Student Jokes about Columbine High School Shooting

Parents are outraged that a Palmer High School student had the audacity to make a joke about the violent shooting, which occurred at Columbine High School just over 12 years ago.

It should be very clear that a joke about this violent attack, which took the lives of 12 innocent students and a teacher, would not be appreciated!

Wednesday was the 12th anniversary of the shooting. As our country took a moment to remember the innocent lives lost at the Columbine High School, the unnamed student made “Columbine-style threats” against the school in a posting on his Facebook page, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.

When police arrived to the student’s front door, he claimed that he was only kidding and meant no actual harm by the joke. The officers discussed this serious matter with the boy’s parents, and the boy was forced to stay home from school on the 12th anniversary of the attack.

The Colorado Springs police, Lt. Pat Rigdon, was quoted saying, “That’s not something to joke about,” which seems so obvious!

This town is still haunted by the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, and families are still mourning the loss of their children.

 

(Photo source: Wikimedia)

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Immigrant shooting 'joke' backlash

"I apologize to anyone that I offended with my inappropriate comment," Kansas state lawmaker Virgil Peck said.NEW: Lawmaker apologizes on camera, flanked by Hispanic colleaguesKansas' Virgil Peck said illegal immigrants should be shot like feral hogsHe says he was joking and issues an apologyHis comments draw a big backlash from both parties

Topeka, Kansas (CNN) -- A Kansas state lawmaker apologized in person Thursday for a controversial remark he made, suggesting that unauthorized immigrants should be shot.

"I'm Virgil Peck, and on Monday, I made an inappropriate comment," the Republican state representative told CNN in an on-camera statement Thursday. "For that, I'm sorry, and I apologize to anyone that I offended with my inappropriate comment. I'll be more careful with my words in the future."

On Monday, Peck made headlines when, during an appropriations committee meeting, he made a reference to an agricultural program that controls the state's feral hog population by shooting them from helicopters.

"Looks like to me, if shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a (solution) to our illegal immigration problem," Peck said.

The comments sparked the ire of residents and officials from Kansas to Washington, but Peck has been largely tight-lipped about his remarks.

He initially said he was joking and then released a terse, two-sentence statement saying, "My statements (Monday) were regrettable. Please accept my apology."

When asked for additional comment on the controversy earlier Thursday, Peck gave CNN a printed copy of the statement.

He did not take any questions after his verbal statement to reporters. He was flanked by the three Hispanic Republican representatives serving in the state legislation.

State Rep. Reynaldo Mesa said the trio of legislators does not condone Peck's comments but has decided to stand by Peck.

"He's offered his apology. We believe he is very sincere," Mesa said.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said he was dismayed by Peck's comments about immigrants.

"His comments were dehumanizing and inappropriate and have no place in our national discourse," Gonzalez said. "They are also counterproductive to having a responsible debate, have the potential to result in regrettable consequences and could incite prejudices and biases that are harmful to our nation."

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, also was critical of Peck's words.

"I think it's completely inappropriate," Brownback said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

On Thursday, Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for the governor, said he would have no further comment on the issue and that he considered the matter closed.

The Kansas Republican House leadership also said the remark was inappropriate but made no mention of whether the lawmaker should face any punishment or sanction.

"We have visited and counseled with Representative Peck about the matter and have accepted his sincere apology for the inappropriate remark, which, although made in jest, was not thereby made any less offensive," the statement said. "His acknowledgment of his error, his apology to the public and his House colleagues and his pledge to be more vigilant and respectful in his discourse is appreciated and accepted."

Before this week, Peck was not known for being outspoken on the illegal immigration issue and has not been linked to any nativist groups. But anti-immigrant views are not unheard-of in Kansas.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a small increase in the number of anti-immigrant vigilante groups nationwide occurred from 2009 to 2010. The organization, which tracks hate groups, identified six chapters of anti-immigrant groups in Kansas.

CNN en Espanol's Gustavo Valdes contributed to this report.

View the original article here

"I apologize to anyone that I offended with my inappropriate comment," Kansas state lawmaker Virgil Peck said.NEW: Lawmaker apologizes on camera, flanked by Hispanic colleaguesKansas' Virgil Peck said illegal immigrants should be shot like feral hogsHe says he was joking and issues an apologyHis comments draw a big backlash from both parties
Topeka, Kansas (CNN) -- A Kansas state lawmaker apologized in person Thursday for a controversial remark he made, suggesting that unauthorized immigrants should be shot.
"I'm Virgil Peck, and on Monday, I made an inappropriate comment," the Republican state representative told CNN in an on-camera statement Thursday. "For that, I'm sorry, and I apologize to anyone that I offended with my inappropriate comment. I'll be more careful with my words in the future."
On Monday, Peck made headlines when, during an appropriations committee meeting, he made a reference to an agricultural program that controls the state's feral hog population by shooting them from helicopters.
"Looks like to me, if shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a (solution) to our illegal immigration problem," Peck said.
The comments sparked the ire of residents and officials from Kansas to Washington, but Peck has been largely tight-lipped about his remarks.
He initially said he was joking and then released a terse, two-sentence statement saying, "My statements (Monday) were regrettable. Please accept my apology."
When asked for additional comment on the controversy earlier Thursday, Peck gave CNN a printed copy of the statement.
He did not take any questions after his verbal statement to reporters. He was flanked by the three Hispanic Republican representatives serving in the state legislation.
State Rep. Reynaldo Mesa said the trio of legislators does not condone Peck's comments but has decided to stand by Peck.
"He's offered his apology. We believe he is very sincere," Mesa said.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said he was dismayed by Peck's comments about immigrants.
"His comments were dehumanizing and inappropriate and have no place in our national discourse," Gonzalez said. "They are also counterproductive to having a responsible debate, have the potential to result in regrettable consequences and could incite prejudices and biases that are harmful to our nation."
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, also was critical of Peck's words.
"I think it's completely inappropriate," Brownback said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
On Thursday, Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for the governor, said he would have no further comment on the issue and that he considered the matter closed.
The Kansas Republican House leadership also said the remark was inappropriate but made no mention of whether the lawmaker should face any punishment or sanction.
"We have visited and counseled with Representative Peck about the matter and have accepted his sincere apology for the inappropriate remark, which, although made in jest, was not thereby made any less offensive," the statement said. "His acknowledgment of his error, his apology to the public and his House colleagues and his pledge to be more vigilant and respectful in his discourse is appreciated and accepted."
Before this week, Peck was not known for being outspoken on the illegal immigration issue and has not been linked to any nativist groups. But anti-immigrant views are not unheard-of in Kansas.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a small increase in the number of anti-immigrant vigilante groups nationwide occurred from 2009 to 2010. The organization, which tracks hate groups, identified six chapters of anti-immigrant groups in Kansas.
CNN en Espanol's Gustavo Valdes contributed to this report.
View the original article here

Immigrant shooting 'joke' backlash

NEW: Lawmaker apologizes on camera, flanked by Hispanic colleaguesKansas' Virgil Peck said illegal immigrants should be shot like feral hogsHe says he was joking and issues an apologyHis comments draw a big backlash from both parties

Topeka, Kansas (CNN) -- A Kansas state lawmaker apologized in person Thursday for a controversial remark he made, suggesting that unauthorized immigrants should be shot.

"I'm Virgil Peck, and on Monday, I made an inappropriate comment," the Republican state representative told CNN in an on-camera statement Thursday. "For that, I'm sorry, and I apologize to anyone that I offended with my inappropriate comment. I'll be more careful with my words in the future."

On Monday, Peck made headlines when, during an appropriations committee meeting, he made a reference to an agricultural program that controls the state's feral hog population by shooting them from helicopters.

"Looks like to me, if shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a (solution) to our illegal immigration problem," Peck said.

The comments sparked the ire of residents and officials from Kansas to Washington, but Peck has been largely tight-lipped about his remarks.

He initially said he was joking and then released a terse, two-sentence statement saying, "My statements (Monday) were regrettable. Please accept my apology."

When asked for additional comment on the controversy earlier Thursday, Peck gave CNN a printed copy of the statement.

He did not take any questions after his verbal statement to reporters. He was flanked by the three Hispanic Republican representatives serving in the state legislation.

State Rep. Reynaldo Mesa said the trio of legislators does not condone Peck's comments but has decided to stand by Peck.

"He's offered his apology. We believe he is very sincere," Mesa said.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said he was dismayed by Peck's comments about immigrants.

"His comments were dehumanizing and inappropriate and have no place in our national discourse," Gonzalez said. "They are also counterproductive to having a responsible debate, have the potential to result in regrettable consequences and could incite prejudices and biases that are harmful to our nation."

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, also was critical of Peck's words.

"I think it's completely inappropriate," Brownback said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

On Thursday, Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for the governor, said he would have no further comment on the issue and that he considered the matter closed.

The Kansas Republican House leadership also said the remark was inappropriate but made no mention of whether the lawmaker should face any punishment or sanction.

"We have visited and counseled with Representative Peck about the matter and have accepted his sincere apology for the inappropriate remark, which, although made in jest, was not thereby made any less offensive," the statement said. "His acknowledgment of his error, his apology to the public and his House colleagues and his pledge to be more vigilant and respectful in his discourse is appreciated and accepted."

Before this week, Peck was not known for being outspoken on the illegal immigration issue and has not been linked to any nativist groups. But anti-immigrant views are not unheard-of in Kansas.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a small increase in the number of anti-immigrant vigilante groups nationwide occurred from 2009 to 2010. The organization, which tracks hate groups, identified six chapters of anti-immigrant groups in Kansas.

CNN en Espanol's Gustavo Valdes contributed to this report.

View the original article here

State lawmaker issues apology for immigrant shooting 'joke'

NEW: Lawmaker apologizes on camera, flanked by Hispanic colleaguesKansas' Virgil Peck said illegal immigrants should be shot like feral hogsHe says he was joking and issues an apologyHis comments draw a big backlash from both parties

Topeka, Kansas (CNN) -- A Kansas state lawmaker apologized in person Thursday for a controversial remark he made, suggesting that unauthorized immigrants should be shot.

"I'm Virgil Peck, and on Monday, I made an inappropriate comment," the Republican state representative told CNN in an on-camera statement Thursday. "For that, I'm sorry, and I apologize to anyone that I offended with my inappropriate comment. I'll be more careful with my words in the future."

On Monday, Peck made headlines when, during an appropriations committee meeting, he made a reference to an agricultural program that controls the state's feral hog population by shooting them from helicopters.

"Looks like to me, if shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a (solution) to our illegal immigration problem," Peck said.

The comments sparked the ire of residents and officials from Kansas to Washington, but Peck has been largely tight-lipped about his remarks.

He initially said he was joking and then released a terse, two-sentence statement saying, "My statements (Monday) were regrettable. Please accept my apology."

When asked for additional comment on the controversy earlier Thursday, Peck gave CNN a printed copy of the statement.

He did not take any questions after his verbal statement to reporters. He was flanked by the three Hispanic Republican representatives serving in the state legislation.

State Rep. Reynaldo Mesa said the trio of legislators does not condone Peck's comments but has decided to stand by Peck.

"He's offered his apology. We believe he is very sincere," Mesa said.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said he was dismayed by Peck's comments about immigrants.

"His comments were dehumanizing and inappropriate and have no place in our national discourse," Gonzalez said. "They are also counterproductive to having a responsible debate, have the potential to result in regrettable consequences and could incite prejudices and biases that are harmful to our nation."

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, also was critical of Peck's words.

"I think it's completely inappropriate," Brownback said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

On Thursday, Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for the governor, said he would have no further comment on the issue and that he considered the matter closed.

The Kansas Republican House leadership also said the remark was inappropriate but made no mention of whether the lawmaker should face any punishment or sanction.

"We have visited and counseled with Representative Peck about the matter and have accepted his sincere apology for the inappropriate remark, which, although made in jest, was not thereby made any less offensive," the statement said. "His acknowledgment of his error, his apology to the public and his House colleagues and his pledge to be more vigilant and respectful in his discourse is appreciated and accepted."

Before this week, Peck was not known for being outspoken on the illegal immigration issue and has not been linked to any nativist groups. But anti-immigrant views are not unheard-of in Kansas.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a small increase in the number of anti-immigrant vigilante groups nationwide occurred from 2009 to 2010. The organization, which tracks hate groups, identified six chapters of anti-immigrant groups in Kansas.

CNN en Espanol's Gustavo Valdes contributed to this report.

View the original article here