Hello Everyone.

I am Robert Kelly.  And welcome to another blog!  Yes, any one can post a blog these days; but perhaps you will find something interesting.  And just maybe, it will matter to many that read it.

I had wondered were I could start.  Well yesterday, I found a story on WABC Channel 7 in New York that I felt rather attached to.  You see, I am an alumni of the Farmingdale School District.  When I graduated High School in 2001, a lot of issues were different for us Dalers.  I can remember when the worst incident that occurred was a week before graduation when some seniors paint bombed then Principal Robert E. Lewis' office.  It as cleaned the next day, as if it never happened!

Now, how times have changed.  Last year, 4 students were killed in a drag race down on Conklin Street.  Just yesterday, something I think more shocking has occurred. 

A high school student had been mercilessly bullied for numerous reasons.  It had gotten so bad that he even attempted to kill himself.  Gratefully, he is alive today.  Yet, this young man and his family are now suing the Farmingdale School District.  Perhaps the video and report in the link below will explain more on this very troubling issue.


http://7online.com/education/bullied-teen-wins-settlement-against-farmingdale-school-district/485018/


My thoughts on this are rather sobering.  Like Austin, I had been accustomed throughout grade school, middle school (Weldon E. Howitt) and high school with getting picked on and chewed up by numerous other pupils.  They were mostly annoying people that at the time did not take their education seriously.  Of course at the ten year reunion we had at Mulcahy's after Thanksgiving 2011, Everyone acted nicer and more mature.

It is completely different today.  Perhaps it is due to a greater social media presence, and the ability to become more vicarious and short sighted has been enhanced greatly.  The problem then also lies with a school system that might not be willing to address these issues until it is too late. 

For Farmingdale Schools to have reached a settlement on these matters does, I think, admit culpability on their part.  Bullying should not be tolerated, from this point forward.  In later posts, I will mention what I think needs to happen to end this rather vicious cycle of bullying and its consequences.  Fortunately, I am not a puritan by any means, so do not think it involves attacking the outside world of pop culture. 

Also, I plan on discussing other topics, such as movies, politics, my life, and whatever else crosses my mind.  Feel free to comment and add some suggestions.  Also, I am thinking of doing some form of video or audio programs.  Do any of you think it would be a good idea?

Talk to you soon,

Robert

PS.  I should get better at linking and uploading files.  More to come in the days ahead!