Gangs eye youths, so does Asheville

I think these programs are very good because young people have to stay busy to stay out of trouble and many of the parents work and don't have the time to spend with the kids, and some simply don't take the time with the kids as they should.

If these programs can help lead these young people in the right direction they are worthwhile.

It is a real crying shame that we are throwing so much money at the symptoms of this massive social problem instead of addressing the underlying cause.

There was a day not so long ago that childrens' mentors were available without tax dollars to buy them. They were called 'daddies'.

Also not so long ago we began monetarily rewarding parents who had irresponsible nonselective unprotected unmarried sex. Now we are scrounging for dollars to deal with the symptoms of parental irresponsibility.

Why doesn't someone in government have insight enough to offer proposals to FIX the problem?

The solution, of course, is to make daddies responsible for the total care off their offspring.

If you can't feed' em, don't breed 'em.

How complicated is that?

local wrote:

It is a real crying shame that we are throwing so much money at the symptoms of this massive social problem instead of addressing the underlying cause.
There was a day not so long ago that childrens' mentors were available without tax dollars to buy them. They were called 'daddies'.
Also not so long ago we began monetarily rewarding parents who had irresponsible nonselective unprotected unmarried sex. Now we are scrounging for dollars to deal with the symptoms of parental irresponsibility.
Why doesn't someone in government have insight enough to offer proposals to FIX the problem?
The solution, of course, is to make daddies responsible for the total care off their offspring.
If you can't feed' em, don't breed 'em.
How complicated is that?

FIX= Spay and neuter.Sounds like a plan.
I couldn't agree more.

A man in todays obituary listings may not have been a gang member, but his death was drug related. His mother is a hard working, very caring person and tried hard to keep him straight. Another of her sons was killed in a similar situation not long ago. My only point in mentioning this tragic outcome, is that any and all programs and initiative aimed at helping keep youth from getting involved in dangerous and illegal activities are money well spent. It would undoubtedly be best to have two parents in the home, providing good examples and keeping their children under control, but lacking that ideal circumstance, we have to do the best we can.

Wow! Kids these days have way too much free time on their hands. When I was a teenager I went to work after school to pay for my car. I had a job, participated in sports, and was a straight A student. My theory is if you've got time to be in a gang and hustle drugs, you've got time to make an honest living. I have no repesct for people who kill amd deal for a living.I agree with local. My mom and dad were my mentor. They were very involved in my life and my education. Problem today is parents don't care what their kids are doing or who they are with. If mom and dad stepped up to the plate maybe our tax dollars wouldn't have to be spent on mentors.

lawnguy wrote:

A man in todays obituary listings may not have been a gang member, but his death was drug related. His mother is a hard working, very caring person and tried hard to keep him straight. Another of her sons was killed in a similar situation not long ago. My only point in mentioning this tragic outcome, is that any and all programs and initiative aimed at helping keep youth from getting involved in dangerous and illegal activities are money well spent. It would undoubtedly be best to have two parents in the home, providing good examples and keeping their children under control, but lacking that ideal circumstance, we have to do the best we can.

I agree. Why would anyone begrudge this program? Life is not ideal for all. Never has been. Just was hidden better before media advanced as far as it has. Would you rather your tax dollars go toward this or keeping thugs on death row forever? Give it a chance people. I read a well laid out plan. It's time for these dealers, punks, and cowards to realize that they no longer have an active audience or income!

What wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree. Why would anyone begrudge this program? Life is not ideal for all. Never has been. Just was hidden better before media advanced as far as it has. Would you rather your tax dollars go toward this or keeping thugs on death row forever? Give it a chance people. I read a well laid out plan. It's time for these dealers, punks, and cowards to realize that they no longer have an active audience or income!

Just call me 'Daddy' since that is what the government has decided our role should be.

Or you could call me 'Mama' since the women who chose to breed with loser men have ALSO abdicated their parental responsibilities to the government.

I don't see us doing much more than giving more and more tax dollars to a system that should instead be looking for ways to end the NEED for society to pay for poor parenting.

As we get older we are working harder and harder so we can hedge the increased assault on our income by the government.

And the babies' daddies roam around carefree- and IF they contribute, it is never enough to cover the needs of their children.

WHY IN THE WORLD DON'T WE FIX THAT PROBLEM? We have them ability to make them completely financially reaponsible for their offspring. Why are we continuing to allow the government to take OUR money to cover those needs?

Would we rather keep paying higher and higher taxes than to simply go vote to elect officials who can change things?

I grew up without the benefit of a "daddy" and my mother and grand-mother instillde morals and values in me. My mother never recieved one red cent in child support. I've never had a run-in with the law. I graduated from college, received advanced degrees, have a professional job. Don't drink or do drugs. My brother's on the other hand, grew up with our father. Neither have a drivers license due to numerous stops of driving while drunk. One has spent time in prison, both jail time. They both drink and do drugs and only one of them works.

Just because you are a man and you have a child doesn't mean you are capable of raising that child. And what about those fathers that die and leave the mothers the job of raising the chid(ren) alone?

And what about the father's that are raising their children alone? I don't hear America screaming about the mother needs to be paying child support and being a part of their life.

Every problem going on with America's youth can't be placed on the shoulder's of absent fathers. I applaud those men and women who mentor youth, who care enough to give back. Maybe more people should stop complaining about what should work, but obviously isn't and try to help make a change!

Terry Bellamys brother is in a gang. He is also sitting in prison for stealing pay roll checks. Just a fraction of his over 100 diffrent arrest charges.

Crazy Comments wrote:

...
Just because you are a man and you have a child doesn't mean you are capable of raising that child. And what about those fathers that die and leave the mothers the job of raising the chid(ren) alone?
And what about the father's that are raising their children alone? I don't hear America screaming about the mother needs to be paying child support and being a part of their life.
Every problem going on with America's youth can't be placed on the shoulder's of absent fathers. I applaud those men and women who mentor youth, who care enough to give back. Maybe more people should stop complaining about what should work, but obviously isn't and try to help make a change!

You just made most of my point.

(And I feel that widows should recieve all the help we can give them- from their local church.)

And OF COURSE there are children who succeed without their daddies, but the ones we are discussing here are gang memebers.

I agree, society needs to make a change- and only vote for leaders who will hold daddies accountable.

Of course there are bad mothers, as well. Men should not have unprotected sex with a woman who is not responsible and would be a good parent and partner, and vice versa.

The argument that you didn't know how awful they would be as parents is not an excuse. You should get to know your partner as well as you know yourself BEFORE you have babies with them. Can't control your urges?- Get a vasectomy.

local wrote:

<quoted text>
Just call me 'Daddy' since that is what the government has decided our role should be.
Or you could call me 'Mama' since the women who chose to breed with loser men have ALSO abdicated their parental responsibilities to the government.
I don't see us doing much more than giving more and more tax dollars to a system that should instead be looking for ways to end the NEED for society to pay for poor parenting.
As we get older we are working harder and harder so we can hedge the increased assault on our income by the government.
And the babies' daddies roam around carefree- and IF they contribute, it is never enough to cover the needs of their children.
WHY IN THE WORLD DON'T WE FIX THAT PROBLEM? We have them ability to make them completely financially reaponsible for their offspring. Why are we continuing to allow the government to take OUR money to cover those needs?
Would we rather keep paying higher and higher taxes than to simply go vote to elect officials who can change things?

I understand how you feel about this. My husband and I were raised well and my children are of the minority now as they have been raised with both parents, morals, accountability, etc.

Still, even the best parents have lost their children to the drugs and gangs. Anything that can help get that under control is worth every penny I have extra. Why does it have to be all or nothing? We don't live in a generic world. I don't oppose what you suggest either. In fact, you would probably be surprised at what I feel should be done about that particular overpopulation problem.

local wrote:

The solution, of course, is to make daddies responsible for the total care off their offspring.
If you can't feed' em, don't breed 'em.
How complicated is that?

I'd say about as complicated as deciding that the way to end the drought is to "make it rain." There are laws on the books requiring payment of support, and there are laws against child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. There are people in public agencies and private non-profits that are working hard to either find homes, guardians, or mentors for children without families. But exactly how, within the limits of Constitutional rights, would you implement your "simple" plan to enforce no-feeding/no-breeding?

local wrote:

<quoted text>
You just made most of my point.
(And I feel that widows should recieve all the help we can give them- from their local church.)
And OF COURSE there are children who succeed without their daddies, but the ones we are discussing here are gang memebers.
I agree, society needs to make a change- and only vote for leaders who will hold daddies accountable.
Of course there are bad mothers, as well. Men should not have unprotected sex with a woman who is not responsible and would be a good parent and partner, and vice versa.
The argument that you didn't know how awful they would be as parents is not an excuse. You should get to know your partner as well as you know yourself BEFORE you have babies with them. Can't control your urges?- Get a vasectomy.

Sir (I assume) you make excellent points - however, the point I agrue is your last one. People can and often change over the years and no matter how much you think you know someone, you never really do.