The Scarlet...

In one of my posts earlier this month, I railed against the laughter associated with the viral video of JT. Laughter is not always the best medicine. Sometimes it is nervous laughter. I get that. Uncomfortable situations can cause an immature response.

I am by no means defending JT, but his actions "speak volumes" as he was being apprehended, let alone his behavior when he pulled the trigger. No one disputes he shot his teacher, even without a trial, correct? His teacher will always remember "the look in JT's eyes". I get that too.

I am posting two videos.  (Caution, they both run ads.) Neither of them are directly related, but connecting dots is not just for kids. Remember those worksheets? The connections had to be in numerical or alphabetical order, but to see the bigger picture, the lines may be up one side and down the other? Did you read my blog on curves?

For the video by the Catholic podcaster read my Eskiel post too. When is talking about a situation a sin? I used to get angry when the  priest at a former parish would give the "mind your own business" homily. I always felt that tidbit was related to the Church's own scandals. "If you can't say something...". Yes there is a post!

Discernment in discussions is always a consideration. I wrote about that at length in my book. The two podcasters have faith practices. They are very connected! Hmm, maybe that is the connection for me!

Without asking, Google found this first podcaster for me. Is she on target for the Catholic faith practice and/or all faiths? Or is she just as hypoctitical about talking as we all can be? Is she an Ezekial?  Many have videos about the Cornell University scandal now brewing. This woman entered, on her own accord, into the commentary. 

Shadows are cast. We all have takes on the current info. With secondary educational institutions The Clery Act and Title IX come into play. The civil and criminal investigations are ongoing. The tale is as old as time, right Hester? Who wore the A? 

https://youtu.be/XR3Lhpe59hc?is=NS6mfQ2qH-K-idEy

I always say that I wore a "Scarlet T" in theory as "that teacher who must have sinned" by speaking up. Public judgement can be tough but I remained public. It was safer. My book explains in detail. I did not sew any letter onto my clothing, but letters were written!

Viva's video is about politicians and using children and school shootings. "That school" will always be a subject of what failed. I commented on the topic on Viva's post. Politicians will care about kids after the fact, but are not always on top of real life happenings. The politicians, do they support abortion? Were they ever school board members? Their voting records would be telling about future actions. The one politician tries to connect her opponent to Uvalde. She had to apologize. Is he  "that guy who owns guns" therefore causes school shootings? Her comments did not hold up. None of them ever do unless you supplied the guns or explosives.

Viva's faith is Jewish which he does bring up on a regular basis. I do not know if he practices, but Viva is a man of good conscience in my opinion. He has been on top of subjects for years and cares. Our faiths have common ground.

https://youtu.be/s48tLESI9Ts?is=kVarUFszjmlze8aK

Are you connecting dots yet? Do your faces blush on some topics? Do your faces turn red on others?

Who does the condemning? Judgement and discernment are necessary. Our faith practices tell us so.

Do you give a damn, for what we have done or failed to do?  Well, that could start another topic!

Marian R. Carlino

October 15, 2026

Attention! Attention!

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

There must be another post in this blog on that! If I took it down, read this one.

People like attention. When attention is sought  in socially acceptable ways, it can be rewarding and satisfying. But we are human, so when attention is sought in unacceptable ways, in some cases, all hell can break loose.

In the commercials, people would do humilating things for a Klondike bar, but not dangerous. Attention at any cost, rewards at any cost?  Years ago, the consumers' market bought the commercial and the product. 

Klondike bars and humans are subject to meltdowns when immediate attention is sought and not given or is found wanting. What does an ice cream bar do while waiting for you to make contact? What do people do?

The television series, Carrie, is trending. Why I ask? Stephen King is a prolific writer, but he is not prolife.

Using new vocabulary, while teaching my second grade students, I encouraged them to expand their horizons.

https://youtube.com/shorts/3DKEKBTeLdA?is=1JidwIquNJVJrVN0

Stephen King gets a lot of attention, but not for great reasons. His characters maim and kill. We read and watch train wrecks for pleasure?

Connect some dots:

 How do children seek attention? If they are mimicking Stephen King's characters at home, school or in the community, the attention would be for negative reasons. Experts warn about rewarding for negative behavior. We all have heard, "ignore it", correct? Should we really ignore all negative attention seeking behavior? Ask Colin Gray, he may have time now to answer.

For better or for worse, attention seekers will often do what it takes to make their needs known. Even a complete withdrawl brings attention. Acting out is standard operating procedure.

IRL: 

At the train platform yesterday, a woman clearly in some sort of need, went from sitting on the bench to laying on the warm concrete, inches from the tracks. Two of us saw and responded very carefully. I started a chat for emergency assistance to the station and an employee, not on duty, called the security desk. I could tell, as the employee walked by me, since I was concerned, and heard his conversation, to make sure it was a call for help. The woman resisted the employee's first attempt to help.  A CSR came out and she resisted him also.  Then the policeman came and she did get up. He offered to call for help, she refused it. I had food to offer but I read the room. She was in no mood. Eventually she walked away from the tracks cursing at the helpers. My train came ( a few seconds later). People can refuse help, but she did get attention. And thankfully, she moved. 

Why would someone lay near railroad tracks? 

The online live chat asked questions and did follow up. We may have averted a crisis but did not solve other major issues for the woman. Hopefully, if a pattern emerges, the personnel at the station will notice and take more action.

Why do children act out? The problem may be simply resolved. Or as in the scenario above, a deeper dive is warranted. 

It is important to read the room. Educational staff do have authority to act. Off duty police have been known to respond in a crisis (rescue and recovery).

What would you do for a Klondike bar? 

If life were all about ice cream, it could still be hard.

Marian R. Carlino

October 14, 2026