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"A Time To Tell" (was Scout in the News)
Morrisonch (Morrisonch@AOL.COM)
Sat, 23 May 1998 06:47:58 EDT
In a message dated 98-05-22 12:50:55 EDT, Crtrjwood wrote:
<< Maybe there will be some good news in this terrible tradegy. >>
One tragedy in this news story is that this boy had given signs of being
dangerous and no one did enough. The good news is that we as "youth
educators" can maybe help kids to see the importance of reporting danger
signs.
Like discussing the problem of suicide, we need to talk to kids and parents
about these school shooting incidents. Many signs were available to tip off
officials in the latest case: The shooter was a loner, given to fits of
depression, told stories to his schoolmates of animal torture and making
bombs. He had brought a bomb to school and it was not detected (but kids
knew). He was suspended for having a gun at school (but the law enforcement
response was not timely).
My point here is that there were people who knew the extent to which this boy
was acting "strange" or "different" and that his behavior gave signals that he
was a threat to others. I am speaking mostly of other kids who knew enough
about him to see a potential threat, but who did not report these behaviors so
that he could be brought under control for the protection of others and so
that he might have gotten some psychiatric help.
Kids need to learn that for their own safety and the safety of others they
must tell what they know when they encounter another child who is so strange
as to be a threat. I think we can help them see that.
YinS,
Charlie Morrison
Fort Benning (GA) District MC
Troop 27 SA (New Scouts)
NE-IV-90 Fox
morrisonch@aol.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
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