This is such a sad commentary on our times. Last week the school my daughter and SIL teach at was locked down because of a shooter threat. Luckily, neither she nor her husband were there. And luckier yet, no one was hurt. The last article I read, the authorities weren't even certain there was a gun on campus. But prior to this there was an anonymous internet threat of a mass shooting so
the authorities were taking no chances. In this country, your safety is no longer insured when you go to church, school or the theater. Some people want to arm our faculty. (Can't you just see that in the job description. Besides having a masters in your chosen field, you must be willing to pack heat.) Some now carry guns to church. Where does it end?
It is sad. And the issue isn't guns - it's why are so many people THAT disturbed? What have we done or failed to do as a society? What can we do to turn the tides? Glad there was no real shooter at the school.
I thought that gun skit was hilarious when I saw it! I thought of it this morning when I saw a news item about gun control. I guess it isn't going to happen in our lifetime...I just wish they'd make it harder to get a gun than, say, a driver's license!
The SNL clip is hilarious. However, I don't think the answer to out problem lies in more guns. I don't have a definitive answer, but some solutions include creating a sense of community, increased mental health services, and more security guards and metal detectors. Backpacks should not be carried around all day. I know it infuriates high school students, but backpacks in the classroom make it easier to carry weapons. Perhaps backpacks and coats should be left in a guarded coatroom each morning. Students take the books they need. They pick up their other items at the end of the day. We must be more vigilant. The Virginia Tech shooter indicated quite clearly in his writing that he had violent tendencies. At least one professor offered to walk him over to the mental health center. He wouldn't go. Some students must be forced to go with a guard. People are probably tired of hearing "it takes a village," but it really does. We all must take responsibility for trying to make sure no one feels left out and lacking problem solving techniques. I was never violent toward other people, but during the final years of my marriage, I felt so alone and miserable. Not one person from my church or Bible study ever came by my house to visit me, or at least check on me. Love your neighbor as yourself, and know that everyone is your neighbor. That doesn't mean you should put yourself in danger. It means: Pay attention. Show love. Be vigilant. Report potential problems.
haha a good one. But yeah, rather pathetic that you can't go anywhere down there without thinking about getting shot. Teachers packing heat would just add to the issue
I am so happy that, in Canada, we have laws. Sorry but the gun laws in the States was created when there were still muskets. Add to the fact that no one is educated that fear should not be the main reason to take out your guns to blast away. I actually do find the media and many people, in the states, are ruled, somehow by fear. The fear becomes solid when there are things horrendous mass shootings. Since people can't be trusted with guns, semi automatics, oozies, flame throwers etc... make gun laws! I remember where one foreign exchange student, in Texas, went to the wrong house for a Halloween party and the man on his porch said "Freeze". The kid had no idea what this slang term went and he paid with his life. The man let fear rule and ignorance since the boy was Asian. Now in Japan at least, they go to school to learn slang terms so they are not caught off guard. Education in losing fear, tolerance for other nationalities and major gun control is a start because no one needs an oozie or all those guns-you will never convince me otherwise.
The video wouldn't play here - not available in my country. We have gun laws and gun control. For which I am grateful. Guns make killing (and killing lots of people at once) way too easy.
I have to say guns really are the main problem. There are disturbed people in nearly every country you can think of; and there is poverty in every country, as well. But it's really hard for one disturbed, disenfranchised person to kill a whole lot of people in one event without a gun. We seriously need to address all of these issues (mental health; poverty; inequity) AND we seriously need to address gun control.
Sad commentary on our times. Sadder, I don't things will change any time soon. Amendments were added to the Constitution to change things to move with the times (e.g. 19th amendment giving women the right to vote) Somehow the 2nd amendment, the right to bear arms is written in stone.It was intended because at the time, there was no standing army.
Hear. Hear. It stuns me. It's just snowballing, totally out of country. And God forbid we try to compromise and meet in the middle on this. We're just trying to take away rights if we do that.
25 comments:
It is sad. And the issue isn't guns - it's why are so many people THAT disturbed? What have we done or failed to do as a society? What can we do to turn the tides?
Glad there was no real shooter at the school.
I thought that gun skit was hilarious when I saw it! I thought of it this morning when I saw a news item about gun control. I guess it isn't going to happen in our lifetime...I just wish they'd make it harder to get a gun than, say, a driver's license!
It's sad that this is happening. We shouldn't have to be afraid to send our children to school.
The SNL clip is hilarious. However, I don't think the answer to out problem lies in more guns. I don't have a definitive answer, but some solutions include creating a sense of community, increased mental health services, and more security guards and metal detectors. Backpacks should not be carried around all day. I know it infuriates high school students, but backpacks in the classroom make it easier to carry weapons. Perhaps backpacks and coats should be left in a guarded coatroom each morning. Students take the books they need. They pick up their other items at the end of the day. We must be more vigilant. The Virginia Tech shooter indicated quite clearly in his writing that he had violent tendencies. At least one professor offered to walk him over to the mental health center. He wouldn't go. Some students must be forced to go with a guard. People are probably tired of hearing "it takes a village," but it really does. We all must take responsibility for trying to make sure no one feels left out and lacking problem solving techniques. I was never violent toward other people, but during the final years of my marriage, I felt so alone and miserable. Not one person from my church or Bible study ever came by my house to visit me, or at least check on me. Love your neighbor as yourself, and know that everyone is your neighbor. That doesn't mean you should put yourself in danger. It means: Pay attention. Show love. Be vigilant. Report potential problems.
Love,
Janie
I'm sorry. Not "out problem." Our problem.
haha a good one. But yeah, rather pathetic that you can't go anywhere down there without thinking about getting shot. Teachers packing heat would just add to the issue
I am so happy that, in Canada, we have laws. Sorry but the gun laws in the States was created when there were still muskets. Add to the fact that no one is educated that fear should not be the main reason to take out your guns to blast away. I actually do find the media and many people, in the states, are ruled, somehow by fear. The fear becomes solid when there are things horrendous mass shootings. Since people can't be trusted with guns, semi automatics, oozies, flame throwers etc... make gun laws! I remember where one foreign exchange student, in Texas, went to the wrong house for a Halloween party and the man on his porch said "Freeze". The kid had no idea what this slang term went and he paid with his life. The man let fear rule and ignorance since the boy was Asian. Now in Japan at least, they go to school to learn slang terms so they are not caught off guard. Education in losing fear, tolerance for other nationalities and major gun control is a start because no one needs an oozie or all those guns-you will never convince me otherwise.
What a sad post, so pleased no one was hurt at the school.
What some people have in their minds is unbelieveable.
Take care.
Yvonne.
The video wouldn't play here - not available in my country.
We have gun laws and gun control. For which I am grateful.
Guns make killing (and killing lots of people at once) way too easy.
We don't have guns in our country. Even our cops don't carry. Only the army has it.
Social economics definitely plays a part when it comes to violence in a society.
When they take it to church, it sure shows a lot of faith in God.
Well said, Steph. I just knew after Columbine our laws would change. Boy did I call that one wrong.
It sure is Kelly. More and more people are going to home schooling.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that alone, Janie. I'm glad you're on the other side of it now.
Everything needs to be tightened up for sure.
I agree, Pat.
Too bad we don't follow Canada's example.
Interesting about Japan learning slang.
Thanks, Yvonne. Unbelievable is exactly right.
That's exactly right. It makes killing way too easy.
I like it.
It's certainly a bizarre situation.
I have to say guns really are the main problem. There are disturbed people in nearly every country you can think of; and there is poverty in every country, as well. But it's really hard for one disturbed, disenfranchised person to kill a whole lot of people in one event without a gun. We seriously need to address all of these issues (mental health; poverty; inequity) AND we seriously need to address gun control.
Sad commentary on our times. Sadder, I don't things will change any time soon. Amendments were added to the Constitution to change things to move with the times (e.g. 19th amendment giving women the right to vote) Somehow the 2nd amendment, the right to bear arms is written in stone.It was intended because at the time, there was no standing army.
Woot. Woot.
Well said.
Hear. Hear. It stuns me. It's just snowballing, totally out of country.
And God forbid we try to compromise and meet in the middle on this. We're just trying to take away rights if we do that.
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