Kid gets suspended after standing up to bully

[enjoytheview]

The mother of "Ritchard", who was jailed for naming her child such a triple-bogan name, has said that her son "deserved it" and that she'd "like to see him say sorry". But she also made the point of Casey being a lot bigger than that rat thing she gave birth to, which probably means she's a pushover parent. If her son doesn't die at 20 or so from drink driving or drugs or even another fight, she can enjoy seeing him in prison every few years.

A Current Affair have an interview with Casey. Unfortunately it's ACA and not 60 Minutes, but I'm still watching. I think it's tomorrow night.

Haha, completely agree. The first thing I did when I saw his name was "Ritchard" was to go to thingsboganslike.com to suggest it on the bogan baby names page, but somebody beat me to it

I was starting to feel some sympathy for the little rat, because I'm sure he and his family are getting harassed all the time by complete strangers. Then he shows up on ACA and says he isn't sorry and then lies about "snapping" because he used to get bullied. Pretty sure that when you snap in response to being hit first, your mate doesn't have enough time to pull out his camera phone and you don't have enough time to dance around like a moron in between punches. He might get sympathy from today tonight (can't believe people actually watch that show) but he sure as hell isn't getting any from me.

I do feel sorry for his parents though, even if they are responsible for populating Australia with yet another bogan. No parent would want to see their son being trashed all over the internet, even if he does deserve it.

 

[funk de fino]

And the victim, who some here have irrationally argued should be punished, should be congratulated.

This.

 

[Nihilianth]

Is that a joke or is that serious? As if that's serious, then that sounds really barbaric, and yet we call ourselves "civilized"... I'd rather be in the "uncivilized" world if that's what you call civilization... There are countries where they do better in school than in America and they don't do that. I sure hope that's a joke. Even if it is a joke, though, it is disturbing since it makes me wonder how much we really value human life...

Man, it was a joke. Obviously he isn't serious. lol.

 

[qayak]

I suggest extremely harsh punishments for all the bystanders and witnesses to bullying who don't take action to intervene. Punishing bullies doesn't work, punishing victims is unfair, and those in authority aren't capable of stopping it or being present at all times. So punish all the other children for not intervening, or at least tattling, on every occasion of bullying.

I think this is a great solution. It does two things in my opinion. It robs the bully of their audience, and it puts a responsibility onto the individual citizen in the school setting, making them responsible for the quality of the environment. It empowers them.

 

[qayak]

Bullying must be less enjoyable the bully than not bullying. Everything else is about trying to make this happen. The kid in this video accomplished that.

Completely agree.

 

[Legend]

Haha, completely agree. The first thing I did when I saw his name was "Ritchard" was to go to thingsboganslike.com to suggest it on the bogan baby names page, but somebody beat me to it

I was starting to feel some sympathy for the little rat, because I'm sure he and his family are getting harassed all the time by complete strangers. Then he shows up on ACA and says he isn't sorry and then lies about "snapping" because he used to get bullied. Pretty sure that when you snap in response to being hit first, your mate doesn't have enough time to pull out his camera phone and you don't have enough time to dance around like a moron in between punches. He might get sympathy from today tonight (can't believe people actually watch that show) but he sure as hell isn't getting any from me.

I do feel sorry for his parents though, even if they are responsible for populating Australia with yet another bogan. No parent would want to see their son being trashed all over the internet, even if he does deserve it.

So true. So true all of that. Today Tonight is the biggest load of trash on television, I think it even beats ACA. Like you said, I do feel sorry for the parents as well, but another part of me has no sympathy at all, firstly for naming someone Ritchard, and secondly because they clearly have no idea about how to care for their kid properly and use this situation to try and create some sort of affinity for "Ritchard".

TT failed miserably.

 

[lionking]

I haven't read all this thread, and can imagine how views have been polarised. All I can add is my sister is the Principal of a school near where this event happened. She knows the Principal who suspended both boys and have spoken to her about. She believes that the school made the right decision in suspending both boys. Fighting back is not the best solution, in her opinion, which must be respected as she is in charge of a school with some of the most disadvantaged and damaged kids in the wasteland of outer western Sydney.

 

[qayak]

I haven't read all this thread, and can imagine how views have been polarised. All I can add is my sister is the Principal of a school near where this event happened. She knows the Principal who suspended both boys and have spoken to her about. She believes that the school made the right decision in suspending both boys. Fighting back is not the best solution, in her opinion, which must be respected as she is in charge of a school with some of the most disadvantaged and damaged kids in the wasteland of outer western Sydney.

Most countries recognize that authorities are unable to defend individuals but EVERYONE has the right to safety of person. This naturally leads to laws that allow individuals to defend themselves against physical assault.

By saying students are not allowed to defend themselves, the school is taking responsibility for each individual's safety, 100% of the time. Therefore, it is the school's responsibility to do just that and any bullying incindent should result in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the school, principal, district ... all the way up to the education minister.

Taking away a person's right to defend themselves is just plain idiotic. It does nothing but encourage bullies.

 

[lionking]

Some responses are entirely predictable.........

You have a better idea of the situation than those who work with these kids daily?

 

[lionking]

There is no need to respect her opinion simply because of her position.

Not her position, but her experience.

 

[lionking]

I do not see how that makes any difference. Her opinion should stand on its own regardless of her experience or position. If she is unwilling to change her opinion based on clear evidence she should be removed from her position.

Sorry, who are you talking about? I made it clear that my sister was the Principal of a neighbouring school. She should be removed from her position exactly why?

 

[lionking]

Your sister has an a priori position that ignores evidence. If she believes that the victim did not make the best choice in that particular situation and should be punished for using reasonable force to defend himself from an attack, I believe she should not be a principal of any school.

If the principal in question had discretion in suspending the victim, I believe he or she should be relieved of his or her position.

Thank goodness you are not in a position to make these decisions then. There have been no end of child psychologists in Australia saying it was the right decision to suspend both kids, and that fighting back is not the best strategy.

In addition if you think that this one video is evidence of what's best for the future behaviour of both kids, you don't know what evidence means. Because, surely you want a response that is in the best interests of both kids?

Maybe not.

 

[Legend]

Thank goodness you are not in a position to make these decisions then. There have been no end of child psychologists in Australia saying it was the right decision to suspend both kids, and that fighting back is not the best strategy.

What? Where? What other strategy is there, or do you suggest?

 

[lionking]

Walking away.

 

[qarnos]

Fighting back is not the best solution, in her opinion,

You know what's funny? I keep hearing people say "fighting back is not the best solution", yet I never hear these geniuses tell us what the better solutions are.

Seriously, what is the kid supposed to do? Just stand there and take it? Let everyone know he's an easy target who won't fight back? From what I understand, this is exactly what Casey has been doing his whole life up to this point, and look where it got him.

Perhaps you could probe your sisters unfettered genius on our behalf and see if she can enlighten us plebs about the correct way to teach our children to conduct themselves whilst being assaulted.

 

[Legend]

Walking away.

How long do you think he's been doing that for?

 

[lionking]

You know what's funny? I keep hearing people say "fighting back is not the best solution", yes I never hear these geniuses tell us what the better solutions are.

Seriously, what is the kid supposed to do? Just stand there and take it? Let everyone know he's an easy target that won't fight back? From what I understand, this is exactly what Casey has been doing his whole life up to this point, and look where it got him.

Perhaps you could probe your sisters unfettered genius on our behalf and see if she can enlighten us plebs about the correct way to teach our children to conduct themselves whilst being assaulted.

If you want a response quit the snarkiness.

 

[Rasmus]

Walking away.

That is not a solution.

It *might* work for the day, but we can hardly expect a child to live their life in fear and under control of the bullies?

Sure, be hit in the face - walk away. Tomorrow, they will just shake the stuff out of your bag, and you walk away. The day after, you will shoved into a wall - and walk away.

Howe does anyone figure this looks like a solution? Do the pauses make it somehow okay? How much abuse should a child, or should anyone, be expected to take in a single day or all at once before we decide it is permissible to do something about it and not let the other side get away with it?

 

[pipelineaudio]

Sorry, who are you talking about? I made it clear that my sister was the Principal of a neighbouring school. She should be removed from her position exactly why?

Im glad someone else answered, I didn't want to risk an infraction

 

[enjoytheview]

That is not a solution.

It *might* work for the day, but we can hardly expect a child to live their life in fear and under control of the bullies?

Sure, be hit in the face - walk away. Tomorrow, they will just shake the stuff out of your bag, and you walk away. The day after, you will shoved into a wall - and walk away.

Howe does anyone figure this looks like a solution? Do the pauses make it somehow okay? How much abuse should a child, or should anyone, be expected to take in a single day or all at once before we decide it is permissible to do something about it and not let the other side get away with it?

I agree with most of this. Walking away is never the best option. With that said, I believe walking away is a better option than hurling somebody into a concrete floor. More than anything else, I'm so glad for Casey that the runt wasn't seriously injured or killed, because otherwise the media story would be "Big year 10 boy nearly kills younger student in brutal retaliation" and Casey would be the demon.

That little turd absolutely deserved it, and I'm glad he got what he deserved. I wouldn't be encouraging other children to take his lead though.

Ultimately, I think the school is at fault, and the parents need to accept a small portion of the blame. Casey's father said that the school has known about his problems for 3 years now and have done nothing. Pathetic action by the school is the biggest problem here. But then again, what kind of parent keeps their child at a school where for 3 years they'll allow him to be bullied and not do a damn thing to stop it? Clearly the school doesn't have the best interests of their students in mind, and there's no way in hell I'd leave my kid in an environment like that.