Pure Parents

Question:

I agree with both of these posts, in part.  The most astonishing fact that I see is that Frank does not believe that it is a crime to threaten to kill another person.  In some states, it is indeed a crime, called a "tereristic threat".  Because it is commissioned by a child we should ignore it, I’m sorry, that is why this terrible tragedy occurred in the first place.  We as a society ignored it. As I type this post, I’m listening to news reports  and the police scanner as a bomb squad inspect a package at the high school I graduated from just 8 years ago.  I heard on the radio that they were going to x-ray the package, next, I heard on the scanner "the x-ray is positive".  I continue to pray for the safety of my brother and sister who are still in school and my children who soon will be. These types of incidents are going to continue until our society become intolerant and takes action.  How can anyone say that these children’s rights can’t be jeopardized, they are crying out for help.  Wake up people, they need our help, we are supposed to be the adults.  That’s what parenting is all about.  Helping and teaching. That’s my opinion. Heather

Response:

> I agree with both of these posts, in part.  The most astonishing fact that I > see is that Frank does not believe that it is a crime to threaten to kill > another person.  In some states, it is indeed a crime, called a "tereristic > threat".  Because it is commissioned by a child we should ignore it, I’m > sorry, that is why this terrible tragedy occurred in the first place.  We as > a society ignored it. > As I type this post, I’m listening to news reports  and the police scanner > as a bomb squad inspect a package at the high school I graduated from just 8 > years ago.  I heard on the radio that they were going to x-ray the package, > next, I heard on the scanner "the x-ray is positive".  I continue to pray > for the safety of my brother and sister who are still in school and my > children who soon will be.

With all respect, I would like to say that it is not against the law to threaten someone, but is is against the law to conspire to commit murder.  It is a rather vague difference, but let me elaborate.  Say I am mad at you and in public I say,"if you do that again I’ll kill you!!!"  Well, it would be a disturbing reaction and probably grounds for a restraining order, but not a crime.  Now, on the other hand, if I am sitting at home and someone sees me with a gun saying I am going to kill this person or I have conspired with another person to commit murder, I can be arrested for such a conspiracy.  If it were up to me, It would be a law that anyone who makes a public or known threat of violence against another be at the very least addmited to a psychiatric ward for observation until it is determined that either the threat is idle or was made in the heat of anger and not a valid and dangerous one.  If it is determined that the threat was made with intent to commit a crime, it would then be considered conpiritorial and grounds for charging that individual with a crime. repectfully, frank > These types of incidents are going to continue until our society become > intolerant and takes action.  How can anyone say that these children’s > rights can’t be jeopardized, they are crying out for help.  Wake up people, > they need our help, we are supposed to be the adults.  That’s what parenting > is all about.  Helping and teaching. > That’s my opinion. > Heather

– Attitude is 90% of success. Determination is the rest.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> PLEASE, I think it is imperative IMMEDIATELY (as we continue our debate > regarding the tragedy in Colorado), that we talk to our children, teachers > and school faculty about sounding a LOUD alarm when anyone comes into > contact with a person who threatens in any way the safety or lives of > others in school.  It seems that in almost all the school shooting cases > someone comes forward after the fact and mentions an incident in which a > threat was made.  We cannot wait until after the fact.  It is better to be > safe than sorry, no?  To hell with offending anybody if we are wrong. > THERE SHOULD BE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THESE TYPES OF THREATS MADE BY A > STUDENT.  Why should we not have the constitutional right to stop someone > in their tracks??  Why? > Please, read on,  I will try to be brief.  In my local paper today, I read > about a boy who chopped up a kitten on Tuesday and then nonchalantly > informed his mother that he thought the tragedy in Colorado was funny, and > by the way that he too was going to go on a shooting spree in a school. > (The boy has also threatened to kill a neighbor boy).  DO YOU WANT TO KNOW > WHAT I READ THE LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVE’S RESPONSE WAS?? > That although this was a cause for alarm the "family should contact a > counselor.  If they feel it’s an emergency, they can call 911".   Hello? > Aren’t we listening to this potential murderer? > What else do we need?  I am totally frustrated.  Please, your thoughts.

Let’s not go overboard now.  Although the shooting in Littleton is a terrible tragedy, it is not an alarm to start suspending individuals constitutional rights.  Yes it is disturbing and morally wrong for someone to even threaten to kill another, but it is not and should not be a crime.  What should be done is the family or friends of the individual should see it as a warning sign and get that individual some professional help.  There is a fundamental breakdown in our society, and it is not the media, movies, or entertainment that is to blame. If you want to know who is to blame, look in the mirror. We, and I include myself, have made it ok by letting it be socially acceptable to let our children run wild.  Kids are roaming the streets, getting into mischief at home and doing other bad things because there parents are too busy being self- centered, careless, and greedy.  They believe that if they make a fat paycheck and can buy there kids love that everything will turn out ok.  Well people, look at what’s happening.  Our children are not taught respect, responsibility, and compassion that will make them into functioning and productive adults. Instead we use the tube as babysitter, the movies and games as rewards, and the media (news and magazines) as there tutors.  As far as entertainment is concerned, it is merely a reflection of the society we have created.  I hope that someday it will be more socially acceptable for one of the parents to stay at home with there child as much as possible, for the parent to be the childs main role model and not some sports or entertainment personality.  Don’t accept the notion that it is ok to leave your child in the hands or supervision of another or to there own devices.  If we don’t wake up and see that this is the central reason for the phenomenon of school shootings, then I suggest you homeschool your child before he or she becomes the next victim. respectfully, Frank — Attitude is 90% of success. Determination is the rest.

Response:

PLEASE, I think it is imperative IMMEDIATELY (as we continue our debate regarding the tragedy in Colorado), that we talk to our children, teachers and school faculty about sounding a LOUD alarm when anyone comes into contact with a person who threatens in any way the safety or lives of others in school.  It seems that in almost all the school shooting cases someone comes forward after the fact and mentions an incident in which a threat was made.  We cannot wait until after the fact.  It is better to be safe than sorry, no?  To hell with offending anybody if we are wrong. THERE SHOULD BE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THESE TYPES OF THREATS MADE BY A STUDENT.  Why should we not have the constitutional right to stop someone in their tracks??  Why?   Please, read on,  I will try to be brief.  In my local paper today, I read about a boy who chopped up a kitten on Tuesday and then nonchalantly informed his mother that he thought the tragedy in Colorado was funny, and by the way that he too was going to go on a shooting spree in a school. (The boy has also threatened to kill a neighbor boy).  DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I READ THE LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVE’S RESPONSE WAS?? That although this was a cause for alarm the "family should contact a counselor.  If they feel it’s an emergency, they can call 911".   Hello? Aren’t we listening to this potential murderer? What else do we need?  I am totally frustrated.  Please, your thoughts.

Response: