Mgoscottie

December 2nd, 2021 at 7:17 PM ^

I’m struggling after losing someone I know recently. I wish people would find the will to make sacrifices that would limit school shootings from happening. I honestly think you could cut back on this violence without any major policy changes just by changing the culture through deep conversation and reflection. 

Joined: 08/25/2009

MGoPoints: 16363

Berger04

December 2nd, 2021 at 7:54 PM ^

I have two teenage daughter....It never gets easier. As they age, new worries arise. The best we can do as parents is communicate, educate and love our children so they are brought up properly. 

So sad that this is a reoccurring tragedy students and parents have to worry about. How many more of these terrible events do we as a society have to put up with?  Stop kicking the can down the road and come up with a solution. I can think of a few. 

Joined: 12/26/2014

MGoPoints: 4641

UMxWolverines

December 2nd, 2021 at 10:37 PM ^

It's really disheartening. I graduated high school in 2012 and while everyone knew about Columbine we didnt even start kindergarten until the fall of that year, and it was something everyone considered one of those things so messed up it wouldnt be repeated like 9/11. 

Since Sandy Hook happened it seems like there's been so many copy cat shootings. I would have my head on a swivel all the time if I were in high school now. Kids should not have to feel that way. 

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65435

Mgoscottie

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:19 PM ^

To be clear, I'd love to see policy changes. But I also think there's a severe amount of damaged individuals who aren't able to see themselves and part of our culture is to avoid challenging some people who are like that. This case is an obvious example, but there are many who could use the reflection that don't take opportunities for it. 

And I agree it's not going away, just hoping that we prevent as many as possible. 

Joined: 08/25/2009

MGoPoints: 16363

njvictor

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:29 PM ^

Gun culture is so far gone in the US that I'm not sure "deep conversation and reflection" is possible. I'm not sure what the solution is, but we desperately need these tragic events to stop because children and innocent people don't deserve to even have the risk of these events on their conscious

Joined: 07/20/2017

MGoPoints: 65074

Qmatic

December 2nd, 2021 at 9:29 PM ^

I’m a mental health worker in a high school and today was probably the hardest day of my career. We had a false threat through social media. A school of nearly 1500 and by the end of day we had 700. So many people went home. So many scared. One of my football players knew Tate. Couple that with the immense mental health issues that intensified since the pandemic. 

There is a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety, and most of all a loss of compassion. 

Tell someone a genuine compliment every day. Say thanks to everyone you are thankful for. Put your phone down and actually listen. We all can do so much that doesn’t cost a dime. But we have to do it together.

Joined: 01/09/2013

MGoPoints: 32780

DairyQueen

December 2nd, 2021 at 9:38 PM ^

Guns are certainly part of the problem (licensing, responsible ownership, safety/training, etc.)

But it's good to remember that this country is simply a very, very, deeply violent country as a whole.

Healthcare is a good example (pre-Covid to avoid recent controversey)--as I used to do research at the U, is a deeply violent system that perpetuates a great amount of harm (against the Hippocratic oath), for one reason: profit. And it leads to MILLIONS of years of quality life lost, for the 1/3 of a billion US citizens.

A LOT of people died of fentanyl, A LOT. And A LOT of money was made off of fentanyl WELL PAST when the data was in on how dangerous it was. What the pharma companies paid in fines was a pittance, and they knew well in advance they could get away with it. Kill one person, you're a murderer, kill 100,000 per year, you're a wall-street favorite.

America is simply a very hyper-individualistic, narcissistic, punitive, vengeful, and dog-eat-dog, and not-my-problem-but-your-problem society (and what's funny is it's a deeply UNHAPPY society, paradoxically--or not, based on research--all those freedoms don't actually make you happier)

I always told non-Americans, it's not that the "guns" are so dangerous, it's that we are a me-first, win-at-all-costs, profits-before-people, dog-eat-dog society, and the guns are simply one of the outlets. Wall-street, healthcare (when you have it), fast-food, news-media, corporations, tech-companies, pollution, LACK of healthcare (it goes BOTH ways, we pay the MOST $$ for the WORST outcomes), education (incredible student-debt/no jobs/medicating), we harm, destroy, and systematically undermine eachother and our qualities of life, as a staple of american life.

Guns? Yeah, they're one of the many outlets that we use (and nothing like what a "gun" was during the 2nd Amendment passing in, oh, 1791, lol), but we are a deeply murderous society that goes out and commits atrocities on one another every single day, whether you work in an office, hospital, insurance company, or fast-food joint.

Joined: 04/20/2014

MGoPoints: 6642

Angry-Dad

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:57 PM ^

No doubt something is seriously broken in America.  We are the only country that suffers from these mass shootings almost daily.  It is uniquely American and it is an embarrassment and a great sadness.  I won't post my thoughts because this is a sports blog and not a place for this discussion.  I will just say it gives me a heavy heart and makes me worry about my middle school child's safety.  

Proud of Michigan for addressing the issue.  Wish the individuals that could actually address the underlying concerns would be equally concerned as a college football program.  

Prayers and peace to the victims, their families, and everyone in their community.

Joined: 01/27/2021

MGoPoints: 11616

kehnonymous

December 2nd, 2021 at 9:25 PM ^

Without trying to get too inflammatory (I won't say poltical, because small 'p' politics is and has always been part of literally every facet of our life), it's not just one thing.

The overriding umbrella factor is American culture.  For all that is good about this country, we have a unique cultural disease that makes way too many young men feel such a strong sense of alienation, fear, and inadequacy that they have to lash out by shooting people.  I don't disagree that guns are part of the issue because they are an efficient tool for killing many people in short order, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Because the driving force behind all these awful tragedies is our culture of fear and anger.  And, even if gun ownership/access in the U.S. were immediately curtailed (which we all know ain't happening) that toxic undercurrent of fear and anger would find another way - perhaps less efficient, but that hardly matters. It's a mutli-faceted problem that is going to require a top-down willingness from the President down to the lowliest schlub on the street to ask AND answer some uncomfortable questions about this country.

Joined: 11/25/2011

MGoPoints: 32994

Monocle Smile

December 2nd, 2021 at 9:59 PM ^

Uh

that toxic undercurrent of fear and anger would find another way - perhaps less efficient, but that hardly matters

I could not disagree more. I think that GREATLY matters. I believe it's important to reduce the impact of violent behavior for more immediate effect, especially since this kind of cultural issue can take decades or longer to resolve.

Joined: 09/17/2009

MGoPoints: 23075

JamieH

December 3rd, 2021 at 12:23 AM ^

I don't think there is anything that makes boys feel more inadequate than girls do.  I just think boys are way way way more likely to react with violence.  

Seems to me the problem is the escalation of weapons.  When I was a kid, I remember it was a big deal that some kid brought brass knuckles to school.  Pretty sure he was suspended.  It was a huge thing.  Now that seems almost quaint.  

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 28331

Mgopioneer

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:08 PM ^

Uncle retired from Oxford fire department. Cousins attended Oxford school system and lived  within walking distance of the high school.. Hit close to home. Kudos to the university for doing this. 

Joined: 03/02/2021

MGoPoints: 9209

milk-n-steak

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:39 PM ^

I am a teacher and I've been in the same type of parent meetings that the school recently had with the shooter and his family. We do active shooter drills several times per year, which is just absolutely nuts when you think about it.  The international students we get from Asia or Europe can't believe we have to practice just in case someone comes in to shoot up the school. 

Every time I hear of another shooting, it makes me nervous for quite a while.  These situations have to stop.  Whatever it takes, they have to stop!

Joined: 11/02/2016

MGoPoints: 9039

FireUpChips

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:56 PM ^

You fuckers should be ashamed of yourselves in this thread. Unbelievable. 

Joined: 12/06/2020

MGoPoints: 7645

SanDiegoWolverine

December 2nd, 2021 at 8:59 PM ^

Well, mods going to close this thread any second now. People are angry and are going to get back and organizations or people which is understandable in the heat of the moment. But let's not fucking turn on each other here. We are still basking in a huge win guys.

Joined: 02/03/2009

MGoPoints: 7204

Cdat33

December 2nd, 2021 at 9:43 PM ^

I am a teacher from Oxford. No one wanted this. It was an act of terrorism that has changed our school and community forever. Speaking to the university for creating these patches it is a kind gesture and when you’re trying to recover and make sense of what happened all of those gestures mean something. 

In the wake of a traumatic event like this everyone that wasnt there begins to offer solutions. While there is obviously a need for change right now we need gestures like this for those impacted to heal. I can’t tell you I’m ok or my colleagues are. The students need all the support they can get. There will be a time in the recovery to focus on a permanent solution. 
 

I do recommend to everyone to ask your employer about the protocols in case of an active shooter situation or any incident where your lives may be in jeopardy. Ask your childrens school districts. Ask about ALICE training. I am telling you first hand IT SAVED LIVES. I know it’s not a permanent solution but it’s a precautionary measure that saves lives NOW. 

GO BLUE. BEAT IOWA. #Oxfordstrong #Michiganstrong

Joined: 01/19/2015

MGoPoints: 1785