BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies

Subject: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: maple_leaf_boy
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:19 PM

You can catch Bill Cosby on Larry King Live tonight on CNN. I have
been waiting for this show since they first advertised it.
Bill will be cracking down on bullies. Recently, they covered a story
about a teen in Massachussetts who committed suicide because of being
bullied. I'll be anxious to hear what Bill has to say about bullies.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:44 PM

I seem to remember that Bill used to mention his father's 'bullying' in his early stage routines... as did Billy Connelly...

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:48 PM

> about a teen in Massachussetts who committed suicide

Google "Phoebe Prince"

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:48 PM

It is one of the most serious and least addressed problems in some schools. Every school years should begin with an assembly where the rules are spelled out...and the consequences.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 09:15 PM

The trouble is that some US fundie will say "First amendment". IMHO Cosby is right.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 05:55 AM

Just watched the videos I don't agree that bullying is not different than it used to be. Bullying has turned into a gang affair rather than one person bullying one or more kids.

Now kids group together like chickens and peck the disliked child literally to death.

And even if schools do pull in the parents of the bullies for a talking to, it doesn't mean that parents will or can do anything to alter the behaviour of these kids. The proverbial village does not exist as it once did. Once, if an adult witnessed a child misbehaving in anyway it was dealt with either directly or indirectly (by telling the parents) and the parents in the flush of shame dealt with the child and made him or her feel that shame.

We don't live in that kind of world any more.

These bullies need to be removed from the normal classroom and monitored by an adult every step to and from school and between classes. They also need alarmed anklets to keep them at home and constant supervision over internet and phone use. This needs to be done until they get the message that unless they can behave responsibly, they will have no freedom and no friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:18 AM

How can you stop bullying when every TV Soap over in the UK is filled with nastiness and vile behaviour? How can you stop it when bitchiness is seen as hilarious and the 'greatest put down' is seen as a victory...

How many people here like watching 'The Weakest Link' I wonder? I watched a small part of it the other day, whilst turning over a channel and was horrified at Anne Robinson's words to the people on her show. What a nasty piece of work that woman is! And what a foul programme that is! I've no doubt it's over in America now too...

Bullying goes on 24/7 for many children now. Just the other night I was watching an excellent programme on internet and mobile phone bullying.

I was bullied at school, but I knew that from the moment I walked out of school I was safe, for not only did no-one else walk home my way, but the moment I got in through my front door they couldn't touch me, and peace reigned...

They interviewd a Mum whose son took his own life, after years of being told he was worthless, his life was worthless. A group of girls targetted him...they used his phone, his Facebook page...constantly keeping up the pressure..In the end, he could take no more and killed himself.

24/7 bullying...Texts, messages, internet stories about you that are totally untrue, written on other people's boards, for all to see...and believe...Shocking.

Children are surrounded by horrific violence now, in games, in films, in the media. Bad news abounds, good news is overlooked...


I've had many foul things put down on the internet about me, so believe me, I know all about 24/7 bullying. Thankfully, that has now stopped and it's a great relief, but it's left it's wounds and an anger that still bubbles up inside me everytime someone refers back to it, or one of those despicable cowards comes on here to lambast Mudcat or whatever their 'cause' might be on any particular day.

We spend so much time and effort teaching children things that don't matter in school, so much they'll never use again in 'real' life, but no thought is given to teaching them kindness, empathy, understanding and compassion. They are the most important lessons in life, in my opinion...

Kids today have great stress in their lives. Just this week there was a BBC news article on schools and money being lost etc..and they were in a school where the kids attended Breakfast Club from...SIX O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!! ??????   The school remains open for the children until 10pm at night...?????

What kind of society have we created where we can no longer have breakfast with our children, no longer are able to, due to work that has to be done to pay outrageous bills, or no longer *choose* to because work is more important than children?????

That is no way to bring up a kind and caring generation, but one sure way to raise angry children, who care for nothing and no-one, because they feel no-one gives a shit about them, other than using them for fodder to achieve excellent league tables, tick boxes, or crow about how well the parents of these children have done in creating such 'exam successful' offspring.

Children need Love, Time, Peace, Quiet and much Gentleness alongside Adventure, Learning, Growing Up..and we have so very much forgotten that...at our own peril.

Every school has an anti-bullying charter, but it counts for nothing. Trust me, I was inside that charter once upon a time....meant nothing.

What we are not dealing with is why children want to be so mean in the first place, why the workplace has become so deeply stressful and bullying...why The Corporate Bastards have had such a huge part to play in this...

Once, people cared about each other..........................

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:25 AM

Here are the videos mentioned above...

Part 1
Bill Cosby and Larry King on Bullying - Youtube

Part 2
Bill and Larry - Part Two

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:32 AM

"These bullies need to be removed from the normal classroom and monitored by an adult every step to and from school and between classes. They also need alarmed anklets to keep them at home and constant supervision over internet and phone use. This needs to be done until they get the message that unless they can behave responsibly, they will have no freedom and no friends."

I agree, Tam....but the *reasons* behind that behaviour also need to be looked into urgently, understood and remedied. Many children today have images, stories and thoughts in their minds these days that were **never** in our minds when we were little. It is grossly disturbing, but what is even more disturbing is that this whole thing is not being dealt with as a matter of supreme urgency.

There are those who will say that bullying is a fact of life, always has been there, always will be and we learn from it. But this is very different. Yes, you will always have the strong trying to be top dog, you get that in all species, but this is now truly out of control.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 07:18 AM

Not sure about the images thing Lizzie... I remember reading some pretty gory graphics novels in my youth and telling of slasher type "ghost" stories as young as 9 years old. Nursery rhymes and fairy stories from ancient history put horrific images into children's heads as did witnessing and partaking in prehistoric tribal warfare.

The problem is there is no voice of wisdom and reason guiding the child through that landscape of violent images. No lesson learned in it. It is all gratuitous now. No connection to others. No sense of responsibility. No respect for and honourable treatment the enemy.

It is all very disheartening.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 08:04 AM

I don't agree that bullying is not different than it used to be. Bullying has turned into a gang affair rather than one person bullying one or more kids.

Sorry VT - can't agree with you there.

I was the subject of mass bullying at school more than 50 years ago. I was picked on because I had half a front tooth missing until it was capped when I was 12. From the day I went into senior school it started and then, as now, nothing was done to stop it, even though a couple of teachers were aware of it. Hell, even one of the teachers effectively condoned it, giving me the nickname 'Toothy'..

There were others who were 'different' - overweight, not quite feminine enough, whatever made them seem to be outside the 'norm'. They got the same treatment.

It didn't make for a good school experience and left me feeling an outsider for most of the remainder of my school life.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: kendall
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 08:47 AM

All bullies are cowards.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 09:22 AM

Very sorry for your experience Jacqui... That is horrible.

growing up in a small town and my kids doing same, only experienced/witnessed the one on one type of bullying which was easily enough dispatched.

When I was about 11, I had a couple of days of bigger older girl following me home from school, taunting, stepping on my heels and shoving from the back. After a several times telling her firmly to stop, I finally swung around and slapped her so hard she fell on her ass. I turned and continued my walk home with other kids from my neighbourhood. I never said another word to her or about her and I was not bullied again by her. 2 years later another older girl challenged me to meet at "the chain" (chained off dead end road behind the junior high school) after school let out, several times. I always showed up (as did others hoping to witness the fight) but she never did. Word travelled fast that she was the one who instigated and then chickened out and she stopped bothering me.

I have to say... I was always more afraid of what my father might say or make me do, if he got wind of me being bullied. I know he forced my older brother when he was about 10 or 11 to face down a bully who was much older (4 or more years) and bigger. That had a huge impact on me and made me fear my father more than any mere kid.

I never saw or heard of group bullying until the late 80s. Preppie kids making the most of their privileged little lives by categorising groups of kids into acceptables (popular, attractive, wealthy, cheerleaders, athletes and some brainiacs) and unacceptables (poor, unattractive, weak, weird, artists, marching band members, skateboarders, punks, druggies and science and chess club members). Still you rarely found unrelentent group harassment of one individual that we have seen in the news of late.

Kids today are disconnected from the family and community. They are bereft and desperate to fit in with a group so easily indoctrinated to either committing the bullying or being the victim of it.

We need the revival of tight knit family and community to give kids a sense of place and personal worth.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 09:34 AM

Hurt people hurt people...

Think about it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 01:00 PM

Succinct and to the point, Bobert.


We spend so much time and effort teaching children things that don't matter in school, so much they'll never use again in 'real' life, but no thought is given to teaching them kindness, empathy, understanding and compassion. They are the most important lessons in life, in my opinion...

In the school district, here, where my grandson attends first grade, they have an assembly every morning, for the whole school, in which they start the day off on a positive note with much of the above, i.e. kindness, empathy, understanding, compassion, being imparted in terms the children, ages 5-12/13 easily understand.

Throughout the school day, STARS behaviour (Self-responsibility, Teamwork,Attitude, Respect, Safety) is encouraged and recognised. Morgan is never happier than when he brings home a little yellow sheet on which he has check marks for meeting any of those goals that day. That type of reinforcement of positive behaviour is invaluable and, often, the only time some of the kids get it. So, imo, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: kendall
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 01:07 PM

As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.

I had one boy who was the bain of my life until I cold cocked him.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 01:53 PM

I think it is basic animal behavior and doesn't have to have any other causes..although scarcity of some sort will probably make it worse..I have no money so I will beat up a weaker kid for his lunch money. But it is there in all walks of life..I think it is innate and related to the pecking to death that chickens will do to remove weaker people..oops chickens.

Anyway, I worked for schools for a long time and it is a horrible horrible problem and part of the problem is the teachers and principals etc. were idiots..pure and simple. They would not address it. It is more recognized now and they are at least doing some things about it. You have to really really look at the girls and their behavior..they will be subtle and they will be brutal. If I were a principal I would start the school year off by meeting with the cheerleaders and saying the health of this school depends to a large extent on your behavior and I will be watching you like hawks. This whole cheerleader thing should be the subject for all sorts of research and if it was only about cheering they could do that in much more modest attire and without various displays..so if you were able to tone that way down in high schools it would go a long way towards breaking up various cliques, in and out groups etc. etc.

That does not address younger children. Children have to be monitored. School buses are a bully's paradise and should videos that could be reviewed. The bus driver has to drive...volunteer adults are one possibility.

One problem is that at least in places like Seattle, children were bussed to hell and gone. So you did not know who the children were if they were not in your neighborhood. There was no one to call. Schools were filled with idiot adults..sorry if you work inthat profession but I had to leave because I just could not work with them. Chidlren are not being protected, even when adults, even principals, are notified. At least that was in the past. I do think it is better now.

So we have to see it as innate behavior that will happen unless we take measures against it. THere have to be swift and sure consequences. We have to call it when we see it. We can't just look at big thuggy looking boys and let the pretty little girls get away with psychic murder.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 02:51 PM

A theoretical observation, if I may.

Nowadays of course, even if the bullied can hide round a corner and take out a bully with a cricket bat in the teeth, there will be disciplinary vengeance. And without a cricket bat, the bullied have no chance against a bigger fitter, faster, stronger aggressor. So the bullied have nowhere to go. And of course no-one male who was thoroughly bullied will ever admit to it later - because in today's society that is simply "weakness".

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 02:53 PM

PS. Of course there are many in teaching who have no idea whatsoever what "bullying" is, as sometimes they reveal in comments on this board.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 03:06 PM

Someone said in some blog somewhere that sometimes they and the bullies are one. I was shocked because I had not thought of it that way, but I can think of teachers who were and once permission from an authority figure is subtlely ?? given...they can act with impunity.

And people who do all they can to destroy religion should really think about this...we are taking away one of the most powerful restraints against cruel behavior that we as a society, a fractured and dysfunctional society, have. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 03:08 PM

I hope he takes on this cause and I hope he gets a Nobel Peace Prize. He is one man who will really point things out that we don't want to hear. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: gnu
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 03:20 PM

Didn't read the whole thread but I would suggest that the interview be played to children of various ages in every school in the world after some videos of Cosby doing comedy and a brief recap of his career.

Of course, it's obvious that all celebrities should get on board in similar fashion with adverts and whatever.

When I was a lad and came home after my first beating at the hands of bullies, my old man simply said, "Point at the leader, say, "You first.", and go after him with everything you have." After that, I didn't always "win" but I didn't get picked on near as much.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 05:35 PM

Very handy gnu - if you are physically handy.

Try it in adult life - you get charged with assault. Curiously just tonight in the pub I was asked to recommend a criminal lawyer to a chap who stepped in to break up a fight. Guess who the police elected to charge?

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: gnu
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 05:55 PM

Ineed Richard... it was, and is, a piss poor way to deal with the problem. But, that is what I grew up with as a lad. It was the only wat back then. I had to fight. I had no siblings and I was picked on.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:16 PM

We need to educate idiots who run schools..sorry..but there are too many of them. Their first job is to protect children. First and foremost. Not to inspire them, not to teach them how to read and write, but to protect them. And that means protecting them from each other. If you know of a child being bullied, including your own, first call CPS and then call the police, and if you have time on your hands and nothing better to do, call the school..I am maybe too cynical. It has been many years since I worked in a school but Seattle schools were cesspools. Not just bullying but viscious attacks that would have gotten kids jail time were swept under the rug. Kids stomping and jumping on other kids faces. Rapes..fortunately a good superintendent, General Stanford or Sanford came in and took over and things got way better. I corresponded with him before he died of cancer and he was a ray of sunshine in a desolate place.

mg

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: pdq
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 06:31 PM

In southern California, one school teacher allowed two big violent bullies to punch and slap the smallest kid in the class on a regular basis.

Eventually, the parents contacted the principal and he studdied surveillance camera records. She would often turn her back and pretend to write on the blackboard while the attacks were going on.

When asked why she did nothoing, she gave a trite anwswer that was recomended by her teachers union: "I'm a teacher, not a cop".

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: kendall
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 07:47 PM

I'm willing to admit being bullied. I came from the wrong side of the tracks in a town that had no tracks. We lived so far into the woods we had to come in to hunt.

It was never one on one, there was always three of the cowards. I'd love to go back today and have a talk with those pricks.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 05:54 PM

an editorial on bullying by girls

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 06:01 PM

Oh, yeah, there are some bullies from when I was in American schools that I'd love to get back into contact with and ask them, what were they THINKING?

No bullying in French school. No time for being with students without teachers/disciplinarians (surveillants) around. You still might not have friends, but there are no victims like I was when we were in the States.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 07:09 PM

We just don't have the sense that God gave a goose when it comes to supervising teenagers..if you don't want bad things to happen, pregnancy, bullying, gangs, drinking parties..you have to supervise the teens..certainly the younger ones. THere should be recreational specialists and opportunities for them to socialize, which there are not too many of. There need to be curfews and dress codes for schools and public transportation at least. We depend too much on hoping they make "good choices" and leave the rest to their peer groups. No adult are in charge in many scenarios. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 07:17 PM

Nothing wrong with sex. Contraception and prophylaxis are wise.

Nothing wrong with provocative dress (but uniforms are useful to avoid social distinctions - T-shirts and denim jeans and denim jackets, length unrestricted would be a good uniform: I'd suggest some sort of compulsory shoe for foot health and avoidance of expensive-trainer-madness).

Not a lot wrong with alcohol either. You do realise that in France it is normal for children to drink (weakened) alcohol from about the age of ten, don't you? Drinking from about 10 am however is pretty stupid.

We got rid of most puritans when William and Mary came back by invitation.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Cosby Cracks Down On Bullies
From: pdq
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 07:27 PM

"There need to be curfews and dress codes for schools and public transportation at least." ~ mg

It's wrong to punish the good kids for shit that the bullies and assholes do.

In junior high school, while most kids looked rather well-dressed, I wore ratty faded blue jeans.

In high school, we had a large yellow stripe painted on the sidewalk. All around the school. No student could cross it after the first bell sounded in the morning and before the last bell (to go home) sounded in the afternoon.

I was with a group of kids when we saw a rather snotty teacher looking fo line-crossers.

We decided to stomp past him as agroup, which we did.

He yelled out "where are you going!" and I replied "to McDonald's. The food in the cafeteria sucks!"

Eventually, most students crossed the line at will. One year we came back from summer vacation and the lines were gone.