Columbine victim's parent speaks to US Gov't

[BobRyan]

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 sub-committee.

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<words spoken by Darrell Scott>

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & 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 that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:"

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 reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a 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 contribute to erode away 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!"

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End quote.

Thoughts?

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

Has anyone seen an news report of this testimony before the House Judiciary sub-committee prior to this posting?

[phkrause]

I haven't

[BobRyan]

Why do you suppose that the major news outlets don't tell people about this?

[olger]

Ehhh....slipped their MINDS !!!!???????

[phkrause]

Why do you suppose that the major news outlets don't tell people about this?

Actually Bob, I've been thinking about it a little more since making my post, and I have to change my comment to yes. The other day I did see a clip of it. Not sure which station though.

[BobRyan]

I think there is a SNOPES article on this that does list some of the lesser known news outlets as having carried this - but not CNN, MSNBC, FOX etc.

[lazarus]

The gun problem in the USA is not about prayer in schools it's the fulfillment of what Jesus said "for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword". Matthew 26:52.

Did the settlers pray before they drove Native Americans off their land? Congress, I'm sure Congress had prayer in the morning when they voted for the Indian removal act. Both sides were praying during the civil war I am sure.

Jessie helms was passionate about school prayer but it's just that blacks an whites should pray separately.

Prayer only changes things when we want it to.

France has no school prayer and their gun death rate is?

Jamaica has prayer everywhere, Adventists everywhere and their gun death rate is......

If one of the tools most used in a country's development and growth is the "sword" then surely much of it's pain and decline will come as a result of it. You reap what you sow.

If the United States, which has 5% of the world's population, owns 50% of the world's guns what does say about the nations priorities and its future?

[BobRyan]

Only criminals are supposed to have guns -- right?

So then when that happens at Columbine and at Sandy Hook - where the perfect scenario exists - where only the criminal has the gun -- how has that been working out?

I am not inclined to shoot someone who simply wants to rob me. But I feel safer in a shopping mall where there are lots of people who can carry guns - than a place where the only people with guns are the criminals - and they know it.

in Christ,

Bob

[lazarus]

Only criminals are supposed to have guns -- right?

Where in the world do only criminals carry guns? Even in the countries where guns are the most tightly controlled citizen have guns.

Ironically the safer counties are the ones where the populous in general have less guns. The US has many, many guns but more people are not safer. There is significantly more gun crime.

But what a prayer is schools?

[CoAspen]

I just love the ignoring of facts and history when it comes to the gun issue!

If we are so much safer with more people having and being able to use guns.....then why did we ever change from the days of the wild west? Were they safer? NOT!!! We as as society changed from those days because it was recognized that guns do not make people safer. When has a gun ever stopped some one one from breaking the law or killing an other person?

Then we have the freedom issue. Some claim we are only free if we can own guns. Is that a logical statement? No! Then what do people mean when they say that? If a person feels free only when they have a gun, then are they really free? Are they not then a prisoner of their gun? The gun is then controlling their freedom. The last time I checked GB was a free country, despite those in this country who say they aren't.

I think you may be on to something about the whole sword issue, Laz.

[BobRyan]

I just love the ignoring of facts and history when it comes to the gun issue!

And it shows.

[BobRyan]

I just love the ignoring of facts and history when it comes to the gun issue!

If we are so much safer with more people having and being able to use guns.....then why did we ever change from the days of the wild west? Were they safer? NOT!!! We as as society changed from those days because it was recognized that guns do not make people safer. When has a gun ever stopped some one one from breaking the law or killing an other person?

1. The "Wild wild west" was not "ended by gun laws" as it turns out.

2. The idea that armed guards do not stop people from killing someone - has still not occurred to the armed guards that follow the President (and family) of the United States everywhere he goes.

Government leaders that argue that others should not have arms - have arms.

Think about it.

[BobRyan]

All this talk of wiping out the 2nd amendment to the U.S. Constitution has resulted in a sharp uptick in the demand for guns.

Maybe the gun control guys are doing this as a way of stimulating the economy.

[Bravus]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/columbine-armed-guards_n_2347096.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

[BobRyan]

Quote:

In 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 15 people and wounded 23 more at Columbine High School. The destruction occurred despite the fact that there was an armed security officer at the school and another one nearby -- exactly what LaPierre argued on Friday was the answer to stopping "a bad guy with a gun."

None of the armed guards were killed. Were they not willing to confront Klebold? What is their story?

Well then maybe "fewer armed guards" would have done the trick.

[Bravus]

Armed guards were and are irrelevant, and that's the point.

[BobRyan]

That same week of the Sandy Hook tragedy - 22 children were stabbed in elementary schools in China -

More knife laws in China needed?

More armed guards at schools in China with knives/guns?

Which one would be more effective?

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

Armed guards were and are irrelevant, and that's the point.

Apparently nobody has mentioned that to the secret service protecting a number of our government leaders in the US.

[Bravus]

Unbelievably ironic that the 'defenders of the Second Amendment', who talk about the right to bear arms as a defense against the potential of a tyrannical government, now want to place (government paid) armed guards in every one of the thousands of schools in America. How, exactly, does that enhance the goal of citizens being able to rise against the government? Doesn't it, rather, dramatically tip the balance in the opposite direction?

[Nan]

You would think they would need an armed guard in every class room....every gathering of students....

to guarantee safety. Any prospective gunman otherwise would just have to figure out where the armed

guard was and shoot himself into another entrance.

I guess the mindset on this side of the Pacific just cannot grasp the 'benefits' of more guns and gun

wielding people.

[phkrause]

Excellent point Nan.

[CoAspen]

Ya, can just imagine the running gun battles between the guards/teachers and the perps? Safety for whom, certainly not the children!

Just can't seem to get rid of peoples fears, must not be free! The arguments being posted for greater use of guns so far do not pass the litmus test of reason, logic or coherent thought.