From: Jesus
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 03:44 PM
columbine high school was basically all we talked about at my school today. lots of students were scared to even come, and when the administration made the poor choice of having a fire drill today it was even worse. most kids wouldnt even leave their classrooms. we were all trying to understand what went on, but its almost completely uncomprehensible. if your child was one of the 2 doing the shooting (and had not killed themself), could you forgive them? if you were one of those students who did survive, could you ever forget the sound or sight of your friend being shot right next to you? my school is an "open school", meaning that all upstairs classrooms and the library dont have doors and only have little bookcases for mini walls. walls in the annex are little more than cardboard. teachers were trying to tell us how to escape, where to run, or where to hide if something like that did happen here. they had nothing to tell us really, if it did happen we'd have no chance. its extremely sad that we need a plan just in case someone tries to come in our school and shoot us. wtf is going on in this world?
From: Sarah
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 05:08 PM
This is one big thing I want to work in.
I'll just really simply put out my opinion. These boys were abused, they cried for help in
several different ways, and when they recieved no answer, they took out the people they
blamed, and then themselves. I think the teachers, parents, and councelors are to blame
even more so than the two kids. They are supposed to be trained to help these children,
and not just the ones that go around killing others, either. Come on. It just really
pisses me off.
From: Tara
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 05:58 PM
Okay, We have a responsibility to raise children with a sense of well-being and conscience (and good spelling skills). A large part of who a person is depends on how they were raised. However, I refuse to adhere to the notion that those boys were somehow relieved of responsibility for their actions. And I do not contend that their parents are more responsible than they are.
I will even go as far to say that the nineties notion of blame your parents, has no doubt contributed to youth commiting violent acts, and claiming bad upbring as defence. If these guys had shot the parents who were abusing them, that is a different story.
These guys were laughing and playing peek-a-boo while they blew peoples faces off. They lived in society long enough to recognize such action is unacceptable.
I agree, there is a problem with what were are doing to children. I do not agree that parents should be held to a higher degree of responsibility than the "children." Not in a situation such as this.
From: Ms. Valerie
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 06:54 PM
I agree with you Tara. The boys are to blame, but I also agree that we need to look at the way children are raised and not just from the parents. This sounds really corny, but I believe in the "takes a village to raise a child" concept.
I think too many people try to blame their wrongdoings on their background/childhood. I was abused, my family didn't have a lot of money, I was raised in a single-parent home. However, I do not use this to justify my mistakes.
I never had to worry about being assulted while I was in high school. I really don't worry about it now and maybe that's just me being nieve, but I can't fathom being frightened to attend school. That's really sick in my opinion.
From: Sarah
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 09:32 PM
Holly~
I thought you would like to know there's guy on TV right now who had gone to that school a
couple weeks ago to bring awareness to 'Gothic Gangs'. He's saying how it all relates back
to MM, and that's the reason that these guys shot everyone. Now, everyone knows how I feel
about MM, but that's about the biggest load of BS that I have heard in a long time.
From: Das_Biest
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 09:55 PM
Solution A:
Install metal detectors in all schools, hire armed security guards, install bullet proof
windows, desks and doors.
Solution B:
Get rid of that insane 2nd amendment! Allow only licensed people (after lenghty yet
inexpensive training and testing) without criminal record to own guns.
Solution C:
Change society. Give teenagers more rights, and places to go where they can be themselves.
Stop the whole "don't drink, don't have sex" campaigns- they don't and will
never work. Give them an outlet for their frustration!