Just being a kid or something more deep seated?

know1

This kind of journalism/politics disgusts me. People do a lot of stupid things when they are that age. If it was a pattern that continued into later life, that would be a different story.

chadwick

know1 wrote:

This kind of journalism/politics disgusts me. People do a lot of stupid things when they are that age. If it was a pattern that continued into later life, that would be a different story.

not one single person i ever knew held a kid down and cut another kids hair off because it was not to their liking

just sayin

brianlux

puremagic wrote:

My opinion, more than a prank gone too far. This boy was targeted by Romney and his friends because Romney was the big man on campus. Using his homosexual teachings he probably called this boy all kinds of names, and being the sixties accused this boy of being a hippie and a draft dodger [even though Romney dodged the Vietnam draft by going on a’missionary’ quest to France].

The saddest thing about Romney’s comments is that Romney couldn’t even acknowledge the person hurt by his actions. Romney’s feeble comment was: "I did some dumb things and if anybody was hurt by that or offended ... obviously, I apologize,"

This only tells me that Romney’s acts of cruelty were common place and he has no regrets or remorse. You don’t forget committing that type of act upon another person, yet that is who Mitt Romney is and will always be - A person who gets ahead on the pain of others – in this case it was physical – in our case, if elected – it’ll be financial.

I totally agree. This is more than just a minor prank or one of those dumb things we do as kids. Sure we all did dumb things as kids but, like puremagic said, this is more than a prank gone to far. It's a personality trait. It's about hatred and bullying. And teenagers have developed their brains enough to know the difference between right and wrong. I don't understand why anyone would try to brush this off or ignore it as being meaningless... unless you like the idea of having a bully for a leader. That's happened often enough. That's not the kind of person I want to see in office.

hedonist

I did some things as a teenager, even a bit older, that I knew were wrong - beyond wrong - yet did them anyway.

Lo these many years later, I consider myself a decent person, albeit one who's made mistakes and learned from them.

Surely I'm not the only one...?

brianlux

chadwick wrote:

know1 wrote:

This kind of journalism/politics disgusts me. People do a lot of stupid things when they are that age. If it was a pattern that continued into later life, that would be a different story.

not one single person i ever knew held a kid down and cut another kids hair off because it was not to their liking

just sayin

I never knew anyone who actually did that either, Chadwick. But thank you for reminding me of something (I'd have mentioned it earlier but, hey, aging brain, what can I say)- I did know a kid who had it happen to him. While on vacation, a high school friend of mine was held down by some bullies and had his long hair cut off. I remember him describing the incident to me and and some friends and I remember that it was very traumatizing for him. I knew another kid in high school who was an avowed pacifist. I bully went up to him and said, "If I hit you, will you hot me back?" The pacifist said, "No, I'm a pacifist." The bully punched him in the face and laughed. I'm not making this up. This shit happens and I for one don't make light of it. People who do this sort of thing are not the kind of people I want as a leader.

know1

chadwick wrote:

know1 wrote:

This kind of journalism/politics disgusts me. People do a lot of stupid things when they are that age. If it was a pattern that continued into later life, that would be a different story.

not one single person i ever knew held a kid down and cut another kids hair off because it was not to their liking

just sayin

Times were a lot different back then as well. You have to put everything in context.

I stand by my statement.

pjhawks

know1 wrote:

chadwick wrote:

know1 wrote:

This kind of journalism/politics disgusts me. People do a lot of stupid things when they are that age. If it was a pattern that continued into later life, that would be a different story.

not one single person i ever knew held a kid down and cut another kids hair off because it was not to their liking

just sayin

Times were a lot different back then as well. You have to put everything in context.

I stand by my statement.

the bigger issue is that today Romney still doesn't seem to get that what he did was wrong and being a bully. he still think's it was 'kid's play'. well mitt you are wrong. i'd have more respect if he came out and admitted that it was bullying and that he was sorry for it. i don't really see him being sorry for his actions though. most of us as we become adults realize we did stupid shit as teenagers and most of us come to regret those actions.

brianlux

hedonist wrote:

I did some things as a teenager, even a bit older, that I knew were wrong - beyond wrong - yet did them anyway.

Lo these many years later, I consider myself a decent person, albeit one who's made mistakes and learned from them.

Surely I'm not the only one...?

We all did dumb things, Hedonist, and I don't picture you as a bully. I have not doubt you are a decent person.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe people who are cruel in nature do change. I personally haven't known anyone who was cruel who later became kind but I suppose it's possible. On the other hand, when someone has a history of cruelty, I think that needs to be looked at closely before we elect that person to be our president. I still don't understand just brushing it off.

brianlux

know1 wrote:

chadwick wrote:

know1 wrote:

This kind of journalism/politics disgusts me. People do a lot of stupid things when they are that age. If it was a pattern that continued into later life, that would be a different story.

not one single person i ever knew held a kid down and cut another kids hair off because it was not to their liking

just sayin

Times were a lot different back then as well. You have to put everything in context.

I stand by my statement.

It wasn't ok to be a bully back then.

brianlux

pjhawks wrote:

the bigger issue is that today Romney still doesn't seem to get that what he did was wrong and being a bully. he still think's it was 'kid's play'. well mitt you are wrong. i'd have more respect if he came out and admitted that it was bullying and that he was sorry for it. i don't really see him being sorry for his actions though. most of us as we become adults realize we did stupid shit as teenagers and most of us come to regret those actions.

Exactly!

gimmesometruth27

brianlux wrote:

pjhawks wrote:

the bigger issue is that today Romney still doesn't seem to get that what he did was wrong and being a bully. he still think's it was 'kid's play'. well mitt you are wrong. i'd have more respect if he came out and admitted that it was bullying and that he was sorry for it. i don't really see him being sorry for his actions though. most of us as we become adults realize we did stupid shit as teenagers and most of us come to regret those actions.

Exactly!

it goes right along with how he made his fortune. by being a predator. he bought companies, fired everyone, and sold them for profit. so based on that knowledge, it is not beyond him to act like an entitled punk bitch to bully people that he thinks are below him or are not up to his social status. the fact that he can "forget about" this episode shows that he has no conscience. most people remember actions that they commit that hurt others, unless they are sociopathic or borderline.

this was not a simple case of bullying. this was romney making a statement that people who do not dress like him, have a different haircut or sexual orientation from him have no place around him and are below him.

you do not outgrow a superiority complex and a sense of entitlement.

know1

pjhawks wrote:

the bigger issue is that today Romney still doesn't seem to get that what he did was wrong and being a bully. he still think's it was 'kid's play'. well mitt you are wrong. i'd have more respect if he came out and admitted that it was bullying and that he was sorry for it. i don't really see him being sorry for his actions though. most of us as we become adults realize we did stupid shit as teenagers and most of us come to regret those actions.

I agree with this.

inlet13

Here's what I don't understand... and it's much broader than Mitt Romney:

Why do people really think they will ever get bullies to not exist? I mean I'm now seeing commercials to stop bullying. Really? Commercials with famous actors? You think that really will stop it? For real? I don't think it will even make a dent in it, but do you think it will really stop it for good... come on?

Why not instead of trying to "stop" what's going to continue anyway, we come to grips with the fact that there are assholes of all shapes and sizes out there? Why don't we teach our children that Mommy and Daddy complaining on TV about bullying isn't going to solve the problem. Instead, why don't we teach our children about reality. The reality that people are picked on and prejudice of all kinds exists and will never, ever go away. No matter how much media, government or leaders try to make people buy into a mentality - it won't work if it's counter to human nature. Sure, you can try to bury it with political correctness, but it will remain. I'd venture to guess some of the biggest "bullies" are housewives... you going to stop them? Why don't we teach our kids abilities - like here's how you deal with a bully, rather than going to the "teacher or supervisor or the press" to solve the problem. This is exactly what's wrong with society. The bullying is wrong, but it's inherent. The new action is the response... the "waah" response.

I'm not advocating bullying - like I said assholes trying to drag people down to asshole level. But, we live in such a cry baby society it sometimes makes me want to vomit. Just man up for Christ's sake. If someone treats you you poorly, it sucks, but it's not going to pay dividends unless we realize that the person is probably insecure themselves, ... and there are coping mechanisms. In fact, one can use these coping mechanisms - like humor for example - for the rest of their lives. To be literally complaining years or decades down the line about how you were ever picked on, shows that you probably never came to grips with reality nor developed coping mechanisms to deal with this stuff. Teaching both is important for our children, who now interact in a new broader way.

To me - teaching this is time well spent. Learning how to deal with this, rather than seeing Mom and Dad or the school or even society at large try to pretend like they will stop human nature.

Bottom line - Life is not utopia. Stop crying about it. The sooner we come to grips with reality the better.

know1

inlet13 wrote:

Here's what I don't understand... and it's much broader than Mitt Romney:

Why do people really think they will ever get bullies to not exist? I mean I'm now seeing commercials to stop bullying. Really? Commercials with famous actors? You think that really will stop it? For real? I don't think it will even make a dent in it, but do you think it will really stop it for good... come on?

Why not instead of trying to "stop" what's going to continue anyway, we come to grips with the fact that there are assholes of all shapes and sizes out there? Why don't we teach our children that Mommy and Daddy complaining on TV about bullying isn't going to solve the problem. Instead, why don't we teach our children about reality. The reality that people are picked on and prejudice of all kinds exists and will never, ever go away. No matter how much media, government or leaders try to make people buy into a mentality - it won't work if it's counter to human nature. Sure, you can try to bury it with political correctness, but it will remain. I'd venture to guess some of the biggest "bullies" are housewives... you going to stop them? Why don't we teach our kids abilities - like here's how you deal with a bully, rather than going to the "teacher or supervisor or the press" to solve the problem. This is exactly what's wrong with society. The bullying is wrong, but it's inherent. The new action is the response... the "waah" response.

I'm not advocating bullying - like I said assholes trying to drag people down to asshole level. But, we live in such a cry baby society it sometimes makes me want to vomit. Just man up for Christ's sake. If someone treats you you poorly, it sucks, but it's not going to pay dividends unless we realize that the person is probably insecure themselves, ... and there are coping mechanisms. In fact, one can use these coping mechanisms - like humor for example - for the rest of their lives. To be literally complaining years or decades down the line about how you were ever picked on, shows that you probably never came to grips with reality nor developed coping mechanisms to deal with this stuff. Teaching both is important for our children, who now interact in a new broader way.

To me - teaching this is time well spent. Learning how to deal with this, rather than seeing Mom and Dad or the school or even society at large try to pretend like they will stop human nature.

Bottom line - Life is not utopia. Stop crying about it. The sooner we come to grips with reality the better.

I agree. Bullying is wrong, but there is a lot of wrong in the world. I think it's OK to have campaigns to stop bullying, but to expect it will go away is just incredibly naive. Along with trying to prevent it. we REALLY also need to be teaching our kids that bad things do happen and sometimes you just have to deal with them.

chadwick

brianlux wrote:

I never knew anyone who actually did that either, Chadwick. But thank you for reminding me of something (I'd have mentioned it earlier but, hey, aging brain, what can I say)- I did know a kid who had it happen to him. While on vacation, a high school friend of mine was held down by some bullies and had his long hair cut off. I remember him describing the incident to me and and some friends and I remember that it was very traumatizing for him. I knew another kid in high school who was an avowed pacifist. I bully went up to him and said, "If I hit you, will you hot me back?" The pacifist said, "No, I'm a pacifist." The bully punched him in the face and laughed. I'm not making this up. This shit happens and I for one don't make light of it. People who do this sort of thing are not the kind of people I want as a leader.

wish i was your dudes buddy. i'd have been fighting that bully in a fast hurry. probably broke a bone and bruised the prick. i've always enjoyed a good fight even when i get my ass kicked. it's in my genes, i can't help myself.

yet i never been a bully. if i were a bully my mom and dad would have kicked my ass up to my shoulders and sideways and upside down. i respected my parents then and respect them now. they taught us that bullies are pukes and you will stand up for yourself and those who cannot defend themselves.

ever since then i have enjoyed pain. :twisted:

hedonist

inlet13 wrote:

Here's what I don't understand... and it's much broader than Mitt Romney:

Why do people really think they will ever get bullies to not exist? I mean I'm now seeing commercials to stop bullying. Really? Commercials with famous actors? You think that really will stop it? For real? I don't think it will even make a dent in it, but do you think it will really stop it for good... come on?

Why not instead of trying to "stop" what's going to continue anyway, we come to grips with the fact that there are assholes of all shapes and sizes out there? Why don't we teach our children that Mommy and Daddy complaining on TV about bullying isn't going to solve the problem. Instead, why don't we teach our children about reality. The reality that people are picked on and prejudice of all kinds exists and will never, ever go away. No matter how much media, government or leaders try to make people buy into a mentality - it won't work if it's counter to human nature. Sure, you can try to bury it with political correctness, but it will remain. I'd venture to guess some of the biggest "bullies" are housewives... you going to stop them? Why don't we teach our kids abilities - like here's how you deal with a bully, rather than going to the "teacher or supervisor or the press" to solve the problem. This is exactly what's wrong with society. The bullying is wrong, but it's inherent. The new action is the response... the "waah" response.

I'm not advocating bullying - like I said assholes trying to drag people down to asshole level. But, we live in such a cry baby society it sometimes makes me want to vomit. Just man up for Christ's sake. If someone treats you you poorly, it sucks, but it's not going to pay dividends unless we realize that the person is probably insecure themselves, ... and there are coping mechanisms. In fact, one can use these coping mechanisms - like humor for example - for the rest of their lives. To be literally complaining years or decades down the line about how you were ever picked on, shows that you probably never came to grips with reality nor developed coping mechanisms to deal with this stuff. Teaching both is important for our children, who now interact in a new broader way.

To me - teaching this is time well spent. Learning how to deal with this, rather than seeing Mom and Dad or the school or even society at large try to pretend like they will stop human nature.

Bottom line - Life is not utopia. Stop crying about it. The sooner we come to grips with reality the better.

Very well-said, inlet!

chadwick

in most (not all but a frickin lot) cases a bully is alive and well due to bunk ass parenting and peer pressure

pjhawks

inlet13 wrote:

Here's what I don't understand... and it's much broader than Mitt Romney:

Why do people really think they will ever get bullies to not exist? I mean I'm now seeing commercials to stop bullying. Really? Commercials with famous actors? You think that really will stop it? For real? I don't think it will even make a dent in it, but do you think it will really stop it for good... come on?

Why not instead of trying to "stop" what's going to continue anyway, we come to grips with the fact that there are assholes of all shapes and sizes out there? Why don't we teach our children that Mommy and Daddy complaining on TV about bullying isn't going to solve the problem. Instead, why don't we teach our children about reality. The reality that people are picked on and prejudice of all kinds exists and will never, ever go away. No matter how much media, government or leaders try to make people buy into a mentality - it won't work if it's counter to human nature. Sure, you can try to bury it with political correctness, but it will remain. I'd venture to guess some of the biggest "bullies" are housewives... you going to stop them? Why don't we teach our kids abilities - like here's how you deal with a bully, rather than going to the "teacher or supervisor or the press" to solve the problem. This is exactly what's wrong with society. The bullying is wrong, but it's inherent. The new action is the response... the "waah" response.

I'm not advocating bullying - like I said assholes trying to drag people down to asshole level. But, we live in such a cry baby society it sometimes makes me want to vomit. Just man up for Christ's sake. If someone treats you you poorly, it sucks, but it's not going to pay dividends unless we realize that the person is probably insecure themselves, ... and there are coping mechanisms. In fact, one can use these coping mechanisms - like humor for example - for the rest of their lives. To be literally complaining years or decades down the line about how you were ever picked on, shows that you probably never came to grips with reality nor developed coping mechanisms to deal with this stuff. Teaching both is important for our children, who now interact in a new broader way.

To me - teaching this is time well spent. Learning how to deal with this, rather than seeing Mom and Dad or the school or even society at large try to pretend like they will stop human nature.

Bottom line - Life is not utopia. Stop crying about it. The sooner we come to grips with reality the better.

teenagers don't have the capability to realize other people's insecurities. words and actions sting at that age. there is no shrugging it off. it's way to easy to tell a teenager to shrug things off but it doesn't work that way in real life. maybe you were never hurt by someone's words or actions at that age, or maybe you've never had a child come to you after they've been hurt or stung by someone's action. would you tell your hurt crying son or daughter to shrug off a bully who has hurt them? fuck that. sorry i disagree 1000% with your post.

edit: and maybe you can't fully stop it, but you surely can make more of an awareness of it. most kids i think would internalize it. i think today with more awareness it allows kids to at least deal with it better. maybe the awareness of it helps a kid deal with it better emotionally because they know they are not alone in being bullied.

polaris_x

inlet13 wrote:

Here's what I don't understand... and it's much broader than Mitt Romney:

Why do people really think they will ever get bullies to not exist? I mean I'm now seeing commercials to stop bullying. Really? Commercials with famous actors? You think that really will stop it? For real? I don't think it will even make a dent in it, but do you think it will really stop it for good... come on?

Why not instead of trying to "stop" what's going to continue anyway, we come to grips with the fact that there are assholes of all shapes and sizes out there? Why don't we teach our children that Mommy and Daddy complaining on TV about bullying isn't going to solve the problem. Instead, why don't we teach our children about reality. The reality that people are picked on and prejudice of all kinds exists and will never, ever go away. No matter how much media, government or leaders try to make people buy into a mentality - it won't work if it's counter to human nature. Sure, you can try to bury it with political correctness, but it will remain. I'd venture to guess some of the biggest "bullies" are housewives... you going to stop them? Why don't we teach our kids abilities - like here's how you deal with a bully, rather than going to the "teacher or supervisor or the press" to solve the problem. This is exactly what's wrong with society. The bullying is wrong, but it's inherent. The new action is the response... the "waah" response.

I'm not advocating bullying - like I said assholes trying to drag people down to asshole level. But, we live in such a cry baby society it sometimes makes me want to vomit. Just man up for Christ's sake. If someone treats you you poorly, it sucks, but it's not going to pay dividends unless we realize that the person is probably insecure themselves, ... and there are coping mechanisms. In fact, one can use these coping mechanisms - like humor for example - for the rest of their lives. To be literally complaining years or decades down the line about how you were ever picked on, shows that you probably never came to grips with reality nor developed coping mechanisms to deal with this stuff. Teaching both is important for our children, who now interact in a new broader way.

To me - teaching this is time well spent. Learning how to deal with this, rather than seeing Mom and Dad or the school or even society at large try to pretend like they will stop human nature.

Bottom line - Life is not utopia. Stop crying about it. The sooner we come to grips with reality the better.

soo ... you are ranting against people who want to raise an awareness campaign against bullying!?? ... you'd rather teach kis what exactly? ... tell me your enlightened approach to bullying?

by this distorted logic we can assume that awareness campaigns about violence against women should be abandoned ... or sexual abuse of children ... or drugs in school ... etc ... i mean, they are all gonna happen regardless ... we should all just shut up and suck it up ...

horrible :(

polaris_x

hedonist wrote:

Very well-said, inlet!

really!?? ... i hope someone close to you isn't a victim of bullying ... :(