I was about to dedicate today's blog to something lighthearted and whimsical such as my favorite holiday songs. Afterall, I have had "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" stuck in my head since Halloween (thank you Wal Mart). However, just as I opened this window to type away, I came across a recent story about a shooting that just occurred at Virginia Tech. There is not much reporting on motives etc. since it literally just happened but it's a story that we as a nation are too unfortunately familiar with. Before I rant, I would like to say that those that lost their lives, the loved one's of the deceased and the community it has affected, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
As mentioned earlier we do not know the details of this tragic shooting, but whenever I hear about a school shooting I constantly am reminded of the "9/11" of school shootings, at Columbine. Who can forget that horrific day that left a nation vulnerable and disturbed. A day that reminded us that the essence of school safety was a thing of the past. We understand that we live in a world where violence and heanous crimes occur on a to frequent basis (and thanks to the 24 hour news cycle that won't let us forget) but shouldn't schools be off limits to these levels of terror. Can't we put up signs next to the "Drug Free School Zone" that read "Terror Free School Zone". Couldn't the villains of the world just give us that, peace of mind that kid's can go to school without fearing they will become a victim of utter terror...
Oh wait, I almost forgot! In the case of Columbine the terror was caused within the walls, by two fellow classmates. How could I forget that the terrorist in that horrific situation was a result of two students who were bullied and victimized and took their unacceptable revenge out on their terrorists.
On last night's show I referenced that I truly believe that school bullies are in fact tiny terrorists. Sometimes they inflict their pain on their prey through verbal and, too often, physical warfare. Now by no means am I saying what the two shooters at Columbine did was justified. It is NEVER ok to take an innocent life. However, school shootings have more culprits than just the shooters. What about the people who bully the shooters, and the kids, parents and teachers that stand by and don't try to systematically end bullying, and restore a peaceful place for kid's to get an education.
I think we need to remember the day we sat and watched Columbine unfold, and remember how we felt united in a front to prevent this from happening again. No, not every school shooter is a victim of bullying, but a lot are, and more over, its a huge issue that affects WAY TOO MANY children. Why does this nation need "9/11" moments to act united...UNITED....you know, as in the FIRST word in the name of this county.
Is it because on some level we only function with fear?!?! Maybe that's where these tiny terrorist bullies get their motivation....
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