Altruism is dead.

Dateline: Orange County, FLA

Last Thursday an unnamed 11 year old female student was "tasered" after alleged altercations with a fellow student, several members of the faculty, and the school's resource officer.

The events began when the unnamed girl attempted to push another student into on coming traffic. The attempt being unsuccessful, the accosted student was able to tell a staff member about the incident. When teachers confronted the 11 year old she became physically aggressive; shoving furniture, yelling and spitting. The teachers, in turn, requested the aid of Officer Donna Hudepohl, the school's resource officer. When Officer Hudepohl reached the scene she was pushed and received a blow to the face. At that point Hudepohl discharged her taser and immobilized the student.

The unnamed student was taken to a local hospital for removal of the taser barbs. Officer Hudepohl was also admitted to the same hospital for treatment of a possible nasal fracture.

How senseless it all seems - the violence, the physical and emotional trauma. And let us not forget the disruption to the academic environment. And what about the monetary cost? There is the cost of the EMS visit, the accompanying hospital treatment as well as the cost of replacement barbs for the taser. There is also the legal costs including the cost of the court time itself.

All of this because of one selfish act. If only the student who had initially been pushed into traffic had thought a little about those around her and just "stayed pushed". If only this student had thought a little less about self-preservation and a little more about others. If only.