THE PUBLIC MIND: EACH PERSON SHOULD `DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, MAKE LIFE BETTER'

To the Editor:

The Rev. Michael O'Connell, officiating at the recent funeral of James Patrick Bulgar, in Liverpool, England, stated, "The death of an innocent little child is causing us to do something about it, to make life better." Rev. O'Connell spoke words of wisdom. James Bulgar was an innocent little child abducted and murdered by mere children. It causes us to pause and reflect. Why did this happen? What can we do?

As part of society we have a chance to make "life better." The tragedy of James Bulgar has touched the hearts of people in England as well as in the United States. We mourn his death along with his family and the 350 others who attended his funeral in Liverpool. In mourning for this small fragile boy, whom we did not know, we are mourning for ourselves. How could we have allowed a world that turns two young 10-year-old boys into diabolical killers? Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event of youth violence. The death of James Bulgar has only stepped up a drive in England to pressure the British government to help stop juvenile crime. In the United States we read of more and more violent crimes perpetrated by younger and younger youth. Youth gangs, hate groups, and young violent criminals are becoming more evident. Just recently violent and senseless actions of teen-agers were reported after a Super Bowl Winners Rally in Dallas, Texas. The most alarming is the statistics released by the FBI's Uniform Crime Report. The report states that between 1987 to 1991, 85 percent of those arrested for murder where children under 18 compared to 21 percent of adults. What becomes of a society which fosters such disrespect for human life in our offspring? Are we to blame society? The answer fairly should be yes.

Is it too harsh and unfair to blame society as a whole for the violence in our youth? Shamefully, society is to blame and should well hold its head in shame if nothing is done. In our country many organizations have for many years tried to do something about the violent trends in our young people, but have been met with ridicule and condemnation.

These organizations, such as the American Family Association, the Eagle Forum, and Concerned Women for America, have attempted to point out how what we put forth to our young people is what we will get in return. They have noted that the acceptance of abortion on demand, euthanasia, pornography, and through violent and immoral television programming, we have shown young people that life has no meaning and is not worthy of our respect.

It appears imminent that we change the course of violence that is taking over our youth. It is time to review the essence of what society is teaching our children.

We should reflect when we think of the tiny frail body of James Bulgar, at his burial, what should I do? Do nothing? Say nothing? Or should I, in the words of Rev. Michael O'Connell, "....do something about it, to make life better."

J~ulia A. Kridelbaugh

Cape Girardeau