Thoughts of a Dreamer

Jeff Weise's blog profile movies stories and Wikipedia biography
"The clues were all there"




We share the blame
The media calls Jeff Weise a "disturbed gunman." It reports that "school leaders are reviewing their security systems and plans." Headlines read, "Every piece but 'Why?' "
Listen to the language -- look where it is pointing. A kid monster. Be fearful. Check your defenses. This language points to anyone but you and me. We're the victims. A kid, one of our own, is dehumanized.
When will we point the finger at ourselves? We're the ones who can help make a difference. We're the ones who can help keep our school leaders from feeling like helpless soldiers rather than empowered teachers and creative mentors. We're the ones who can help ensure resources are going to kids and families who need it.
Gun detectors and unarmed guards are ultimately the wrong resources to keep a distressed kid from becoming a disturbed gunman.
Do something about poverty, health care (including mental health), joblessness, educational opportunity, and community and economic development.
C.D. Hilmoe, Minneapolis.

Address bullying
Once again a disturbed young student enters a school and guns down innocent people.
Much of the media focus has been on how the boy obtained the weapons he used. Although this is an important question to be answered, there is another issue which needs to be discussed.
Early reports have indicated that the student responsible had been bullied and teased. In several other school shootings, it was reported that the students responsible had been bullied.
Every school district in this country needs to implement an early, intensive program to address the devastating effects that this behavior has on our children. These programs should begin in kindergarten and be ongoing through high school.
I don't believe the problem is being taken seriously enough in many schools and has been swept under the rug for far too long.
Jana Kolehmainen, Big Lake, Minn; high school student.