http://herald.ca/stories/2003/11/05/f183.raw.html

This is a letter to the Editor that I just wrote in responce to this recent story:

Dear Editor,

I find the comment by Const. Wyatt, blaming the "Brats" violent attacks to be far too general, dodging the issues at hand. It is far too easy to blame Technology that is not fully understood. I could say "Where are the Parents?" but that statement is also cliche.

I already have an idea where the parents are... Nowhere to be found in their childs life. They don't care, won't take responsibility for their offspring and probably don't take much responsibility for their own actions. I would really like to hear the position of a parent of one of the attackers. The slaps on the wrist that the law gives them will do nothing. How were these children raised without any compassion? It makes me think and wonder if I should feel sorry for the "Brats"?

What will happen if the childern attack someone and get hurt, it wouldnt really take that much. Will the person attacked be charged? It is easy to say "oh, Kids today, they have no respect for anything" but the difficult part is actually identifying their motive behind the attacks. I often walk through the commons where the attacks took place, I carry no money, and a gym bag full of gym cloths, should I add some method of self defence like pepper spray? I really hope these incidents are isolated and that the wee ones stay home where they can be ignored and abused by their parents from now on.