In 1968, Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man and follower of Ayn Rand, published a story in Wally Wood's pro-zine, Witzend, where a teacher was stabbed by one of her students. The student was chased out on a flag pole by a masked vigilante (Mr. A, from Rand's dictum, "A is A."). Mr. A gives the teacher a choice. He can save her or he can save the student ... but not both. The teacher can't choose, so Mr. A saves her, feeling that in the end self-interest is usually the best solution to any moral dilemma and that anyone who did not realize that was lying to themselves.
The problem with Steve Ditko's position is that a statistically significant minority (and possible the majority) of teachers and social workers would not hesitate before telling Mr. A to save the young thug. Based on the profile recently published in the Atlantic Monthly, Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of the Washington D.C. public schools, would be among that group. However, to paraphrase Pierre Bosquet, it is magnificent, but is it education?
The following are some thoughts and impressions on a subject about which I know little. Any thoughts and comments are welcome.