Wednesday afternoon, two high school boys were removed from their school bus after a report had been made that they were carrying loaded guns
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I'm going to link to this post so those who have left comments for us can also hear directly from you.
Yesterday was a lot harder in retrospect than I imagined it was going to be, I never could stop doing what I said I wouldn't in the what if game. This was too real.
I recall talking last year about that kid possibly doing something like this and we brought up Columbine, but I suppose hoping against hope we would never experience anything on this scale - yet here we are. Fortunate, grateful, but nonetheless here in this new place that NO ONE should ever have to be in.
I don't want to live in fear and I know you don't either - so rather than build monsters, we turn the lights on. I'm with you 100%, and if you want me to I'm more than willing to be part of any campaign or news story also. I expect you know that already.
Pass my number on to Tim Reid when you talk to him, remind him who I am and that I am the one who emailed/called him Friday. Tell him he can contact me anytime he likes.
I'm following up here because Jude is how I came here. I haven't responded before because it brings up horrible fears and memories from high school and I didn't want to respond and make it about me.
I am so relieved that some kids stepped up and called the authorities because they knew this was wrong as opposed to just being too scared. I believe and hope that the actual use of guns is statistically rare enough that this wasn't a close call, and I also believe that these kids need to be tried and punished severely for what they've done.
The point of this kind of terrorism is to instill crippling, paralyzing fear. And it works. I admire anyone who can stand up to it, talk publicly about it, and do what you can to educate people.
The very sad thing is that a number of children did *not* report the loaded gun being passed amongst them on the back of the school bus, and many of them actively assisted in hiding the weapon during the search. From what I understand of the story, it was only when a girl on the bus sent a text message to her boyfriend (on another bus) about the gun that anything happened with the administrators. Thankfully, her boyfriend had good enough sense to be concerned for her safety and told his bus driver.
I was raised by a bully. I don't abide them easily. I think it is very important to speak up when you have something important to say.
I am so glad that your son and daughter came through this unscathed. Thank goodness those asshole kids decided to show off their pistols before opening fire. I don't understand why they were released to their parents instead of being stuck in lock-down. Guns are a serious thing. They need SERIOUS intervention.
I think the reason the kids were released to their parents is because there was no "plan of intent" to actual do any harm. I think that may be where the "boys will be boys" nonsense comes from...
I followed the link in Brad's journal here. Thank you very much for coming forward and being willing to speak to the media about this. I really wish more parents were as active and involved as you are. I'm glad that you were able to take steps last year to help your son, because it gives me hope that I'm not the only "over protective" parent out there. I use quotes because I constantly get told that I'm over protective and too strict because I require a minimum standard of behavior from my child and any children under my care
( ... )
Who can afford to not be vigilant and "over-protected" in this day and age?
What is so sobering, though, is what we are protecting our children from.
I'm not strict in a traditional sense, but I do expect my children to be good, honorable people. That expectation alone drives me to do what I believe is right and I believe that right now the right thing to do is make some noise...even though I'm really a little tired. lol
You don't know me from Adam, but Brad kinda-sorta does, and I'm so incredibly relieved that there will not only be Something Good but apparently Many Somethings Good to come out of all of this.
Y'all have many folks who are keeping all of you-n-yours close in our thoughts. Even transplanted Suthuners sitting up here in Canada, halfway from the Equator to the North Pole.
You don't know how much that means to me and to all of us, actually.
Thank you. I do hope Something Good comes from this experience; if I didn't believe it was worth it, I wouldn't risk alienating my family from our community (because boy oh boy, are you not supposed to question the authorities around here). Having support from people like you is what makes me able to keep my fires burning and not let it slip complacently by the wayside.
because boy oh boy, are you not supposed to question the authorities around here
Darlin', I'm so Southern that I'm my own 4th cousin. Until this past May, the furthest north I'd ever lived was the close-in Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. I know all about "go along to get along" and "don't you Never Mind, we're handling it" and the general "I'm a str8 white male and you're not so just don't worry your little head about it" attitude. Bleah. :-{{{{
Hello, you probably know me vaguely through my comments to jesus_h_biscuit's journal. My name is Darina.
You are obviously a brave woman, but being brave doesn't mean really feeling no fear. What happened at your kids' school is enough to scare even a total stranger like me seriously, and I can't even imagine what you and your family went through. I live on another continent (Europe), so all I can do for you is to send you these words of moral support. And I'm really glad that nothing fatal happened to your kids.
Yes, do talk to the media, and raise as much hell as you can! I agree with you that "boys being boys" doesn't mean that they should be allowed to behave like absolute bullies and carry loaded guns around, and get away with all this until they actually kill somebody!
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Yesterday was a lot harder in retrospect than I imagined it was going to be, I never could stop doing what I said I wouldn't in the what if game. This was too real.
I recall talking last year about that kid possibly doing something like this and we brought up Columbine, but I suppose hoping against hope we would never experience anything on this scale - yet here we are. Fortunate, grateful, but nonetheless here in this new place that NO ONE should ever have to be in.
I don't want to live in fear and I know you don't either - so rather than build monsters, we turn the lights on. I'm with you 100%, and if you want me to I'm more than willing to be part of any campaign or news story also. I expect you know that already.
Pass my number on to Tim Reid when you talk to him, remind him who I am and that I am the one who emailed/called him Friday. Tell him he can contact me anytime he likes.
I love you, honey. All my fear has turned to
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I am so relieved that some kids stepped up and called the authorities because they knew this was wrong as opposed to just being too scared. I believe and hope that the actual use of guns is statistically rare enough that this wasn't a close call, and I also believe that these kids need to be tried and punished severely for what they've done.
The point of this kind of terrorism is to instill crippling, paralyzing fear. And it works. I admire anyone who can stand up to it, talk publicly about it, and do what you can to educate people.
And I'm so glad your kids are safe.
Reply
The very sad thing is that a number of children did *not* report the loaded gun being passed amongst them on the back of the school bus, and many of them actively assisted in hiding the weapon during the search. From what I understand of the story, it was only when a girl on the bus sent a text message to her boyfriend (on another bus) about the gun that anything happened with the administrators. Thankfully, her boyfriend had good enough sense to be concerned for her safety and told his bus driver.
I was raised by a bully. I don't abide them easily. I think it is very important to speak up when you have something important to say.
And I think we do.
We'll see how it goes.
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And I hear you on the anger. Luckily, I think it just might make me productive.
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Sending hugs and good vibes.
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I think the reason the kids were released to their parents is because there was no "plan of intent" to actual do any harm. I think that may be where the "boys will be boys" nonsense comes from...
Intervention is an understatement.
I hope this whole situation gets something done.
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What is so sobering, though, is what we are protecting our children from.
I'm not strict in a traditional sense, but I do expect my children to be good, honorable people. That expectation alone drives me to do what I believe is right and I believe that right now the right thing to do is make some noise...even though I'm really a little tired. lol
Reply
Y'all have many folks who are keeping all of you-n-yours close in our thoughts. Even transplanted Suthuners sitting up here in Canada, halfway from the Equator to the North Pole.
Reply
Thank you. I do hope Something Good comes from this experience; if I didn't believe it was worth it, I wouldn't risk alienating my family from our community (because boy oh boy, are you not supposed to question the authorities around here). Having support from people like you is what makes me able to keep my fires burning and not let it slip complacently by the wayside.
Reply
Darlin', I'm so Southern that I'm my own 4th cousin. Until this past May, the furthest north I'd ever lived was the close-in Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. I know all about "go along to get along" and "don't you Never Mind, we're handling it" and the general "I'm a str8 white male and you're not so just don't worry your little head about it" attitude. Bleah. :-{{{{
Reply
You are obviously a brave woman, but being brave doesn't mean really feeling no fear. What happened at your kids' school is enough to scare even a total stranger like me seriously, and I can't even imagine what you and your family went through. I live on another continent (Europe), so all I can do for you is to send you these words of moral support. And I'm really glad that nothing fatal happened to your kids.
Yes, do talk to the media, and raise as much hell as you can! I agree with you that "boys being boys" doesn't mean that they should be allowed to behave like absolute bullies and carry loaded guns around, and get away with all this until they actually kill somebody!
Reply
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