Because is it poor form to separate the act of speaking from the acts of thinking or feeling.
Ibuki gave ample evidence of the threat his mouth poses to common sense and common decency in lecture to a study group for LDP politicians in Gifu City on February 9. Given the national discussion over corporal punishment in light of the suicide of a star student at Osaka’s Sakuranomiya’s high school (Link) and the forced resignation of the women's national judo coach for having beaten, kicked and otherwise abused his charges (Link), the party's views of corporal punishment came up.
Ibuki decided he should add his voice to the national conversation. Here are verbatim translations of some of the statements Ibuki made:
"If we forbid corporal punishment, education becomes impossible."
In response to an attendee's comment that "in order to raise a human being, there are times when, from the time of childhood, beatings must be administered," Ibuki replied, "My thinking is close to yours."
When asked how corporal punishment could become a problem, Ibuki suggested, "Because there has not been a clear establishment of why corporal punishment has been included. There are too many persons who do not come to the conclusion that it has been included as the expression of the affection of one who wants [the children] to become admirable human beings or athletes. It has been said that corporal punishment is being condoned, and it is troublesome that teachers appear who have seemingly been transformed into sadists. In sum, it is the polishing of human beings."
I know what you are thinking, "Please, no more of this. This is insane."
We must press on, however:
"Nowadays, if you use even a little [corporal punishment] fathers and mothers come into the school, shouting. How much love do these parents have for their children, I wonder?"
That's right. If an adult at your child's school slaps your child -- or slaps your child 30 or 40 times -- and you go to the school in a rage, you possibly do not really love your child.
Q: What ministerial portfolio did Ibuki Bunmei hold the last time Abe Shinzo was prime minister?
Is this even a question? (Link)
Yes, nausea is the proper physical response.
That and the thought, "Ibuki-san, I have an idea. Let us test your theory of education and sporting excellence. I will stand next to you with a baseball bat. Every time you say something I find stupid, I club you with the bat. If I find your movements kind of awkward or slow, I club you with the bat.
Amaterasu how I love you. Let the polishing begin!"
Unfortunately, as the statement above by one of the attendees at Saturday's meeting indicates, the theory that corporal punishment has no value in education is off the radars of the political classes – save those among those damn Socialists and Communists and their sympathizers in the ranks of teachers and children's day care center specialists, of course.
As for the latter, when would these public servants have the time to learn how to mold children into persons of great worth, given that they waste their days trying to teach children to get along with others and take care of themselves -- oh and the official curriculum too?
Seriously, where do people like Ibuki Bunmei come from? The past, yes. Any reason why they cannot stay there?
---------------------------------
Sources:
The Asahi Shimbun
http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0209/NGY201302090008.html
Chugoku Shimbun
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2013020990233525.html
