Public humiliation would end bullying

I have an idea that could cut the high rate of school bullying, if not eliminate it all together. It might be illegal, but with the ever-changing winds in politics, nothing is permanent.

If I were the superintendent of schools in Cedar Rapids, I would have regulation-sized boxing rings and polygraph machines installed in every high school in town, possibly the middle schools as well. Then every student who is accused of bullying would have to take a lie-detector test. Those found guilty of bullying would, in front of the entire student body, have to put on the gloves, climb into the ring and defend themselves for, say, five minutes from boxers from the Cedar Rapids or Jane Boyd boxing clubs.

Don't misunderstand. I am not advocating legalized mugging. Clearly each bully should only have to face a boxer of the same sex and approximately the same size. Bullies who think they can escape a beating by falling to the canvas unhurt and not getting up should be picked up and held up for the entire five minutes. Getting a fat eye or a cut-up face in front of the whole student body would have a humiliating effect on any bully.

Barbaric? I suppose, but my idea can't do any worse than suspension from school or counseling.

Steven Bristow

Cedar Rapids