Re: Yes!

Do you think that would help? Do you think we are beyond the point where that would help already?

Here in Japan, people can't have weapons and there isn't much violent crime. So, I guess that's a good example of support for banning weapons.

However, even if they were banned in the US, we would still have problems. I think the underlying mentality of our youth is a major issue.

We were at the school playground not long ago. My daughter (then, 3 years old) was on a swing. Some Kindergarten boys were counting to her. When they counted to 20, they told her that she had to get off. She did not. 2 6-year old boys proceeded to push her off.

I spoke with some of the teachers at the school about this crazy counting thing at the swings. The teachers at the elementary school had implemented it so that the kids knew that they had to take turns so everyone could get a chance at the swing and so they could learn to share.

I think it has the opposite effect when taught to such young children; they are still so ego-centric. They see it not as "I'm sharing" but as "I'm entitled to my turn". With all the "everyone wins", and "everyone must share" philosophies going around nowadays, much of it is semming to backfire.

Just look around at all the people who don't take personal responsibility. We are a society of victims. If we don't have everything we want, it must be someone else's fault. Law suits, shootings, etc are just symptoms. People need to re-learn that they are the ones that are responsible for themselves and learn not to blame others for their misfortunes.

Just my 2 cents.

Tina.