Interesting use of language - since we've now been told by most liberals and now 5 of the Supremes that being under 18 means you really are a kid, why is it that 16 year old 'kid' Weise is described by the Times as "Mr. Weise"?

sometimes watched violent films with his small group of somewhat outcast Goth friends

What guy doesn't watch violent films with his geek friends in high school?

Julie I agree with that. While I admit I am disturbed by the things some parents let their 7 year olds watch or play, violent films for high schoolers isn't not out of the norm at all.

What I don't understand is this freakish obsession of these kids to repeat Columbine.

Here we go again, mentioning the names of the infamous Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris.

That is exactly what these losers want when they do these things.

Just Me:

I think it's important to say no to your kid even if they are going to go to someone elses house and do it anyway. At least you have imposed a value that may take root. They and there friends may make fun of you, but the seed is there.

Years before Columbine, there were a number of school shootings. One kid, had carved 666 into his forehead and covered it with his bangs. Still, he sat at the dinner table with at least one parent for two weeks and no one noticed. My opinion, take a damn interest in your kid and actually look at him once in a while.

My other pet peeve after examing all these cases is when kids who by definition are immature to begin with, have violent tendencies, are acting out, and the parents reward them with weapons because they brought up their grades to a C-. HELLO! They should never be rewarded with a weaon because they already have demonstrated they can't handle it. I don't care if they turn 18 - it's your house, your car, and you're paying the tuition.

My third pet peeve is when these kids leave clues all over the place and the parents are unaware b/c they would never violate their son's "privacy." Idiots.

No, no, it was the guns fault.

Julie-I am not in the "why bother if they are going to do it anyway" camp. I agree that parents should set standards, although I think it is important for kids to understand why you set those standards.

"My other pet peeve after examing all these cases is when kids who by definition are immature to begin with, have violent tendencies, are acting out, and the parents reward them with weapons because they brought up their grades to a C-. HELLO! They should never be rewarded with a weaon because they already have demonstrated they can't handle it. I don't care if they turn 18 - it's your house, your car, and you're paying the tuition. "

Absolutely.

But I am still appalled by what things parents let their 7 year olds watch and play. Almost every time I sub in lower elementary at least one of the kids in the class will discuss playing grand theft auto (a video game that absolutely isn't for young kids to play) or watching some movies that I wouldn't see because of the content, much less let my 7 year old see.