after it's all said and done
My comments carry some cynacism in them, however, all my grey hair entitles me, so please bear with me.
The many responding teachers such as "Migoi" and others have enthusiasm for parents, community groups, students, ect. to become involved in their schools at school board meetings and open houses, but being involved is just another way of saying let us hear your gripe, but we know what you don't -that the decisions have already been made!
That includes the decisions for such crises that incur the lockdown.
The people who have been given authority, that is appointed positions,
are arrogantly sure of their competence, after all, they are in the position of authority, aren't they?
And so, the school admistrators, and law enforcement officials will let you air your disapproval at the public meetings, but, for sure, the "fate has been already accomplished."
The altruistic teachers responding here who would sacrifice themselves to save their charges would do just that. Sacrifice themselves, but that would not save one poor child. The spirited officers who would aggressively be there to save the kids, would in all reality, be restrained beforehand by their superior officers, who by the nature of rising through the ranks have become less and less; serve and protect oriented, and more and more politically motivated,to the point of delay and await asessment (the brass mulling over what would sound best for them) and gather information (what does the city hall boss want done). -Reguardless of all the charge in plans that have been declared.
Sorry, I warned you about the cynicism, but if you live long enough you learn some things about the human race and the inner workings of actuality.
My own advise, based on my life experience? I would advise my two sons to escape and evade! My military background which has always been correct in the dangerous situations I have faced tells me that if you are unable to shoot, move, or communicate, you chances of survival are lessened.
To be corraled into a classroom to await the Cavalry is foolishness.
Just how many threads have been posted here about a cop never being around when you need them, or just how long it takes for the police to arrive after 911 notification? Even ten minutes (and that is gracious, by today's undermanned standards) -can be a "lifetime."
The exception might be with the very young who would require adult leadership; the self sacrificing -bless them, teachers to shepherd the children to safety instead of bewilderment. But not to gather them into a herd for slaughter.
I think it is less of a mass killing situation to shoot fleeing targets than the ones who compliantly sit down in a group for arcade shooting.
The presupposition of those that support lockdown is that rescue will arrive and be effective.
What have the past instances shown? After every one of those, the politicians, police, and school admistrators have all, in each and every one of those terrible shootings, assured the public that things have changed, that new tactics are in place, that plans have been developed, so just trust them, and be assured that this will not happen ever again.
We "slept at dawn in Pearl Harbour", right up to the situation after the attack on the World Trade Towers has only served to convince me that the "human factor" is alive and well. Aren't all the debacles at the airports; shoe bombs, media expose' of this weakness and that, the "Portgate" occurence as it is called, enough to justify some skepticism? Just trust them they say.
They have your best interests at heart.
Will you bet your life, or rather the life of your child or grandchild on the word of one of those "in authority?"
It has been said over and over, right here on THR, your security is in you own hands. It is your responsibility.
