Are social and political factors corrupting our educational system? What kind of environment are our kids subjected to in our society & our schools that are creating these time bombs that are reeking unpresidented violence on campuses across our nation. Are we seeing the results of the biginnings of an American Caste system, where the emotional distress of the have nots is trickling down from frustrated parents into their children behavior. The number of children from divorced families, or families that have fallin on hard times. The increase in racial tensions. The kids of affluent families verbaly abusing the kids of the less fortunate. The pressure of society putting tremendous amounts of burden on young minds. Minds too young without the tempering of experience & wisdom incapable of dealing with overwhelming stress. There is reason to feel disgust for these diabolical acts of Violence & the young people that are commiting them, but what is the cause? That remains the unanswered question. We can't put armed guards in every classroom, or confine every disgruntled student to a mental institution. We need an extensive examination of our culture and focus on finding a solution to this heinous evolution taking place within our society. Brazen violence brought about in this new era that promotes violence through movies and music elevates Greed and Power through corruption. We are a Divided nation..devided by race, economic status, political views, religious beliefs, and a war that many of us do not know what exactly are we fighting for. I am 59 years old, I don't ever remember my Nation being in such Dire Straights even during the Cuban Missil Crisis, the Civil rights movement and Viet Nam Protest era. Those events were tempered by reform to some extent It's like the very Fabric of our Idealogy is coming apart. Just what exactly is going on?

hey Koonism...sorry I haven't had a chance to respond to your posting about education. I've been tied up with the cancer program. I promise to respond next week. Hope we can get a good discussion going.

No Prob. I was supposed to start a recording session this weeek but is has been put off by 10 days or so. Pat i thought I laid out a good analogy on another thread called Winning the War. I am engageded in what I think may be a productive dialogue/debate with a Soldier from Iraq who has recently served there. I think his Views are important, and I would like to bring some history and political substance into the exchange. I keep getting censored..Ivy is the moderator..maybe you could have him review the analogy post ii put up a few days ago and edit out anything he deems offinsive. I made an effort not to be so colorfull and after all it is a ficticious scenario that has some parallel to what is happening in the Persian Gulf region in respect to the Sunni and Shite civil conflicts that are erupting in Iraq and threatening to spill over into other surrounding states. Thanks.. I have some choice tidbits to post on the politics and Biased policies taking place within our schools. The New American Cast system is causing emotional problems for our youth..who do not have the experienced minds or the wisdom to deal with the debilitating effects it is causing, especially when both parents are not available to help the child through his depression and anger. They are too busy either trying to be somebody or working so hard to maintain who they are that attendting to their childrens emotional needs has somehow become a nusance, rather than an obligation. We must find a way to be pro-active in stopping campus violence rather than continue to be re-active after the fact. Prevention is the key word....Later

Wow, censored again. Pat you sure you guys don't have folks from FOX NEWS setting up those filters.? O' Rielly or Shawn Hannity maybe. Oh the Thread I was refering to is "Winning in Iraq". You might want to join us in the discussion.