For many years I’ve wondered whether I’ve become a bleeding heart liberal or perhaps gone soft in the head.  Hone Harawira’s story brings that thought back.

I remember being hauled into the Deputy Principal’s office of a school in which I was teaching to give a “second opinion” on a boy the DP was about to expel for buying marijuana at lunch time.  I said – “Well, I guess Mr X we could give John a second chance.  Perhaps make him do A and B, and monitor his behaviour over the next period of time – to see whether there really is an improvement – or whether his pleas that it won’t happen again are right.”

“I don’t think so,” replied the DP.

In fact I knew the boy well, taught him Biology and knew his parents socially.  I’m not sure what ground my willingness to give him a second chance was based on – whether it was my willingness to be compassionate or merciful – or was it just my gutlessness at facing his parents next time – or was it that I had become the type of person that just turns away when a stand needs to be made – unwilling to be counted among those making it.

And when is a second chance – or a third, or 7 times 70 for that matter just a stupid refusal to face the facts that no matter how forgiving or liberal you are people are going to let you down time and time again.

Hone is no different to a lot of people who shoot their mouths off before thinking about what they say.  John, the boy who made that lunchtime purchase was not doing anything that another dozen or more of his cohort would not have done either.

Do I forgive, Again?  Or do I stand for what is right and get rid of the person who is the problem?  Do I force them further away from reason and good influences?

I can see why many people just don’t even want to get involved.

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