Ah, school daze in Alexandria!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/24/AR2007042401299.html?nav=rss_metro

It's always nice to see the old ways respected by the younger generation. Of course, GW being in an uproar over a BB gun is a little on the lame side. I ask you, what happened to those days of yore - the roving bands of thugs, the cherry bombs, the race riots, the fires, the bomb scares, and the assembly line-like robberies, muggings and extortion? How standards have fallen! And what has been the cost to our young? Can they last 8+ hours without having to go to the bathroom, (which in the old days would have resulted in instant death)? Do they have that street wariness to spot a bad situation at least 50 yards ahead of them; to know what hallways are death traps, and when; to slip silently through crowds without attracting the notice of predators? All lost...
And what of GW's senior high school, my proud Alma Mater, T.C. Williams? Why, in the old days, the very mention of our school was enough to send government officials into catatonic fear. The whole state quivered in abject terror of playing against T.C. in ANY sport or activity, and indeed even cancelled chess tournaments, rather than risk the appalling casualty rates that accompanied contact with us, (I am NOT making this up...). I remember our unofficial motto: "We lost the Game, BUT WON THE FIGHT!" It's also interesting to note that we were the best school in the state, both sports-wise AND academically, and the most socially and politically sophisticated. A really fascinating place. And while I would NEVER go back to those days, I am really glad I had the experience
But times and perceptions change, the mere rumor of a BB gun can lock down the school, and any weatherman predicting snow anywhere on earth can trigger a snow day. But the memories remain. Ignore that abomination, "Remember The Titans", it's just Hollywood claptrap. But find a Virginian over 45 and mention you're from T.C. and notice the haunted look in their eyes - THAT'S what people remember about the Titans...