Crime is a disease in the St. Louis area, and one of the symptoms appears to be a stab-happy substitute teacher.

We all remember that teacher we had who took discipline to the extreme. The different types include the teachers who scream and yell over classroom shenanigans, the teachers who send students out into the hall for "reflection," the teachers who send students to the office and allow the office staff to deal with the disturbance, and the teachers who get revenge in the form of a pop quiz. Now we can add the type of teachers who allegedly uses weaponry to get their point across.

Many students spoke out saying the substitute, Stanley Covington, pulled the blade after being struck by a thrown calculator. The question has to be asked, however: Why was the man carrying a knife to school in the first place?

This situation highlights the social decay experienced by Americans today. Parents, protect your children, dress them in warm clothes and a kevlar vest.

Will Brooks

Belleville