Editorial: Protecting the innocent - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Protecting the innocent

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By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    •   
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

It dawned on me as I listened to a powerful speech this week given by Jessica Brookshire, founder of K.A.R.M.A. (Kids Against Ridicule, Meanness and Aggression) that the focus of this week's bullying editorials albeit important have been on parents engaging their children before their kids do something drastic and the encouragement of lawmakers to approve legislation next year to help get this bullying issue under control. 

The missing pieces of this puzzle are these words spoken by Jessica today directed to the bullied children watching, listening or reading this editorial now.  "We hear you, we know what you are going through and we are coming to your rescue."  You are not alone in this fight. Have hope.

Growing up we all heard the adage "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."   Tell that to a child that has been called words like ugly, stupid or worthless and then ask them if they hurt. 

Let's make 2012 the year of protecting the innocent in Alabama where children can live and learn in a healthy, safe and productive environment.

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