In light of what happened in Littleton, Colorado this past week and at other schools across America these last couple of years, I believe it is time for schools and officials to wake up to what the REAL problem is.

In my travels since 1975, as ABE, I have visited over 1,700 locations (mostly schools) in 45 states and seen over 1,800,000 people trying to take a message to students and adults of patriotism, motivation, history and a promise by the students to stay away from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and youth violence. I have witnessed the decline in schools of RESPECT FOR SELF, PARENTS & TEACHERS & LACK OF DISCIPLINE & PUNISHMENT FOR IMPROPER BEHAVIOR.

I have spoken in schools where students were not expected to sit still and listen to a visitor in an assembly. Are these the same students who disrupt teachers in the classrooms? Are they not expected to listen to their teachers? How can they learn if they are busy talking to neighbors and friends instead of listening? What happened to being sent to the principal's office and getting a paddling or some other form of punishment? When all of us who are over 50 were in school we were expected to have respect for our parents, teachers and ALL adults. We wouldn't have dared misbehave or show disrespect. Not only would we have gotten punished at school but our parents would have been waiting to dish out some more when we got home.

I am convinced after 24 years that those students who do not know how to sit still and listen in an assembly will have a much higher degree of possibility of becoming 'problem citizens' as they get older....in and out of school. Students MUST be taught even as young as pre-school and kindergarten what is expected of them. When they know early on what we as adults expect of them that is exactly what they will do. Young people today need, expect and appreciate discipline in their lives. When they don't get it they then assume that anything they want to do is okay. They are the ones who will go on to create problems in society. IT MUST BE CHANGED.....NOW!

We as administrators, principals, teachers, parents and politicians should TODAY make efforts to change policies in schools. We must bring back discipline, respect and punishment for incorrect behavior. That is the only way we will start making a difference in the leaders of tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Homer S. Sewell III aka
Abraham Lincoln

Please send a copy of this letter to your local newspaper, school publications and at least ten (10) friends.