You know how soldiers can be tried for doing evil, even if they were "just following orders"? I suspect that teacher was convicted under that sort of rationale. You don't follow orders that are wrong. You say to the asshat on the phone, "Look, you send someone down here to fix this thing or I'm shutting it off. The students can't be exposed to this."

40 years is ridiculously excessive, but she was wrong to do what she was told. She shouldn't be the only one punished, though.

But is it fair to provide absolutely no computer training to someone who is computer illiterate and yet blame them when they don't know how to deal with the technology? I don't think the "following orders" things holds up--all soldiers are trained in detail about the Geneva Convention and know, techincally, how to deal with those situations. She didn't have that training at all.

Yes, she should have unplugged the computer. But she did call the office numerous times, and she did try to cover the screen. I can very honestly believe that she may not have had a clue how to turn the thing off, and believe me, schools put the fear of God into subs about "damaging technology." It wouldn't surprise me if she thought she'd cripple the computer and be responsible for the cost of the repair if she unplugged it.

I'm sorry, but if the school hadn't let their filters lapse or checked for spyware or adware, then she is not the one responsible for the students' exposure.

JDM plays a fireman in the movie.

Can they make him even hotter? Yes they can!!

Oh the school's at fault too, I'm not saying otherwise, but so is she. Ignorance (if she was ignorant) doesn't erase that.

She's an adult in charge of children and is partly to blame. I don't care if she was working for free.

I'm with Cindy. There's nobody I don't blame in this instance, including both her lawyer and the prosecutor. Stupid all around.

40 years is absurd. Yeah, throw a jacket over the screen or something. But I don't see where you get criminal when she obviously didn't intentionly intentionally show kids porn.

The Ann thing linked above is on Olbermann tonight.

I can very honestly believe that she may not have had a clue how to turn the thing off, and believe me, schools put the fear of God into subs about "damaging technology." It wouldn't surprise me if she thought she'd cripple the computer and be responsible for the cost of the repair if she unplugged it.

I know teachers of many years that are afraid to touch the computers in their rooms - they might have said so what and risked damaging the computers, but still. The school needs to take more responsibility then it seems to be.

Now, would I want her in my school teaching my imaginary children. No, but My imaginary kids are very smart and could run circles around her.

and insent msbelle

My kids would have shown her how to shut off the monitor.

Now, would I want her in my school teaching my imaginary children. No, but My imaginary kids are very smart and could run circles around her.

This. But then, my imaginary kids probably would've been the ones to fire up the naughty websites in the first place.