Given the tragedy of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting Feb. 10, it boggles the mind how anyone, regardless of their age, thinks making threats of violence at schools is remotely funny.
Two recent incidents indicate this ridiculous tomfoolery may not be over. The first occurred May 7 at Peace River, where a youth is facing charges. The second was at High Prairie May 19. Both were made on TikTok accounts and both involved violence threats.
There are many ways to examine this senseless act. One thing is certain, however. These youth need to pay a price. A heavy price. Not to be kissed on the ass by bleeding heart judges in our court system and let free after expressing “remorse” they did not know better. Perhaps they should be taken out behind the playground swings and taught a harsh lesson. More on that later.
I am reminded of an arson case years ago when the abandoned Beaver Lumber building in High Prairie was torched by two children. The defence lawyer argued the youth did not know what they were doing. Judge R.P. Smith was not accepting any of that B.S. and said everyone knows the consequences of playing with matches. Notwithstanding why children were taking matches to an abandoned building in the first place! Some defence lawyers are paid to say stupid things. Duh!
This trash regarding threats is no different. Whether the youth is 12, 16 or 18, they damn well know better, especially after the Tumbler Ridge tragedy. To make any excuse for these youth is an open invitation to do it again.
Perhaps a reason why these youth commit such acts is for attention. Many suggest the media should not report on the actions of youth because we are only feeding exactly what they want: attention!
I would argue there is little proof such incidents would decrease if there were no media reports. Could be wrong, however. Besides, with the addition of social media it is far too easy for any nitwit to get their message out to the masses. Mainstream media has no control over this.
Back to the punishment. The fact sentences are getting more and more lenient compared to decades ago is not only occurring in society but in our schools. The strap has gone the way of the Dodo bird and the students take full advantage. There is little fear of penalty. I pity the teachers.
But . . . and this is a big but to consider. Years ago, my uncle told the following story regarding punishment in the schools. They were schooled in the one-room school houses of years ago where the teachers were the unquestioned, complete authority.
“You don’t understand what it was like. If the teacher didn’t like you, you were beaten every day. Rulers across the knuckles every day. They made kids cry. We watched this and vowed teachers would never abuse our kids and grandkids the way we were abused. That’s why there is no strap today.”
Fair enough, but this attitude has infected our society to the point where criminals are treated with kid gloves. Many in the public are demanding harsher punishment, but the bleeding hearts who make our laws think otherwise. And who are they? Politicians, mostly lawyers. It is why so many reoffend. The punishment is a joke.
Which brings us full circle back to the threats against schools. Not to sound too old school, but what some youth need is a good whipping, not pat on the back and a get out of jail pass on the way home.
Chris Clegg