Stop the Violence!!

There are some things that I just dont understand. Violence......Where does it come from? What drives people to it? It can happen anywhere, in the store, the parking lot, school, work, anywhere. It can happen to anyone, those involved, innocent bystanders, young, old. I have never lost someone to violence, I cant imagine what it would be like. Too many people here in Omaha cant say that, they have lost loved ones to violence. Is it something that kids these days think is cool? Is it because they have grown up around violence and thats all they know? Why do some people think that violence is the answser? I can remember when fights were settled with fists not guns. A quick 5 minute fight ended with 2 people shaking hands then going home and getting your butt whipped by your parents for fighting. Now it ends with someone dead. Fights are fought with guns. In my day that was considered the whimpy way, you were definitely not a man. How as a community can we stop the violence? Life is too short for all of this crap. Parents, get ahold of your children YOUNG... dont try to get them under control when they are already out of control. BE INVOLVED!! Know your childrens friends, know their parents. The best thing you can spend on your children is TIME. Get them involved in positive things while they are young, CHURCH, sports, or volunteer work. There are alot of positive things for kids to get involved in. But if they are raising themselves without guidance from their parents what can we expect? Babies raising babies, parents with little to no parenting skills. What is in store for our community if this continues? Im not an expert nor do I have all the answers, how many kids have to die before we as a community step up? Know your neighbors, your childrens teachers, their friends, their friends' parents, be involved.Child learn what they live, be a good role model to your children, DO NOT be their friend. They need parents at home not friends This is not a black or white thing, its not a North Omaha thing, its a community thing.It does take a village to raise a child. So ask yourself, what can I as a parent, as a neighbor, as a teacher, as a pastor, as a friend, as a member of this community do?