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Anti-bully bills make progress
Top Headlines Teachers, police backing legislation
The suicide of 11-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover earlier this year has put momentum behind legislative proposals to crack down on bullying in schools, local lawmakers said Tuesday.A hearing was held on Beacon Hill on a number of anti-bullying bills, and groups including the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association are backing the movement. Bob Duffy of the MTA said bullying is certainly not a new problem, but the advent of the Internet has changed the way it is done. He said bullying hurts the victim and also adversely affects the entire classroom learning environment. Teachers end up dealing with the disruption, which takes away from learning, Duffy said. "Kids have a right to be in a learning environment that is free of harassment and bullying," he said, explaining why the teachers' union has gotten involved. Legislation dealing with bullying has been around for years, but a number of lawmakers have said it may pass next spring because of high-profile tragedies like the death of Walker-Hoover, who was teased about his looks, and was called gay, and committed suicide because of it. Walker-Hoover, a sixth-grade student at New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, hanged himself April 6 with an extension cord at his Springfield home. State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said the incident brought a focus to the issue. She and state Rep. Bill Bowles, D-Attleboro, said a consensus bill has not emerged yet, but Tuesday's hearing should advance the process. One bill by state Rep. John Rogers, D-Norwood, would require the state to suggest model programs for dealing with bullying. It also would require schools to report incidents and the discipline that was handed out to the bullies. JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.
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Lucky1 wrote on Dec 15, 2009 2:45 PM:
No to Mean People
No to Rude People
No to Uncaring People
No to Selfish People
No to Dishonest People
No to Self serving People
and most of all...
No to Bullies "
Lucky1 wrote on Dec 15, 2009 2:38 PM:
mcgruff wrote on Dec 4, 2009 4:09 PM:
Graceful wrote on Nov 25, 2009 12:18 PM:
And sometimes being a bully is a form of aggression controlled by the brain. In some kids the right doctor and meds can correct it. And the right attention by school and parents can nip it in the bud before its too late. "
sbcoach wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:57 AM:
Graceful wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:14 PM:
That last sentence was an error.
I meant , It never ok to be a ''Bully'' and we have to stand up for the victims, not blame them.
Do we blame the Banks that are robbed because they exist. Do we blame victims of robbery because they were near the Robber ? "
Graceful wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:05 PM:
Your so right. ''Bullying'' should not be accepted as ok. over 100 yrs ago woman couldnt vote and men could freely hit their wifes and children. It was not right, but there was a time many thought that it normal. We all must stand up for what is correct and fair. And no matter what ..it it never OK to be abusive toward others especially those more vunerable than ourselves. especially the the victims. "
s-plumb wrote on Nov 19, 2009 10:50 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 19, 2009 10:25 AM:
Do we turn in a spouse who watches the news or a soap, and ingnores the other spouse, or do we turn in the one who complains?
Kid's are bullied by peers sibs and adults. Adaults are bullied by peers sibs and co-workers.
Drivers are bullied by those in a hurry; or is it bullying to get in the way of someone in a hurry? "
Graceful wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:58 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:56 AM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:25 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 19, 2009 8:53 AM:
Graceful wrote on Nov 19, 2009 8:26 AM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 19, 2009 5:44 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 19, 2009 4:56 AM:
enuffalready wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:09 PM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:22 PM:
enuffalready wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:03 PM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:50 PM:
Really? Do you or did you send your kids to public school? Did you go to city hall for a marriage license? "
hockeytown wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:25 PM:
"In loco parentis" means that the schools " That includes Teachers " act in place of the Parents..so yes while they are in school the Teachers should and do control the kids..and look up Juvenile Laws you cant just send kids to Juvenile Hall...its not that easy.. "
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:11 PM:
gimmesum: This country was founded on limited gov't, and personal responsibility. Additional laws that we WILL NOT enforce is not the way to go. "
hockeytown wrote on Nov 18, 2009 6:44 PM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 6:30 PM:
Doesn't anyone have brothers or sisters?
gimmesum:what did you ask for? "
lucky1 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 6:21 PM:
We teach these skills at home and hope that they a reinforced at school. (kindness,tolerance,patience,generosity, empathy). "
enuffalready wrote on Nov 18, 2009 5:04 PM:
How about you let me do some physical bullying on YOU?? I'll try and help you build some character. What an ignorant statement. 160,000 school age kids a day stay home to avoid being bullied. Statements like that are part of the problem, not the solution. "
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 4:57 PM:
You're starting to sound like a liberal, splumb;)
Seriously. If the swastika is on a synagogue, you can start with hate crime. Once a prosecutable suspect is found, intent can be determined.
If someone burns a cross at the home of a black family, do we think it is just a few pranksters looking to toast marshmellows? "
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:33 PM:
Who determines the intent? Was it a young person who honestly has no idea of the meaning of a swastika? Sure they may have seen it on some record / CD labels, or in video games they play, but they have no clue what it truly means. Was it a guy that got drunk, and painted it on a dare? On the other hand, is the work of a terrorist/supremacist group?
My guess is that someone with true evil actionable intent, upon investigation, would be found to have other issues, and would be charged accordingly (weapons, conspiracy, RICO?).
I never ever understood the gravity or true meaning and hurt behind that symbol until I was much older. The problem is that at the end of the day we need the thought police. Laws shouldnt require thought police. "
hardhearted wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:25 PM:
jrjrg123 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:06 PM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 2:35 PM:
RICKYL1024 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 1:58 PM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 1:28 PM:
The extreme case is pre-meditated murder. The sentence should be death. But suppose it also involved days of horrendous torture, etc. Now if this were due to my height, weight, religion, political beliefs, etc. we have a hate crime; right?
So more $$ is spent proving it was a hate crime. The result is still death. Torture isn't allowed, and you cannot kill the guy twice.
The point is that in most cases, if we simply used existing tools/laws, additional laws (which may not be constitutional) are unnecessary.
It gets to be an unending cycle. Over time each law loses it's impact, as society changes, and a new outrageous circumstances crop up. "
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:49 PM:
One of my children was bullied and he insisted he could handle it. It was not until years later that I found out the extent of the cruelty.
The behaviors need to stop. But no amount of legislation is going to solve the problem. "
attle wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:36 PM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:26 PM:
The difference between a hate crime is the person committing the crime is not just attacking the victim. The person is attacking a philosophy, a culture, a religion etc. The victim could be anyone that the twisted individual targets within that group. If he hates gays, it could be any gay. If he hates Christians, it could be any Christian. If he hates women, minorities, whites etc., we all become targets.
I wouldn't be surprised to find that many who become perpertrators of hate crimes started out in childhood as unfettered bullies. "
kevin h. wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:12 PM:
It's turning the other cheek.
I recall the words of Neil Young "It don't mean that much to me to mean that much to you." "
RLincoln wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:01 PM:
attle wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:47 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:37 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:34 AM:
Getting back to bullying...some level of bullying is helpful in building character. Joining with a prior poster, how do you measure bullying, how do you set a limit, and how do you enforce it? "
attle wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:17 AM:
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:16 AM:
There were other students from that school in the audience. One girl told her story of being beaten by other girls over a boyfriend while others looked on. Her parents had to take the initiative and pull her out to be home schooled. When victims are forced to imprison themselves, it is tragic.
Again, I will repeat that two ingredients are sorely missing in society. Self-control and empathy. Kids need to learn both. It takes years. Until they do, they must be supervised.
Besides the role of supervisors, adults must model these behaviors. It doesn't cost a dime. "
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:14 AM:
We can take care of our own kid's, with our own belief system. "
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:02 AM:
However, I think the legislature needs to commit to sex ed or forget it. Opt in or opt out, IMO, is not the way to go. I think there should be some way to determine what is age appropriate information and parents should know ahead of time what will be discussed so they can build on the information or counter it, if need be. The only thing to fear is fear itself, when it comes to sex education. "
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:38 AM:
However, we do need to take back our families and communities. "
kevin h. wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:32 AM:
"The word "We" is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it. It is the word by which the depraved steal the virtue of the good, by which the weak steal the might of the strong, by which the fools steal the wisdom of the sages." "
kevin h. wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:25 AM:
If the society was more concerned about promoting "I" instead of "we" then there would be more people with the strength of character to withstand and dismiss bullying. "
realist wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:11 AM:
My question is how do you quantify it? I think everyone remembers a problem with someone bigger who decided you were his target. Or groups of girls who decided to that one girl needed to be singled out for cruel treatment.
But when does playful teasing about someone who missed an easy play during gym class become bullying?
Also -- does getting labeled as a bully stay on you permanent record? I think these case are best handled locally under existing rules. "
attle wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:05 AM:
IShouldBeMayor wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:03 AM:
Do you really think that law is going to help a child in school who is being bullied? Or would a more common sense approach be better such as allowing teachers to actually discipline a bully (not physical), embarrass them, make them feel so uncomfortable they would never do it again,without the teacher or parent feeling worried they might be sued or fired? Real consequences a bully can wrap his head around. I don't know, you decide. "
attle wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:49 AM:
s-plumb wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:35 AM:
I don't want my (or any) kids being exposed to the details of sexual activities in a co-ed setting, where size, weight, best practice, etc are presented, without parents signing off on the coursework.
I realize this is tangential to this discussing, but goes along with your point, and adds to the degradation of both the family & society. "
gimmesum wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:07 AM:
The concept of quality vs quantity of time has destroyed the homelife of many children.
Maintaining the family unit should be second to none. "
IShouldBeMayor wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:33 AM: