I was shocked that this one was ever in doubt. Hell, I was shocked that school officials would have even thought this was a reasonable, legitimate course of action.

But then again, I've seen some stupid administrators in my time as a teacher, so maybe I shouldn't have been shocked.

Arizona school officials violated the constitutional rights of a 13-year-old girl when they strip-searched her on the suspicion she might be hiding ibuprofen in her underwear, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday. The decision put school districts on notice that such searches are "categorically distinct" from other efforts to combat illegal drugs.

This isn't even a case of searching for illegal drugs. It was a freakin' ibuprofen -- available over the counter to any thirteen-year-old in all 50 states. This was a case of zero-tolerance run amok -- and a child traumatized because of the false accusation of another child.

I have only two objections to the outcome here. First, the administrators in this case should have been held personally liable for their actions, because they do shock the conscience. Second, I am really shocked by Justice Thomas' dissent. I see where he was headed, in terms of past precedent, but I just think he was wrong.