Comments on: President Bush forming conference on school violence http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/ Protect yourself from government gaffes, bureaucratic blunders and incumbent incompetence Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:36:45 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Police in our schools - Homeland Stupidityhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-25456 Police in our schools - Homeland Stupidity Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:45:38 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-25456 [...] Oh, yeah. I think I remember why we had officers in our elementary schools. It was part of a big safety plan (we are years ahead of President Bush and his little Conference on School Violence). We had a sex offender leave his group home, get on a city bus, sneak into an elementary school and molest a little boy. That is also why we have this multi-million dollar re-design scheme being batted around. Thankfully, it has been awhile since I’ve heard anything about actually re-designing those buildings already in use, but the designs for our two new elementary schools have been approved. Everyone must enter through the office and the classroom wings can be easily locked down. Sounds like a mental institution. [...] [...] Oh, yeah. I think I remember why we had officers in our elementary schools. It was part of a big safety plan (we are years ahead of President Bush and his little Conference on School Violence). We had a sex offender leave his group home, get on a city bus, sneak into an elementary school and molest a little boy. That is also why we have this multi-million dollar re-design scheme being batted around. Thankfully, it has been awhile since I’ve heard anything about actually re-designing those buildings already in use, but the designs for our two new elementary schools have been approved. Everyone must enter through the office and the classroom wings can be easily locked down. Sounds like a mental institution. [...]

]]> By: Danahttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-24120 Dana Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:12:59 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-24120 The central government is "only trying to help" with its policy on NCLB, as well. What harm could it do? More money, more local control, better access to research-based curriculum choices and accountability. Except for that pesky problem with the central government appropriating money that isn't its to appropriate, I don't have a problem with the main principles. If my county undertook the same thing, I might be behind it, who knows.But when the central government takes over, there are numerous difficulties with "trying to help." One of which is the lobbyists and one being the impossibility of changing it.The same will come of this conference. Gradually, we are increasingly governed by an appointed bureaucracy which may be well-meaning, but isn't responsive to the people or our representatives. The central government is “only trying to help” with its policy on NCLB, as well. What harm could it do? More money, more local control, better access to research-based curriculum choices and accountability. Except for that pesky problem with the central government appropriating money that isn’t its to appropriate, I don’t have a problem with the main principles. If my county undertook the same thing, I might be behind it, who knows.

But when the central government takes over, there are numerous difficulties with “trying to help.” One of which is the lobbyists and one being the impossibility of changing it.

The same will come of this conference. Gradually, we are increasingly governed by an appointed bureaucracy which may be well-meaning, but isn’t responsive to the people or our representatives.

]]> By: BOM784http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-24110 BOM784 Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:52:46 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-24110 It obivous that the president has done somethings during this last term that are, well, "less than admirable," but i don' think that this is one of them. This conference will definatley no cause any harm or bring about any more violence so, whats the harm? Maybe by implementing harsher punishments for those convicted of school violence, it will deter people from committing such acts in the future. It certainly won't do any good for people to criticize the government when its just trying to help It obivous that the president has done somethings during this last term that are, well, “less than admirable,” but i don’ think that this is one of them. This conference will definatley no cause any harm or bring about any more violence so, whats the harm? Maybe by implementing harsher punishments for those convicted of school violence, it will deter people from committing such acts in the future. It certainly won’t do any good for people to criticize the government when its just trying to help

]]> By: Danahttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-18374 Dana Wed, 18 Oct 2006 02:13:00 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-18374 Soft dictatorship? Have you ever lived in a dictatorship? There obviously are a number of things I disagree with about this administration, but I don't see the point of going quite so extreme.Erich, I agree. We all should "do" something. But "doing something" also includes talking about what is being done, exposing the problems in the system and the problems we see with the proposed solutions. Education precludes really doing much of anything useful.Anneh, I agree. Societies problems stem from the shortcomings of individuals. Laws and regulations can only go so far to protect us. On one hand, we need to be able to protect ourselves. But that doesn't touch the root of the problem which lies with individuals which you have stated. A lot of times (but not always) it stems from negative home lives, a lack of attachment and similar problems. I think you are right that a lot can be done by caring adults who actuall listen to children. Soft dictatorship? Have you ever lived in a dictatorship? There obviously are a number of things I disagree with about this administration, but I don’t see the point of going quite so extreme.

Erich, I agree. We all should “do” something. But “doing something” also includes talking about what is being done, exposing the problems in the system and the problems we see with the proposed solutions. Education precludes really doing much of anything useful.

Anneh, I agree. Societies problems stem from the shortcomings of individuals. Laws and regulations can only go so far to protect us. On one hand, we need to be able to protect ourselves. But that doesn’t touch the root of the problem which lies with individuals which you have stated. A lot of times (but not always) it stems from negative home lives, a lack of attachment and similar problems. I think you are right that a lot can be done by caring adults who actuall listen to children.

]]> By: Annehhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-18018 Anneh Thu, 12 Oct 2006 02:28:10 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-18018 I work at a high school; I recently started there less than a year ago. I was amazed at how many students were seriously struggling-emotionally at schools. This is not just due to bullying-it's several things, including their home lives. As a staff member I feel one way to try to stop the violence is trying to get to know each student's name and say "hello" to them when you see them. Many of the students involved with shootings were "outcasts" and possibly no one ever really paid attention to them, even staff/teachers. This is just one small way we as staff members, whether you're teacher, principal, secretary, custodian, etc. is just taking a little time to get to know the kids and possibly they may open up a bit to you in possibly preventing an awful event such as what happened. Obviously in some of the shootings it was an outside source, but I guess I feel this is one things I can do personally to try to hopefully prevent such an awful event from happening at our school instead of complaining. I work at a high school; I recently started there less than a year ago. I was amazed at how many students were seriously struggling-emotionally at schools. This is not just due to bullying-it’s several things, including their home lives. As a staff member I feel one way to try to stop the violence is trying to get to know each student’s name and say “hello” to them when you see them. Many of the students involved with shootings were “outcasts” and possibly no one ever really paid attention to them, even staff/teachers. This is just one small way we as staff members, whether you’re teacher, principal, secretary, custodian, etc. is just taking a little time to get to know the kids and possibly they may open up a bit to you in possibly preventing an awful event such as what happened. Obviously in some of the shootings it was an outside source, but I guess I feel this is one things I can do personally to try to hopefully prevent such an awful event from happening at our school instead of complaining.

]]> By: Erichhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17942 Erich Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:21:18 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17942 What a bunch of whiners. "soft dictatorship", "teachers...beating children", "ban...gun rights"Why don't YOU go out and DO something? Go to a conference. Join an organization. Run for office. Get involved.Quit complaining about others - do something for others.(Yes, I am involved in numerous organizations, from church to wildlife efforts and community service.) What a bunch of whiners. “soft dictatorship”,
“teachers…beating children”, “ban…gun rights”

Why don’t YOU go out and DO something? Go to a conference.
Join an organization. Run for office. Get involved.

Quit complaining about others – do something for others.

(Yes, I am involved in numerous organizations, from church to
wildlife efforts and community service.)

]]> By: Carlton Houstonhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17702 Carlton Houston Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:39:20 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17702 I agree this is nothing but PR. It's that Bush <i>has</i> to say something, not that he <i>wants</i> to do anything about it. He's a tard, plain and simple. If this regime in Washington actually wanted to do anything about school violence, they would have already done something. It's been an ongoing problem for years, and it has affected every level of society.This will be another failed attempt to screw more up. They have pushed us into a soft dictatorship already. If there is anything coming out of this it will be a further hardening of that policy, and a further loss of rights of citizens. It will make the target we're painting on ourselves even brighter as well. We're going down because all Bushies want is more power. I agree this is nothing but PR. It’s that Bush has to say something, not that he wants to do anything about it. He’s a tard, plain and simple. If this regime in Washington actually wanted to do anything about school violence, they would have already done something. It’s been an ongoing problem for years, and it has affected every level of society.

This will be another failed attempt to screw more up. They have pushed us into a soft dictatorship already. If there is anything coming out of this it will be a further hardening of that policy, and a further loss of rights of citizens. It will make the target we’re painting on ourselves even brighter as well. We’re going down because all Bushies want is more power.

]]> By: Peggy Deanhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17690 Peggy Dean Fri, 06 Oct 2006 20:54:42 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17690 We need to put a stop to school sanctioned child abuse. In 22 states, for a totoal of a 1/3 of a million children last year alone, teachers are picking up wooden planks and beating children. Injuries are common, and those are only the visible injuries. Our educated sector should not be modeling violence in any way, shape or form. We may as well forget anti bullying and anti violence campaigns as long as we allow the bully to move to the front of the class. We need to put a stop to school sanctioned child abuse. In 22 states, for a totoal of a 1/3 of a million children last year alone, teachers are picking up wooden planks and beating children. Injuries are common, and those are only the visible injuries.
Our educated sector should not be modeling violence in any way, shape or form. We may as well forget anti bullying and anti violence campaigns as long as we allow the bully to move to the front of the class.

]]> By: Danahttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17646 Dana Fri, 06 Oct 2006 02:19:02 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17646 It would be nice, but personally I think it is doubtful. I'm sorry that you had to experience whatever happened and can definitely understand the feeling that "something has to be done." Something does need to happen, but I think that we have to be very careful about looking to the central government to do anything. They don't have a good track record at actual success...and the politics would get involved pretty quickly, assuming they even had a good idea to start with.Most likely it will result in private citizens giving up their rights with no actual decrease in violence.Chris mentions further gun limitations. That is probably a very likely scenario. In 1996, 16 schoolchildren were murdered by a gunma in Dunblane (Britain). The government decided to stop it immediately and issued a full ban on handguns. In 2001, murder with a handgun increased 90% and armed robbery increased 53%. Other than fully armed guards and military personell in every school, I don't know what other option the central government would be capable of coming up with. It would be nice, but personally I think it is doubtful. I’m sorry that you had to experience whatever happened and can definitely understand the feeling that “something has to be done.” Something does need to happen, but I think that we have to be very careful about looking to the central government to do anything. They don’t have a good track record at actual success…and the politics would get involved pretty quickly, assuming they even had a good idea to start with.

Most likely it will result in private citizens giving up their rights with no actual decrease in violence.

Chris mentions further gun limitations. That is probably a very likely scenario. In 1996, 16 schoolchildren were murdered by a gunma in Dunblane (Britain). The government decided to stop it immediately and issued a full ban on handguns. In 2001, murder with a handgun increased 90% and armed robbery increased 53%. Other than fully armed guards and military personell in every school, I don’t know what other option the central government would be capable of coming up with.

]]> By: Kayellhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17607 Kayell Thu, 05 Oct 2006 17:57:17 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17607 I sincerely hope something good comes out of the conference. Having been affected personally by school violence, I can only hope that the government will accomplish something positive in such a vital area. I sincerely hope something good comes out of the conference. Having been affected personally by school violence, I can only hope that the government will accomplish something positive in such a vital area.

]]> By: Chris Fisherhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17596 Chris Fisher Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:58:28 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17596 Or maybe we'll see a renewal of the push to ban or further limit gun rights. That would play to both anti-gun liberals and neocon fascists. Or maybe we’ll see a renewal of the push to ban or further limit gun rights. That would play to both anti-gun liberals and neocon fascists.

]]> By: Danahttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17589 Dana Thu, 05 Oct 2006 04:54:07 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17589 Someone on another site said they think it is all just feel-good PR due to an upcoming election. Sometimes, I wish politicians were all talk. But NCLB has been in the works at least since Bush, Sr. was in office and he called his first conference with state education leaders and governors for his education summit.Maybe the FBI can set up office in the school as well as the police. Someone on another site said they think it is all just feel-good PR due to an upcoming election. Sometimes, I wish politicians were all talk. But NCLB has been in the works at least since Bush, Sr. was in office and he called his first conference with state education leaders and governors for his education summit.

Maybe the FBI can set up office in the school as well as the police.

]]> By: Kimhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17588 Kim Thu, 05 Oct 2006 03:51:49 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17588 Any government action will result in another federally funded jobs program for unemployables, similar to the TSA. Any government action will result in another federally funded jobs program for unemployables, similar to the TSA.

]]> By: Chris Fisherhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17570 Chris Fisher Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:37:31 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17570 Well, if past government action is any indicator, we can probably expect Federal Funding to militarize school police and crossing guards, couple with metal detectors, x-ray detectors, and TSA rejects who get to fondle and strip search the students. Well, if past government action is any indicator, we can probably expect Federal Funding to militarize school police and crossing guards, couple with metal detectors, x-ray detectors, and TSA rejects who get to fondle and strip search the students.

]]> By: Michael Hamptonhttp://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17543 Michael Hampton Wed, 04 Oct 2006 09:01:47 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/04/president-bush-forming-conference-on-school-violence/#comment-17543 This conference is bound to bring more school violence, just like everything else the government has done to date. This conference is bound to bring more school violence, just like everything else the government has done to date.

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