Comments on: Parental angst in Knoxville

By: almostgotit

almostgotit — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:00:42 +0000

Thank you all very much for weighing in. See today’s post for more.

By: Susannah

Susannah — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:31:57 +0000

Gun “control” (not banning – just less loop holes for obtaining weapons and better tracking of people across state lines) would be great. If the unhappy individuals only had brass knuckles or a baseball bat or even a knife… the destruction would be reduced.
The problem is not because of socioeconomic levels or public vs ivory tower schools. To say that, is self-protective denial. As parents we desperately try to separate ourselves from the sad stories, to convince ourselves that it could not happen to us. But it can. If you have an extremely disturbed person and access to a gun, you could have a tragedy.
I look around in my own little world. I can change what I can by touching my kids’, their friends or their schoolmates’ lives in ways that is meaningful, powerful and inconvenient (for me) at times. But my impact on my kids’ lives can not be equally replaced by any social worker or teacher on this planet.

By: Mr. Budd

Mr. Budd — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:04:59 +0000

I say sterilize all of us: we’re all a lot more trouble than we’re worth, and are sure to louse up our children too!

By: truevyne

truevyne — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:48:28 +0000

Sanger? This quote makes her sound like an absolute fruit cake. This is all sadness.
This is nothing that better social systems can fix, in my own opinion.

By: A Little Tea or Something

A Little Tea or Something — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:58:21 +0000

Sterilization? Really? Human rights organizations would be all over that. I don’t pretend to have any answers, but my gut tells me that welfare itself is problematic, as is the fragmented nature of so many American families. My heart aches for both boys and their families, and I am so sorry they didn’t have safety nets and support systems in place when they needed them—now, or when they were much younger. The reader responses on one of our local news websites struck me as self-righteous and judgmental, in the face of so much sadness. Thank you for being the voice of reason in your thoughtful posts.

By: Marsquat

Marsquat — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:39:36 +0000

School shootings happen everywhere- certainly not only at urban schools. In fact, it seems like the highest-profile shootings have taken place in suburban schools by white rich kids. It is appalling that it continues to occur. Kids and teachers should feel safe while in school. School is hard enough! I’m wondering how many of these events have to occur before we dramatically change our gun-rights in this country.

If you want to be depressed, this link shows you a list of school violence around the globe (which of course means, mostly in the U.S.):
http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/crime/school_violence/school_shootings.html

By: Alice Gold

Alice Gold — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:49:08 +0000

Loving the thought provoking posts…thanks…I chose not to post about the shooting…it’s just too darn depressing.

By: Alice Gold

Alice Gold — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:48:39 +0000

I think that thugs come from all social classes, but if anyone bothers to look at any of the personal records of the kids that choose to shoot in all of American history, they will be disturbed that something wasn’t done before it was too late.

It’s usually the same story for the offending adults who shoot too.

I also think that mental health needs to be addressed to a much great degree in this great country of ours.

People who shoot are usually one of two things or both….mentally disturbed or very troubled individuals who haven’t been taught a true reality or the consequences of their actions.