News About the Kid That Was Bullied and Committed Suicide.

It won't stop until we stop letting kids "raise" each other.

Kids need adults to teach them socialization skills. We've got it back-a**ward in this country.

I am so, so sorry for this family.

If I ever found out my kids bullied another kid in anyway, they would regret it. I will not ever tolerate it.

it won't stop unless corporal punishment is brought back into homes & school........the school should have suspended these kids & parents should sen them to do community service

@Denise: Yup, in my world corporal punishment would be ideal. You must live on 'Perfect Island'. And looking at how many people (9 to be exact & 2 private messages) agree.

Your 1 child must be perfect, but sometimes us moms who have more than 1 child, see how different each individual child is, which means different punishments may need to be implemented.

They have parents that have instilled that much hate for gays. Yes that sort of hate is taught at home....You are not just born with it....I would assume that those are the same people who cheered for people dying....and boo'd the gay solider.

It is sick.

I dont get why other peoples sexual behavior has anything to do with anyone else.

My straightness maybe offensive to then...but they are not flogging me up the flag pole with the word hetero across my for head.

Those kids who chanted should be expelled. That is horrible.

When ignorance is no more...the violence will stop.

When people can not see past hate and realize we all beat to our own drum.

It is a horrible thing that happened.

.

Yes, I saw it on the Today show this morning.
It's just awful.
I think a lot may have to do with how these kids' parents views are on
homosexuality, race etc.
I think a lot is learned at home and carried into their school life.
Not that everyone has to be liberal but how about teaching our kids to not
espouse their every thought/view/opinion/stand on things by STARTING
AT HOME showing by example.
It's a sad world we live in now. I know there have always been problems throughout the ages but I do believe things have gotten worse.
It starts at home.
Parents are allowed to have different views but how about teaching your child to have them in peace.
What makes those kids, parents any better than anyone else? Nothing!
Absolutely nothing.
Teaching to hate is just as bad as pulling the trigger or bullying!!

Their parents are hateful. That's where kids learn to hate. I remember reading about twins - one raised by Nazis and one raised as a Jew. When they met when they were much older, they could not fully reconcile their very different upbringings, though they were not just brothers but twins.

I think that if the community does not agree with those people or their children, they need to show it. Be the more vocal group. These jerks get heard because they shout louder. But that doesn't mean they're right.

Since the bullying was done on school grounds or at a school event, the children need to be punished by the school.

The mood of our youth changed when the psychologists got ahold of our school system and started implementing their ideas. Take a look.

Now we have "everyone wins" so no one has to try. We get rid of recess in school and then drug the kids who can't sit still and shut up. We have dumbed down our youth and teachers can't discipline for fear of parental retribution. Parents think their kids are ALWAYS right, even when they are clearly wrong.

We've allowed horrible songs to be played on the radio. My 10-year old loves Ke$ha and Katy Perry and is upset I won't allow her to listen to those songs. They are about sex, partying and drinking. There was a Britney Spears song on the radio called "3" that was about having a threesome and all the little kids in my gymnastics class love that song. HELLO!! I know they don't know what it's about, but it shoudln't be on the radio.

The trendy clothes that are in the stores for young girls are horrible! Heels for 3 year olds? Fake leather mini skirts and high boots for 5 year olds? Low cut tops and short shorts for tweens? And some of the teen clothes are just plain slutty.

Look at movies. All those young kids I see going to see PG-13 movies that have a lot of violence and sex. Also, the general tone of movies has gone downhill. Instead of lots of inspirational films and feel-good movies we have to re-do everything to make it darker and more sinister. Even superheroes have to become "darker." I hated the new Willy Wonka movie. Willy Wonka was supposed to be lighthearted, wacky and a genious. Not dark and brooding. That's just one example.

We are numb to it all. It has happened so slowly that we don't realize it. And then people go over-the-top trying to enforce policies like no bullying. Okay, I get that. But is it bullying when a kid wants to play with your child and your child doesn't get along with that kid and says "no thanks?" That's bullying by exclusion. Ridiculous. Let's call a spade a spade.

The mood of our society has gone DOWN. Our economy is a SYMPTOM of that, not the cause. I think change has to happen in our own homes, with our own children. It has to start somewhere.

So they were chanting it at the homecoming.
But what punishments, did the tormentors get or are going to get?
Seems like basically nothing.
And they "murdered" a child and are still bragging about it. And the perpetrators are still bullies of whom their victim committed suicide.

What is pathetic, is that the perpetrators or bullies have no fear of reprisals and no care about punishments.
Nor do the parents.
This is, antisocial/psychotic behavior.
And what is also pathetic, is that Bullies are really not punished, are they? Because schools also, many of them per the news I saw, are not doing anything to bullies. Because, if a kid is bullied outside of school... too...then the school says it is not a 'school' matter etc.
But really, I have not seen/heard in the news, WHAT exactly are done to Bullies to PUNISH them???
Nothing, it seems.
That is also the point.

I was bullied in school... Not for being gay or straight or a minority in my school or any other "common" reason. I really don't 100% know why I got bullied. Maybe because I didn't "follow the leader" and conform? Maybe because I was only one of two girls in autoshop? Maybe because I really didn't care about what they thought of me? Maybe because I wore sweats to school and didn't wear make-up and didn't do anything to my hair? I really don't know. What I do know is, if I knew then what I know now... I would have reacted differently. And I have been the one to stick up for those that are too afraid to do so themselves. I WILL teach my children to do the same. I have talked to my daughter [8yrs old] about these "friends" in school and in my mom's neighborhood and how they're not really friends and I explain WHY. The other day while at my mom's, she stuck up for one girl and then went to talk to another girl that was shunned by the large group. When one of the girls of the group that were being snots said, "My mom said I can't be friends with that girl or anyone else on that side of the street." My daughter replied with, "Yeah well she's your mom not mine. My mom tells me to be nice to others." : D I was very proud of her. And for the record... I know this snot's mother... She was never very nice either. I've known her for............. Holy hell!! Over 20 years now!!!

I hate seeing any kind of story about bullying. It hits home. It hits my heart. I have found that most kids are most certainly learning their behavior from their parents/families.

I'll never forget what someone told me once... "You know when you're doing something right when your kids are perfectly behaved for everyone except you." In length, it's saying that your kids KNOW how to behave and respect/treat others, but are comfortable enough to have a voice and question authority when it's required.

If I EVER found out either of my kids were bullying someone else [or being a follower of one], they wouldn't have a life until they could afford to move out!!! I'd send my kids for community service. I'd make sure they worked with those that are far less fortunate than us. I'd make sure they knew what it was like to do nothing except take care of others in all ways shapes and forms. Picking up garbage on the side of the road? Hell yes.

I agree that the stupid views of the parents are transferred onto the children.
What else would you expect from homophobic parents but homophobic kids?
Momof4--yeah lets start beating the kids at school AND at home--that's just GOT to be the answer! Please.

I once saw a study that kids, even the nice ones, ended up either going along with the bully, for fear of being an outcast, or they simply remained silent. So, do we want our kids "remaining silent" while the bully(s) torment another child? The study I saw was one of those where good parents saw what there kids would do in the situation. (The parent's of the kids were all shocked at their child's behavior and commented: "I thought I taught my child better than that. Looks like we need to have a more in depth conversation.") Most kids ended up being silent which did nothing to stop the situation.

One girl in the study stood up for the "tormented child". That was cool. Her mother was so proud because she was the ONLY one that did anything. That girl seemed like a "hero".

So we have to teach our kids that it is not okay to bully but they also have to speak up, speak out against it!

ETA: Hate is taught at home and I, sadly, know plenty of people that hate: There are Christians that despise Athiests, and vice versa, Christians that despise gays, and the list goes on. But again, most people don't teach hate. Therefore it is the silent bystanders that need to speak up! They just do because they have the power to stop the bully(s)! That's what we need to teach our kids!--IMO.

That poor girl. Where is the basic humanity of looking after the little guy? Protecting the helpless?

In this country we boo an active duty soldier on national tv, we cheer for letting the uninsured die and for a record number of executions in Texas. It's disgusting. With these parents as role models, it really doesn't suprise me anymore.

When parents are raised on intolerance, they pass that belief on to their child. Believe me, kids are not born hating Hispanic kids, Jewish kids, or gays, but when their parents keep referring to Hispanics as "illegals ruining the country and taking everything from us", Jews as "greedy and stingy" and gays as "filthy, immoral and unnatural", kids start to learn hatred towards these and other groups of people. Instead of all living in harmony and respecting each other, parents are causing their kids to pick out people who are "different" and bash them, by bullying. What happened to "live and let live"? Or "love thy neighbor"?

When parents decide to be open-minded and allow each and every human to live as they see fit, then kids will learn the lesson of tolerance. Until then, this will not happen. It wouldn't surprise me if the parents of these little cowards are somewhat proud of their kids for what happened because they have such a deep hatred for gays that they believe they should all die (yes, there are plenty of people who feel this way unfortunately). I am sure that the parents of these children were aware of what was happening, because the school must have informed them that there were incidents of bullying provoked by their child. Unfortunately, they are a failure as parents because they apparently were not monitoring their children's online activity and taught them to be such soulless children.

I wish that bullies like this could be punished -- as well as their parents, if they are minors, with some fines, and some time in juvie or performing community service, also attending anger management and seminars for tolerance of the LGBT community. This would educate them on how to respect others by hitting them where it hurts -- the pocket. When you take away money, people start paying attention. By ignoring the reason for this young boy's suicide, we are basically saying "oh well, he's dead, life goes on" instead of punishing these people and telling the bullies their hatred and sick thinking will NOT be tolerated and there WILL be consequences! No one has the right to push someone to end his/her life just because you don't agree with that person's beliefs or lifestyle!

I also don't understand why the teachers did not at that time stop the chanting and identify the bullies that instigated Jamey's suicide and report them to the police for their part in this crime.

Schools cannot discipline kids anymore, parents are not disciplining kids anymore teenagers have no fear of adults and no respect. They have learned this behavior and I am sure the kid that died is not the only one these kids are making life hell for. These kids should have been removed from the school not allowed to attend the dance not allowed within 100 feet of the rest of the student body. But it is their "right" and god help us if we infringe on their rights.

This will not stop until the views of society have changed- Stand up for yourself bullies will back down it doesnt make you the bully it makes you safe. no more "honey walk away, use your words" and alot more " if he hits you hit him back harder, dont start the fight but go ahead and finish it "

Before the super permissive parenting movement prevalent today, bullies were ONLY the abused and neglected kids, and, super spoiled and disturbed ones. Now we have all of those types still bullying PLUS all the brats that have been allowed to be bullies since toddlerhood with no firm discipline for it. Little kids aren't scared of anyone, and they grow with disrespect for all.

In the days when kids were switched in school for stealing, lying, and bullying (and then again at home) things were different. I've researched this, and almost anyone of your grandparents will tell you, that when those were the consequences expected in society, they were rarely enforced. My grandmother and mother went to schools where kids were switched for these things, and in 12 years of school....they never saw anyone switched! Just a lonely switch hanging at the front of the class. And no this wasn't the stone ages, this was Martin Luther King Jr's generation, so not everyone lacked a conscience from having parents and teachers who disciplined kids as the shrinks would have us believe nowadays. Those generations brought us some of our greatest ethical leaders. Meanwhile now you're out of line to swat a butt to stop your child from hitting or being disrespectful, and no one knows why kids are so mean. Bullies are left in school to continue bullying, and no one can invade their rights. The pendulum has gone to the opposite extreme.

I don't believe in switching kids, obviously, it shouldn't come to that, but I do think kids are allowed to act like aggressive little brats now, and it's not making things better on the bully front as they grow into entitled, shallow, self centered, violent little tweens.

I feel like we minimize what they do by calling it bullying. Maybe I was lucky but when i was a kid and was "bullied" I was called ugly a few times and made fun of my clothes... it hurt but i was able to deal with it.
What these kids did.... that is not bullying.. it it harrassment... it is assualtive and inhuman.... I am not sure there is even a word for it
I read a letter/blog/something on facebook by a parent of an autistic child... I am not going to try to quote it exactly but the point I at least took for it.. is we try to teach the "different" kids t we deal, to learn new social skills.. but we are not teaching the "typical" kids to not be jerks anymore.
There is no excuse... a child is dead. it does not matter if his friends started chanting first. It does matter if you believe being gay is a sin... cause I am pretty sure being hateful to another human is also a sin.....

The only article I could find says the daughter was at the dance chanting for her brother after his favorite Lady Gaga song came on. Then the bullies started chanting he is better off dead. The sister went home upset.

After reading this I would wonder do we always look for the bad in everything, to the point that we don't correctly read stories?

Of course if you have a link to your news story I will apologize and rant against stupid reporters.

No I just seen this article on MSN headline.I could not imagine my kids saying something like this to someone else.What are these parents of these teens thinking are they anywhere to parent their teens.

I have to respond to Jo W. I am not clear as to why it makes a difference if the sister was chanting something positive in memory of her brother with his other friends before the bullies began chanting "We are glad he's dead". DId I misunderstand you? The link is below.
There is a general climate of anger, aggression & lack of empathy for others growing in this country. I think as things get worse economically and politically it is bringing out the ugliness in people. It simple cannot go without mentioning the gay soldier booed at the GOP debate. Assuming these people have children, which I'm sure some of them do, what type of values and tolerance do you think they are teaching them? Do ya think maybe there is a cause and effect here?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44684938/ns/today-today_peo...

Bullying happens regardless of being gay or straight. I too was bullied in school and I was miserable. Never knew why I was a target. I didn't do anything. I was quiet and kept to myself...Maybe that was what made me a target...i don't know. Luckily because of circumstances we moved and I get a new chance at a different school. Thank God. Bullying happens on all levels and it is terrible. A lot of hate out there. These kids are obviously disturbed and it is sad that a teenager such as this boy did what he did. Where were his parents in all of this? What did they try to do to help him? I agree that there should be zero tolerance polices for being bullied. Also, just take a look at what's on TV and the Internet...Trash and tons of garbage programs. Sometimes we are what we watch.

Because our society teaches people to be hateful and intolerant. Even many reliegions teach intolerance. Plus,i t is cool to be mean at that age. It's rediculous, and wrong on so many levels. All we can do is raise the kids we are responsible for to respect others.