Two Massachusetts Teens Suspended in Cyber Bullying Suicide

[streetsoldier]

...and all because a wee lass from Ireland was asked to a dance by a jock, and the "in-crowd" girls couldn't stand it.

I hope these inflated-sense-of-status guttersnipes receive a rude awakening in the worst female prison available...for life, however short it may be.

[Ptarmigan]

still too easy on them

treat this as an involuntary manslaughter and give them 6 months of the conditions I would give criminals. That would make this type of activity stop REALLY QUICKLY, as nobody with any intelligence at all would EVER subject themselves to that severe punishment

Not a bad idea.

[Ptarmigan]

6 people involved in Phoebe Prince's bullying are indicted.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/ ... ce_bu.html

[Ptarmigan]

Suspect’s mother: ‘My daughter never fought with’ Phoebe Prince
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/v ... id=1243311

Talk about major denial right there!

[Stephanie]

As a child, I was bullied too in elementary school and junior high. I always thought that there was something wrong with me - that I did something to make those kids pick on me. My brother was also victimized.

Back then, teachers were able to get more involved and to tell kids to stop picking on others, etc. if they saw anything going on. Now there's the fear of the almighty lawsuit from the "not my child" parents. My father and a few others had confronted the parents of the ring leaders and that's pretty much the attitude that they had with their little darlings. It helped to a point in the neighborhood but when you had to stand at the bus stop, get on the bus and then spend the whole school day with the bullies and their peons, it was hell. It wasn't until I found a group of kids outside of the neighborhood while in junior high and then high school that I realized that some people did actually like me for me and I felt shielded.

Do you know what it's like to look forward to a rainy day so you didn't have to go outside and find someone to play with?

Kids grow up under a lot of peer pressure. Even if they know what they do is wrong, many times they follow along or don't say anything (snitch) so they don't get picked on. The bullies do it because of the power trip they feel and they build themselves up. They are the ones that are insecure and need people to reaffirm their value. To this day I wish that Kenny, Doreen, Michael, Mary, etc. all ended up in jail.

[Ptarmigan]

As a child, I was bullied too in elementary school and junior high. I always thought that there was something wrong with me - that I did something to make those kids pick on me. My brother was also victimized.

Back then, teachers were able to get more involved and to tell kids to stop picking on others, etc. if they saw anything going on. Now there's the fear of the almighty lawsuit from the "not my child" parents. My father and a few others had confronted the parents of the ring leaders and that's pretty much the attitude that they had with their little darlings. It helped to a point in the neighborhood but when you had to stand at the bus stop, get on the bus and then spend the whole school day with the bullies and their peons, it was hell. It wasn't until I found a group of kids outside of the neighborhood while in junior high and then high school that I realized that some people did actually like me for me and I felt shielded.

Do you know what it's like to look forward to a rainy day so you didn't have to go outside and find someone to play with?

Kids grow up under a lot of peer pressure. Even if they know what they do is wrong, many times they follow along or don't say anything (snitch) so they don't get picked on. The bullies do it because of the power trip they feel and they build themselves up. They are the ones that are insecure and need people to reaffirm their value. To this day I wish that Kenny, Doreen, Michael, Mary, etc. all ended up in jail.

I suspect Phoebe Prince's bullies are very insecure, bitter, and rageful. I would not be surprised if their family is dysfunctional. Some people go on a real power trip and mix that with insecurity, that is a dangerous mix. Just look at Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Osama bin Laden and yes they are extreme cases. I don't want people to think I am equating Phoebe Prince's bully or whoever with them. 9/11 happened nine years ago. Such a sad and tragic day it was. They are/were clearly bullies who felt insecure deep down.

[Stephanie]

Great point!

[vbhoutex]

Suspect’s mother: ‘My daughter never fought with’ Phoebe Prince
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/v ... id=1243311

Talk about major denial right there!

That isn't major denial. That is stupidity.

[Ptarmigan]

That isn't major denial. That is stupidity.

You are right! Stupid me!

You know, I can't help thinking of this article I have read before.

Columbine: Parents Of a Killer
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/15/opini ... gewanted=1

I seem to recall that some of the family of the 9/11 Terrorists were interviewed as well. Both Klebolds and 9/11 Terrorists family were in denial.

[Category 5]

The only way to beat bullies is to fight back I always say. Because deep down, they're cowards.

[Derek Ortt]

a lot of charges have been filed... including statutory rape charges

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/region ... d_in_death

some may be facing life sentences for this

the statutory rape charge raised a red flag for me and leads me to the question as to why kids that age are even having sex in the first place

WAIT UNTIL MARRIAGE!!!!!

[vbhoutex]

The only way to beat bullies is to fight back I always say. Because deep down, they're cowards.

EXACTLY!!!

[gtalum]

This is definitely a sad case.

I agree with most of the charges, but I'm curious about the statutory rape charges. I'm not familiar with Massachusetts law, but in most states there has to be a minimum age difference for a statutory rape conviction. In Florida it's greater than 3 years. Ultimately I'm not sure it's prudent to pursue those charges, and I think the DA is throwing as much as he can against the wall to appear to be "doing something".

Phoebe Prince was failed by the adults in her life. The school officials in particular should all be fired.

Stories like this are why I will teach my daughter to fight (and to have no shame in fighting "dirty"). Scumbags like these kids only understand one thing, and that's retaliation.

[SETXWXLADY]

This is definitely a sad case.

I agree with most of the charges, but I'm curious about the statutory rape charges. I'm not familiar with Massachusetts law, but in most states there has to be a minimum age difference for a statutory rape conviction. In Florida it's greater than 3 years. Ultimately I'm not sure it's prudent to pursue those charges, and I think the DA is throwing as much as he can against the wall to appear to be "doing something".

Phoebe Prince was failed by the adults in her life. The school officials in particular should all be fired.

Stories like this are why I will teach my daughter to fight (and to have no shame in fighting "dirty"). Scumbags like these kids only understand one thing, and that's retaliation.

I agree with her being failed by the adults. I was picked on mercilessly in high school. The "ADULTS" didn't seem to mind. As far as the kids went humiliation was their aim as usual. And as usual it was mainly over boys in one context or another. Luckily I always had a friend show up at the last second to keep me from getting my ass kicked. But I stood there and faced them - the whole crowd of them - and not once did the cowards ever make good on their threats. I really made them mad by just going on with my life. And from what I've seen in all the years since the miserable kids have grown into miserable adults. My skin was thicker than that. ( I'd had a lot of practice.)But not everyone's is. And it's sad what happened to that young lady. I know how it feels being the fish out of water. Kids can be awful! On the parent side of things, my daughter went through having kids and adults messing with her. Over a boy she wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. But I printed their names out with the terroristic threat laws and that stopped that! My daughter wouldnt let me go give that so called adult a piece of my mind. So had to do something. Its actually funny them believing that stuff I wrote. But hey it worked. And now the "adult" and her daughter are raising wonder boy's baby alone. Living well is truly the best revenge.

[vbhoutex]

This is definitely a sad case.

I agree with most of the charges, but I'm curious about the statutory rape charges. I'm not familiar with Massachusetts law, but in most states there has to be a minimum age difference for a statutory rape conviction. In Florida it's greater than 3 years. Ultimately I'm not sure it's prudent to pursue those charges, and I think the DA is throwing as much as he can against the wall to appear to be "doing something".

Phoebe Prince was failed by the adults in her life. The school officials in particular should all be fired.

Stories like this are why I will teach my daughter to fight (and to have no shame in fighting "dirty"). Scumbags like these kids only understand one thing, and that's retaliation.

I agree with her being failed by the adults. I was picked on mercilessly in high school. The "ADULTS" didn't seem to mind. As far as the kids went humiliation was their aim as usual. And as usual it was mainly over boys in one context or another. Luckily I always had a friend show up at the last second to keep me from getting my ass kicked. But I stood there and faced them - the whole crowd of them - and not once did the cowards ever make good on their threats. I really made them mad by just going on with my life. And from what I've seen in all the years since the miserable kids have grown into miserable adults. My skin was thicker than that. ( I'd had a lot of practice.)But not everyone's is. And it's sad what happened to that young lady. I know how it feels being the fish out of water. Kids can be awful! On the parent side of things, my daughter went through having kids and adults messing with her. Over a boy she wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. But I printed their names out with the terroristic threat laws and that stopped that! My daughter wouldnt let me go give that so called adult a piece of my mind. So had to do something. Its actually funny them believing that stuff I wrote. But hey it worked. And now the "adult" and her daughter are raising wonder boy's baby alone. Living well is truly the best revenge.

BTDT!! Somehow those of us that went on with our lives and did our thing managed to turn out alright. I either ignored them totally, which seemed to enrage them, or I stood up to them depending on the situation. Like you said, NEVER once did any of them follow up on their threats.
Amen sister!!
I hope the kids and the adults get their just due!! GT you are totally right about being failed by the adults, the same adults that are supposed to TEACH them. FAILED MISERABLY!!
They're all MISERABLE COWARDS!!

[Ptarmigan]

This is definitely a sad case.

I agree with most of the charges, but I'm curious about the statutory rape charges. I'm not familiar with Massachusetts law, but in most states there has to be a minimum age difference for a statutory rape conviction. In Florida it's greater than 3 years. Ultimately I'm not sure it's prudent to pursue those charges, and I think the DA is throwing as much as he can against the wall to appear to be "doing something".

Phoebe Prince was failed by the adults in her life. The school officials in particular should all be fired.

Stories like this are why I will teach my daughter to fight (and to have no shame in fighting "dirty"). Scumbags like these kids only understand one thing, and that's retaliation.

Frankly, I was surprised too. Never came to my attention. Apparently, two of the boys had some sort of sexual relationship with Phoebe Prince, who was 15 at the time of her death.

I agree that the school administrators and teachers failed. I have heard that Gus Sayer's contract is set to expire in May. He could be let go. To make matters worse, he blames the victim, Prince.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac ... _bullying/

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/firs ... with-sayer


Looks like the school staff, I assume the school administrators are not off the hook yet. They too are on thin ice.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news ... 18116.html

[SETXWXLADY]

vb I hear ya. Ignoring them really gets their goat. Well maybe if there are any young ones reading this it will help.

As for Mr. Sayers, I don't believe for one second the school staff didn't know what was going on. They knew it way back when and they knew it in this instance. The only thing I agree with is that schools don't have all the answers. But when your teacher, coach, nurse, principal... stand by and do nothing that speaks volumes. And I imagine it looked to that little girl like they were condoning that behavior. Looked that way to me when I was in that situation. I feel so bad for her and her family. You would think at the very least the kids who did the bullying would feel at least ashamed of themselves. But I doubt it. They'll just pass the buck like their super intendent and go on with things.

[vbhoutex]

vb I hear ya. Ignoring them really gets their goat. Well maybe if there are any young ones reading this it will help.

As for Mr. Sayers, I don't believe for one second the school staff didn't know what was going on. They knew it way back when and they knew it in this instance. The only thing I agree with is that schools don't have all the answers. But when your teacher, coach, nurse, principal... stand by and do nothing that speaks volumes. And I imagine it looked to that little girl like they were condoning that behavior. Looked that way to me when I was in that situation. I feel so bad for her and her family. You would think at the very least the kids who did the bullying would feel at least ashamed of themselves. But I doubt it. They'll just pass the buck like their super intendent and go on with things.

Both the bolded statements above is what makes this scary. Are these parents and school staff even teaching these children about self-worth? It sure doesn't sound like it and I am talking about on both sides of this situation.

[Ptarmigan]

Sharon Chanon Velazquez claims she is a victim. BOO-HOO!

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/'Mea ... s-a-victim

[vbhoutex]

Sharon Chanon Velazquez claims she is a victim. BOO-HOO!

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/'Mea ... s-a-victim

Wah!!Wah!!Wah!!