posting 20050826

"It was part of a package of reforms to raise standards not only in dress bu t also in behavior and achievement," says Chris Eftychiou, spokesman for the school district. "The idea was to reduce discipline problems and distractio ns and improve overall student behavior." "Accompany her in, please, Ms. Escalon," I called Miranda Ms. Escalon even l ess than she called me Mr. Stein. "Sure," Gwedif said, "but your acceptance of the proposal in this case has b een agreed by all the parents to be the initiating act. So it's back to you. However, the ientcio, anticipating your reluctance, does indeed have a name picked out, which will be given to the newborn if you agree." About halfway there, on Melrose, I realized that I was actually being tailed . A white Escort three cars behind me remained three cars behind me constant ly; whenever one of the cars between us changed lanes, the Escort would swer ve dangerously into another lane, let another car pass, and then swerve dang erously back into the lane, properly spaced. The constant honking that these maneuvers caused were what brought the car to my attention in the first pla ce. In a way it was a relief -- if it had been the Government or Mafia hit m en, they wouldn't have been so inept.