Do you sympathize with the shooters? Do you have a solution? Could it be they are the bullies, involved in gangs, idiots wanting attention, etc.,? Is our society so out of control we need to have a police state? Don't you think parents hold the majority of the responsibility of their childerns well being/actions? Wouldn't it be a good idea to stop letting them run the streets, following after drugs and drunks, teaching by good example? The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree.

One thing MsGenuine neglected to add was that the closest law enforcement to the Harrold Independent School District is 30 minutes away. Police are not the end all to public safety. They show up in time to clean up the mess. The citizens are responsible for their own safety. Kudos to the school district trustees to see fit to make their school safer by allowing responsible, trained adults to carry weapons.

As I've stated before, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

Obviously someone wants to put their head under the covers and wish it was all butterflies and rainbows.

No, what I am saying is why is not the question "WHY?" not being explored? We have always had guns and hoodlums, bullies in our society and schools... WHY are the students only now deciding to shoot up the schools? They had the same opportunities to do so 30 or more years ago? This situation is always a question of public safety, but is it not also a question of social responsibility gone ignored for too long? Prevention is the key to solving this crisis ... not more guns in the classroom? When will those children who cry out for help be answered instead of continually ignored and neglected by a school system that says "kids will be kids" who allow bullying instead of a zero tolerance policy? Why has no one answered the fact that teachers will be held accountable for their shootings and what will qualify them to be proficient? Many school districts have police responses 30 or more miles away from their podunk schools and do not put guns in the hands of teachers... they hire security guards!!! What is wrong with that solution? P.S. Butterflies and Rainbows in the 70's did not produce a school with bullets flying in the cafeteria!!

But removing prayer and corporal punishment from the schools did. Most people are no longer able to defend themselves because they have the mindset that government is there to protect them. Government has a less than stellar record when it comes to protecting the citizens.

Why have we not armed every Teller and Postal Worker in our unprotected Nation? Is this the preference you are hoping to achieve? Banks are robbed and bystanders are killed but our Tellers are not packing! We all know what "going Postal" means but guns are not allowed in a Federal building including the postal offices period. What about the McDonalds and Ruby cafteria shootings? Should all waiters and waitresses also pack a firearm to deal with the situation as a shooter who comes into any public place to make a statement and then wimp out and kill themselves taking as many with them as they can? Why do you think they took automatic weapons and made them illegal? That also was a knee-jerk reaction impending on our rights.I see no end to this logic when applied in other venues! I just think that the kids are not finding a serene learning environmnet and what I think is contributing to it is popular culture which glorifies the "teen idol" facade... anyone who does not "fit in" is a victim of isolation and ridicule. Anyone who grew up as an "outsider" is one thing but to grow up and be bullied everyday is clearly "intolerable." What prayer has to do with a student body's "out of control" thought pattern may have some impact but I do not think at this point it would fall into the realm of a viable solution. For the record I do believe all Americans have the right to pray whatever and whenever and especially whereever they are inclined to. What religion the school embraces however is an entirely different issue and would require a separate blog to discuss. What we need is a balanced approach to possible further school shooting incidents that is safe for all parties involved. I just do not believe putting this awesome burden of shooting an armed student while also tasked to protect all other students under their tutleage on our educators is reasonable.

Kids, wheather it is the bully or the one receiving it, FIRST should be taught by parents not to bully or how to respond to it. They should know they can turn to their parents and the parents will be responsible enough to take care of the situation. Kids need to be taught all aspects of respect, to give and receive. It starts at home with the parents FIRST. Wasn't you ever bullied? Thirty years ago I sure was, but I was also taught how to handle it and turn it into respect. My parents didn't go out and buy me weapons to practice with (as a father did in one of the incident shootings) or cheer me on to beat someone down (as a mother did in one of the incident beatings). The childern are learning from the social environment that they are given to learn from. If you plan on correcting the kids behavior you better start with the home environment. I can show you many out of control parents and their out of control kids right here in Lake George. Take for instance the young man that tried to bully me by shooting through my home. As angry as I am, I have not to date taken my AK-47 out for revenge. Instead I handled the situation the way I was taught, and everyone in this community has no doubt I will do exactly what I say. I can however tell you that the young man's family and buddies thought his actions were funny and put it on the street "I got what I deserved". Ask them what they think now!

Ms. Genuine,

Check out the Ombudsman Schools right here in Liberty County. It is too late for the "Why" and the crying and whining about oh how could this have happened. The questions everyone needs to be asking themselves is "What am I really doing to be part of the solution, besides writing in these blogs?" These kids that are crying out for help do not read these blogs, they are in our classrooms, roaming our streets, and no amount of blogging is going to help them. When was the last time anyone on these blogs volunteered sometime with these kids? Became important in their lives, someone to look up too? Or are we all grasping our purses and not making eye contact when they walk by us? I for one am tired of hearing the "Why?" and wanting action. Most need someone to take an interest in them. Anyone willing to step up? Pretty words on a forum are not going to help. Go to their communities, volunteer in their classrooms, coach a rec sport, do something for Gods Sake! Put up or Shut up, thats my motto.

It was the Luby Cafeteria and not Ruby. And the answer to your first question is YES. There are those who choose to protect themselves by their God given right. Those who chose not to only prove Darwin right.

The time has come for parents to return to their roles as parents. Parenting is not worrying about how badly someone has disrespected your child and responding only to the percieved slight. Parenting is not simply dressing your baby dolls up to mimic your appearance. Parenting is a life long process. A child that needs to be corrected by an educator for misbehaving needs to recieve reinforcing consequences at home. Not a parent rising to his/her rescue by storming into the classroom to show that teacher what's what. Bullying needs to be addressed by everyone in the realm where it occurs. The teacher, administrator and both sets of parents are instrumental in eliminating that behavior.

If you feel that a religious belief will help you raise a better, more well-behaved child, then more power to you. However, there is no room during the school day to address all the varying factions of Christianity, let alone all the other mono-theistic or heaven forbid poly-theistic religion out there. Children are enrolled in school for 7 hours a day. The parents have the resposibility for them the other 17 hours. Please take them to church and teach them to revere the God of your choice. You are free to pray anytime and any where you like. This does not mean, however, that it needs to be a group activity. Your faith, your God, your prayers.

Babies having babies. Single mother households because fathers choose not to be involved. Over pampering children. Ignoring your children and having the TV babysit them. These are among the many things that are leading to the overall degradation of society. Teachers are not responsible to raise your children. It is too bad that we have to now arm our teachers for their protection.

Eyes it not responible of you to assume everyone on this blog space does not have outside interaction with children. Perhaps more do than you assume. Perhaps many post here to comment on the world because they see the problems and are frustrated because they can not do more to correct it.

Personally, I have tutored and mentored kids of all ages in the past as an educator and involved parent/volunteer in many positions but was frustrated when the “at-risk students/kids never showed up!! How do you reach those kids who are not willing to trust (and for good reason) adults who come to them with good intentions to help as they may be able to when suspicion paralyzes the “at-risk youths’ minds? By the way “EyesonHinesville I do not appreciate your tactics bullying me on this forum by your relentless tirade of this forum being nonproductive and especially your comment: “put up or shut up. I fully intend to engage in my first admenment rights (unless Sam Adams corrects me?) in this forum or otherwise as I see fit to process my thoughts on this issue or any other that continues to frustrate and saddens me with anyone who chooses to participate willingly sharing a diverse array of helpful perperspectives. With all the complex social issues facing our generation today, a precursory dialogue usually leads to a community based, viable and effective solutions exponentially as the citizenry’s input is heard!! I am frustrated with this complex social issue that has paralyzed our education system amongst other integrated facets of society and as a writer I will continue to utilize this forum and my skills as a writer to provoke thought and especially to search for the answers to the WHYs because therein lies the ROOT which needs to be excised before future generations becomes the next school shooters to face in our nation’s classrooms.
Thank you Mr. Adams as always for your corrections and contributions to these discussions which is greatly appreciated. I always look forward to your input. I may have said “Ruby instead of “Luby (TX) because I was seeing Red for some reason??? Those Freudian slips you know? It would seem as if one would wish to engage fully in their 2nd Amendment Rights would only have to move to President Bush’s stomping grounds! Texas sounds more and more like the famous old wild west “OK Corral movies back in those “good ole’ days??? Sarcasm, Satire, or Rhetoric???
Touch to Chapin98 for the comments provided which I personally thought hit the entire topic being discussed right on its head!! With that said, “How do you reach the parents producing these “at-risk kids?

Correction: Touch is Touche! I have a wireless with a connection that keeps bleeping in and out on me. Apologies in order, Nancy

Ok, lets put some clarity on this. I am assuming nothing. I simply asked when was the last time the readers have volunteered their time. Also, if that offends someone, you are no help to these AT RISK youth. If you ever feel you are doing enough, check out the kids at Ombudsman, your eyes will be opened.

I am a "former" at risk youth. Been there, done it, got the T-Shirt. I can tell you from personal experience, after school turtoring was a joke to me. Why would a child show up? They dont want to be in school in the first place. Hit them where they enjoy being, Ms. Genuine, and you will have a much better chance of touching and affecting their lives. Go into their communities, show up at their sports game, show them they have an ally in a world where their only friends are criminals and thugs. I stand by what I say. I know the At Risk in Hinesville, I go to their classes, their games, their homes. Pretty rhetoric is doing nothing for them. Hell they can not even understand what you are saying. Oh but show them you care enough to enter their world, and 99% of the time they will follow you into yours.

The parents of the At risk youth in Hinesville are not going to be part of the solution. Like I said I have been to their homes and tried to connect. You can not connect when the parents care more for themselves than they do their kids. We can either help and give these kids someone to look up to, or have more crime, more welfare recipients, and more murders here in Happy Hinesville. So as a community, we need to either PUT UP OR SHUT UP. If you spend some free time with these at risk kids than I say THANK YOU and your efforts are truly appreciated.

I have two daughters and a grandchild. I did not let my daughters run the streets (they got mad, oh well), I taught them to have responsible sex, I taught them about drugs and alcohol, I taught them how to speak to people and when to speak up for themselves, I stayed up til the wee hours helping them study for test, etc.,. I now go to my grandchilds school events and after school events, and all the values I taught my daughters are being passed to my grandchild. It shows in his attitude, he is happy, well adjusted, he knows grandma will pop his tail, and he is already standing up to the bullies. One of my daughters asked me for extra lunch money once, after I had already given it to her. I wanted to know what happened to what she already had. She told me a girl on the bus was taking others money. I told my daughter to tell the girl it would not happen again, to give the money back, tell the bus driver and if it did not stop I would be on the bus to stop it the next day, it stopped. I knew what was going on in my girls lives and they have turned out to be responsible adults.

Now the opposite, the young man (thug) that shot my home, he is surrounded by adults, the same ones that told him he did nothing wrong, "I got what I deserve, LOL", he is given everything, let run the streets, also busted for cocaine, involved with dog fighting along with those same adults that told him he did nothing wrong, and "I got what I deserve, LOL". So I say again, it starts at home. If you have sorry adults for young people to follow after, you will have another generation of sorry adults. The adults (brain dead idiots) in this young man's life (any "ADULT" for that matter with morales) should have told him he did wrong, and should be ashamed. If my child (adult or not) would have done something that horrific, I would probably have beaten them down myself, taken them by the hair to confront their victim, then drove them to the jail. Can you see the difference between responsible adults raising a child and brain dead idiots raising a child?

Exactly!! "WhatsHotLips" My point is how do we get to those parents who are raising the "thugs?" You obviously know that this is a parental issue with societal consequences. While the former commentator, "EyesonHinesville," is making an effort to make a change in an individual at-risk youth's life, my thesis to this "opinion piece" is that the larger picture is the solution to the epidemic our nation is facing. Looking at this probem child by child will help individuals, but what I am searching for is the answers that will reach the parents who are creating the "thugs." Throwing your hands up in the air and say that they are too selfish is yet another cop out! There is a solution out there... it is a matter of brainstorming and not forming an apathetic attitude that this problem will not go away so arm every teacher to the teeth to deal with the possibilities that another school shooting will happen again. Parenting classes is one avenue that could be mandated. Utilizing coercive measures to ensure completion could be one means to an end. These measures might include driver's license privileges or the other spectrum might be a rewards system of some sort that would encourage parents to omplete a course in effective nuturing skills that foster well socialized children right from the start. I would like not to be combative in this forum but rather dialogue to initiate discussion that might stir thought towards reform that could actually reach the right ears to start programs that would end this violence in our schools and elsewhere. We need a jumping off point which "EyesonHinesville" is suggesting but much larger in scope, only my opinion.

I see this topic has headed in a different direction.

Ms. Genuine,

Combative is not my stlye. Blunt yes, combative no. Some people are thinkers, which gives the world ideas for the doers.

As for reaching the parents. I wish that would work. I can not tell you how many times I have sat with a parent about to lose their parental rights that could not let go of their thug brainwashing. It was frustrating to the point that I wanted to bang my own head against a wall. We have every tool imaginable in place to help parents cope with almost any kind of issue that could ever arise. For the poor there is WIC and welfare, for the inexperienced there are parenting classes, for the uneducated there are scholarships. There is before school care, after school care, rec sports program, free lunch and breakfast, free medical and dental, free tutoring, mentoring, name it and its out there somewhere. Has it helped? Only if they want it to. The apathy or cop out is not on my part. Its on theirs.

Drivers Licensing would be a good idea, but guess what? They dont care if they have one or not. They drive anyway. On any random day you can walk into DFACS (everyone is driving an SUV or a pimped up ride by the way)check for licenses and all you will see are GA IDS. Maybe that can work somewhere else, but not here. Not until the cops start pulling over people randomly and checking. Maybe DFACS should start reporting a non licensed driver. I dont know, just an idea. To the topic that was at hand, I do not believe that guns should be carried by a teacher. Guns have no place in our schools. What is to stop a kid from grabbing the gun from the teacher? How many people do you think will actually be able to pull the trigger on a child? Treat a child like a criminal, they will act like one. Maybe metal detectors at every school is a viable option. It seems to be heading down that road anyway, why not just do it. For a short term solution that might be an answer. I would not allow my child to go to a school where the teachers were packing. In some cases that would be as dangerous as the kids carrying.

This topic could head all over the place with no real headway made. But while the thinkers are looking for the answers, I will be doing with an individual at a time. Its the only real answer that I know of at the time. Pardon the bluntness, but this is a subject I am very passionate about. It could have been me dead. Thanks for the discussion.

Well Said! I appreciate the comments and feel you are right in so many ways... still frustrating situation since it still must be solved if we are to prevent school shootings in the future. But your aforementioned comments are more thought for the fodder and I will continue to monitor this "teacher packing heat" idea and where it takes our education system as well as the students and our nation as a whole. I do agree wholeheartedly with you that if you expect kids to be criminals they usually rise to the occasion. It has been interesting indeed discussing this topic. Look forward to more dialoguing on diverse issues in the future

I think that Sam Adams is correct and this discussion may have lost its bearings, However, the thoughts and points being discussed need to see the light of day as well.

But back to the subject at hand.

I do not agree with anyone being armed in a school environment, except a fully qualified and trained member of law enforcement. We need to keep in mind that we are talking about the state of Texas. There seems to be a different brand of thought that occurs within their borders. I can understand that the first responders are, at a minimum 30 minutes from this school. They would never be able to arrive in time for anything but mopping up the crime scene. These shootings may take a process of prolonged planning for the shooter, yet the actual shooting activity is generally over before the police can arrive. Local law enforcement agency have begun to train for pro-active responses to a school shooting rather than taking a reactive response.

I do not know if any teacher could bring it upon themselves to fire upon a child. The instinctual reaction of me versus you may simply kick in. I also think that the majority of the individuals involved in the previous attacks have been cowardly in their approach to suicide. They do not possess the fortitude to kill themselves so they have the police do it for them. Teachers being armed will not end that type of attack. However, if a teacher becomes aware of an attack and can end the process prior to the arrival of better trained personnel, maybe, just maybe that would be an accomplishment. I am quite sure that if my child were saved from the meandering firing of a crazed individual I would be immensely relieved.

We need to start another blog to discuss many of the other issues this has given breath to (I know I am just as guilty of thread drift here.) Because the concept of raising children to be better citizens is not really an issue here. It is rather the people involved in these type of shootings are simply not mentally capable of being productive members of society. And whether society has the right to protect itself and more importantly its children from such malcontents.

Well Said! By the way if these children who shoot up their schools are "not mentally capable of being productive members of society" therefore, I am assuming you are suggesting they be euthanized before any acting out on their parts because they are the cause of the mop ups? That language is very provocative? I believe all persons whether they have mental problems or not are valuable souls created by God for a purpose. However, these persons need help and I am not suggesting that their purpose is to shoot up their schools. Armed security guards and metal detectors should do the trick for now but I still think we need to excise the abscessed root of the problem causing these children to become shooters at some point so that these discussions become mute! Thread drifters are also valuable tangents to discussions that are multi-faceted socially complex issues and are to be expected! Arming teachers in any state seems morally wrong to me... but that is just my opinion!

You certainly have a wonderful talent for spinning other people words. Under no circumstance did I imply, infer or suggest that any one be "euthanized before any acting out . . ." I was simply stating that of those who have already decided to participate in these freakish acts of school violence, none seemed fit to become members of this our any society. They were misfits that should have been identified by their parents, by their clergy, by their teachers or by their friends as needing professional attention prior to committing their grossly anti-social behavior. Or am I somehow wrong in considering the outright slaughter of unarmed, innocent people as some sort of an anti-social act?

I do not like the idea of teachers with guns in our schools and I don't understand why Texas has chosen to take that particular route. The suggestion of metal detectors at every door and a least one armed law enforcement officer in every school to me would be more appropriate. I personally would feel better about my childs safty under the care of a professionally trained officer, then an educator.

At this point in our society I do not believe there is a solution to the problem of correcting the behavior that already exist (it has been out of control for too long and to alot of people violence and jail is normal, just listen to the rapper music and watch the video game violence, this is now what our society accepts as childs play), but as with terrorism learning how to cope with it.

In the meantime, the missfits are still out there, at school and in the general public, and law abiding people will still not be able to defend themselves, their families, and friends.

You can also blame alot of the continuing violence on the laws that are left to protect us not being enforced, prosecuted or sentenced correctly. The laws are continuing to be changed to protect the criminals, because they are the ones that feed the lawyers. Unfortunately good people will have to learn to fight dirty to be able to protect themselves. I use to do what was right by the law, now I adjust what has to be done to fight the criminals and use the law to do what's right by me.