209
Member
or as I like to call it:
"Nannies for Adults"
I just attended another “task force” meeting on creating safer universities. I’m about ready to cry. It’s getting far from reality. But, please enjoy this rant. Since the last meeting was basically about how evil guns caused the VA Tech incidents, I figure it’s a topic to put here. I heard the comment, “It’s all about the children” so many times I lost count. And some of the gun comments were out-of-hand also.
This is what I walked away with:
Cover-up..... damage control..... failure to warn..... at VA Tech.
I am amazed by some of the comments I have seen posted on various forums, and from alleged highly educated people I’ve met during my planning meetings, which indicate there was some type of VA Tech authority conspiracy to “hide” the first shooting in the dorm and the failure of the authorities to deal with the second incident correctly.
I surfed a bit to see what’s on the web and found this. It’s so extreme, I did get a chuckle out of it, and lent it as much credibility as I do some of the less-extreme ones:
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2007/4/18/131243/520
I’m not posting the actual article because it’s just too silly, but if you need a laugh, it’s worth looking at it.
Lesson learned: Conspiracy theories- some are more ridiculous than others.
But, back to the incident:
Hiding the first shooting:
The police did not “hide” the first shooting. The first shooting appeared to be the act of a disgruntled boy friend that shot his estranged girl friend. The male who was shot was thought to have simply been “in the wrong place at the wrong time” since the female was the assumed primary target. Having just starting their investigation into the shooting, the police thought they had identified a suspect and thought they had a motive.
Okay, they were wrong. When we morning quarter-back them, after we know all of the facts, it’s easy to condemn them.
Failing to notify the university and/or failing to shut down the university:
When, in the name of all that is holy, has any university done that? They were initially faced with an isolated incident that no one dreamed would play out the way it did by what occurred in the second incident. I do suppose we can crucify them for not having the gift of foresight. The fact of the matter is crimes, including murders, happen on a fairly regular basis on universities all over the US. The university doesn’t shut down (or didn’t previous to this incident. There are different rules now, of course).
Universities are not elementary schools; they are not high schools. Previously, they were not run as K-12 schools. In many states, the statutes [laws] that apply to “schools” don’t apply to colleges and universities. The very definition of a school in many statutes are legally defined as K-12. Once you graduate from high school, you move on to adult education. Key word, that one- adult.
You are now an adult. Different rules apply. The nanny state loosens the reins when you graduate from high school. We stop pampering you. For instance, we allow our college-aged youth to join the military, where they are at a high risk of dying, and go into harm's way daily. Why do we let them do that? Because we view them as adults. So too, do we view college students as adults. They are, and should be, able to function as adults in this sometimes cruel and violent world.
But, in the aftermath of the VA Tech incident, we now have an incredibly large segment of the population saying, “We need to protect the children.” You know what they are actually doing when they want this? College age people have just been sent back to elementary school. You are no longer an adult- no way! You attend school- so guess what? You’re still a kid! Bunch of hokey if you ask me, but I don’t exactly subscribe to nannyism.
Up here in the Northeast, the colleges and universities don’t shut down for a snow day when the K-12 schools do. Why? Because the people we cater to are adults. As adults, they can make up their own mind if they wish to venture out to attend classes. I have to make that decision when I judge the road conditions and decide if I can get to work safely. It’s my decision. I’m an adult. No one holds my hand. Of course, I’m responsible for the outcome that my decision may result in, but that’s also what an adult does. They learn to accept the responsibility for their actions and decisions. (As an aside, I can tell you that particular life skill isn’t being taught at the college level, and wasn’t even prior to VA Tech, but that’s an entirely different subject and not really germane to this discussion.)
But, now in the minds of knee-jerk nannies, we have to lump adults into the “kids who need protecting” group. We will be spending huge amounts of money installing very expensive placebos at our higher education campuses to protect the children. Let’s see- we’ll have automated phone contact systems; we’ll have sirens; we’ll have proposed warning systems that haven’t even been designed yet. I can’t imagine what the cost to future students will be, but I’m sure it’ll be reflected in their tuition and fees.
And, you know what? It ain’t gonna work. A nut job will still do what Cho did. The average active shooter incident lasts about 12 minutes. About the time that nifty automated phone contact system gets to the “Ms”, or maybe the “Ps”, it’s over.
Campus-wide lockdowns? Ain’t gonna work! The campus I work at has 28 buildings and, even worse, two massive parking structures that can’t be shut down. The buildings are scattered over a good sized area (a place like VA Tech dwarfs my little campus; it’s huge). Who locks those buildings down? We’d need 10 to 15 people on duty at any given time just to accomplish any form of lockdown at my place. It ain’t realistic. We could put an automated access-control system in that would lock down every door, but the cost is much higher than the average person may appreciate.
You know, I can see it now when the admissions folk are talking to prospective students [and parents].
Admissions: “So, you want to come here for college. Well, our tuition isn’t bad; it’s only $1800 a semester for in-state residents”
Father: “Gee, that’s not bad.”
Admissions: “But the student fees are $18,000 a semester.”
Father: “Wow- why so high?”
Admission: “Well, you see, we had to get a bond to install an access control system for all of our buildings and a mandatory cell phone program for all faculty, staff and students. It was rather expensive, but it’ll be paid for in 20 years. Plus, we used to have a police force of 20, but now we have 80 and that’s expensive also.”
Mother: “Well, I suppose the campus is really safe.”
Admissions: “In all honesty, not really, a serious event could still happen and be over before the phone alerts your daughter to the incident. The police still require about 5-10 minutes to start a viable response action, and the access control system may actually lock her in with the shooter, but hey, it looks impressive on paper, don’t it?”
Student: “And I get a phone?”
Admissions: “Of course, you will be issued a special phone. Ours are orange- they’re really quite stylish. You will have to carry this phone with you at all times. We have a staff of 30 phone monitors who are all over campus- the cost of their salaries in included in the student fees also. Their job is to stop you whenever they want and check if you have your phone. If you don’t, you will be referred to the student judicial board for disciplinary action. I know it sounds rather intrusive, but hey, it’s all about the children, right?”
Parents: “Amen to that!”
About the only thing I can see it will accomplish is creating an atmosphere for another generation of “you need to take care of me” people who will be pampered and pandered to for another 4 to 5 years. But, at least they can postpone accepting the responsibilities of adulthood until they are 21- 23 years old.
What does all this mean? I believe the authorities at VA Tech responded to, first one, then another incident quite well considering all of the facts known at the time. Saying they should have done anything different now that the outcome is known is utter crap, and it’s the worst kind of hypocrisy. But, there are many people in this once great land of ours that love to engage in that type of thing.
It means the government ain’t gonna protect you! No way- no how! We, as a nation, can’t have everything. We have to accept we live in a world where bad things do happen, or we can have total government control over our lives. Of course, that control will strip most of our earnings from us, ‘cause someone will have to pay the bill.
And, guns... well, guns didn't cause the VA Tech incident. A sick, deranged individual did that all by himself.
Who you gonna sue if it happens to you? Try real hard to get this right- sue the person that did it to you.
But, I have to parrot the PC line 'cause I like my job, so forget what I wrote above. I meant to say:
"Nannies for Adults"
I just attended another “task force” meeting on creating safer universities. I’m about ready to cry. It’s getting far from reality. But, please enjoy this rant. Since the last meeting was basically about how evil guns caused the VA Tech incidents, I figure it’s a topic to put here. I heard the comment, “It’s all about the children” so many times I lost count. And some of the gun comments were out-of-hand also.
This is what I walked away with:
Cover-up..... damage control..... failure to warn..... at VA Tech.
I am amazed by some of the comments I have seen posted on various forums, and from alleged highly educated people I’ve met during my planning meetings, which indicate there was some type of VA Tech authority conspiracy to “hide” the first shooting in the dorm and the failure of the authorities to deal with the second incident correctly.
I surfed a bit to see what’s on the web and found this. It’s so extreme, I did get a chuckle out of it, and lent it as much credibility as I do some of the less-extreme ones:
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2007/4/18/131243/520
I’m not posting the actual article because it’s just too silly, but if you need a laugh, it’s worth looking at it.
Lesson learned: Conspiracy theories- some are more ridiculous than others.
But, back to the incident:
Hiding the first shooting:
The police did not “hide” the first shooting. The first shooting appeared to be the act of a disgruntled boy friend that shot his estranged girl friend. The male who was shot was thought to have simply been “in the wrong place at the wrong time” since the female was the assumed primary target. Having just starting their investigation into the shooting, the police thought they had identified a suspect and thought they had a motive.
Okay, they were wrong. When we morning quarter-back them, after we know all of the facts, it’s easy to condemn them.
Failing to notify the university and/or failing to shut down the university:
When, in the name of all that is holy, has any university done that? They were initially faced with an isolated incident that no one dreamed would play out the way it did by what occurred in the second incident. I do suppose we can crucify them for not having the gift of foresight. The fact of the matter is crimes, including murders, happen on a fairly regular basis on universities all over the US. The university doesn’t shut down (or didn’t previous to this incident. There are different rules now, of course).
Universities are not elementary schools; they are not high schools. Previously, they were not run as K-12 schools. In many states, the statutes [laws] that apply to “schools” don’t apply to colleges and universities. The very definition of a school in many statutes are legally defined as K-12. Once you graduate from high school, you move on to adult education. Key word, that one- adult.
You are now an adult. Different rules apply. The nanny state loosens the reins when you graduate from high school. We stop pampering you. For instance, we allow our college-aged youth to join the military, where they are at a high risk of dying, and go into harm's way daily. Why do we let them do that? Because we view them as adults. So too, do we view college students as adults. They are, and should be, able to function as adults in this sometimes cruel and violent world.
But, in the aftermath of the VA Tech incident, we now have an incredibly large segment of the population saying, “We need to protect the children.” You know what they are actually doing when they want this? College age people have just been sent back to elementary school. You are no longer an adult- no way! You attend school- so guess what? You’re still a kid! Bunch of hokey if you ask me, but I don’t exactly subscribe to nannyism.
Up here in the Northeast, the colleges and universities don’t shut down for a snow day when the K-12 schools do. Why? Because the people we cater to are adults. As adults, they can make up their own mind if they wish to venture out to attend classes. I have to make that decision when I judge the road conditions and decide if I can get to work safely. It’s my decision. I’m an adult. No one holds my hand. Of course, I’m responsible for the outcome that my decision may result in, but that’s also what an adult does. They learn to accept the responsibility for their actions and decisions. (As an aside, I can tell you that particular life skill isn’t being taught at the college level, and wasn’t even prior to VA Tech, but that’s an entirely different subject and not really germane to this discussion.)
But, now in the minds of knee-jerk nannies, we have to lump adults into the “kids who need protecting” group. We will be spending huge amounts of money installing very expensive placebos at our higher education campuses to protect the children. Let’s see- we’ll have automated phone contact systems; we’ll have sirens; we’ll have proposed warning systems that haven’t even been designed yet. I can’t imagine what the cost to future students will be, but I’m sure it’ll be reflected in their tuition and fees.
And, you know what? It ain’t gonna work. A nut job will still do what Cho did. The average active shooter incident lasts about 12 minutes. About the time that nifty automated phone contact system gets to the “Ms”, or maybe the “Ps”, it’s over.
Campus-wide lockdowns? Ain’t gonna work! The campus I work at has 28 buildings and, even worse, two massive parking structures that can’t be shut down. The buildings are scattered over a good sized area (a place like VA Tech dwarfs my little campus; it’s huge). Who locks those buildings down? We’d need 10 to 15 people on duty at any given time just to accomplish any form of lockdown at my place. It ain’t realistic. We could put an automated access-control system in that would lock down every door, but the cost is much higher than the average person may appreciate.
You know, I can see it now when the admissions folk are talking to prospective students [and parents].
Admissions: “So, you want to come here for college. Well, our tuition isn’t bad; it’s only $1800 a semester for in-state residents”
Father: “Gee, that’s not bad.”
Admissions: “But the student fees are $18,000 a semester.”
Father: “Wow- why so high?”
Admission: “Well, you see, we had to get a bond to install an access control system for all of our buildings and a mandatory cell phone program for all faculty, staff and students. It was rather expensive, but it’ll be paid for in 20 years. Plus, we used to have a police force of 20, but now we have 80 and that’s expensive also.”
Mother: “Well, I suppose the campus is really safe.”
Admissions: “In all honesty, not really, a serious event could still happen and be over before the phone alerts your daughter to the incident. The police still require about 5-10 minutes to start a viable response action, and the access control system may actually lock her in with the shooter, but hey, it looks impressive on paper, don’t it?”
Student: “And I get a phone?”
Admissions: “Of course, you will be issued a special phone. Ours are orange- they’re really quite stylish. You will have to carry this phone with you at all times. We have a staff of 30 phone monitors who are all over campus- the cost of their salaries in included in the student fees also. Their job is to stop you whenever they want and check if you have your phone. If you don’t, you will be referred to the student judicial board for disciplinary action. I know it sounds rather intrusive, but hey, it’s all about the children, right?”
Parents: “Amen to that!”
About the only thing I can see it will accomplish is creating an atmosphere for another generation of “you need to take care of me” people who will be pampered and pandered to for another 4 to 5 years. But, at least they can postpone accepting the responsibilities of adulthood until they are 21- 23 years old.
What does all this mean? I believe the authorities at VA Tech responded to, first one, then another incident quite well considering all of the facts known at the time. Saying they should have done anything different now that the outcome is known is utter crap, and it’s the worst kind of hypocrisy. But, there are many people in this once great land of ours that love to engage in that type of thing.
It means the government ain’t gonna protect you! No way- no how! We, as a nation, can’t have everything. We have to accept we live in a world where bad things do happen, or we can have total government control over our lives. Of course, that control will strip most of our earnings from us, ‘cause someone will have to pay the bill.
And, guns... well, guns didn't cause the VA Tech incident. A sick, deranged individual did that all by himself.
Who you gonna sue if it happens to you? Try real hard to get this right- sue the person that did it to you.
But, I have to parrot the PC line 'cause I like my job, so forget what I wrote above. I meant to say:
“It’s all about the children!”
- and -
“It truly does take a village....”
- and -
“It truly does take a village....”
