Good post, Walter. I've always thought spelling
and geography bees that put elementary and middle
schoolers up on stage were a lot more about vicariously
fulfilling the warped ambitions of Mommy and Daddy than
about any real fulfillment for the children. Aren't
they just the academic complements of all those
slightly veiled pedophilia pageants--ala JonBenet
Ramsey--or all those tedious T-ball games taken so
murderously seriously by the grups?