>>>Two whacks on the butt doesn't sound all that bad to me. My mom used to whack us on the hand with a hair brush ... nobody screamed "child abuse" in those days. I turned out ok despite the "abuse", as did the rest of my sisters.
>>>
>>>~~Bonnie
>>
>>Sorry Bonnie, but even one is too much. My parents never once hit any of the three of us - never even threatened to. We all turned out ok too. Well... my sister's a bit of a flake, but she's not hurting anybody, and she works for a living etc, so for the most part, she's ok.
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>>Is it ok to hit adults who do things you don't like? Or is it only ok to hit children?
>
>Do you have kids? If so, you may remember how frustrating they can be sometimes ... I can't honestly say that I never swatted my kids once in awhile. I didn't say it was ok though ... I know all the psychology stuff that says it sets a bad example for kids and that it sends the wrong message ... but arresting the guy for child abuse just seems a bit over the top, don't ya think?

No, I don't. How else to make sure he gets the point? Besides, it will be up to a jury to decide. If they opt for guilty, it will be up to a judge to decide on a sentence which likely wouldn't amount to anything at all. Hopefully, they will find him guilty and he'll get a suspended sentence, and learn a lesson.

Personally, I'd have been much happier if, after hitting them with a paddle, the cop would have whopped him upside the head with the same paddle, but they probably aren't allowed to do that.