Where is the Love?

In the cases presented in this news story, there was an apparent breach of three basic ideas critical in interpersonal relationships: trust, communication, and respect. A picture was seen of a student doing something inappropriate. The question of what was done on the computer is unimportant: there was an apparent breach of trust between a family and a school district, which caused a degree of anger and resentment (and now, a lawsuit). Now, the school might argue that all of the rules of monitoring student's computer use were not explicit, but that is a violation of principle number two: there needs to be clear communication between the two parties involved, or there will be a lack of understanding. The lack of understanding, in this case, led to legal action, which consequently costs money I could only dream of spending. If the rules are not spelled out completely, fine—change them! But becoming sue-happy does not solve the problem in the long run—communication does. And what of respect? The video mentions an incident with a student writing criticism about a school administrator on Facebook and being suspended. Respect requires that both parties, the student and the administrator, accept the fact that they may not like each other's views. Indeed, both ends are entitled to their differing opinions. (Although, any person with true respect would not hold any ill feelings against anyone.) Thus, suspension solves nothing; it simply removes the problem. Communication is the only way to truly overcome differences. The three principles violated comprise what a friend and I feel is the definition of love. If people were to love their neighbors as themselves, I think situations like these would not happen at all.