The [school violence White House] Summit That Didn't Matter

[rodeodance]

The Summit That Didn't Matter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/04/11/LI2005041100879.html


The Summit That Didn't Matter

Yesterday's White House "summit" on school violence was a much tamer and lamer attempt to reclaim some headlines. It was all choreography, no substance.

Here's the transcript of the portions Bush attended.

Dana Milbank of The Washington Post cuts right to the heart of the problem: "President Bush has always been a disciplined man, but yesterday he set a new standard for self-control: He moderated an hour-long discussion about the rash of school shootings in the past week without once mentioning the word 'guns.' . . .

"This was no misfire. The White House, hastily arranging yesterday's forum to react to shootings over the past fortnight at schools in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin and Missouri, neglected to invite any gun-control advocates. . . .

...........

John Aloysius Farrell writes in the Denver Post: "President Bush said he wanted Tuesday's White House conference on school safety to produce a concrete plan of action. But tangible solutions like the use of metal detectors or a ban on assault weapons were rejected and eclipsed by testaments to the power of love."

The Violence Policy Center issued this statement yesterday: "The fact that guns are not on today's agenda only confirms what was already obvious: The Bush Administration is in complete denial regarding the catalytic role that guns play in school violence. How is it even possible to have a discussion about preventing school shootings without talking about guns? . . .

........

[C_U_L8R]

1. "testament to the power of love" ??????

“Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.”

[SharonAnn]

2. Laura has already solved the problem of gang violence.

[Captain Hilts]

3. It shut down traffic on Conn. Ave in MD! I was trapped! That matters!

[justgamma]

4. You know what else they didn't talk about?

I'll bet they never mentioned tolerance. Teaching kids to accept those who might be different.

[rodeodance]

5. Bush is about himself (the me)---that is the message sent forth.