The issue of school safety is still a frequent topic for discussion. I shall violate good manners by offering political points of view. It is a good extended metaphor for the differences between the Conservative philosophy and the Liberal sentiments. My use of the word “sentiment” is not meant to imply any weakness. It means a strong feeling without regard to its reasonableness. It is similar to how we react to puppies and kittens.
The Liberal reaction basically is this. Something has to be done ---and now. Money must be made to pay for new methods. The solution includes having more men with guns enter schools (as police). The solution includes having fewer, or no, men with guns (killers) enter schools. Everyone should be “trained, but not teachers. Many more laws should be passed. Guns should be “held accountable.”
Conservatives take a more rational approach. The more armed good guys at a school the better. Every proposal needs to be examined with respect to actually improving safety, and not merely feeling good. This included examination of cost effectiveness. Realistic training, using hundreds of real students (or actors?), is literally impossible.
In other words the Conservative argues that a rational plan should be devised and implemented, while being analyzed as much as possible. The Liberal demands that a temporary irritation be clamed by ever lasting actions, and spending money.
Ii am not the first person to pronounce that feelings, especially painful ones, are far more effective motivations than being reasonable. Being political creatures the Conservatives will probably accept some Liberal policies, but will give the impression of being reluctant. This is the worst possible choice, as they will be accused of being indifferent. Most likely nothing truly effective will be done.
I add two points. One, I do not know how schools can actually be made significantly safer. Two, this fatal flaw is why Conservatives manage to lose elections, even though they frequently outnumber Liberals.
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