The hullabaloo has been going on for over a week now over the penalties meted out to 40 New Ulm High School students for their actions at a local high school volleyball game. Which means the penalty imposed on most students - a two-week ban on attending school extracurricular activities - is almost over.

Many of the parents of the affected students are still seeking justice for their young adults. Some want the school's administrators to accept some of the blame for the obnoxious behavior of the student Eagle Squadron cheering section, because the district, they say, hasn't cracked down on them before. It's hard for the students to know they crossed a line if no one ever drew a line.

Fair enough. Maybe adminstrators should accept some of the blame, if the parents will accept some of the blame as well. They have also allowed their young adults to act in ways that have become increasingly hostile and disrespectful to visiting athletic teams and fans.

However it got to this point, it's time for it to stop. Trash talking and disrespectful acts toward other teams intended to bully and intimidate the other side should not be tolerated, and should be dealt with quickly at local events. And no one should use the excuse, "Well, other schools did that to us." It's time to de-escalate the boorishness.