Ms. Smith: I am upset that my son' s entire class lost two days of recess because some of the children were throwing raisins in the cafeteria. He was not throwing raisins, and it was clear to everyone just who the culprits were. Principal: I' m sorry you' re upset, Ms. Smith, but your son' s situation is like being caught in a traffic jam caused by an accident. People who aren' t involved in the accident nevertheless have to suffer by sitting there in the middle of it.
The principal's response to Ms. Smith's complaint is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it does not acknowledge the fact that a traffic jam following an accident is unavoidable while the mass punishment was avoidable.