Thank you so much Kim.

I have yet to comment on this story because I thought for a minute that my feelings may be an over reaction after seeing how some other Jewish families have responded on the blogs here and, with myself not being Jewish, I figured I should respect the way that they were seeing this issue because it is very personal.

But, I have had no peace in attempting to accept that this was no big deal and am happy now that you have spoken up. Now, I feel as though I can voice my opinion without disrespect.

It was disrespectful not just to those children who were at the butt of such ignorance but to all Jewish people in my view. I realize that these are just children but these children but the behavior displayed was a learned attitude and should not be taken likely because they are not getting the correct message at home concerning attitudes about people whose culture, religion or race are different from theirs. A punishment to send the message that ALL people must be respected is in order. And, yes I think that suspension would have been a befitting punishment, but is a little late and would be counter productive now. But, these children must understand that this was unacceptable behavior no matter what they are learning within their homes or else where.

I think that some would prefer to think that it was no big deal, preferring for the memory of what happened to quickly disappear because they realize that bringing attention to it and making a big deal out of it by the Jewish families would brings out like roaches an army of seriously racist and disturbed grown ignorant men and women and can make things even worst and attitudes and racist actions towards Jewish people worst especially in a bad economy, and with a Black man in the lead to becoming President, some feel that it is best to not stir up any more of the dormant demons out there.

Many would rather not deal with it. I have stirred up a few of these types of demons in my life and believe me it isn’t easy. In fact, I have had to retreat temporarily, and it is only temporary.

I found the incident and the reaction to demonstrate the usual flaws in our way of being.

One good thing, there seems to be little space left for hiding.

They say one aspect of heaven is that nothing will be hidden. All that we are, and have been will be there for all to see, nothing hidden. The saving grace will be forgiveness. In that light we will be free of our fears and judgments.

We have every opportunity to begin to behave that way now, here on earth.

The act was stupid and the kids should be punished. The politically correct sensitivity training seems a bit over the top. Intolerance is stupid and those boys will regret what they did. However, it seems that as a society, we spend too much time being offended and trying to teach everyone not to offend. We all should agree that this was an ignorant act and move on.

D. Walker, why did you have to drag Obama into this? I think that this is an incredibly insensitive place to do that given who his friends are.

Personally, I think the Principal at the school handled it pretty darn well. Her question to the students really brought home what they did: “is tomorrow going to be hit the principal day?”

Yes, they did something stupid. And they got an object lesson that they shouldn’t forget for a while.

It IS a big deal. But it’s also something to be dealt with locally, without bringing in all kinds of external firepower.

Think,

Most of the Jewish people that I know (and thats many) are voting for Obama. A few are Republicans for Obama. In fact, someone Jewish that I know who is an attorney rang a family member’s doorbell today while I was there canvassing for Obama.

Now, what was this you were saying about me being incredibly insensitive to do that as such a place as this, given who Obamas friends are?

Now, I think that you are incredibly ignorant concerning this matter.

Newsworthy? No. Rooted in anti-semitism? No. If you want to plant the seeds of anti-semitism, by all means, let’s unleash the full fury of every Jewish group in the state. That will make them less inclined to dislike the group attacking them…Ooh we can have an excuse to push sensitivity training on EVERYBODY now…at least that will give these kids something to laugh about when they look back on this incident, but it won’t teach them anything.

Anti-defamation leagues should be outlawed. They seem to do a better job of fostering bigotry than old fashioned hate groups. The also seem to drive home the victim mentality that will keep us racially divided for years to come. As long as there’s a clear “us” and “they’re” out to get “us,” nothing will ever change.

I don’t mean to sound cold, but I think that overreactions to incident’s like this are more detrimental than the incidents. I’ve always found it interesting that those who oppose racism the most, generally do more to foster it than to end it.

Mike,

Until that day come when Anti-defamation leagues are no longer needed they will stay around because too many such as yourself just don’t get it and are very scary people in thinking as proven by your own statement expressing that you think that Anti-defamation leagues should be outlawed. Scary, scary people those who think in this way.

Think about what you stated there!

Hold on a second, Mike. Not newsworthy? Seriously? I was clear about the fact the I did NOT believe that this incident was rooted in anti-Semitism. This isn’t about Jews. This is about teaching kids (and adults) to be decent human beings. And not making examples of behavior like this essentially opens the door to hatred.

Kim,
The newsworthiness of this would be tied to a real core of anti-Semitism being uncovered. 12 year old boys doing what they do best (not thinking, being idiots, acting terribly) is not news. They think racist jokes are funny, and love making fun of anybody not like themselves. Yes, we need to make examples of them. If we need the news media to do that, then the school, and parents have really failed. Consequently, if the news coverage has made an example of these kids, then who are they? What are there names? The news has done a better job of making the point of people who think that a core of racism is present, and that sensitivity training will improve things.

This has just unleashed an ineffective mob that has nothing to do with punishment or making an example. It’s about feeling like victims. It is about going after some imaginary anti-Semitism in the community. So, no this is not newsworthy.

d-
Not that there is no need for somebody looking out for minorities. Just that any such organization with the term “anti-defamation” in it’s title generally goes about it in an ineffective manner that does them more harm than good. Don’t turn this around so I am a racist, I am not. You seem to love to paint anybody with slightly different views as being hateful, or confused by the devil. It’s getting old.

I think it’s scarier that people think you can eliminate racism by going all out at a small isolated incident of adolescent kids acting stupid. You think lawsuits any time a negative word is spoken about a minority group will fix racist feelings? No way,. That’s what anti-defamation leauges do and it fosters bad feelings towards the group they advocate for. Scary, scary people who think this way.

oh, and the “outlawed” comment was in jest…you seem to have taken that way too seriously d.