As kids we encountered schoolyard bullies.

A few kids become allies of the bullies. A few kids stood up to the bullies. The majority of kids did their best to avoid the bullies and to stay out of the way.

Almost all kids knew that a bully was not a person to admire, a bully was not a person to support, a bully was not a person to befriend, and a bully was not a person they would want to have power over them.

Adult reactions to a bully are likely similar.

I wonder, though.

Are adults more willing to support, befriend, and help place a bully in a position of power? Are adults more able to rationalize that bullying is acceptable?

Time will tell.

Denis Mancine, Livermore