JShock

WR= Wide Reciever TE= Tight End The Question Was: Is Patrick Crayton a Viable #2 WR (see above acronym deciphers for explanation). :)

Agreed. Nice post.

It is officially the year of the WR and the sleeper. The mocks I've done have all the legit #1 wideouts flying off the board in the second round. Also, with so many injuries, someone who does their homework will make a killing on trades if they pick the right sleeper candidates.

Point taken, but the question was #2 WR :)

This is the last thing I'll say on this subject. You're right...I think the risk of arming teachers far outweighs the rewards (which aren't even a sure thing). I've made my arguments and I think they are valid. I also appreciate that you all feel strongly, and that is a good thing. The day people start putting issues like this on the backburner is the day I start contemplating home school for my kids. I have already given you the tried and true method of protecting our kids. Smaller schools, where building relationships is a priority. Open communication between schools and law enforcement agencies. Smarter school designs that take our current security concerns into account. Get the emphasis off testing and results based education, and back to growing and nurturing young people. Invest in kid's lives. That is how you keep school violence at bay. By arming teachers, a very clear messsage is sent to students and teachers that there is something to be afraid of. No one can learn in a place like that. If someone must be armed, let it be those that have the job description to go with it. The logic of "whoever has the most guns wins" would do nothing more than create the same feelings that we as a nation experienced during the Cold War. True, no nukes got dropped, but was it a good feeling living in those uncertain times? Is that what you want for your kids in school? We'll agree to disagree on this issue until the cows come home, but I'll share a bit of wisdom that my dad always dropped on me anytime I was impetuous or had a bad case of tunnel vision: "Be careful what you wish for." JShock

Speaking of generalizations, are you willing to let "your experience" with CCL holders be the qualifying factor on whether ALL CCL holders, including teachers, are "conscientious, intelligent, and even-tempered"? That is a bold statement, especially considering the heinous implications if you're wrong.

Apples and oranges (no pun intended). To compare the danger of unstable teachers in cars to the danger of unstable teachers with guns in classrooms is a bit of a reach. As to whether I "trust myself" is beside the point...this isn't about me, and it isn't about you. Teachers are there to teach, students are there to learn. Do not complicate an already complicated (and often volatile) situation by throwing concealed weapons into the mix. As I said before, it's a local decision. If Harrold I.S.D. trusts it's teachers enough to implement this measure, and they feel that the risk makes it necessary, than get after it. When it's all said and done, the people in that community and the school's administration are the ones that will have to deal with the repercussions, positive or negative. I personally have misgivings about the applicability of this idea in every school district, especially one in which my child might be attending. As a side note, I find it very interesting that this issue has such a strong backing. Teachers are routinely blasted for their shortcomings in the classroom, and schools (according to our legislators and big business) are underperforming and inept. The trust isn't there to educate, but it is there when it comes to being armed? It doesn't make sense. This issue is heated because our children's safety is at it's heart. Every parent's opinion on that matter has to be respected. But to make an informed decision, every pro and con has to be weighed, which is why I brought my concern up. Apple, believe what you want...you have that right. But before you go running to your local school board, you better think long and hard about what you are asking for. You may say the "security of your school's students", but there are better ways to do it, as I've alluded to in earlier posts. JShock

I hear what you're saying. But "legally armed teachers" have bad days also. One bad decision by one of the thousands of teachers in our state would be one too many. I won't give a resume...suffice to say that the stresses of education are old hat to me. The conflicts include: teacher vs. student teacher vs. teacher teacher vs. parent teacher vs. administrator ...and these happen on a daily basis. I want to reiterate that I love teachers as a group; there is not a more giving class of people. However, even the best teacher in the world would admit that there are those among his or her brethren that should not be carrying a weapon, legally or no.

I know why you're asking. Documented psychological issues would prevent teachers from acquiring a CCL. The "unstable teacher" I'm talking about is overworked and underpaid, or a disgruntled divorcee, or someone hiding in the profession who isn't "in it for the kids". Those are the "unstable" teachers I worry about when it comes to carrying a concealed handgun.

OK, I've read this entire thread, so if I repeat an opinion already stated I apologize, but here it goes. My problem with the Harrold solution is not the risk posed by students. To a degree, I believe the deterrant factor would prevent a Columbine situation. However, the threat I would worry about as an administrator, parent or student would be the unstable teacher who has chosen to carry at school. Don't laugh. For every school shooting that you hear about, there are ten more stories about a teacher who exercised poor judgment ethically, morally, or legally. I am not bashing teachers. I trust our public schools, and I believe that 99% of those that work in Texas schools do what's best for kids on a daily basis. However, education is a people business, and that means it is messy. Putting a gun in the hands of teachers is a bad idea for several reasons, but this one bothers me the most. It is far better to create a school that focuses on building relationships amongst students, staff, and parents. It is far better to make sure there isn't a disconnect between your at-risk students and the school that serves them. It is far better to arm teachers with the skills needed to engage ALL students, so that you don't have students who feel they have "nothing to lose". I believe in local control, and I believe that if Harrold I.S.D. and it's school leadership believe that this is the right path, than so be it. If they feel that the security of their school is such a risk that it warrants these measures, I'm in no place to say otherwise. I do think, however, that the human condition certifies imperfection. The thought that my child's teacher may be a nutcase who is "packing" would scare me more than the possibility of another Columbine ever would. JShock

Don't get me wrong...he runs good routes, and he catches the ball most of the time (with the exception of last January). I look at him though, and I don't see a guy who fits in with one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Average speed, and he runs stiff. Also, he talks way too much hype for a player with his talent. My hidden hope was to get Roy Williams from Detroit in a trade on draft day, but that never materialized (although it was discussed). Am I wrong about this? Do you guys see something different?

That's an impressive reflection. I enjoyed going through your post and thinking about the guys on those teams. Well done.

The fact that his whole economic ideology was crafted by socialists growing up...that is what scares me the most. JShock

Agreed.

There are some sick cookies in the world. Trust nobody.....