Young People these Days

A few days ago there was a shooting in a Toronto school which ended with a 15 year old dead. A few days ago there was a 13 year old kid was stabbed in Vancouver and died on route to the hospital. Both of these acts were committed by 'young offenders' which leads to the questions: What is wrong with the young people today and Why are they allowed to get away with this?

The shooting in a Toronto school is 'shocking' -- It is unlikely that any student walks into a school thinking that some maniac is walking around with a gun for shear thrills. What makes this story that much more 'interesting' is that "the two [seventeen year old] suspects were friends of the victim." The Vancouver stabbing is no less shocking than the Toronto shooting. A 13 year old boy gets stabbed by a 15 year old (the actual report claims there were 10 youth there between the ages of 13 - 15) over a girl AND the kid wasn't even involved!

This leads to the question of how young is to young to be tried as an adult? For a young offender the harshest sentence for something like the above is 10 years in the custody of someone. This is rarely the case anyways because kids "don't know any better." As a child, if I cut myself with a knife, it usually hurt and I wouldn't do it again. One burns them self with fire they usually do not do it again. Its a learn from trial and error. Implicitly one should know that if you're shot with a gun or stabbed repeatedly its likely that you'll die. So how young is too young? Luckily if the convict is over 14 they are able to be charged as an adult in severe offenses. The brother of mine is 12. He knows what happens, he knows the consequences to his actions and he would never do something like that.

The bottom line is young'ens of today need to learn to accept the consequences of their actions. You play with fire, you're likely to get burned. Three years of sitting in a support group saying to yourself "I made a mistake and as a result Johnny's dead" doesn't do much. Three years says, "Hey I'm free, sorry Johnny but I'm gonna move on with my life."

A Survival Guide to Life

Desiderata

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become bitter or vain, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive [It] to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann (1927)