Hands off those kids - a 30-year crusade

ALAMO, Calif. - Some kids get "rulered," while others are "whupped" or "popped." Sometimes they get "cuffed," "drubbed," "blipped" or "boxed." The semantics don't matter, said Jordan Riak; it's all a spanking, and, according to the longtime corporal punishment abolitionist, it's unacceptable by any name, anywhere. "The public is in denial," he said. "You have to invent funny words to keep it from being serious. It's cartoon language: 'Oh, I'm not violent, I just gave him a butt-warming."' Riak, 72, is a retired teacher who has dedicated about three decades of his life trying to convince people that sparing the rod isn't spoiling the child and using it can cause mental scars for life. It's a movement that has gained ground, particularly whe