Where Two Or More Are Gathered..........

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Thursday, March 24, 2005

School Of Thought....


2005 Class Photo of Jeff Weise


Today, I would like to discuss a tragic event that happened on Monday, in Red Lake Minnesota. There has been so much coverage of the Terri Schiavo ordeal, that little attention has been given to this senseless and unbelievable event. On Monday March 21, Jeff Weise, shown above , walked into his high school, Red Lake High School, and started shooting indiscriminately at faculty and fellow students. He apparently had just come from his home, where he had already murdered his grandfather and a companion. Rather than rehashing the incident word for word(you can get that on MSN or Yahoo), I would like to address the bigger issue .

Ever since the fatal shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999, I knew immediately, what the underlying motive was behind senseless school shootings. I did not have to hear the details of the shootings to know what could possibly spark such rage and violence in a human being. Needless to say, I was very disappointed when the media neglected to focus on the primary reason . See, I know from prior experience that children have a nasty habit of picking on other children by teasing, and sometimes subjecting them to violence. Everyone who went to High School is well aware of bullies and punks who get their kicks(no pun intended) from humiliating and degrading other students. I was one such student who was picked on and I still remember clearly to this day, the anger and rage that I felt towards those bullies. I remember entertaining thoughts of revenge and violent retribution. I did fight some of these bullies , and I was able to stick up for myself without resorting to the type of extreme behavior we see today. Although, I did have vivid thoughts of revenge and murder. I won't lie , I wanted to kill those bastards, but I did not act on those feelings.

I am in no way condoning this type of behavior. I know that the reason why the media does not address this issue is because of the fear of giving the perception of condoning this type of action. Yet , by not focusing on the root of the problem, it is guaranteed to repeat itself. If people don't understand that ALL human beings deserve respect, this type of thing will reoccur! Without shining light on why this is happening , then there will be more school shootings and more senseless killings. It is not enough to dismiss these events as random acts of violence, because they are NOT random. They happen at schools, where one or more individuals feel that they have been bullied and ostracized. These shootings are in response to a wide spread problem that takes place all over this country.When People learn to respect and tolerate each other , despite their appearance, race, color , creed, sexual orientation, etc., then we will all have seen the last of the phenomenon known as school shootings.

29 Comments:

Blogger Wayne World said...

You know Nzyme, I'm glad you left that comment because I know quite a few people who are going through the same problem.I think it's outrageous when a child has to be looked down and made to feel like an outcast simply because that child enjoys learning . I think it's a bi-product of living in such a perverted and sick society where knowledge and learning is "not cool". I am truely sorry that your son has to deal with these idiots. I know from experience how hard it is to be a child that wants to learn, but is constantly being pressured and ridiculed by punks!I can only hope that he is strong enough to understand that he is not missing out on anything by not acting like a jerk and hanging out with those fools! Nzyme , I believe that one's children are a genetic improvement of their parents, and if this is true , then your son Will be the next Bill Gates because you are very knowledgeable when it comes to computers. Keep him focused on what really matters!

Thu Mar 24, 10:31:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

Nzyme, that is a great point. Why is it always the bullied and not the bullies who need help or counseling. How very Bush like (ie. going to Iraq). It's almost inevitable, and a trend you see in every school, not just in our country but every nation out there. The question is how do you stop it? I haven't a clue.

Soundboyz: thanks for the comment. I appreciate it.

Thu Mar 24, 11:13:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Thu Mar 24, 11:20:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

Here's how you link me without blogroll...

[a href="geekbird.blogspot.com"]Project Geekbird[/a]

But replace the four [ ]'s with < >'s

Hey, how do I add other contributors to my blog to write posts?

Thu Mar 24, 11:22:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

I agree wholeheartedly and have actually used Bill Gates as a reference to my boy. My 15 year old told me that he was referred to as being a nerd and I told him point-blank that Bill Gates was a nerd even today.

Nzyme, what has kept my boy from completely withdrawing from the social circles is that one day he will be able to tell those guys that he doesn't want an apple pie with his order.

And thank G_d someone makes the parallel with invading Iraq. When bullies like Iraq get dressed down like a 6 year old schoolgirl, you can always point your son to the fact that evil regimes (ie bullies) always get whats coming to them. And you can always let your kids know that they too can become a great man like George Bush.

Thu Mar 24, 11:25:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

>become a great man like George Bush

Yeah, but doesn't that defeat everything we've said in these comments about growing up and being bullied do to a thirst for knowledge and being intelligent. Bush? Intelligent? kind of an oximoron wouldn't you say. Or just Bush=Oxymoron-Oxy. An irrefutable math equation wouldn't you say?

Thu Mar 24, 11:33:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

I don't think that Bush is a moron. It's kinda hard to get elected President of the United States twice. And compared with the collective intelligence of the people he was running against, it seems that he's an absolute genius.

Frankly, I don't think that Bush had anything to do with this topic. I have experience with raising a kid and I really don't think that Bush or any other politician has ever really crossed my mind when making decisions about his well-being except for pulling him out of public school.

Maybe the voucher system would be conducive to allowing our kids to get out of the failing schools where there are dominant influences about being hard or street. It sure would help me pay for Ben's school.

Thu Mar 24, 11:44:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

soundboyz, you might want to check out the link on my site that refers to you and Mr. T.

Oh, I'm out........

Thu Mar 24, 11:45:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

Two Dogs, I just KNEW you would find a way to turn this thing around and start some crap!!!!! George Bush is the BULLY!!!! He has always been the bully all of his life. He's just the type of individual that we are talking about. He feels that he's right and everyone else is wrong!At Harvard, he was known for calling people names in order to intimidate and put people down. He was also said to bully people into accepting his point of view and dismissed everyone that did not agree with him!He criticized opposers of the war, when he was guilty of being a coward himself.He is the bully for going into Iraq and waging war. Saddam posed no threat to the US. This is just a part of his lame brain plan to take control of strategic oil reserves!!!This is where American Kids get that agressive bully mentality!! If you don't like someone , go and kick their ass and show them who's boss!

Oh.....you're welcome Geekbird.

Thu Mar 24, 11:55:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

And Two Dogs...I did see that crap!!! I just ignored it. I will not dignify that with a response!!!

Thu Mar 24, 11:59:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

>Hey, how do I add other contributors to my blog to write posts?

Go to settings, then go to members and click on add team member .This will send the person an invitation. You have to have their email address in order to do so.

Thu Mar 24, 12:03:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

This will be my final comment today, gotta go outta town.

Bush calls people nicknames, it's something he's done all his life. Most people think it's an endearing quality. you said, "Bush is the Bully."

I have my opinion of Bush and you have yours. You said, "He was also said to bully people into accepting his point of view and dismissed everyone that did not agree with him." and "Two Dogs, I just KNEW you would find a way to turn this thing around and start some crap." and "This is just a part of his lame brain plan to take control of strategic oil reserves."

Oh, and funny how we haven't even pumped one barrel of oil our way, isn't it? No more war for free donuts!

Thu Mar 24, 12:18:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

> Here's how you link me without blogroll...

Sorry Geekbird, I just realized that I could add you using blogroll after all. Thanks anyway.You are added!!

Thu Mar 24, 12:30:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

>Oh, and funny how we haven't even pumped one barrel of oil our way, isn't it? No more war for free donuts!

Wow, what an interesting ploy. I'm sure this wasn't f**kin' strategic. Umm, gee, are the American people getting pretty fed up and pissed off about these ridiculous oil prices right now? The highest ever? Ooooh, let's see who will come and save the day and our wallets at the gas pumps.

Two dogs, you also wrote that Bush is smart enough to be president. Good lord, you can't be that naive. you could have had an elephant painted red and it would have gotten enough votes to be president. You really think those who voted for him are all that intelligent? Do you not find it odd at all that the blue states and those opposed to Bush are mainly comprised of intelligent academic people? I'm not blaming the red states for their lack of schooling. But there is a difference between making an intelligent decision and following a party based on blind allegiance.

Thu Mar 24, 12:41:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

Tell him Geekbird!!!!!I have always thought about that point also!! Anywhere that has reputable institutions of higher learning,seems to have a population that is more cognitive and educated in their ideologies ie ..New York , California , Massachussetts,etc. I think that the red states need to stop going to church so much, and start going to school!!Oh, and they could stop dating their sisters and first cousins, that seems to cause the intelligence curve to spiral down out of control!!

Thu Mar 24, 12:52:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

Thank you Imara, I appreciate your insightful comment. It's good to have educated people like yourself , Nzyme as well as Geekbird to discuss these matters with. I wonder if Two Dogs is thinking about furthering his education?Third grade is a little "early" in the game to leave school!!His poor mother.....

Thu Mar 24, 01:21:00 PM 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why did you delete somebodys' comment up there??? I thought nothing was taboo on this page?? I've been reading it and enjoying until I saw you deleted something. Please xplain that.

Thu Mar 24, 01:24:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

^I think the author of the comment either made a mistake or decided not to post that comment. It was deleted by them , not anyone else.

Thu Mar 24, 01:38:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

I removed my comment.

Thu Mar 24, 01:47:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

I was trying to show Soundboyz how to link me but used the html tag which automatically turned into a hyperlink. thus my brackets instead of arrow things right after the deleted comment

Thu Mar 24, 01:48:00 PM 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CBS Bush Job Approval 43-48, positive-negative, margin of error 4%. Dead even, almost.

Thu Mar 24, 02:12:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

^ I think it reflects how people really feel about his job performance and his handling of the War. I have noticed that ever since the Iraqi elections, they have been putting a real good spin on the war in order to convince people that it was the right thing and everything is working out fine. Even with all of that, he is still slipping in the ratings!!Something is amiss!!!

Thu Mar 24, 02:18:00 PM 2005  
Blogger tonymacq said...

I understand your concerns about bullying and I agree wholeheartedly. However I dont think that that is the issue. Ok these kids were bullied, however wrong it is, it takes a mature individual to realize that even tho its not fair or right that they are picked on, they cant go around shooting all the people who have wronged them. Thats not how the world works. My next statement may sound a little cruel but these kids who are doing these school shootings probably were not ready for the real world anyway. The real world is cruel and wont go your way ( or so im told cus im still in highschool) and you cant just go around shooting ppl because things dont go your way

Thu Mar 24, 11:18:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Geekbird said...

Yo Soundboyz,
This has nothing to do with the current subject but, I posed a question to you over at your other site in your Lucifer post. Just wanted to peep your thoughts.

Fri Mar 25, 01:30:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

Troll alert!

I think that macq has a really good point. These kids that shoot up schools are probably destined to have a rough life ahead with their solutions coming from a gun.

Did y'all happen to check out what this kid was into on the internet? And he got the guns and a police car by killing his police officer grandfather.

I think this dude might be a little more a bully that others though. The first shooter was in Pearl, Mississippi and he was an outcast from way back.

But, here's a little tidbit of information that you might not see on CNN. Every last one of the school killers to date was on Ritalin or another ADHD drug.

Fri Mar 25, 02:13:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

I respect both Macq and Two Dogs point of views. I think it's a combination of things. I won't say it's only the bullying or the drugs, but being picked on is always there somewhere and could very well be the catalyst to push them over the edge.And to Macq, I understand your point, however we're talking about children who are still not fully developed adults.You are saying that they should be mature enough, well we're talking about high schoolers and younger. You should know that high schoolers are not very mature.So, I see what you're saying, however I think, no, I know that when you pick on someone or something enough, they will eventually snap! Not that they will all do things to this level , but they will eventually retaliate.

One last thing about this. I think these kids had psychological issues as well, this is true. So , this bolsters my point even more. Be careful who you go fo#*ing with, because you don't know who's the one that's crazy enough to do something about it. And what they do in response, might not be equivalent to what you did to them!Leave people the F*#K alone and learn to love and respect everyone.

Fri Mar 25, 09:35:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

Macq proves that there is a cogent opinion at the high school level. Maybe not all teens are capable of intelligence, but I am sure that they do know the difference between right and wrong.

And soundboyz, you are so right. All people share similarities as well as have differences. If we start shit with people who are different from us, we are bound to get hurt at some point.

Sat Mar 26, 04:45:00 PM 2005  
Blogger Paul Mitchell said...

And the obligatory number 30 comment. Damn, you are never going to have to post again, just let it hang out in the comments.

Sun Mar 27, 12:11:00 AM 2005  
Blogger Wayne World said...

LOL!!!! We should just start a chat room.....because we just use this like one!!People just giving shout outs and stuff. Nobody' sticking to the point........That's why colords can't have blogs, they use it to air out family arguments....use it to sell weed....just crazy stuff!!

Sun Mar 27, 12:54:00 AM 2005  

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