Karma...

As an educator, not only do we teach children and prepare them for experiences beyond their secondary years, but we also protect them. This can be done in so many ways and even by teaching them and preparing them for those post-secondary years, we protect them from their own naivete when they are in our presence, and by helping them to acquire knowledge. We are pleased when they follow our advice, and their parents' advice. We are angered and saddened when someone tries to take advantage or harm children, regardless of who they are.

During the summer of 2005, Americans were captivated by the story of Natalee Holloway's disappearance. If you watched Fox News and Greta at all that summer, you remember the story. Natalee disappeared in Aruba on her senior field trip and was last seen with three young men, Joran van der Sloot being the ringleader. The investigation had more twists than a 24 season and 5 years later, Natalee was never found and the charges never stuck to van der Sloot. There was also the role of his father, Paulus van der Sloot, who reminded his son, "no body, no case." Many involved believe it was his father's advice, help and connections in the legal community helped to keep his son out of jail.

Five years later, Paulus is dead and the web continues to tangle. Joran van der Sloot was recently charged with extortion in the Holloway case and is now, five years later, accused of murder. This time, Daddy isn't there to clean up his mess and justice is a little more swift in Peru than it is in Aruba. Karma's about to bite this kid in the butt.

In looking back at this sad story, some may question that I didn't mention the conduct of the students, the chaperone:student ratio and the school's chaperoning abilities. (which were HORRIBLE...I took a group of students out of state a few years ago and there was no way in hell my kids would have ever done any of this because (a) I wouldn't have allowed it; (b) they were closely watched;(c) they knew the rules and consequences for breaking them.) I would agree that it didn't meet my standards as an educator (and it sure as hell wouldn't have met my standards as a parent), but that doesn't give the right for that little dirtbag and his dirtbag friends to take advantage of a girl, possibly under the influence, in a strange country. Justice for Joran van der Sloot may have been avoided for five years, but I guarantee you that in the Stephany Flores case, van der Sloot will face the swift hammer of Peruvian justice, so much so that he will wish he could face the extortion charges in Alabama.

UPDATE: Well, it looks like the little brat did it. Enjoy your life in a Peruvian prison, Joran.