Think this would ever fly in Canada?

[Boges]

I'm not going to post the video, It's rather repugnant. But these are the kids that posted a video of them being really mean to a 68-year-old bus monitor. Once the video went viral the kids became Interweb pariahs while the woman got over half a mil donated to her.

Well those kids have been suspended for the year, from school.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1219688--students-who-bullied-bus-monitor-suspended-from-school-for-a-year

The school system in the Rochester suburb of Greece says it will suspend the middle school students from school and from using regular bus transportation for a year.

The students will be transferred to a special alternative education program. The district is legally required to give the students an education.

Think that would happen anywhere in Canada?

You can compare and contrast that story to one of a boy in the Toronto area that was given 3 concussions by a bully and the bully is being let back into the school. The school says the victim has to forgive the bully or leave the school.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/27/mandel-a-never-ending-hell

TORONTO - He’s been pushed down a ski hill, jumped, beaten and pounded so hard that he’s suffered three concussions. He’s been bullied so badly over the years that he’s twice threatened suicide.

Yet the expelled teen who’s made Fraser Sutherland’s life a living hell is being allowed back into his high school next year.

And administrators have told the 15-year-old victim to suck it up and forgive his “reformed” tormentor - or find somewhere else to go in September.

Edited June 30, 2012 by Boges

[Guest American Woman]

I loved the way this incident turned out. Perhaps it will make a few other kids stop and think before engaging in this type of behavior. I have to admire the aid, who said in effect that they aren't bad kids, just kids trying to impress each other, for her attempt to understand the kids. If more of this type of behavior is exposed and condemned on the internet, perhaps kids will no longer see it as a means to 'impress' - hopefully, they'll come to see it as the opposite.

Edited to add:

And administrators have told the 15-year-old victim to suck it up and forgive his “reformed” tormentor - or find somewhere else to go in September.

I wasn't aware of this incident - will have to look into it more. That administrators would tell him that is truly beyond the pale - and imo, is as bad as the original behavior, coming from adults in authority.

Edited June 30, 2012 by American Woman

[Canuckistani]

I loved the way this incident turned out. Perhaps it will make a few other kids stop and think before engaging in this type of behavior.

No it won't. Only active bullying prevention, where other kids speak up to stop the behavior will get them to stop and think.

And administrators have told the 15-year-old victim to suck it up and forgive his “reformed” tormentor - or find somewhere else to go in September.

I wasn't aware of this incident - will have to look into it more. That administrators would tell him that is truly beyond the pale - and imo, is as bad as the original behavior, coming from adults in authority.

Pretty common in Canada, where little is done, even when the bullying is reported. What this kid's parents should do is sure the bully and the school. Concussions are serious medical issues, this is aggravated assault and should be treated as such. Sue the school and they'll soon be singing a different tune.

[Guest American Woman]

No it won't. Only active bullying prevention, where other kids speak up to stop the behavior will get them to stop and think.

I'm assuming of the two million+ views of the video, and the resulting outrage, some of that included kids and students speaking up against it.

I think it's worth noting that the person who started the fundraiser for the aid is a Canadian.

Pretty common in Canada, where little is done, even when the bullying is reported. What this kid's parents should do is sure the bully and the school. Concussions are serious medical issues, this is aggravated assault and should be treated as such. Sue the school and they'll soon be singing a different tune.

I agree with you regarding the seriousness of this incident, and cannot believe the reaction of the administrators. I have to wonder if there has been similar outrage to this incident within Canada?

[Canuckistani]

I'm assuming of the two million+ views of the video, and the resulting outrage, some of that included kids and students speaking up against it.

I really doubt it. It seems that anything the gets you on youtube is good, including murdering and eating people. But we can always hope.

I agree with you regarding the seriousness of this incident, and cannot believe the reaction of the administrators. I have to wonder if there has been similar outrage to this incident within Canada?

I never heard about it, just similar incidents. Didn't make it on youtube.

[Guest American Woman]

I really doubt it. It seems that anything the gets you on youtube is good, including murdering and eating people. But we can always hope.

Why would you doubt it? Obviously it isn't "good," as the strong, negative reaction to the kids' actions have shown; so why would you assume that no kids/students have been part of that reaction?

[Canuckistani]

Why would you doubt it? Obviously it isn't "good," as the strong, negative reaction to the kids' actions have shown; so why would you assume that no kids/students have been part of that reaction?

Because people love to get on a bandwagon and get sanctimonious, and then do exactly the behavior they are condemning. You see it when some evil perp is brought in and people (especially on forums) salivate about how they would like to kill him or even torture him beforehand. Apparently being evil is OK as long as the other guy was evil first.

The whole media circus (including or especially the new media) is so much bullshit. I have my doubt it will translate to changing behavior, but I've been know to be wrong on occasion. It's certainly a good teaching moment if done right, but if students take away from it "don't get caught" or "don't bully old people, everybody else is fair game" or as I say even "those kids got death threats - kewl" then nothing will change.

Edited June 30, 2012 by Canuckistani

[bleeding heart]

Because people love to get on a bandwagon and get sanctimonious, and then do exactly the behavior they are condemning. You see it when some evil perp is brought in and people (especially on forums) salivate about how they would like to kill him or even torture him beforehand. Apparently being evil is OK as long as the other guy was evil first.

True, we've all heard more than our fair share of wannabe prison-rape junkies extolling the virtues of predatory behaviour.

Just looking for an excuse to vent their genuine dankness, I guess.

[Canuckistani]

True, we've all heard more than our fair share of wannabe prison-rape junkies extolling the virtues of predatory behaviour.

Just looking for an excuse to vent their genuine dankness, I guess.

Yes, and thank God that's all it mostly is, venting. The sanctimony about it just shows they have not accepted their shadow.

[Guest American Woman]

Because people love to get on a bandwagon and get sanctimonious, and then do exactly the behavior they are condemning. You see it when some evil perp is brought in and people (especially on forums) salivate about how they would like to kill him or even torture him beforehand. Apparently being evil is OK as long as the other guy was evil first.

I'm going to assume that by "people," you mean some people, right? So because some people do this, you're going to assume that no kids/students were among those condemning the bullies - and that none were genuine about it? This applies to everyone? You?

The whole media circus (including or especially the new media) is so much bullshit. I have my doubt it will translate to changing behavior, but I've been know to be wrong on occasion. It's certainly a good teaching moment if done right, but if students take away from it "don't get caught" or "don't bully old people, everybody else is fair game" or as I say even "those kids got death threats - kewl" then nothing will change.

Why is the "media circus"* so much "bullshit" when good came out of this incident? The students even ended up getting suspended for a year - and having to do community service. I have to guess that they wouldn't do it if they had it to do over again. I also don't understand why they would take away the message that "everyone else is fair game." As for the "don't get caught" message, students know perhaps more than anyone else that someone in the vicinity will be recording it on their cell - and putting it on YouTube. I personally feel that some good will come if this.

I am so sorry for the way I treated you," one of the kids, Josh, said. "When I saw the video I was disgusted and could not believe I did that. I am sorry for being so mean and I will never treat anyone this way again."

"I feel really bad about what I did. I wish I had never done those things," another kid Wesley added. "If that had happened to someone in my family, like my mother or grandmother, I would be really mad at the people who did that to them."

The father of one of the boys, Robert Helm, apologized to Klein in person last Friday.

"We apologize, from the bottom of our hearts on what happened," the father of another bully, Luis, said in a statement. "We wish this will never happen again, to nobody and from nobody. Like Luis said, if your friend says to bully somebody, please don't do it....A couple of people have already died because of this. We apologize to Ms. Klein. We're deeply sorry.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/students_in_cruel_bus_monitor_taunt_KOmJKvpvugxM1XD7We1DVP#ixzz1zJGfTsuF

*Not sure why reporting on this incident is considered a "media circus."

[Canuckistani]

OK - maybe some good will come of it. Personally, as far as the big picture goes, I doubt it will have an impact. You can call me cynical.

As for this some people/all people stuff - I don't really have to spell it out for you, do I?

[kraychik]

No it won't. Only active bullying prevention, where other kids speak up to stop the behavior will get them to stop and think.

"Active bullying prevention" is just code language for another taxpayer-funded endless program. You realize that bullying has been around since he beginning of time, right? It was stopped long before some leftist manufactured fake terms like "active bullying prevention" for the purposes of supporting more leftist public policies.

Pretty common in Canada, where little is done, even when the bullying is reported. What this kid's parents should do is sure the bully and the school. Concussions are serious medical issues, this is aggravated assault and should be treated as such. Sue the school and they'll soon be singing a different tune.

I thought we needed "active bullying prevention"?

Here's a great video from Scott Thompson demonstrating how to deal with bullies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwOBZa4STNc

Here's Scott Thompson talking about bullying with some gay magazine:

“I believe the things that happened to me as a child scarred me terribly, and I wish somebody would have helped me with some of the things that happened. But you have to fight back,” Thompson told PrideSource.

“So much of these bullying campaigns are part of the trend that we were just talking abou … the recasting of gay men as eternal victims and it’s like, fight back! Fathers should start teaching the boys how to punch. He does that to you, here’s what you do: You f–king punch him in the face,” Thompson told PrideSource.

Want to stop bullying? It's simple, stand up to them. It's simple.

Want to keep bullying ongoing as a never-ending problem that sucks public funds? It's more complicated, implement an "active bullying prevention" program as per the advice of leftists like Canuckistani.

[bush_cheney2004]

Agreed...

[kraychik]

That is a great video, thanks for posting. I can share a personal anecdote with you, I remember bullying a kid in primary school with some other classmates. Well, one time we went too far and he just punched me straight in the nose and I was knocked down and started bleeding. I learned my lesson then and there. Bullies need a taste of their own medicine.

Here is another great video of a kid standing up to a bully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEqniEvNcnk&feature=related

[bush_cheney2004]

....Here is another great video of a kid standing up to a bully.

That has got to be the stupidest bully I have ever seen.

[guyser]

. You realize that bullying has been around since he beginning of time, right?

The internet and Facebook along with other social media have been around for thousands of years? Wow!

[kraychik]

The internet and Facebook along with other social media have been around for thousands of years? Wow!

You realize bullying didn't start in 2005, right?

[guyser]

You realize bullying didn't start in 2005, right?

Sure did!

What you are failing to grasp is that bullying today can be a co-ordinated effort involving many different people over many different platforms for maximum bullying effect.

It used to be one kid would tell his 'gang' , immediate area mates, and co-ordinate the hassle on a minor scale and only when the kid being bullied is around physically.

Today? Bullies can go 24 hrs non -stop, circulate wide and vast and get an immeasurable amount fo people involved.

[bleeding heart]

Sure did!

What you are failing to grasp is that bullying today can be a co-ordinated effort involving many different people over many different platforms for maximum bullying effect.

It used to be one kid would tell his 'gang' , immediate area mates, and co-ordinate the hassle on a minor scale and only when the kid being bullied is around physically.

Today? Bullies can go 24 hrs non -stop, circulate wide and vast and get an immeasurable amount fo people involved.

True. It's a lot more complicated than fighting back at the lockers.

And how do you physically beat down half-a dozen networked bullies?

[kraychik]

Sure did!

What you are failing to grasp is that bullying today can be a co-ordinated effort involving many different people over many different platforms for maximum bullying effect.

It used to be one kid would tell his 'gang' , immediate area mates, and co-ordinate the hassle on a minor scale and only when the kid being bullied is around physically.

Today? Bullies can go 24 hrs non -stop, circulate wide and vast and get an immeasurable amount fo people involved.

So how is that relevant to what I said earlier? The same principle applies to stopping bullying - stand up for yourself and, in the words of Scott Thompson, "grow a pair!". We don't need these wishy-washy "It Gets Better" campaigns where we lionize the victims of bullying. Rule number one is to stop being a victim.

[kraychik]

True. It's a lot more complicated than fighting back at the lockers.

And how do you physically beat down half-a dozen networked bullies?

Fight back at the lockers and you won't need to worry about the "networked bullies".

[bleeding heart]

Fight back at the lockers and you won't need to worry about the "networked bullies".

It's not that simple.

I mean...it's obviously not that simple. Especially for gang bullying.

It's not that I think fighting back isn't a worthy plan in a situaiton where it might work. If it's workable, absolutely, do it.

Edited July 6, 2012 by bleeding heart

[kraychik]

It's not that simple.

I mean...it's obviously not that simple. Especially for gang bullying.

It's not that I think fighting back isn't a worthy plan in a situaiton where it might work. If it's workable, absolutely, do it.

Yeah, fighting back is simply too simple. Simple answers don't bode well for leftists who want to justify another complex governmental department preceded by expensive (fake) research endeavours. I mean, it's just gotta be more complicated than that! It has to be!

[kraychik]

It's actually unbelievably simple. Harassment should be absolutely not tolerated by schools. Harassing and bullying other classmates? Immediate expulsion. Problem solved.

[guyser]

So how is that relevant to what I said earlier? The same principle applies to stopping bullying - stand up for yourself and, in the words of Scott Thompson, "grow a pair!". We don't need these wishy-washy "It Gets Better" campaigns where we lionize the victims of bullying. Rule number one is to stop being a victim.

Really?

And when the bully who was just socked in the mouth and goes home and redoubles his effort, since of course the wide network he has would not be privvy to his smackdown, what then?