From: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org (jewel-digest) To: jewel-digest@smoe.org Subject: jewel-digest V6 #105 Reply-To: jewel@smoe.org Sender: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk jewel-digest Thursday, March 8 2001 Volume 06 : Number 105 * If you ever wish to unsubscribe from this digest, send an email to * jewel-digest-request@smoe.org with ONLY the word * unsubscribe in the BODY of the email * . * For the latest news on what Jewel is up to, go to * the OFFICIAL Jewel web site at http://www.jeweljk.com * and click on "what's new" * . * PLEASE :) when you reply to this digest to send a post TO the list, * change the subject to reflect what your post is about. A subject * of Re: jewel-digest V5 #xxx or the like gives fellow list readers * no clue as to what your message is about. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [EDA] NJC: just some thoughts on the shootings [Erin Muir ] [EDA] NJC UK & US school violence [Christy Crace ] Re: [EDA] NJC Shootings Explained?? [Clm4ever1248@aol.com] [EDA] (EDA):(njc):violence in schools nonsence [Clm4ever1248@aol.com] [EDA] a couple of my thoughts on the school shootings... [Clm4ever1248@ao] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 15:51:45 -0800 (PST) From: Erin Muir Subject: Re: [EDA] NJC: just some thoughts on the shootings Hi! THis was very touching... thanks for sharing your story. I am so impressed with your candor. My question is.... and this is what drives me nuts.... tha few people ask this question... so we know it's wrong to single others out to ridicule, and we know it's wrong to kill people or take heinous revenge like that. We also know that high school is only a short part of our lives.... If we are preaching against something such as a way of life or a system of belief, we need to offer an alternative to that system. So back to my point- we know these things are wrong. how can we each help other people out of their holes? Can we help? Is there anything we can do? Remember that life was just as violent 1000 years ago as it was now.... just in slightly different ways. I don't know how to answer my own questions. Guess I'd better visit the Oracle again. Erin - --- cymbaline wrote: > This is just some of my own thoughts and personal > experiences..... > Alot of these kids who go to school with the intent > to kill random people and > stuff, seem to have alot in common. They are > depressed, unpopular, get picked > on and have few (if any) friends. But what kind of > excuse is that to go to > school and fire? I mean.... "I have no friends, > everyone picks on me... I'll > bring a gun to school and shoot everyone i see". > > When I was 13-17, I had no friends. Maybe just one > close friend, and thatit. > But everyone hated me. Why? Because when I was 13, I > went to a new school > filled w/ stuck-up people who thought they were > better than me. I wasn't > pretty, I was shy, so no one would talk to me.... > except leave me notes saying > stuff like "I don't like you". Pretty mature, huh? > So, that and other things > started a major depression for me... > When I was 15, I once again went to another > school.... I made some friends > there, but my depression still kept getting worse > and worse. It was 1995. I > must have tried to commit suicide 15 times that > year. So, a few months after I > started my freshman year, after a mishap w/ my then > boyfriend, I tried to kill > myself, and I spent 2 weeks in a mental hospital. > Word got out where I was, > and when I returned, the people I thought were my > friends were no longer my > friends. Rumors spread viciously. I was dubbed > "psycho" and no one wanted me > near them. Not even my PE teacher who would call me > "freaky" and "psycho". I > went to a small school of about 300 students, so I'm > not lying when I say > EVERYONE knew who I was. I was the top pick for > rumors and gossip. "kelly slit > her wrists again. she's so psycho" > To this day I don't understand how someone can be > hated so much because their > depressed and tried to kill themself. > > Finally when I left that school midway through my > Junior year, things got > better. I made friends elsewhere, people who didn't > judge me. because I went > to an alternative HS where kids were like me. They > did poorly in HS, may have > been unpopular, and had various reasons for leaving > high school. I finished my > Jr and Sr years in 8 months there. > > Anyway, the point of this whole story is, that as > much as I was ridiculed, > hated, and slandered for something that i couldn't > control (my depression), > never once did I think of going to school and > blowing people's heads off. > Okay, so maybe I wanted to blow one chick's head > off, but that was a personal > thing. > > And the 2nd point is that things really do get > better. Sometimes you have to > hit rock bottom before things lift up. Like me. Now > I'm really happy w/ my > life and I don't want to die, and I'm no longer an > unpopular, ugly, psycho > freak. People have gotten the chance to know me, and > people like me. I never > thought guys would ever like me, but they do now. > > So I guess what I'm saying is, High School can be > tough (hell even > middleschool can be), but thats only a small part of > our lives.... a few > years. We wont even see half these people once we > graduate. So if these kids > would give life a chance, and put up w/ the crap > they go through, instead of > taking out their pain on innocent people, maybe > school would be a safer place. > > Its hard to put up w/ the crap.... but in the end it > makes you a stronger > person. Its made me a much more stronger and > confident person at 21. I've come > a LONG way since I was 15. Never thought I'd see the > light. > > > cymbie > tree hugger > -- > when night falls > it's dawn one must reach for. > -a. camus ===== Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads. - --Erica Jong Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 20:36:24 EST From: JimboUK999@aol.com Subject: [EDA] NJC Violence in Schools A UK perception Hi, I have to disagree, I don't know what school you went to in the U.K, but i sure as hell wouldn't know how to get hold of a gun if i wanted to. Even now when i am 21 i wouldn't know how to get hold of a gun. In the last couple of days I have heard a number of different arguments as to why the shootings happened, there is not one social reason that is true across the board; they all have relevence, but the only reason why such shootings have happened is a result of the gun laws in the US. I may be correted on this but i don't think that there has been a single case in the UK where a student has shot other students in a school. And everyone wonders why theses shootings happen. Its because the US values the constitution more than people's right to life. I think if you compared the number of guns here and in the US figures will speek for themselves. Then Bush is elected??? - -Jim >>>Although here in the UK we have had isolated incidents in schools, you must admit that this is nothing like the trouble on the other side of the atlantic. But we listen to the same music as you people, so it cant be that. We wear the same clothes so it cant be that. We speak the same languages and we play a lot of the same sports. In essence we are very similar as countries except in size. So what is the difference? Why are there these problems in a US school and not a UK school. Weopons could be an issue, but I assure anyone in the UK name a weopon and i could get you one within a week so maybe that isnt the case. I'd love to hear your responses, and maybe we can make some understanding out of this tragedy. And who knows maybe we could teach whole governments how to learn from their mistakes! Nick>>> ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2001 02:00:04 -0000 From: "Rowley" Subject: [EDA] NJC Shootings Explained?? Read these lyrics to a song called "Annie" It doesn't encourage violence but it gives you a picture of the persons mind i think. Read it and comment! - ----------------------------------------- You're a little bit shy A little too quiet You're the mixed up girl that everybody leaves behind A little bit weird A little too bright But you just might be The little bomb at their side They'll pull your hair They'll leave you wide-eyed But did anybody wonder What Annie might have in mind Oh, no There's something in the way she explains to me "Please be careful, I exist in someone else's head" Oh, no There's something in the way that she makes believe Please be careful Annie dreams that everyone is dead You're a little bit dry A little up tight You're the messed up girl that everybody tries to hide You've had enough They're too unkind But did anyone consider what Annie might have in mind Oh, no - --------------------------------------------- Nick ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 18:09:47 -0800 (PST) From: Christy Crace Subject: [EDA] NJC UK & US school violence I would love to know what the difference is too. I graduated from high school about 5 years ago. Looking back, I think that everyone in high school was at least a little disgruntled. What makes these kids over here think that they are the only ones that get teased and called names? Maybe the teachers in the UK make a better connection with their students, so that they get something at school they may not get at home. Maybe parents are better; statistically less abursive. Maybe the punishments are harsher and more swift so that it dissuades people from going through with it?? I don't know. All I do know is that the people that have been doing this crap are a bunch of little pansy cowards. Everybody has problems and shooting a school full of the world's future is no way to handle them... :p Christy "Although here in the UK we have had isolated incidents in schools, you must admit that this is nothing like the trouble on the other side of the atlantic. But we listen to the same music as you people, so it cant be that. We wear the same clothes so it cant be that. We speak the same languages and we play a lot of the same sports. In essence we are very similar as countries except in size." ===== "Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom." -- Jewel Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 22:23:48 EST From: Clm4ever1248@aol.com Subject: Re: [EDA] NJC Shootings Explained?? That was a great poem...I agree with the whole thing about...doesn't anyone consider what annie might have in mind...If someone knows that a girl/guy is quiet and always depressed and has no friends then they should help her...maybe give her some good comments...but, the thing is there are so many people who won;t do that...they're too busy worying bout their own rep. I just wish that people would respect eachother...I just keep praying...... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 22:27:41 EST From: Clm4ever1248@aol.com Subject: [EDA] (EDA):(njc):violence in schools nonsence I totally DISAGREE with your whole thing on the fact that people die everyday and it's really no big deal...Its like your saying that no one really matters on earth...but the fact is that everyone matters...Sure there is killing everyday and most of it doesn't get int the news cuz it's so common...but, school shootings are horrible...there are some 13,14,15,16 yr olds killing...to me that is a major big deal...Think about if u were 15 yrs old and you always got teased in school, and you thought by killing everything would be better, and at 15 you really can't understand the major concequences...let me refer to the cali, san diego shooting...The kid that killed the two people will be serving LIFE in prison...he only got to live 15 yrs of his life...I personally think that he doesn't need to just sit in jail...he needs help...No one really knows what was going on in his head when he shotthe people...He may have had some psycological disorder of some sort... I sorta got off track...well, anyways...I think thay the school shootings should be on thet news so people know what's going on in our schools today...kids should feel safe in school...i know i personally don't feel safe in school...and maybe some of the troubled kids in school will realize the consequences they will face if they ever even try to attempt to kill someone...And by showing it on the news they will see! I don't think any one deserves to die...And i know that it does happen but, people need to do something about it and putting it on the news will maybe help people realize how bad the world is and how much evil is in it, and anger! Then just maybe someone will get that courage to stand up for what they beleive and try to do something about the world which probably is impssible...Like one of jewel's quotes..."there are people who pray for peace, but if praying were enough it would've come to be." Sure everyone should pray for peace...it's one of the best things to do, but what some people don't realize is that god didn't create evil in the world...WE DID, and WE are the only one's that can stop it!!! I know i kinda got off topic a little...but i just think that killing especially with teens is horrible...I doubt that any one who goes to a highschool/middle school really feels safe going to school! I just really wanted to express my opinion!!! Thanx!!! Michelle ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 22:35:09 EST From: Clm4ever1248@aol.com Subject: [EDA] a couple of my thoughts on the school shootings... I agree...There are many people who aren't liked in school and get picked on, and that is absolutely no reason to go out and kill...And the people who do do it, need some help, they don't need to just sit in jail, then nothing will ever be resolved in them...Also, if an administrater at a school gets the rumor that someone's gonna bring a gun to school then they will just get the person that was mentioned and let the po,ice handel it...and if the person really was going to then they would just stick him/her in jail, and the feelings inside the person would never get out...i mean should someone ask the question...WHY??? cymbaline@earthmax.net says: This is just some of my own thoughts and personal experiences..... Alot of these kids who go to school with the intent to kill random people and stuff, seem to have alot in common. They are depressed, unpopular, get picked on and have few (if any) friends. But what kind of excuse is that to go to school and fire? I mean.... "I have no friends, everyone picks on me... I'll bring a gun to school and shoot everyone i see". When I was 13-17, I had no friends. Maybe just one close friend, and thatit. But everyone hated me. Why? Because when I was 13, I went to a new school filled w/ stuck-up people who thought they were better than me. I wasn't pretty, I was shy, so no one would talk to me.... except leave me notes saying stuff like "I don't like you". Pretty mature, huh? So, that and other things started a major depression for me... When I was 15, I once again went to another school.... I made some friends there, but my depression still kept getting worse and worse. It was 1995. I must have tried to commit suicide 15 times that year. So, a few months after I started my freshman year, after a mishap w/ my then boyfriend, I tried to kill myself, and I spent 2 weeks in a mental hospital. Word got out where I was, and when I returned, the people I thought were my friends were no longer my friends. Rumors spread viciously. I was dubbed "psycho" and no one wanted me near them. Not even my PE teacher who would call me "freaky" and "psycho". I went to a small school of about 300 students, so I'm not lying when I say EVERYONE knew who I was. I was the top pick for rumors and gossip. "kelly slit her wrists again. she's so psycho" To this day I don't understand how someone can be hated so much because their depressed and tried to kill themself. Finally when I left that school midway through my Junior year, things got better. I made friends elsewhere, people who didn't judge me. because I went to an alternative HS where kids were like me. They did poorly in HS, may have been unpopular, and had various reasons for leaving high school. I finished my Jr and Sr years in 8 months there. Anyway, the point of this whole story is, that as much as I was ridiculed, hated, and slandered for something that i couldn't control (my depression), never once did I think of going to school and blowing people's heads off. Okay, so maybe I wanted to blow one chick's head off, but that was a personal thing. And the 2nd point is that things really do get better. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before things lift up. Like me. Now I'm really happy w/ my life and I don't want to die, and I'm no longer an unpopular, ugly, psycho freak. People have gotten the chance to know me, and people like me. I never thought guys would ever like me, but they do now. So I guess what I'm saying is, High School can be tough (hell even middleschool can be), but thats only a small part of our lives.... a few years. We wont even see half these people once we graduate. So if these kids would give life a chance, and put up w/ the crap they go through, instead of taking out their pain on innocent people, maybe school would be a safer place. Its hard to put up w/ the crap.... but in the end it makes you a stronger person. Its made me a much more stronger and confident person at 21. I've come a LONG way since I was 15. Never thought I'd see the light. ------------------------------ End of jewel-digest V6 #105 ***************************