Fleming & Hayes

Sam McNair, a 17 year old student was suspended for sexual harassment after hugging a teacher in Duluth Georgia. He is a senior and said all that it was just an innocent hug and nothing more. He thought his hug might’ve helped out the teacher since well you never know what someone is going through and how a hug might help.

After hugging the teacher, Sam found himself suspended from high school and putting his future plans in jeopardy. The mother admits that they are putting his scholarship at jeopardy.   His mother claims that they sort of call them selves the huggers since it’s in their nature but was utterly shocked that he would get suspended for that long due to an innocent hug.

The surveillance video shows Sam putting his hands around the teacher, then hugging her and then her pulling away. The teacher in question claimed his lips touched her neck and that she had warned him in the past about his hugging. When asked by the reporter whether he kissed the teacher in which Sam replied no.  He says he’s hugged many of his teachers and even in fact his teacher who never gave him any warning.

The school did go on to state that in fact the past history of the students, police testimony and the situation at hand all come into play and determine the length of suspension.

She also stated that if parents don’t like the outcome then they can appeal to a decision panel.

Sam has stated that he only had 5 months left in his senior year and could not understand why they would do this to him at this time. His mother stated that she will fight the decision appeal and should have been notified of his past hugging if it were in fact a problem.  Instead of threatening his future and his scholarship. His mother then went on to Facebook and posted a change petition calling the board to reconsider and actually had more than 200 signatures by Monday evening.

The online public reaction to Sam McNair’s punishment seems to be somewhat mixed.  Those who believe it’s too severe and those who are looking into his past to see what more may lay behind.

Sue Scheff, a parenting advocate has said that the zero tolerance is a bit severe however she would like to look into Sam’s past and what his prior suspensions were all about. But she did go on to taste that hugging is not a form of sexual harassment unless with further intention which she did not see in this case.

Other Commentators do believe though if the teacher had complaint about this incident prior then that is the key point here. One commentator was noted as saying he couldn’t believe what the world had come into when simple hugs can’t even be exchanged.  The whole situations seems to have been taken out of context.  Sam himself stated that something so innocent should not have been perceived as something completely opposite, it was uncalled for.

As the Olympics in Sochi are approach so do threats that are linked to Russia according to the United States. The games begin this week and it seems that there are discrepancies being attached to the event. Direct Flights to Russia are currently being advised of possibilities of explosive materials that may be concealed in such things as toothpastes and cosmetics warns the United States. It has been brought to their attention that these are the small ways in which they believe small explosives will be transferred.  So they are warning flights and air crews of such things and assuring them to be aware of such existence at this time. New Intelligence information was parlayed due to the Olympics in Sochi which are coming up this week. There are no threats known to the United States, this is more solely to Air Flights direct to Russia.

For caution purposes such information is shared with domestic and international partners and those associated such as the Sochi Olympics. They believe in sharing this information as a way to keep everyone in the know and so that those wishing to visit Russia to air on the side of caution.  At this time the threats are very high and it is crucial for everyone to keep this in mind when making travel arrangements.

The President of the United States has advised that it is not safe to Visit the Olympics at this time. They have informed the public that should the news change or be accessed then they will make a formal public statement clearing it being a safe zone to visit. They have disclosed that attacks may be launched which is why it may be unsafe to travel to Russia at this time.

They say that there are a number of threats at this time that they are tracking due to the credibility of the source.  The sources working with the States have sources close who are currently deeming it as unsafe. United States is closely monitoring the threats with the Russians. They are taking the precautionary measures to ensure the public’s safety.

Senate John Kerry, has been heard saying that the Olympics are a great game and that anyone wishing to go is free to do so. That they are not telling anyone not to go. It’s up to the public and how safe they feel about attending such an event at this time. They are obviously not trying to discourage the public from visiting Russia or to attend the Olympics they are however airing on the side of caution given the information they have been provided and are looking out for everyone’s best. They will work with the sources and deem it safe to travel when time comes and should that be the case which they are hoping to happen in the next few weeks. So just keep an ear out if you are planning to Travel to Russia in the next little while. Just something for everyone to keep in mind.