HOW WE SEE IT: Class Tack Brought By NPR, BBC

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

It’s difficult not to see irony in Springdale High School’s cancellation of an Advanced Placement comparative government class for lack of interest at the same time a newly approved iPod class on current events has attracted three classes worth of participants.

Apparently, listening to podcasts about what’s happening in the world today is far more compelling than learning about the governmental structures behind what’s happening in the world today.

No doubt the use of today’s technology makes the Podcast Omniclass, approved by the state Department of Education in April and the Springdale School Board last week, a big lives have been largely defined by the Internet and smartphones.

School offcials say the podcast class will focus on social studies and current events, helping them to be “literate and understand the issues in our country, our world and our community.” No doubt they need that.

The challenges will be to make sure the fundamental focus remains on knowledge and critical thinking, and that good old-fashioned teaching isn’t replaced by a device and a collection of current event podcasts.

One off cial said of the class “A lot of it will just be turning the students loose, putting them on the hunt and seeing where it takes them.” That sounds like what used to be what happened when a substitute taught for a day. We hope all the approvals means this class has more substance.

OK, we’ll get out of the old codger mode. Good luck, podcast listeners.

BAN OF TOBACCO AIMS FOR HEALTH AT SHERIFF’S OFFICE Prohibition is alive and well at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Kelley Cradduck on June 1 banned use of all tobacco products from administrative offices, the county jail and all other Sheriff’s Office property.

Serves ’em right, some might say. If those inmates want to smoke or chew, they shouldn’t be getting into trouble with the law.

Oh, did we forget to mention, this policy applies to all the employees of the Sheriff’s Office, too? That means deputies on patrol or in uniform, jailers and other staff cannot use cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, snuff pouches or any other product that uses tobacco while working anywhere or when on the sheriff’s office campus.

The goal, Cradduck says, is to promote a healthier lifestyle. The Sheriff’s Office, he said, needs to set a higher standard of conduct. And eliminating tobacco entirely will help snuff out the ever-present problem of people smuggling tobacco products to inmates.

Cradduck, who said the policy had been discussed for months, acknowledged getting some “push back.” We bet he did. Tobacco users are about as loyal to their habit as meth users are to theirs. Both have no positive health benefits in the long run.

Cradduck has a responsibility to lead a force of deputies who are fit enough to respond well to emergencies and serious threats. Smoking and other tobacco use do not help meet those responsibilities. Of course, neither do cheeseburgers and french fries, but one has to draw the line somewhere.

Some will no doubt be frustrated by such a policy, especially if it affects their own use of this legal drug. In the long run, it will be the right move for the Sheriff’s Office.

County Judge Bob Clinard says he likes Cradduck’s thinking. He’s drawing up a similar policy to apply to the rest of the county staff and properties.

Hey, Benton County earned its reputation as a Republican, not a libertarian, stronghold.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 06/19/2013