Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Legislation Passes

After the suicides of Pheobe Prince, 15 and and Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, 11, Anti-Bulluing legislation has passed with unanimous agreement. The bill requires school employees to report and principals to investigate all cases of bullying. Read More

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/nyregion/24neediest.html?_r=2

An Illness Brings Hardship; a Diagnosis, Relief:

This article is about one families struggle with a son's illness. The mother spent $4,000 out of pocket on testings for the diagnosis since she did not have health insurance. Eventually he was diagnosed with thalassemia and thru his father's insurance he was able to be covered financially and is now doing well. This article not only addresses the hardship of dealing with the chronic illness of a child but dealing with the financial difficulties that occur with this child and how without healthcare it is incredibly hard to pay for treatment.

Mass. Senate Weighs Foreclosures Bill

The Mass. Senate is planning on debating whether or not to impliment a bill that plans to protect renters and old homeowners. The bill would prevent tenants from being evicted and would also toughen consumer protection. Foreclosures initiated by tenants went up from 8 percent from last year to 22 percent from the last month. To learn more: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO140750/

Sex offender re-arrests fuel GPS debate

This article from the Boston Herald describes the debate over using GPS tracking bracelets to follow sex offenders. Eleven sex offenders who were removed from GPS monitoring last year have been re-arrested in recent months for crimes ranging from armed robbery to assault to failing to register as a sex offender. There is currently a debate going on as to whether level-3 sex offenders should be required to wear the GPS bracelets or if this is an "unconstitutional burden on their freedom". Personally, I would agree with Northeastern University criminologist who, in the article, proposes the idea that sex offender supervision should be handled on a case-by-case basis.

For Or Against Deval Patrick?

Many people adore Governor Deval Patrick, while many feel as if his time in office needs to end quick. With elections coming soon, many people have different views on who should hold the seat at the State House as the Governor of Massachusetts. In March 2007, during his campaign, Deval Patrick promised many a property tax relief, which would aid in lowering property tax. However, the people of Massachusetts have not yet seen a relief but instead seen a continuing increase. Though Patrick promised such relief, according to a budget specialist, budget cuts and the slow economy made it impossible in doing so. On the contrary, if the economy was in good standing, to make such plan work he would have to add billions and billions of dollars into his annual budget. So far in office, he managed to increase education funding, closed a tax loop hole for telecommunication companies, and gave cities and towns the power to raise restaurant meals and hotel rooms. He also made it easy for municipalities to join the state health insurance program. These improvements in society does not sway Patrick from the promises he has made that have not yet became a form of reality for many. Because Patrick failed to lower property tax during his term in office, this issue has become a major issue in his race. Voters and opponents are using it against him. In this economic downfall, many are suffering and only so much can be done to tackle these issues. However the ending results will show if he did enough to gain the votes from the people of Massachusetts.

Westfield State College takes aim at school bullying

The teacher education center at Westfield State College has created an anti-bullying program that will be implemented in local schools surrounding Westfield. The plan, called "Bully Proof Zones" is designed to bring teachers, administrators, counselors, and students together with the college students specifically being able to help the younger people change their attitudes about bullying. The college is planning a two-day seminar as well as workshops to help develop a model for the schools in what will hopefully be a successful program.

Personally, I think is this is a fantastic idea and would like to see other colleges follow in Westfield's footsteps if their model proves efficient and especially effective. I'm sure this will just be one of many other initiatives we will see being taken followed by the tragic suicides of Pheobe Prince and Carl Walker-Hoover.

Odgren Spoke of Suicide

In this article, John Odgren was hurt by all the teasing, he told his parents he wanted to get a gun and shoot his bullies as well as kill himself. At the time he spoke of this, John was nine years old. He has had a long history of mental disorders, all of which have played a role in John committing murder of a 15 year old boy who he stabbed to death in 2007. The trial is ongoing and he is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. If he is found not guilty, he will have to stay at a psychiatric hospital until "competent enough to stand trial". His parents described him as being very smart, but emotionally distraught and isolated. He had shown signs of being mentally ill early on and his parents had sought help from school guidance counselors who did nothing to stop John from committing acts such as drinking bleach. This will be a very critical trial in a step towards treating mental illness.