What would real students say? ASK THEM!

I was a student in public schools from 1959 to 1972. Think of those years, peers? What did we experience? What did we say? My parents were given some advice about me. How did I respond. Trick question?

The students at Cornell University are having protests due to someone else's sexual fantasies that have become a real life nightmare for the parties directly involved. Why are they protesting? Signs are held. Some want administrative heads to roll. They may be right to ask for resignations. They pay tuition. The exploits have muddied the waters and reputations. Other college campuses in America are not garnering as much attention, but the noise is out there. Hopefully, no burning buildings by high jacking the agenda crimes.

Time and lawsuits will tell for Cornell. I bet right now Cornell is glad that the headline news is not  currently a daily feed, as the world moves onto other fire fueled worldly events. UVU probably would agree.

A school attack in Bend, Oregon took center stage last week. Some media has moved on but not before interviewing one child (whom I have listened too).

It is the parents' and kids' interviews that can get the "staged event" leaders rolling. I must say that the voices who speak up early do sound rehearsed. The young boy who was interviewed about the lock down process irritated me. It should you too, but not because he did anything wrong. He sounded rehearsed but that could be expected. He was scared. Maybe he did not need the advice I needed long ago to speak up.

I think the kids should be heard but not necessarily in media interviews. If you read my posts about Newport News, you know where I am going with this.

The dead children, and no one in the Bend class, had enough time to tell an adult the shooter had a gun. Only the autopsies can directly speak for them. Even parents can not. The adult survivors should speak up in and out of court.

The entire school fell victim. The children survivor voices need to be heard in a legally recorded setting. Set clear expectations. And DO NOT say, "I won't tell anyone." But if their voices are not heard, and not recorded, some moronic lawyer or judge will call the parents' testimony "hearsay" when it comes time for the depositions, lawsuits, or a school board meeting, especially if the doors are closed.

Obviously, do not coach the words but ask questions, a good lawyer/attorney will know how. Children have testified for years. It is part of the justice process. Did I use good and lawyer in the same sentence? Yes, I did.

In the Appalachia High School trials, pre teens and teens testified. Their faces were not shown. It can be done. 

https://youtu.be/2ALc8N0HFsA?is=bG3BXjXGH4dmkw3f

Research other school shootings like Uvalde. This is a child's voice in a House hearing which is legal testimony. Her face is clear.

https://youtu.be/rqkeftTK9Bg?is=jHt7xhHYuuBWHu2O

In Newport News, the first grade voices were not listened to. Two teachers tried to relay the kids' concerns but with obvious failure to connect. One teacher was shot and one teacher has been unfairly mocked for her rescue and recovery efforts. The assistant principal (VP,EP) should never speak publicly again. Her lawyers need to be investigated. The judge in the criminal trial should be voted out, impeached and also never to speak publicly again.  I am a fan of free speech. EP, the judge and EP's lawyers prevented the children's free speech.

Day 2 testimony was telling. The parents of the children in the class took hits. It was irritating. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/L410AE89lsk?is=Ed47SRLeXG7OKTFM

Do not let that happen in Bend. Kids can be brave in front of a recorded microphone. Braver than many adults. Ask my Beautiful Butterfly.

Let the students be heard legally in a trial or maybe at a school board meeting. They do know.

From the Teacher's Desk with love,

Marian R. Carlino

October 20, 2026

Justice and Forgiveness are more than trite words

Justice works hand in hand with forgiveness. Together will bring healing. Both are processes. In my opinion, true forgiveness through praying for your enemy works. It is recommended by most faith practices which follow Jesus. However, justice can not be left out. Jesus teaches that too. 

Both words are often misunderstood.

Words will irritate at stressful times. No one really needs to tell you that.

I think I have made it clear in Stopping School Violence One Teacher's Silent Scream how much words matter. What words bother you? What words comfort you? What words inspire? What words shut you down? What words do you regret saying? What words do you wish you had uttered sooner? What words will you never apologize for? What words leave you wanting?

Or is it the lack of words that matter? 

"I was just joking." Bothers me

"I love you to infinity and beyond."  Comforts me.

"With Liberty and justice for all.." That phrase inspires me. And did in 1998 also.

"We didn't think it could happened here." Irritates me.

When "it happens here" no matter what you thought, justice and forgiveness need to forge a strong bond. Some words in press conferences or prepared statements fall flat 

Justice sometimes involves street justice. Some street justice happened on Thursday in Bend, Oregon. There was no trial. A crime was being commited. One gun was used for vengeance. The other gun was used for justice. There is a moral and legal difference.

Alexa, what is the definition of justice? Alexa says in part, "justice means treating people fairly. Giving people what is do. It is moral treatment and legal process."  She gave examples.  Alexa, who is AI, gave police shootings as examples of legal justice.

I agree with Alexa. I also agree that the father who intervened on Thursday, per news reports, was just in his actions. Not that my opinion matters. Or does it? 

The shooter had to be stopped. The police were not there. He should never say, "I am sorry." He did the best he could at a stressful time. Per news reports, I label him as a "Good Shepherd". On some level I can understsnd his mixed emotions. I had them in 1998 and I used a pen. 

Words and actions matter before, during and after a conflict.

Fonzi had a hard time with saying  I am sorry. The movie "Love Story" had the famous line about love mean never having to say you are sorry." Does it work in reality? Forgiveness does not mean anyone has to say "Sorry".

Do you remember as a kid being told to say you are sorry? Did it irritate you? 

The father should not apologize.

I will not apologize for speaking truth. I often do not say everything that is on my mind believe it or not! Sometimes I am told "it is the way you say it." My story explains.

I bet the mother of the shooter is in the regret stage. (Pattern are predictable after a school attacks.) Is it because she lacks words, will need to shut down for legal proceedings, for what she failed to say, or what she did say? I am sure she feeling some type of sorry.

Did she say something to her son that morning that irritated him, that triggered him? She used "good boy" per news reports to describe him. Was he? Did he go on a suicide mission and knew schools are a good place to be taken out if you fire into the school? Even he will be forgiven in some minds. The mother will be too if she has to handle some legal justice. She is in that dreaded mother's club now. 

Without being soft on crime, was the shooter a victim too before he became a murderer? It seems, if he lived, mitigating factors would count, but jailed for life would be justice. 

Forgiveness will come, but time is needed. Documents, testimonies, trial (?) of mother, trial of someone in education at the killer's school (,?)  (no school, that will matter), court of public opinion will factor in.  Civil lawsuits will happen. They should. Lawsuits are part of it all.

Forgiveness involves expecting a better outcome and holding people accountable. It does involve kindness which should not be confused with "that's ok honey."  I have a post on that.

I have sought justice and offered forgiveness. Some people, after justice, I can now be in the same room with and care for. I forgave my former administrator. But that does not mean I will ever forget. They were wrong. They could have been dead wrong.

Praying for your enemy may never change your enemy, it changes you.

Words matter and can impact a lifetime.

"When justice and peace meet. When the lion lays down with the lamb". Jesus spoke figuratively. He spoke of wolves in sheeps" clothing too.

A wolve killed lambs the other day. Jesus wept. Legal street justice protected more.

Maybe one day, if the current reports are true, the father, carpenter by trade they say, will be welcomed by the Master Carpenter with a thank you.

Justice, forgiveness and words matter for all.

Sometimes the pen is needed. Sometimes a gun speaks louder. Which works better in prevention? Alexa, remind the reader what prevention means  She said read other posts.

Have you watched The Sheep Detectives yet? After you watch it, you will know why I ask?

Here is a link! You will laugh and cry! Justice prevails. Who is a Good Shepherd?

https://youtube.com/shorts/hYkHmEAEcDg?is=x7pdpCwdtHTYqTNY

From the Teacher's Desk with love,

Marian R. Carlino

October 20, 2026