOpinion," (above) that you find his comments totally "civil and relatively low-keyed"
"Oh really? Then why do you find it neccessary for you to take Caladan to task? "Stupid is as stupid does?" and "deliberately fan the flames of potential mayhem and violence." Do you expect mayhem and violence? That's kind of high keyed, don't ya think?"
Nope. That was mild-mannered commentary. I said "POTENTIAL mayhem and violence" for a reason. High-keyed would be throwing some sorta temper tantrum, hurling accusations and perhaps threats left and right, and generally coming unglued.
Nowhere did I say "totally civil," I just said "civil". I also said "RELATIVELY low-keyed" for a reason.
Fer Pete's sake, overreact much? See ya 'round, Chewy! :D
That is what is making me so angry. People that state that Mrs. Koenen has a side that justifies spitting on a child. There is nothing in the world that could justify that type of behavior regardless of what happened between the two students. Thank you for having a mind, since many are lacking common sense. Then again if it was so common why doesn't everyone have it.
Koenen is lucky. Had she spit on my child the article would have been telling how I was arrested and charged with brutally assulting her. Stupid chick.
This is a WAY better written article about the incident...with more facts....
It was a racist thing is what I hear too. I hope she spends time in jail......
Schoolyard spat in Danville takes on racial overtones
By Eric Louie
Staff writer
Article Launched: 04/18/2008 08:07:00 PM PDT
DANVILLE — A seventh-grader said she was assaulted as she left school Tuesday by the mother of a girl she had an altercation with earlier in the day.
Danville police said they have forwarded the case to prosecutors to decide if charges should be filed.
Diablo Vista Middle School student Alexus Simmons said the incident started in class near the end of the school day Tuesday. Alexus said she was playing with a pen when it accidentally flew out of her hand and landed next to another girl. Alexus said the girl kicked her twice, and Alexus pushed her before the two were sent to the office.
Alexus, who is black, said she and the other girl, who is white, don't like each other, but there have not been any verbal or physical confrontations between them before.
Alexus said after school was out, she was talking with friends when the other girl's mother came up and pushed her. Alexus said she tried walking away, but the woman grabbed her arm. Then the woman spit on her, she said.
"I said 'Did you just spit on me?' and she said 'Yes I spit on you,' " Alexus said. "I got a little in my mouth."
She could not tell what the woman was screaming about, but said it included "the B word."
Danville police Sgt. Philip Wisotsky said the incident between the students has been referred to a school resource officer, while the one between the adult and student was given to prosecutors to decide if charges should be filed. No one has
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been arrested.
He said the case is being reviewed for misdemeanor charges and that he could not give details while the investigation continues. He said there are only a few misdemeanors, such as domestic violence or drunk driving, in which officers can arrest people if the alleged crime was not witnessed by police.
Kashana Anthony of Danville, Alexus' aunt and guardian, said she got a temporary restraining order against the woman, Phoebe Koenen, and has a May 1 court date to extend it. The court file was not available for public viewing Friday.
Reached by phone, Koenen said Alexus' story is not true.
"I deny all that. I never touched that girl," she said before hanging up.
Meanwhile, Alexus' family is upset at the school and questions if she is being treated differently because she is black and the other family is white.
Anthony said the first call she got from Alexus was immediately after the after-school incident, and not from the school after the initial one with the other student.
She also said other students who witnessed it immediately told school officials, but no one came out to see if Alexus was OK.
"They're trying to sweep it under the rug," said Anthony, who also said Alexus was suspended for three days while it appears the other girl was not.
Alexus' mom, Cherese Roberson of Sacramento, said this is her daughter's first year at the school. She said she sent her to live with Anthony because the area's schools are well regarded.
"The school is either covering it up or doesn't care," she said. She also questioned why Koenen was not arrested.
"I wouldn't get a chance to wait for a thorough investigation," she said.
San Ramon Valley school district spokesman Terry Koehne said he could only acknowledge that there is an allegation that a woman approached a student and that there was a physical confrontation. He said the incident happened on the sidewalk in front of the school, which is not district property, and referred questions on specifics to police. Koehne said student privacy laws prevent him from commenting about anything that may have happened during school, including any punishments given. He did not have details of the school's immediate actions, but said the school has been responsive.
Posted on Mon, 05/12/2008 - 22:08 — by Caladan
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1132
Yeah, I'm not sure what that "Side" could possibly consist of. I guess we could always look on the bright side that she didn't punch, stab or shoot her, but an adult spitting on a 7th grade girl is pretty sad. The school suspending the girl and sending her home was evidently not enough punishment for Ms. Koenen. She is now getting her 15 minutes of "fame".
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 121
Why would a parent send a daughter to live with an Aunt..Sounds like there were troubles already in the mix. I'm not approving on the "Spitting" incident but there appears to be another story here. Keep your troubles in your own town!!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 61
Well you know there is such a thing as wanting your child to have a good education. She has every right to want a good education for her daughter. Sorry to inform you but trouble already lives in your town. That "adult" and I use the term adult very loosely, is the trouble. Why not try acting like an adult and not like a child.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 121
No offense, but if I work my [bleep] off to live in a certain area, I want my kids to grow up with the values of the area..not from the kids being shipped in from other areas..You can call it what you want..but I expect most agree.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 680
Actually I tried to have my kids grow up with values that they developed on their own, outside any "area" influences. I did my best to instill good morals and decision making and then let them "find their way".
That's just my opinion, but I could be Wrong.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
NOT
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Mr. or Mrs. life4u,
First of all my child did not always live there. Since I have to explain myself to the ignorant. I was actually employed in a neighboring city that is the original reason why my child was in school in Danville. That was the best option I had in order for my child to get to and from school safely. Furthermore, the school has excellent academic standards, unlike the school district we live in (which is the largest school district in the State of California) I would have never put my child in a situation like this had I known something like this would happen to my child.
Just like when a person is choosing a college, they look for the best educational options to suit their needs for success. That is exactly what I was doing for my child. You need to keep your troubles off of the forum if you are going to assume things.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 121
Cherese you are comparing apple and oranges when it comes to Pre-College education to College. I pay taxes to the school district my child goes to..Do you?? If you are going to try and beat the system..do it quietly..Don't bring a child from out of district and make waves..thats all I'm saying.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
Don't make waves? Her daughter was assaulted by an adult! That's not right regardless of district issues.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 74
What's your idea of "making waves"? Should a parent accept her daughter being assaulted?
And btw-what's wrong with a parent wanting the best education for their child? We all pay taxes for supposed equal education, so don't even go there. If all school districts actually were equal, we wouldn't have this problem- but don't blame a parent for wanting the best for their child.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 18
Ms. Koenen not only should be charged for the spitting, but also for pushing the girl. Sounds to me like the school took charge and, since it was in its jurisdiction, they became pro-active. The one with the temper issues is Ms. Koenen, you think?
Donna
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
From what I hear this was a racially motivated incident and is being covered up as only a "spitting incident". The incident was brewing for many months by Ms. Koenen daughter, Gretchen, (White) who was taunting Alexus (African/American) for many months on end (on school grounds-during school) but the school never paid attention to it. Gretchen is a bully, loud mouth trouble maker and all the students know that. Ms. Koenen apparently teaches her children at home to hate others based on their skin color and economic status and then to spit on them as if its nothing. Someone needs to educate this woman (and family) that all people are created equal and should be treated as such. Also, I wonder why only the victim, Alexis, is named in the paper and was the only student suspended from school? (I hope it wasn't because she is Black going to school in a mostly white neighborhood.) It was both the students fault for fighting and not just one student. What would your child do if they were being constantly tormented in school about their race (which wasn't their choice) and the teachers and administration did nothing about it? One thing for sure, is that one day they would erupt like a volcano. Its called stress. I don’t blame Alexus’ parents for suing the school disctict and the Dentist’s wife. I hope that one day we all can get along as one race, the human race.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 78
Since it is contained in the Police Report, I believe that Phoebe Koenen's address is a matter of public record so it doesn't do any good for someone (Phoebe?) to keep deleting it from these posts.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5
IS the suubtext here that Charese from sac sends kid to Danville, Kid has trouble adjusting, parent has trouble with adjusting or am I reading this wrong? I will withhold judgement until Charese of Sac sues for big money for emotional scarring Then This will be A ghetto scam
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
The only trouble my child had adjusting too was an adult assaulting her.
"This will be A ghetto scam"
Let me define ghetto for you: a poor densely populated city district occupied by a minority ethnic group linked together by economic hardship and social restrictions
Are you assuming I am ghetto because I am of a minority race? I have never nor do I live in the ghetto. Furthermore, I unlike you do not discriminate against those because of their economic status.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
Koenen's address may be a matter of public record, but what is it you hope to gain by posting it here? Not only is it inappropriate in this forum, it also reeks of vigilante justice. That makes you better than Koenen . . . how?
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 162
Phoebe is the problem! She apparently taught her daughter that it is ok to spit on someone. What she SHOULD have taught her daughter is that spitting on someone is a serious offense. I believe it is one of the highest forms of disrespect and pray that no one ever puts me in the position in which I will have to consider what action to take. Some people are ready to kill over that. Luckily this took place in a middle school versus in a high school or a college or on the streets for that matter.
It is not unreasonable that Alexus' mother wanted her to attend a better school. For years MY mother drove me 30 miles to attend a school in another city that was better than the schools in our district. If half the stuff that is going on now was going on back then, for sure, she would have driven me 60 miles instead of the 30!
I am glad that the school district stepped up. The original article that I read allowed me to believe that nothing further would be done.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Thank you, my thoughts as a parent exactly.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
Were both children expelled from school? If only yours, then why?
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
First of all you may want to learn the difference between expel and suspension.
Expel/expulsion: is the full-time withdrawal of a student's right to attend a particular State school, on the authority of the Secretary
Suspension: Suspension from school is a denial of a student’s privilege to attend school and school activities for a specified period of time
No, both children were not suspended in this case. Why, your guess is as good as mine. When I worked for the School District's it was normal practice when two children were involved in mutual confrontation regardless of who was at fault both children are disciplined. Depending on the circumstance one may be suspended a few more days then the other. In this case the investigation of the classroom incident was never fully investigated. This may have happened because of the after-school incident. The after-school incident would/should have taken precedence over the the incident with the children.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 78
I don't see posting Ms Koenen's address as vigilante justice. I see it as simply underscoring for her the thought that, "Stupidity should be painful"; or in this case, painfully embarrassing. Perhaps this will help dissuade her from exhibiting similar behavior in the future.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
Your aggressive temperament over something so comparatively trivial suggest you have a few anger management issues yourself. When was the last time you “lost it” and acted stupid? Please don't say "never" because that would make you non-human. The woman lost her composure and now regrets it; she will still have to pay for her actions. I think most will agree that an angry teenager acting like a horse’s petunia will test anyone’s patience.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Yes, my patience has been tested by people young and old. The difference is I would never do anything so degrading to anyone. I have lost it many of times. Who hasn't but, there are limitations people especially adults should know right from wrong. She only regrets it because of the mess this has caused. I don't think she regrets what she did. If she did, she wouldn't have denied the allegations to begin with. I have no ill will towards Mrs. Koenen, because I am a very forgiving person. I am at the point to where I have forgiven her, it will be awhile before I forget the incident.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
Actually, my remarks were directed at Caladan and his creepy idea of justice. You will get your day in court. I also am sure that the people involved in the incident are very passionate about it. But to me it sounds kind of trivial compared to everything else that's going on around us. It’s a human interest story. If it had been about another murder report, there would have been only half as many comments to this thread. Besides, the words and actions of the two girls were probably more harmful than Mrs. Koenen's goober. So, if the DA has the time and resources to look at this..... then have at it.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
Koenen's "goober" is capable of transmitting any number of diseases, not to mention just the sheer humiliation of having been spit upon. There's no contest between that and what may have transpired between the girls.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
I thought goober would get someone's attention. Sorry, I'm being flippant. Do you really think this incident rises to the level of passion that is being generated here? If Mrs. Koenen had thrown a water balloon, she would not have made the paper.
I saw two teenage young ladies going at one another recently. The language would have embarrassed a longshoreman. I guess this is America 2008, and I will have to adjust to the new reality of murderous video games, pornographic R rated movies and the general breakdown of civility.
This is not really about the saliva is it? Saliva sounds so much better than spit. If Americans get generally paranoid about saliva, we will all insist on blood tests before giving or receiving a smooch.
Let's see......Mrs. Koenen put saliva on someone.... doesn't register. Mrs. Koenen spit on someone.... Bingo! Stop the presses! It's all about disrespecting or humiliating someone, correct? Spitting being the ultimate insult in many cultures. If you think that this incident is worth all this fuss, then get a rope and we'll string her up. :)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
Goober is a perfectly legitimate word; I didn't have a problem with it. I just put it in quotation marks to indicate that it was . . . well . . . quoted! :D
Saliva doesn't sound any better than spit, and I can't believe you're trying to compare it to a water balloon. Wouldn't that be something! Hey, instead of spitting, toss a water balloon. Instead of knifing someone, toss a water balloon. Instead of pulling out a gun or engaging in road rage, hey . . . toss a water balloon! Alas, if only . . .
The human mouth is the dirtiest place in the body; saliva harbors a whole host of bacteria and germs that can cause illness. Nowadays, we have HIV and hepatitis to worry about as well. If Koenen spit in the girl's face and her saliva happened to make it into her eyes, nose, or mouth . . . that is NOT like being hit with a water balloon.
Personally, I don't think anyone here has been especially "passionate" one way or the other. Everyone has remained civil and relatively low-key in this discussion.
Oh, and . . .
<---50 years old and swears like a sailor . . . I don't, however, engage in fisticuffs.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
Just my opinion. My goodness you get excited quickly . I didn't compare a knife to a water balloon, did I? Where did that idea come from? It seems to me, you take a concept , and just run with it, don't you? And it also seems to me, that a water balloon would cause more harm than a spot of saliva. Not passionate? Go back and read some of the "expressive" comments about something so trivial. Some of their words tell it all. :)
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
Oh by the way, HIV is not spread through saliva.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 138
True.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
Oh, not a'tall. I just think it's ludicrous to compare spitting with water balloons, the same as it would be to compare water balloons with knives, guns, etc.
And . . . correct, HIV is not carried in saliva. Saliva, however, *does* carry blood IF that individual happens to have gingivitis or other gum disease, or mouth sores. I wouldn't want to be spit on by anyone for a whole host of reasons, and that would be one of the many.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 156
The repeated posting of the alleged spitting perpetrator’s address is a blatantly transparent attempt to intimidate the woman and could be construed as an attempt to incite vigilante justice. I am glad that the Contra Costa Times is stepping up to the plate and removing her address each time it is posted. We have a system of justice and anyone seeking to circumvent that system might incur his or her own personal liability. Let’s all practice civility!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
If "stupidity should be painful," how's this: Caladan is named as an accessory to someone causing bodily harm or worse to Koenen, because of Caladan's insistence on posting her address. Stupid is as stupid does. If that hypothetical were to actually happen, you would seriously deserve prosecution.
There is absolutely nothing that justifies an adult spitting on a child. Merely having one's *name* printed in a newspaper as the perpetrator constitutes "painfully embarrassing" all on its own. That has already been accomplished. If someone really wanted to find her address, you've proven that that can be done easily (oh, bravo :::eyeroll:::) . . . but posting her address in a very public venue serves nothing more than to deliberately fan the flames of potential mayhem and violence.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
Spell.Chic to Chewy: "Personally, I don't think anyone here has been especially "passionate" one way or the other. Everyone has remained civil and relatively low-key in this discussion." (Comment from below)
Oh really? Then why do you find it neccessary for you to take Caladan to task? "Stupid is as stupid does?" and "deliberately fan the flames of potential mayhem and violence." Do you expect mayhem and violence? That's kind of high keyed, don't ya think?
And also, please be so kind to explain to our dear friend "JustMyOpinion," (above) that you find his comments totally "civil and relatively low-keyed"
See you around Spell.Chic. I'm outta here. :)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 465
"Oh really? Then why do you find it neccessary for you to take Caladan to task? "Stupid is as stupid does?" and "deliberately fan the flames of potential mayhem and violence." Do you expect mayhem and violence? That's kind of high keyed, don't ya think?"
Nope. That was mild-mannered commentary. I said "POTENTIAL mayhem and violence" for a reason. High-keyed would be throwing some sorta temper tantrum, hurling accusations and perhaps threats left and right, and generally coming unglued.
Nowhere did I say "totally civil," I just said "civil". I also said "RELATIVELY low-keyed" for a reason.
Fer Pete's sake, overreact much? See ya 'round, Chewy! :D
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 462
A tempest in a teapot. Must be a slow news day.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
That is what is making me so angry. People that state that Mrs. Koenen has a side that justifies spitting on a child. There is nothing in the world that could justify that type of behavior regardless of what happened between the two students. Thank you for having a mind, since many are lacking common sense. Then again if it was so common why doesn't everyone have it.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 104
Koenen is lucky. Had she spit on my child the article would have been telling how I was arrested and charged with brutally assulting her. Stupid chick.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
This is a WAY better written article about the incident...with more facts.... It was a racist thing is what I hear too. I hope she spends time in jail......
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_8977660
Schoolyard spat in Danville takes on racial overtones By Eric Louie Staff writer Article Launched: 04/18/2008 08:07:00 PM PDT
DANVILLE — A seventh-grader said she was assaulted as she left school Tuesday by the mother of a girl she had an altercation with earlier in the day.
Danville police said they have forwarded the case to prosecutors to decide if charges should be filed.
Diablo Vista Middle School student Alexus Simmons said the incident started in class near the end of the school day Tuesday. Alexus said she was playing with a pen when it accidentally flew out of her hand and landed next to another girl. Alexus said the girl kicked her twice, and Alexus pushed her before the two were sent to the office.
Alexus, who is black, said she and the other girl, who is white, don't like each other, but there have not been any verbal or physical confrontations between them before.
Alexus said after school was out, she was talking with friends when the other girl's mother came up and pushed her. Alexus said she tried walking away, but the woman grabbed her arm. Then the woman spit on her, she said.
"I said 'Did you just spit on me?' and she said 'Yes I spit on you,' " Alexus said. "I got a little in my mouth."
She could not tell what the woman was screaming about, but said it included "the B word."
Danville police Sgt. Philip Wisotsky said the incident between the students has been referred to a school resource officer, while the one between the adult and student was given to prosecutors to decide if charges should be filed. No one has Advertisement been arrested.
He said the case is being reviewed for misdemeanor charges and that he could not give details while the investigation continues. He said there are only a few misdemeanors, such as domestic violence or drunk driving, in which officers can arrest people if the alleged crime was not witnessed by police.
Kashana Anthony of Danville, Alexus' aunt and guardian, said she got a temporary restraining order against the woman, Phoebe Koenen, and has a May 1 court date to extend it. The court file was not available for public viewing Friday.
Reached by phone, Koenen said Alexus' story is not true.
"I deny all that. I never touched that girl," she said before hanging up.
Meanwhile, Alexus' family is upset at the school and questions if she is being treated differently because she is black and the other family is white.
Anthony said the first call she got from Alexus was immediately after the after-school incident, and not from the school after the initial one with the other student.
She also said other students who witnessed it immediately told school officials, but no one came out to see if Alexus was OK.
"They're trying to sweep it under the rug," said Anthony, who also said Alexus was suspended for three days while it appears the other girl was not.
Alexus' mom, Cherese Roberson of Sacramento, said this is her daughter's first year at the school. She said she sent her to live with Anthony because the area's schools are well regarded.
"The school is either covering it up or doesn't care," she said. She also questioned why Koenen was not arrested.
"I wouldn't get a chance to wait for a thorough investigation," she said.
San Ramon Valley school district spokesman Terry Koehne said he could only acknowledge that there is an allegation that a woman approached a student and that there was a physical confrontation. He said the incident happened on the sidewalk in front of the school, which is not district property, and referred questions on specifics to police. Koehne said student privacy laws prevent him from commenting about anything that may have happened during school, including any punishments given. He did not have details of the school's immediate actions, but said the school has been responsive.