Minnesota legalizes child abuse

Twelve swats with a paddle is child abuse. End of story.

But a few weeks ago, the Minnesota Supreme Court in effect legalized this degree of parental corporal punishment. If nothing else, this indicates how weak the child abuse statutes are, if the court can interpret the law to allow such an outrage.

The incident that prompted this case had resulted in intervention by child protective services. But now, following this ruling, Minnesota may have some of the weakest child abuse laws in America.

I went to several schools that wielded a mean "board of education", but I think the most swats I ever got in one session was 8, which was an outrageously high number. If 8 was more than excessive back then, why should 12 be considered acceptable now?

(I'm actually being too generous to the parent in this story. Apparently this case involved 36 blows spread out over 3 increments.)

I wouldn't be too surprised if lawmakers attempt to craft a stronger statute against child abuse. Fanatics will whine then, because they think children are theirs to batter. But the fanatics are going to have to learn to live with it.

(Source: http://www.startribune.com/local/19409584.html)