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shawmutt · May 9, 2007, 01:35 pm

In reading up on the VT shootings, I find that many many people thought that kid was seriously disturbed--to the point that when the shootings happened, some already know who did the shooting. There are these type of kids everywhere--you know the type--the kid who seems "off" a bit. The kid you know has a mental illness. The kid who is supposed to take his meds but you know he doesn't for some reason or another. What if this kid was a close friend--what if this kid was in your family? What would be the right thing to do? What would you do?

brien · May 9, 2007, 02:10 pm

Cho was already under psychologicl observation. It was the authorities who dropped the ball. We can't turn into a cadre of snitches when people aren't equipped to make psychological judgements that only professionals can be repsonsible for in society. Because someone may seem "out there" to another, is by no means evidence of any psychotic or criminal behavior.

Now, if someone observes another actually committing criminal or anti social behavior, that is different. By all means, it is encumbent upon the observer to report that aberrant behavior to whomever they deem is the appropriate authority. Restraint and reasonable judgement will serve the safety of society better than reactionary and irresponsible actions by a frightened and paranoid public.

May 9, 2007, 08:36 pm

The number of "seriously distrubed" people who go on to buy guns and slaughter their school mates is so rare that it doesn't warrant doing anything about--or to-- these people.

If you want to save the lives of students, take away cigarettes, liquor and cars.

Regards
S.

another day · May 10, 2007, 02:16 am

exactly...

there are countless kids who fit the bill of a disturbed, violence obsessed loner. only a tiny fraction actually do anything like this.

Osborn F Enready · May 10, 2007, 03:15 pm

If you want responsible kids, hold parents responsible for that job.

Prohibition does nothing if a market still exists.

Technosoul · May 10, 2007, 11:40 pm

The question is "what should we do".

If the kid is " a loner" and does not like to socialize because they feel picked on too much, then chances are we would not know them or what they are up too. Unless we are directly involved in their life as a teacher or whatnot. But even so if it is the neighbor's kid then it would be "out-of-bounds" for us to take direct action. It would then be up to the school district to try to find ways to make the schools secure form people who might take weapons or explosives on campus. But that sort of idea also has a lot of drawbacks.

If anyone in our own family shows signs of being troubled then Ma and Pa better do some spying in a un-noticed manner. Check the bedroom and garage for wapons and bomb making stuff, if you see it, then involve the authorities. Check what they are doing on the computer. And check those photographic resources if they got one as most of them like to document the whole process. In other words, pay attention to what your kids are doing but do not get shocked if they are interested in sex.
And look for any expressions of potential violence and confront them with what you know, seek help for them if you can (but not from local preacher, get professional help).

Be aware. That is what is lacking in parenting in many cases. When my kid had to go to a certain highschool where he was being intimadated by drug gangs I simply pulled him out of school, he never finished highschool. But later took a test to get the proper credits.
When the truent officer came knocking to find out why the kid was not completing his mandatory education I told them point blank,,, you are not running a public highschool, you are operating a drug school. They did not press charges. He is now a manager of a high-tech company.

Be aware and do not feel that you cannot get involved in a teenagers life because after all, they are your kids.

And it is possible to train kids on how to deal with bully students in a non-violent manner. But with some gangs that is not realisitic and so do not make them go to school if the environment there is having negative effects on your child.

May 9, 2007, 01:35 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
shawmutt Slightly Dangerous Location: Greencastle, PA Posts: 1,130	If you knew the next school shooter, what would you do? In reading up on the VT shootings, I find that many many people thought that kid was seriously disturbed--to the point that when the shootings happened, some already know who did the shooting. There are these type of kids everywhere--you know the type--the kid who seems "off" a bit. The kid you know has a mental illness. The kid who is supposed to take his meds but you know he doesn't for some reason or another. What if this kid was a close friend--what if this kid was in your family? What would be the right thing to do? What would you do? 78% of statistics are made up on the spot.

May 9, 2007, 02:10 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
brien Iceberg Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,703	Cho was already under psychologicl observation. It was the authorities who dropped the ball. We can't turn into a cadre of snitches when people aren't equipped to make psychological judgements that only professionals can be repsonsible for in society. Because someone may seem "out there" to another, is by no means evidence of any psychotic or criminal behavior. Now, if someone observes another actually committing criminal or anti social behavior, that is different. By all means, it is encumbent upon the observer to report that aberrant behavior to whomever they deem is the appropriate authority. Restraint and reasonable judgement will serve the safety of society better than reactionary and irresponsible actions by a frightened and paranoid public. Brien the Iceberg If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything. M.T.

May 10, 2007, 03:15 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	If you want responsible kids, hold parents responsible for that job. Prohibition does nothing if a market still exists. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

May 9, 2007, 08:36 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
sdbest Guest Posts: n/a	The number of "seriously distrubed" people who go on to buy guns and slaughter their school mates is so rare that it doesn't warrant doing anything about--or to-- these people. If you want to save the lives of students, take away cigarettes, liquor and cars. Regards S.

May 10, 2007, 02:16 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
another day slipping sand Posts: 1,977	exactly... there are countless kids who fit the bill of a disturbed, violence obsessed loner. only a tiny fraction actually do anything like this.

May 10, 2007, 11:40 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Technosoul Volcanic Erupter Posts: 8,663	The question is "what should we do". If the kid is " a loner" and does not like to socialize because they feel picked on too much, then chances are we would not know them or what they are up too. Unless we are directly involved in their life as a teacher or whatnot. But even so if it is the neighbor's kid then it would be "out-of-bounds" for us to take direct action. It would then be up to the school district to try to find ways to make the schools secure form people who might take weapons or explosives on campus. But that sort of idea also has a lot of drawbacks. If anyone in our own family shows signs of being troubled then Ma and Pa better do some spying in a un-noticed manner. Check the bedroom and garage for wapons and bomb making stuff, if you see it, then involve the authorities. Check what they are doing on the computer. And check those photographic resources if they got one as most of them like to document the whole process. In other words, pay attention to what your kids are doing but do not get shocked if they are interested in sex. And look for any expressions of potential violence and confront them with what you know, seek help for them if you can (but not from local preacher, get professional help). Be aware. That is what is lacking in parenting in many cases. When my kid had to go to a certain highschool where he was being intimadated by drug gangs I simply pulled him out of school, he never finished highschool. But later took a test to get the proper credits. When the truent officer came knocking to find out why the kid was not completing his mandatory education I told them point blank,,, you are not running a public highschool, you are operating a drug school. They did not press charges. He is now a manager of a high-tech company. Be aware and do not feel that you cannot get involved in a teenagers life because after all, they are your kids. And it is possible to train kids on how to deal with bully students in a non-violent manner. But with some gangs that is not realisitic and so do not make them go to school if the environment there is having negative effects on your child.