Bullied to death: Join the Live Chat
Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14 year old student in Buffalo, New York ... bullied to death. After years of taunting and teasing by classmates and being told things like "gay people go to hell" and "you're like a girl" ... Jamey seemed to have gotten a handle on it. But just this past Sunday, Jamey committed suicide. A tragic story...please weigh in below!
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I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sure sick of seeing other people's financial excesses. I find it disgusting now.
I don't mind if they have made sacrifices and worked hard and smart for it. But I don't see why it's a topic of discussion so much.
This is such a sad sad story. Society needs to change its ways so that something like this does not happen. When a 14 year old boy is even thinking about suicide, let alone completing it, we need to start changing our ways and making a difference on how to never let this happen. Jamey should just be starting to enjoy the life that he never got a chance to live. My heart goes out to Jamey's family and friends!
Wow! What a breaking heart for Brent Wilson witness plane crashed into grandstand!!!!!!!
That plane crash has traumatized me and I wasn't even there. I can't stand to see those videos. How awful for everyone involved and everyone who had to see that carnage. There were alot of kids there too.
I agree, Sharon. Too much for me too.
Me too..... Sharon!!!!! 🙁
Jamey was a friend of my friend. What I want to know is... why does it take the death, the deaths, of children before society decides to step in and do something against bullying? How many more suicides do you need?
Forgiveness can go a long way to helping you live a life after a terrible horror like that. Dr. Petit has the power to forgive. He's an amazing man.
I agree Janis. Forgiveness can be very healing. I hope you are right about Dr. Petit.
I have to say, i really don't think i could forgive anyone who would hurt by family that badly.
If your sanity depended on it, it might be so. How else could he go on like he has. I couldn't do what he is doing. He doesn't have the demeanor of man seeking vengence. I could be wrong.
Parents who discriminate, also, teach their children to discriminate. At, 14 years old, the parents should also be held accountable. Being a parent is one thing. Being a dumb parent is another. Mouthy minors running around!? Who needs this????? Someone has lost the most precious gift of their life. Bullying is worse, than, being gay!!
I agree with you Stacy re: parents.
I have often thought that people should have to attend classes on raising children and obtain a License! Of course that would fly in the face of our "freedom". But i bet you it would make a profound difference!
See you later my favorite alligator!!!!! Funny one I have seen!
I love our president spoke his speech at UN today!!! Cool!
Hey guys, I went to Jamey's school and recently graduated, i started a petition against bullying even if it doesnt get become a law it will still raise awareness so pleasae help me spread the word! I can't post links but please go to Change. org and type in The senate: enacting an anit-bullying law (jameys law) it would mean the world to a lot of people, thanks!
Wonderful work Brittany. Thank you for your post and all your efforts to raise awareness.
Great job Brittany...keep up the great work!!!
to have someone, let alone three, taken in such a violent manner, and to have to relive it – such pain – so unfair
It must be awful to have to endure another trial after such an unbelievable tragedy.
How can he relive and keep retelling this appalling story?
I was bullied in middle school, and at the time I took it very hard. A few times I actually cut myself because it made me feel better. After getting through it and moving to high school, I realized how small those people were. I see some of them from time to time and while they don't know how they made me feel, I will never forget. They're still as small and pathetic as they were back then. I'm a happy and healthy person now. It's a shame that what happened to Jamey can be a result of cruel words. My mom is starting an anti-bullying campaign in AZ to stop just these things from happening. Let's hope it does soon.
I also suffered from intense bullying all through HS. It affected my self-image immensley. Ultimately, i attended counseling and was able to heal and have a successful life.
I agree, when you see those poeple, they are "little & insignificant". The ones i used to know didn't succeed in life. Many of them didn't even attend college. "Little" indeed.
i believe bullying for any reason is wrong, i believe as a christian that who you are is who you are. i am appalled at fellow Christians for saying that because your l,g,b,t your going to hell. who are we to decide that. in the bible it clearly states " do not judge for the shall be judged". i for one will be praying for this kid.
It seems beyond a 'wrong' behavior to me. It seems a sign that there is something very wrong with the person doing it.
My sincere condolence goes out to the family of this boy. At the end of the day the responsibility falls on parents to train their children how to accept who they are irrespective of their look, culture, religion or even sexual orientation (as it is in this situation). We live in a society where we all look for acceptability in wrong places, spend time with your children and constantly remind them how much you love them and that they must first love themselves firsta and accept who they are without any doubt but with pride irrespective of what the society thinks.
Congratulations to Lybia at the United Nations! God knows that they have Earned their freedom and most defintely should be recognized as the gov. in power!
The shot: Wow – that is some gator! I can't imagine how the young man used a fishing pole to catch him?!
Talk about "See You Later Alligator!"
The alligator was killed for no reason?
I honestly don't know how Dr. Petit goes on.
I Know i could not listen to the beyond brutality to my family.
May God bless and keep him.
I don't know how he does it either...or what he will be like when the trials finally end. A person would be forever changed, I think, almost at the cellular level.
As usual Nancy, right on the mark. I think it would and could affect a person to the cellular level!
I too can't imagine how he will go on after the trial. I hope he can find something worthwhile to have enough passion to stay on Earth.
I know from what I've read that he hasn't worked since and has not been doing well. This is understandable. How do you "get over" something like that?? I hope he can go on in some fashion sometime in the future.
I liked Obama's Libya speech at the UN.
It seems there's not much to get excited about yet in the Presidential race.
Following American politics from afar I honnestly cannot imagine any of the current canidates as the next US President
I agree with James Carville, but for a non-english speaker it is hard to follow him.
Karin, your post made me laugh because alot of us can't follow James sometimes either.
Parents and "window-dressed" failed school programs are to blame. Parents don't confront cruel children and too many foster intolerance. The solution needs to be peer-driven with adult support. As a mental health professional, I've seen too many failed programs thrown at the problem that are adult generated with input from the students. I'm live in Buffalo and this hurts all of us, so what will we do about it?
I wonder how many of the cruel children feel cruelly treated in some way at home?
Rick Perry just playing politics that is it , we are broke now we can’t give empty promises to Israeli
In the long run Rick Perry is not doing himself any good with these kind of statements. I cannot imagine a President Rick Perry. I'm nauseas just typing that sentence.
Speaking of social cruelty, our President at least deserves some respect!
Perhaps our children are learning it is alright to do the things they do by watching adults, expecially in politics!
The phenominal disrespect shown in political ads, debates, etc. does Not enlighten Anyone.
So right Starr. And it can't be the "Christian" way to treat people either.
Sharon, your statement re: Christian is right on the mark!
To my knowledge, true Christian people do NOT behave in the manner of so many Rep's, Tea Party people and others.
Far, far from it, in my view.
Oh, I could not agree with you more, Starr. It just turns my stomach to see what adults are modeling in politics.
I think Perry's grandstanding for political reasons just takes the cake. It's so obvious what he is trying to do. He'll go to any lengths to further his ambitions.
He needs to throw in the towel!
Very tragic story. Both of my girls were bullied in high school for being overweight. I talked to the school but they looked the other way. I took them out of that school and they were home schooled. Today they are happy and self confident women. Parents please sit down and listen to your children and then take action. It could save their life. You are their only friend when something like this happens.
Anderson,
I am letting you know that our hometown including 5 people killed by plane in Reno, Nevada..... My heart goes to my friends and family northwest around Puget Sound Washington state.
The family of the boy in the wheelchair that was killed at the Reno airshow (Mike Wogan) is from our neighborhood . 3 out of the 4 boys in that family all have muscular dystrophy. Mike graduated with honors from ASU and is know to say that the worst handicap someone could have is their attitude. Anderson it would be a great honor to run a piece on Mike and recognize this incredible family.
My granddaughter was bullied in middle school and for 2 years at her high school here in SE AZ, tea Party, ultra conservative christian heaven. She decided in middle school she did not believe in God. She had three teachers redicule her, as well as a few students, when she spoke up in class. The bullying continued in high school with one student ddaily yelling at her in the hallway and classroom: "You are going to hell!" Her family moved to Oregon so she could live in an accepting environment. She is happier and doing better. Bullying is about rediculing others who believe differently.
Good evening people...what a sad story. Another child.
Welcome back Nancy, We miss you since then....... Yes, That is so sad indeed. 🙁
Hello Nancy, i totally agree with you.
I have really missed your commentary on the blog. Glad you are back!
Thank you, Starr and Megan. It's very special to me to 'hear' your words.
Good evening Anderson & Team 360.
Hello blogger friends!
Bullying is WRONG! I don't care who it is or what the "label" is, These ongoing suicides are heartbraking and Needless! We need to teach our children right from wrong!
Although I definitely agree that the word "gay" or any variation appears to be the words of choice these days and definitely has caused countless tradgedys!
I am glad to join Anderson's anti-bullying program!
Starr!
Good point!!! You're right. Bully is also wrong for people who are tough mean to shy/innocent kids!!!! 🙁
It's not okay to be cruel to anyone for any reason. There seems to be a cruel edge to popular culture, anymore.
To popular culture and also to subcultures, even certain religious circles. What a sad statement that is.
so terribly sad that fear is the motivator. sad we are speaking about the death of a boy that was preventable.
the problem is not the kids, it's their parents.
Greetings everyone,
It's a very sad predicament when a kid gets to the point where they decide life is no longer worth living – and cut their life short due to being bullied...
Carol
Indeed – it makes one wonder where are the adults in the life of these kids to observe and reach out to help them – usually before these tragic deaths happen there are so many signs. The question is who is seeing the signs and whether actions are taken to help?
Good evening every one
Pro life mean save the born child life first
Excellent post Vic! And realistic!
In my view, save and then support, help, promote the good for the child all the way through childhood.
I don't think; it is a good idea for children to display their hurt when bullies can and will use their display against them!
When will the world ever understand that being gay or lesbian is not a choice or a chosen lifestyle, but some people are just born that way and have the same right to being respected asanyone else.
Bullying is not something new, what seems to be new is the rush to commit suicide as a result of anothers actions. Life is tough and not paved on the path of least resistance. It may be important to understand why young people today as so quick to end their lives as a result of an age old problem.
One thing that strikes me as different is that so often the harassment is magnified...not just from the lips of one or two bullies but surrounding a person online, on the telephone, so many directions the child turns.
I totally do not understand bulling at all but the question I ask is how can we help our kids be strong enough to not let these bullies get them to the point of suicide. I was bullied but I learned to use it to better me in the long term. Granted I am not saying that I agree with bullies but they are out there and there isn't anything we can do with out actually hurting human kind in the long run. So again how can we help these kids learn to love them selves no matter who they are, and not let these acts of bulling hurt them so?
Of course gay kids are bullied or accused of being gay but there are other reasons why kids are bulled. Maybe it's their weight or other aspects of their appearance, or their religion, or a million other things. Being against bullying is not synonymous with a pro-gay agenda.
If our civilization is indeed increasing in its bullying, shaming, humiliation of others, then we must be on the path of the Roman Empire, on its way down...and we know what became of them.
Tragic, especially on a day that the LGBT community celebrates the end of DADT.
This is a heartbreaking reality, bullied for being gay, as adults not able to comfortably be gay in public or in their profession. This is a lesson children learn from their parents, bullies are instruments of parents ignorance, bigotry, and prejudice, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE, it's not "stuff kids do". It's a reality of our irresponsible parenting, and it is a tragedy, a 14 year old CHILD could not be a child.
You are 100% correct. I work with children & can tell you with 100% certainty that this comes from the parents first. Children mimic what they see & hear at home.
Hi Anderson,
There was recently an independent film movie shown at the Tribeca Film Festival on this very topic. It was called The Bully Project and was extremely enlightening and moving. It is easily googled and I'm sure their cause would be much furthered if you could highlight the movie and continue the strong support for the movement for protecting children safety.
Hello everyone.
I'm so sorry about Jamey. When will we ever learn? The bullying has to stop. Please don't bully. Accept everyone. This is so heartbreaking.
Good Evening Everyone! Greetings!
Good evening everyone. Another terrible bullying tragedy. My heart goes out to the family. Look at that handsome boy. What a waste. I hope some good will come of it. Too bad the kids that tortured him emotionally couldn't have been more tuned in to the damage they were doing. The message has to get out. Whatever happened to the golden rule?
Oh my gosh!!! That was so sad to hear Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14 year old student in Buffalo, New York ... bullied to death!!!!!! That was so unspeakable what Jamey said!!! 🙁
Anderson,
Hi! It's great to see you on.
Sad about the boy's death. Bullying is both discrimination and harassment–and should be thought of legally in the same way.
That's an excellent point, would that our Congress present these bills rather than the drivel they waste time and money on.
I don't think we can count on our Congress for this (or much of anything lately). I think it has to be a grassroots movement and a school and parent focus. Goes without saying that schools need to have a zero tolerance.
I agree that the ability and responsibility to change this behavior lies within each of us. It is not a government or legal issue, in my opinion, but rather a problem in society that the people have to address.
Good point Paula!!! You're so excellent right both of them!!!
Hellooooo everyone and Anderson!!!!
Thanks for coming in for join us tonight! 😀