Purple Nurple Anyone?

Ahh.....middle and high school. What memories. What things you wish you could forget. What games you played....

You see, the boys in my class at good ole' Southampton High School had two games they favored freshman year. The first was aptly named "the nut game". The 'rules' were never revealed to the ladies, but between each period we would find the majority of our boys camped out by the lockers all with their hands cupping their balls. Apparently one would 'lose' if he forgot the rules and walked around without protecting himself. Then a free-for-all would ensue with the group decending upon the boy in question, each aiming for the best smack or quick punch to the victims....area. Then the group would find it hilarious as he writhered around in the fetal position.

Thankfully, the Nut Game dissappeared as quickly as it arrived and by sophomore year, old reliable was called back into action - Purple Nurple. What possessed these boys to twist on one another's nipples until they literally bruised into purple blobs is beyond me and many of the female members of my class. Ironically, the mere threat of one today still elicits the fear of god into many of my now 'mature' male friends...

While many of us found all this slightly amusing (but moreso retarded), we considered it harmless. Boys just being boys. Apparently, one 16 year old's parents did not find it funny at all. In fact, they thought a purple nurple was a reason to send a kid to Juvy...

Nipple Pincher Gets Juvenile Detention
GOLD HILL, Ore. (AP) -- A teen who pinched and twisted another boy's nipple while standing in line at a deli has been sentenced to four days in juvenile detention because he refused to write a letter that explained his actions.

David Thumler, 16, was convicted of offensive physical touching in July 2005, after the victim's parents complained to police. The Crater High School student paid a $67 fine and served three days of community service.

"I emptied trash cans, mowed lawns and shoveled gravel," Thumler said.
But Thumler's refusal to comply with the final piece of his sentence will cost him four days in detention. He was required to write the letter during four classes put on by Mediation Works, which operates the victim-offender program for Jackson County Community Justice.

Mary Miller, executive director of Mediation Works, said the purpose of the letter is to prepare teens to be accountable for their offenses.
"They don't have to apologize," she said. "But they are required to be accountable."
The offender is required to describe the act in detail, explain "thinking errors," "express empathy" and describe any resultant life changes.
Miller said the program is "often a very, very healing experience between the victim and youth offender."

Thumler said he presented a rough draft of his letter in the third session. He said he balked when told he must also describe his "criminal thought processes."
He said that would imply malicious or criminal intent.

Thumler said he had no criminal intent because he considered the victim to be a friend at the time of the incident - which he deemed horseplay.

"It was a matter of conscience," Thumler said. "I figure the worst is already over."
Ken Chapman, a Community Justice juvenile probation supervisor, verified Thumler's sentence.
"The judge found a willful violation of the court order," Chapman said.
---
Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/