Wednesday, January 16, 2013
National Rifle Association injects President's children into gun debate. Does that go too far?
The National Rifle Association is stoking ire from both the left and right today after it released an ad that injects President Obama's children into the guns-in-schools debate. "Are the President's kids more important than yours," the ad asks. "Then why is he skeptical about putting armed security in our schools when his kids are protected by armed security at their school?" The 30-second commercial appears on the NRA's website and is apparently running on the Sportsman Channel. "They are out of step, out of the mainstream, totally out of sync with what’s going on in our society, and quite frankly after seeing that, I think some of the people who run that thing are sick," said Mika Brzezinksi, co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe. "I really do…
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Patch surveyed area school districts about security measures in place at their schools. See how Racine Unified compares with other Milwaukee-area districts.
The tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut stole 26 lives and again opened the door on conversations about gun control and mental health. But another topic that has emerged is security in schools, and whether we are doing enough to keep children safe. Following the shooting, the National Rifle Association advocated arming teachers and stationing armed guards in schools. Once the school day begins, all Racine Unified schools require visitors to ring the doorbell at the front door. Office staff can look at a video screen to see who's there and also ask the person for the reason for their visit before buzzing the visitor inside. Unified spokesperson Stacy Tapp last month confirmed with Patch that Racine Police and Mount …
Friday, December 21, 2012
Many parents chose to keep their kids home Friday after the district acknowledged receiving threats of gun violence. Every threat was investigated and none were found to be credible.
After reports surfaced earlier this week about threats of violence at area schools, Racine Unified parents, for the most part, sent their kids to school Friday. "Today was a scheduled school day, so of course my two kids went to school (at) McKinley and Case. Didn't think twice about it," said Kathy Holley. Today marks one week since a gunman opened fire in Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children, six adults and himself. Friday was also supposed to be the end of the world, according to the Mayan calendar. Some individuals put the two together and used them as support for threats of gun violence in schools. RUSD sent a letter home with students Wednesday acknowledging the threats and reassuring parents that each incident was being…
There are many factors when it comes to tragedies such as the one in Newtown. But there is no doubt in my mind that the biggest impact we can make is in regards to guns. Changes need to be made. They need to be made now!!
It’s the Guns, Damnit A friend of mine recently stated, “We’ve seen technological advances, but the stupidity factor has risen along with it. We run 21st century problems through a brain chemistry that, in evolutionary terms, hasn’t advanced in 50,000 years.” Technology, media, and entertainment all play a role in how we have reached this point. It is almost as if the clothes on our backs are growing while we remain the same size. We can invent something to take care of just about anything but we cannot count on any machine, program or device to power our human evolution. Mental illness is also an important factor when it comes to quality of life. We need to eliminate the stigma and increase the funding. We need awareness equal to any …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Patch sites across the country will take part in a "Web Moment of Silence: on Friday, and Gov. Scott Walker is asking Wisconsinites pause to remember those lost last week.
Gov. Scott Walker is calling for a statewide moment of silence to be observed at 9:30 a.m. Friday to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Connecticut. In addition, the more than 900 Patch sites around the country — including 16 in Wisconsin — will go dark at 8:30 a.m. Friday as part of a "Web Moment of Silence." Walker and governors around the country are calling for a Day of Mourning on Friday in order to honor the 20 children and six adults who were killed Dec. 14. “Newtown and the State of Connecticut are still reeling from the terrible loss of life last Friday,” Walker said in a statement. “(Connecticut) Governor (Daniel) Malloy has called for a Day of Mourning in Connecticut and asks that states across…
In this segment of my perspective on the Newtown shootings, I discuss mental illness as well as guns and God in the classroom.
Is It All in the Head? Mental illness is an umbrella term that houses many different conditions, syndromes and disorders. Some of these are quite manageable and often completely unnoticed. Others may have no treatment options at all. Some may increase the chances of violent tendencies. Others may have not one iota of a violent predisposition. It is being speculated that the shooter in the Newtown massacre may have been on the autism spectrum. First of all, we do not know that for sure. Second, even if he was, that doesn’t mean that is the only diagnosis he had been given. Third, the fact that he may have had autism may have about as much to do with this violent act as the color of his shirt. Linking autism to violence is baseless and …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Racine Unified, Waukesha, Oak Creek and Menomonee Falls are among the districts dealing with rumors of threats of violence on Friday.
Just days after the tragic elementary school shooting in Newtown, CT, school district administrators throughout southeastern Wisconsin — and the country — are addressing rumors of shooting threat at their districts. In none of the districts has an actual threat been discovered, however, several districts have sent letters to parents and beefed up security, and are working with local police to address the situation. Districts where rumors have been circulating include Racine Unified, Waukesha, Oak Creek, Menomonee Falls, Hamilton, Arrowhead, Greenfield and Cudahy. RUSD sent a letter home (attached) with students Wednesday for parents letting them know that they are taking the rumors seriously. "Our administrative staff and our police …
With so many components to consider while absorbing the heartbreaking tragedy last Friday, I had to structure my thoughts into sections; media, gun control, mental illness to name a few. There is a lot to think about and even more to do.
People Kill People, So Why Should It Be Yes. People do kill people. God doesn’t kill people. Evil doesn’t kill people. Objects don’t kill people. People kill people. Sometimes it is purposeful. Sometimes it is an unforeseen accident. Sometimes it is neglect. Sometimes the killer is a stable person who snapped under overwhelming distress. Sometimes it is a person who has been ill for a long time and fell through the cracks. Sometimes it is a person who has always had sociopathic tendencies. Sometimes the motivation is rage. Sometimes it is revenge or jealousy or fear or survival. People do kill people. But it is never that simple. Knives, fertilizer, cars – we have been reminded over the past few days that there are many ways to end a life…
Friday, December 14, 2012
Local and state police in Newtown, CT, were called to an elementary schoo this morning after a gunman opened fire at the school.
Twenty seven people are dead, including 18 children, at a Connecticut elementary school after a 20-year-old man went on a shooting rampage. The shooting happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, a town of about 28,000 people an hour outside of Stamford. Newtown Police were called to the school at about 9:30 a.m. Eastern time after receiving a 911 call. They alerted Connecticut State Police and authorities began an active shooter investigation once they arrived at the school, according to Connecticut State Police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance. Authorities held a press conference at 1 p.m. and said students and staff at the school were killed and that the gunman was found dead inside the school. They did not confirm the number of …
morninmist
10:42 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
Our values in this case are upside down. Spud Lovr @SpudLovr In Wisconsin, military recruiters and gun shows allowed in high schools but #WisGOP outlawed voter registration drives. #wiunion #p2 more ›