Father of Columbine Student

[Please Read]

This is a long post but I hope you will take the time to read it. It may be a little relious for some, but the poing to me is clear, more laws are not the answer.

Thanks,
Jimmy Bell

Subject: Father surprises Congress...

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this.

Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on school violence. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it well received. These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain.

Their blood cries out for answers. The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the
National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy--it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies!

Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem long before I knew I wold be speaking here today that expresses my feelings best”:

"Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage, you've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms, and precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere, and ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws, through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand, that God is what we need!"

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our colleges began as theological seminaries. This is an historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God,
and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that continue to erode our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws."

Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key.

There is a spiritual awakening-taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.

Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA- I give
to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

PLEASE...Do what the media did not...let the nation hear this man's speech.

[EAGLE EYES]

Amen! Thanks for sharing that with us Jimmy! ;-)

[sib]

i will pass this to some friends.

"go outside and play"
sib

[Mean Mike]

when did he give this speech?

[Jimmy Bell]

Mike,
I will try and find out. I received if from my brother that got it out of some Inet new clip.

Jimmy

[Hans]

That's a nice piece, but what does it have to do with Walleye's?

Hans

[chadk66]

Hans,
that post says alot about your character.

[Mean Mike]

God created walleyes

[Jimmy]

Amen Mike!

[JKJ]

I'm with you there Hans..... Kids don't need god in school, they need someone who will give them a good kick in the seat of the pants. Like it was when I was in school.

[AquaMan]

This has been circulating via e-mail chain letters for over a year now. Rumor has it that the NRA created this, not the Father. HOWEVER, I have yet to confirm either, so do not bang me for that rumor.

None-the-less, I have been getting this from the "chain gangs" for quite some time.

Tugs at the ole heart strings and makes sense...If he did write it, my hat went off to him the first time and it is still off to him now.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[AquaMan]

Hans, ya old fart! ;-)

Sounds like we are all in need of some open water, eh? The board if filling up with desparate, bored, frustrated posts.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Buckeye]

Wrong! What the kids need is parents that give them some guidance both spiritual and behavioral in their developing years instead of free rein and all the toys they can afford to make up for lack of time spent with them. I don't think the schools should be responsible for teaching anything but the academics. Teaching manners, respect, right vs. wrong, ect. is the parents jobs.

[water_wolf]

Aquaman,
I was half way through when that very thought came to my noggin.
Im hope you are very wrong.....but I doubt it. The post makes perfect sense & I think thats whats so unbeleivable about it.....
wish it were true.

Rich

[mnjimcarp]

Suggestions.

1. Pile your boat full of kids when you can and take them fishing.
2. Start with getting to know your neighbors and their kids.

That's what I do. Has a much more definitive, positive result than just talking warm and fuzzy.

Have a nice day.

[Jack G]

I first became aware of this alleged presentation by a Columbine father over a year ago. At that time the information was prefaced by a statement that the presentation was given on Thursday, May 27, 1999. Beyond that I do not know anything about the accuracy of the report.

I will put a little effort into trying to find out if it happened. If I turn up anything concrete I will post the findings.

Jack G

[MIFISH]

GOOD POST....but you dont have to worry about the Senators and U.S. Representatives from Michigan doing anything because they are much too concerned about how much money is in their campaign warchest to maintain their do nothing lifestyle.

[Jack G]

It did not take much searching to verify that this presentation was indeed given by Mr Scott on May 27, 1999 before the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime.

I Searched for House Juciciary Committee and just followed the menu items to subcommittee on crime. Under witness statements I found a seven page text of Mr Scott's presentation. I scanned it and it appears to be word for word as it was presented here.

I believe the liberal press has their own agenda and although I personally think this should have made the front page I am not surprised that the press ignored it.

At any rate Mr Scott did make this presentation before the subcommittee on crime.

Jack G

[Jimmy Bell]

Jack,
Thank you for checking into it, I appreciate the effort and really feel better knowing it is true. I should have done the homework myself, but either way the message, or messages are good.

Thanks Again,
Jimmy Bell
NPAA 66

[Phil Wilson Sr #91]

Jimmy,
Thanx for posting this. I hadn't seen it, and it really is inspiring. I am not an NRA member and really dont know what all they stand for. I too thought of it at first as an add. I am glad it's not.
As far as what does it have to do with walleyes. Everything! Our freedom is what allows us to fish for food, fun or competition. It allows us the right to keep and bear and to protect ourselves.
This guy had to really reach into his heart to realize and to make such a statement. Our prayers are with him and his as well as with you and yours
Phil Wilson Sr
N.P.A.A. #91

[Rapaleye]

I too decided to check out the accuracy of this post and found it to be legitimate. For those of you that ever want to check into internet rumors/hoaxes here is a link that I use to check these things out (this is the actual info on the Columbine article):
http://urbanlegends.about.com/science/urbanlegends/library/bldarrellscott.htm?terms=columbine
I have to agree with the earlier post that the majority of the responsibility in this case belongs to the parents. I have found raising kids to be more than challenging, especially my son. It is a fact that 90% of the violent crimes in this country are committed by men, also 90% of the prison population in this country is male. If you want to read a really good book about raising boys I would highly recommend "The Good Son" by Michael Gurian. Not that raising girls isn't also important (I have two) it is just that when they go off track it doesn't usually lead to violence.
Sorry if this got a little preachy. I can't wait until the ice is out and I can take my kids fishing.
Jim

[tmoe]

I'm a probation/ parole agent by profession. I know that out of the hundreds of people I've supervised, very, very few have gotten into any trouble while doing something with their parent(s) or in family activities.

I also observe many people feeling a certain "entitlement" these days with some people actually being "offended" when someone holds them accountable.

Walleyes and Columbine H.S. don't have anything in common. Character building, learning to respect others and other things, along with appreciating life's finer elements are common threads to a variety of things.

Sportsmanship on the water is an excellant way to show young people you care about them, that you don't have to use a substance to have fun, that mistakes are part of being human, and
that life is fragile. Hunting and fishing also show young people that there is finality to life. That is something todays young people some to have a hard time understanding.

As anglers, and hunters, too, we are in a position to influence the lives of many young people. I think sometimes it's easier to focus on the new boat or the number of pounds we've netted. Maybe we should all start measuring a successful season by how many young people we take out in a season, whether they are our kids or our neighbors.

My sincerest regards to all victims of violence.
tmoe

[Dave G]

One theory that made some sense to me on why things like this happen…

Kids can be mean to other kids - tease them, torment them and make them feel like outcasts. Some developing minds cannot handle the rejection and revolt – sometimes they kill to get back.

Parents must teach their kids not to treat others like outcasts.

Dave Gulczinski

[WAeyes]

It has nothing to do with walleyes Hans, but right now I can count three different threads on the front page that don't either. If you have never started a non-walleye related thread then I apoligize, but I know you have so please refrain from your insensitive comments. This thread is about a very harsh dose of reality and doesn't need your "expertise". I hope Scott yanks your post before anybody else has to read it. It's downright embarrasing to think of you as a fellow fisherman. May God change your bitter attitude.

[W'eyes Guy]

JKJ

Mybe if you had "God" in school, you wouldn't have needed that "swift kick in the pants" when you were in school!

[JKJ]

Weyes Guy,

I never said I got the swift kick.... Only needed to see it a few times to get the message.

As far as God goes, I can imagine a world with any!

As far as this thread of posts go, I'm surprised to see it still up on the board this morning. Why doesn't WC yank this crap that has nothing to do with Walleyes?? I just love how they pick and choose.

[AquaMan]

Thank you Jack for putting to rest that rumor. I had a feeling it was legitimate, but when the rumors of a NRA chain letter followed, it really ruined what was a well written letter, IMHO. I think someone tried to link the two.

I am relieved that this is a real letter from a real person who rose above politics to make some real sense of what has happened in our great nation. He should know!

My hat is still off to him for his wonderful pros.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Mattman]

I haven't read the other replies yet so sorry if I restate something someone else has said.

Look at all the school violence in the past years. What is the one common thread? The shooters were all "different" and tortured because of it. This problem started long before any of those kids picked up a gun or even formulated a plan to hurt someone. These kids have spent years being tortured by quite a good number of the rest of the student body! This problem needs to be solved with education. Both at home and in the school. Violence isn't the answer. But even before that, picking on someone or making fun or bullying isn't acceptable! If these kids hadn't been tormented relentlessly they wouldn't have had a reason to snap. Maybe they'd still be different, maybe they'd still be weird, but at least they wouldn't be mad and be OK with being different. Because different IS ok.

And now, after several years, partly because of the intense media coverage, I feel there is certain amout of "Well, violence is how they got there respect, notoriety and revenge. It'll work for me too."

Shame on society for letting things get this way! More laws will NEVER solve this problem!

[mf]

message to buckeye, i agree with you 100%.i work 2 jobs and one of those jobs is as a schoolbus driver.the kids cant responcablilty for their action.the school is not there to raise our children.with better than 1/2 the familys broken up in this country the kids do what they want with no regrets.we need to get the family strucure back together and put the blame where it belongs.i am 47 years old and work to jobs and i see kids driving to school with better cars than i can afford working 2 jobs. they are not the parents cars they belong to the kids and the kids dont work .

[Hawgeye]

Unfortunately there was the same kind of tormenting of kids when I was in school. Often times it was handled with violence but it was the 'honor' type violence. Schoolyard fist fight.

When there was a winner or a teacher stepped in it was over. If someone ever was getting the snot beat out of them, the kids watching would break it up before someone really got hurt, it was over.

Noone EVER brought a gun to school unless it was for going hunting after school or because of duck hunting before or on the way to school. I am confident it is no different than when I was a kid.

Problem is NOT in the school, it is at home. Society is the problem. Kids are not dealing with any more stresses than our generation, just different. THrough the acceptance of TV violence and lack of parenting, this is what is has come to. I am not opposed to prayer in school, just believe that only the well adjusted and harmless kids would participate and the bums would not. Some athiests are not bums but often athiests are that way because of no direction at home.

[GullGuide]

Mattman,
Well said! I'd like to add that it is my belief that the reason we are seeing an increase in these school shootings is because we as a nation have become increasingly desensitized to exessive violence. We have been taught to get even at all costs, even if it means killing another human being. Television, Movie and Musical violence that is graphic and just downright wrong is a cancer on us all. Don't get me wrong, I like a good war flick or action movie every now and then, but I am an adult...not a 8 or 12 year old child who cannot process these immages in context. Kids tend to take things very litterally and see violence as a way to obtain respect and power. It all has to start with the parents as the first line of defense, then it is up to the rest of us to offer good role models. I'm not saying to shelter your children, just make sure you teach them right from wrong.
EVERY one of us who visits this site should make it a priority to get involved with events such as "Take a kid fishing day", if your community does not have an organized event...ORGANIZE ONE!! Take the naighbor kids fishing, your neices and nephews, offer to teach a fishing merit badge for a local scout troop, just do whatever it takes to influence the lives of our young people in positive ways.
GullGuide
>"////=<

[GullGuide]

Mattman,
Well said! I'd like to add that it is my belief that the reason we are seeing an increase in these school shootings is because we as a nation have become increasingly desensitized to exessive violence. We have been taught to get even at all costs, even if it means killing another human being. Television, Movie and Musical violence that is graphic and just downright wrong is a cancer on us all. Don't get me wrong, I like a good war flick or action movie every now and then, but I am an adult...not a 8 or 12 year old child who cannot process these immages in context. Kids tend to take things very litterally and see violence as a way to obtain respect and power. It all has to start with the parents as the first line of defense, then it is up to the rest of us to offer good role models. I'm not saying to shelter your children, just make sure you teach them right from wrong.
EVERY one of us who visits this site should make it a priority to get involved with events such as "Take a kid fishing day", if your community does not have an organized event...ORGANIZE ONE!! Take the naighbor kids fishing, your neices and nephews, offer to teach a fishing merit badge for a local scout troop, just do whatever it takes to influence the lives of our young people in positive ways.
GullGuide
>"////=<

[JasonMN]

There is not a requirement that ALL posts must be walleye related. If you think the thread is "crap" don't read it. It is that simple.

[JKJ]

Post are routienly deleted off this board because thay are not walleye related. Remember Tough Guy??

I'd just like to see the same consideration given to this one.

[exnj]

I totally agree with that statement! All posters to this thread - Is it fair to say that either you believe God exists or you don't; along with the group who is unsure of their belief on the Subject? If you believe He exists, then you must believe to some extent that He created all things. Therefore during this Easter season I would like to thank God for all of His creations, especially for my wonderful family. My wife who I married 12 years ago this May at Light of the World Catholic Church in Littleton,CO (the church where the families of the victims gathered immediately after the shootings!), my three sons (the oldest of them was baptized at Light of the World). I could go on about many things, but since this is a walleye page, I want to thank God for walleyes and all the other fish He has created. Also for all the wonderfully evolved fishing equipment He has helped mankind invent. It is such a great sport. That is how the subject relates to Walleyes!!

For those of us who may not believe in God or are unsure - some may say you are different, but that's ok also. Everyone is entitled to their opinion or belief. Whether God did or didn't create us, we still (so we think) have free will. I think that is the point of Mr. Scott's note to congress.

Mr. Scott feels that the free will that we scream about via the constitution or Bible or whatever source you want to use, has been taken away in our schools because we cannot thank God each day because law says so. Now I know this stirs up all the constitutional buffs about separation of church and state. I believe in that to. Something I thought of while reading this is; what about a 2-3 minute break before each day begins (homeroom for example;)let the kids think to themselves quietly about God if they want, fishing after school, etc? Kind of like a cigarette break for the soul? I know fellow employees who smoke (their choice);get to go outside and "take 5" to smoke. If we can allow working adults to take time to kill themselves slowly (based solely on my opinion and the latest medical research and lawsuit findings), why can't we allow developing minds a few minutes to grow however they like! Yes, some will have evil thoughts, and God or their parents or themselves, save them from any harm.

I am not a religious fanatic, the exact opposite. Many so called religious families have had violent offspring and I am willing to bet the parents souls were not as clean as they believed. The Light of the World church caught the Deacon who baptized my son trying to embezzle $300,000 from the parish back in 1993. Disillusioned, I sure was. But we all must evolve in life and face many tragic situations and hope and pray that we get through them and eventually get to realize the true glory of God to the best of our individual capability. I continue to wish all of God's caring and peace upon those families still grieving for their losses 2 years ago next week. And if you don't believe in God, a kind thought for them wouldn't hurt you.....

Again God..thanks for ol' marble 'eyes.

Lou

[To Walleye Central From Jimmy Bell]

I would like to thank you for not removing this post. There are times that choices need to be made when a post is made. I appreciate you letting this one stay. To me the post is important and tugs at me for many reasons.

As a Walleye fisherman I choose to chase Walleyes for a living and for pleasure. Unfortunately for those that have been involved in violent shootings they no longer have the choice to pick up a rod and enjoy what I can.

We all see things in different ways and that is what makes our world a wonderful place. There have been many wonderful comments about Fishing, Walleyes and Religion that have come out of this post. I only hope that some of us will follow through with some of the ideas.

To those of you that did not believe that this post was appropriate for this site, I appologize, and wish you all a wonderful Easter and a wonderful season of fishing!

God Bless,
Jimmy Bell
NPAA 66

[Tough Guy]

Tough Guy ears burning. You can't compare my silly little sarcastic posts with the subject of this thread. Jimmy states in the beginning of his post that it is very religious and its content was of the Columbine tragedy. If you think WC management should throw this out, I think you are in a very, very small minority. By the way, most of my posts are no longer deleted. Tough Guy has learned how to have a little fun but also play nice enough to be welcomed. Does JKJ have a problem with the father not blaming the NRA for the shootings?

[IaCraig]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-13-01 AT 10:27PM (CST)[p]I too am grateful the post was not deleted.

This was news to me and I am suprised I never seen this in the papers.
I agree with the father's speach, but I think many other factors in our society added too it too. Confused and sometimes angry kids go home and play violent video games, listen to violent music, watch any number of movie stars seek revenge by blowing up entire cities, islands, countries or planets. Watch people on TV do anything for money including going to an island to have someone intentionally try to get you to be unfaithful. Parents need to be involved with their kids, the internet, nintendo, music and movies are a good babysitter once in a while but they need individual adult love and understanding too.
I will only breifly mention the fact our society has made it way too common place for people to not be held accoutable for their own actions too. Sue your neighbor and parents, kill someone and plead insanity, fail to try and claim descrimination.

It is all a shame, mainly because the problem is soooo BIG and widespread!

Prayer never hurts

IaCraig

[Golden]

I live in Colorado, been here over 20 years.... I was here when it happened and I drive by it now and then..

Scott

[Nellie]

I would like to say thanks to Jimmy for sharing this with us.I have never seen anything on tis web site stating it is wrong to post something like this. To bad people can not overlook there stuberness and open there eyes to see what is beeing said. Thanks again Jimmy,and Walleye Central
Chris Nelson