Topic : 01/08 Cyber Bullies

While I do find it ridiculous and cowardly what happend to the Meier's child going after a law towards cyber bullies just opens up a box of trouble. Grief can make individuals want to take charge and make a change which would generally be viewed as ok. If however law makers come up with a vague law pointing a finger and slapping cuffs on individuals who "bully" people online there is massive room for error and innocent people will pay the price. I am by no means excusing the cyber bullying but on the other hand the Meier's were fully aware their child had an issue with depression and should have addressed that with psychiatric help and kept her away from the broad spectrum that is the internet.

Another issue I want to address is the fact that the Meier's are not going after the other family in a civil suit. Intentional infliction of emotional distress is a civil matter and if I had been in a position where a friend or family member took their life as a result of harassment I would take the guilty party for every penny and put that money towards a positive cause such as a suicide and/or depression awareness organization. A grieving family can choose to live with hate and sadness or push their grief in a positive direction.

Cyberspace?  This was a crime from three doors away from this lovely little girl.  The mothers statement to the police in which she gives information that clearly implicates her.  This is an adult woman being cruel to a 13 year old chid.  There was obviously jealousy on the mothers part and on her childs part.  The utter cruelty of these two people (along with others involved) clearly should be a crime.  So damaged was the poor, beautiful little girl, that she had not way to go but take her life.  How horrible.

Phil is taking to task the woman who posted a note on the web that he found offensive because he was offended.  The free speech applies to everyone but the blacks.  Imus madu e a stupid three word remark and you would have thought he murdered a dozen black kids.  For God's sake, his three words - one of the girls offended said this remark will hurt her all her life....she sure has a surprise for her when she gets into the workforce.  She will be shield by her employers BECAUSE she is black and the company would be afraid of a racial action. This does not happen to white people.  Belive me I worked in Washington, DC and  I have seen it in action.  The black women came in late, took many,many days off, did shoddy work, refused to do some clerical jobs, etc.  but are not called to the office because (as I was told)  they don noyt want to have trouble with the black community..  I left the job because of this reverse racism.  Thhis company was a major mortgage brokers association and lived in fear of repriasile from the black community.  Much of the mortgage collapse comes about because blacks complained about banks refusing to give them mortgages and those banks were forced to give this low-qualifying loand, now the fall out is being seen.  Americans must open your eyes, America is in trouble. 

This woman who claims she had not part in this crime is disgusting and will one day pay dearly for what she has done,,,,,what goes around really does come around.  To the parents of the beautiful young girl, I cannot imagine what I could say to them to help them.  I lost a 22 year old son in a car accident, and the pain is beyond description.  These good people need some sort of justice for this awful loss and in so getting this injustice they help protect thousands of other young children.

I agree. Laws need to be set in place now for the "cyber" world.

First murder in Toronto Ontario Canada: A 14 year old girl was murdered. The investigation led to 2 other persons, who were interacting on FaceBook. A 17 year old male has been charged. All this over jealousy.

Unfortunately in Canada, there is "The Young Offenders Act". If this male is charged, he will serve 3 years, and then his records sealed. Note: Both parents of this young girl, are Police Officers.

5 years ago my child was one of a few middle school student's cyber-bullied for 3 years. (Us) parents tried to communicate the concern thru the PTO, school bd., principals, & police: all to no avail (even with proof).  This is a small town, quite inbred (60% of student's in each class are related to each other!), & 'run' by the bullies parents. My child, & other's that had moved into the 'blue ribbon' school district,  ended up in counseling & on anti-depressants, dropped of of clubs & town activities etc...

We, & others who could, moved. My child is very intolerant of anyone being bullied to ts day (always was anyways). My cilds' reason for being bullied was a refusal to choose a click to belong to. The sc. district we left did listen to a professional proposal (brought via a parent) to address the bullying but  the school board decided in the end that the problem 'was not  severe enough to address'! , & from what I hear-nothing has changed to this day.

We need laws that tie any & all bullying/threatening behavoir to criminal activities such as assault, harssment/staling  etc. so that parents have some  recourse an/or support.