Re: columbine

Speirlow@aol.com
Thu, 22 Apr 1999 18:58:15 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 4/22/99 5:56:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cinnimon@vvm.com 
writes:

<< This is wrong of me, but when the school shootings first started happening 
more and
 more often, I didn't pay much attention to it - honestly.  I was in 9th 
grade when I
 heard about them for the first time (not the first time ever, but the first 
time
 concerning repeated school shootings) and I didn't see how that exactly 
pertained to
 me.  Now that I am more knowlegdeable when it comes to the news and current 
events, I
 can understand the vast importance that things such as the Columbine 
massacre have. 
 For the past two days, this subject has been on practically every one of my 
friends'
 minds.  We talk about it in class, over lunch, after school.  It is all too 
much of a
 reality for we 16-17 year olds.  I can guarantee you who are parents that as 
scared as
 you are for your children's lives, they are as equally, if not more, for 
their own.
 Sarah
  >>

Sarah,
    I felt the same way.  I knew school shootings were horrible, and still 
are, but it never really hit me until this whole situation in columbine.  
When I woke up and looked at the paper I was taken back.  How can some kid be 
so messed up?  So insensitive to what they are doing?  Don't they understand, 
they are killing people.  There were dead bodies in front of them and they 
laughed.  I can't even begin to comprehend.  Then today when I looked at the 
paper again I read a small article entitled something like, Eric Harris was a 
'typical kid' in Plattsburgh.  Plattsburgh for those of you that don't know 
is a tiny town in upstate NY.  I lived there for 14 years.  This guy was in 
my class in middle school.  I don't even remember him, but just that fact 
that he was once in contact with me everyday for years is shocking.  How 
could this happen?  So, lets just say I'm listening this time paying 
attention, and letting it make an impact on me.  I agree with Will, guns are 
not a necessity.  Give them up.

Morgan