PARKLAND, Fla. _ “This backpack is probably worth more than my life.”
So says a tweet from Carmen Lo, one of the many Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students who took to social media after transparent backpacks were handed out to the school’s 3,300 students on Monday.
The backpacks are part of the new safety measures taking effect at the Parkland school, where 17 people were shot and killed and 17 others were wounded Feb. 14.
On social media, particularly Twitter, many Stoneman Douglas students were showing off their backpack hacks, or the ways in which they’ve managed to personalize their new school bags.
…When people pay money for these modifications on our school (the only one in the county being altered btw) that means Someone Is Getting Paid and I am Sick and Tired of us being treated like prize pigs.
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) April 3, 2018
Many of the students used their new backpacks to make a statement, with the inference being that trying to reduce gun violence with transparent plastic backpacks was ridiculous, and for some, insulting.
“Clear backpacks are stupid,” one student wrote on a sheet of paper he was displaying from the inside of his backpack.
Others were attaching the $1.05 price tag used by some students to protest Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
This backpack is probably worth more than my life #trends #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/sVAfRbt12R
— Carmen Lo // #NEVERAGAIN (@xo_karmin_ox) April 2, 2018
“When you take 3,140,167, the number of students enrolled in Florida schools, and divide it by $3,303,355, the amount of money Marco Rubio has received from the National Rifle Association, it comes out to $1.05,” studen Sarah Chadwick said in her speech at the March For Our Lives rally in Washington on March 24.
Yet others pointed out that the new backpacks could bring unwanted attention to personal items.
Other students saw some humor in the situation. Alex Wind, one of the #NeverAgain leaders, tweeted a clip of an amped-up Oprah Winfrey. It was an obvious reference to Oprah’s famous practice of giving away expensive stuff to audience members on her daytime talk show.
Yet another student drew a pair of crying eyes with “Prisoner #0612074413” written in red and blue marker on the backpack. That number isn’t random, though. It’s actually her student number.
Another enterprising student used his to advertise the fact he’s on the market. “I AM SINGLE,” a sheet of paper inside the backpack reads. All caps, of course.
My new backpack is almost as transparent as the NRA’s agenda.
I feel sooo safe now.
As much as I appreciate the effort we as a country need to focus on the real issue instead of turning our schools into prisons. #clearbackpacks #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/HqBIeGjzF9
— Lauren Hogg (@lauren_hoggs) April 2, 2018
And Jaclyn Corin, another prominent student-activist, affixed March For Our Lives-related pins to hers.
“Thousands of clear backpacks were donated to MSD … it’s a shame b/c they should’ve been given to a school that actually needs the supplies. But since we’re stuck with them, I decided to make the most out of the situation & decorate!!” she tweeted.
In response, Stoneman Douglas principal Ty Thompson tweeted, “Thanks for embracing it Jackie. We will adjust as needed moving forward.”
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The ones complaining are the bullies who are the root cause of the student deaths.
True! And the skin headed lesbian even said she bullied Cruz. She also seemed proud of that fact.
This bimbo might be a pig, but she’s no prize.
Where are the adults? We send our innocent children to school to learn. Instead, they are politicized and uncivilized. Lord of the Flies, who’s in charge? The students or the adult teachers, principal and school board? This person admitted that she bullied Cruz? Shame. Is it any wonder these problems in schools persist? And you want me to give up my Second Amendment right? This chick ain’t stupid!
They are so very respectful, I am sure their parents are so proud. They say they want to feel safe at school, but criticize the clear packs, which would show guns entering the school. They are a bunch of spoiled brats, who want air time, and recognition. They also want to criticize the N.R.A., but have no clue what the NRA stands for. They actually promote gun safety, and proper usage. It seems as time goes on, kids get less life lessons, dumber, more arrogant, resent authority, and kick the hands that feed them.
Clearly the problem was the skin-head lesbo squad wasn’t wearing enough patches and pins on their shirts and coats.
That would have stopped the shooter.
It would have also solved racism, breast cancer, crib death, shingles, cold fusion, micro-aggression, the homeless problem, the NFL’s ratings dive, Brazil’s zika epidemic, polar bears eating the ozone layer, and mercury levels in fish.
[True! And the skin headed lesbian even said she bullied Cruz. She also seemed proud of that fact.]
ANd if you note, not ONE of those hollweird elites, who partook in that big shindig iirc 2 yrs ago against bullying have DARED to speak out against her, FOR HER admission she DID bully and is proud of doing so..
Effectively saying “its ok to bully, as long as its the right person being bullied”..
LOVE your post, DrGadget–I ALWAYS appreciate good sarcasm!
Ignorant, spoiled children. Not one word from the cretins about their school boards, local sheriff’s or the FBI’s failures in this tragedy. I’m a lifetime member of the NRA and I have no desire to visit your county or school. As a retired military man and gun owner of ~60 years I can say with confidence that neither I or any other NRA member has any desire or plan to shoot up a school. I’m getting tired of listening to children who think they have the wisdom to preach to me.
Why do we never hear how the parents of these little bundles of joy feel? Maybe doesn’t fit the narrative?
IMO they are either flat out being ORDERED to stay quiet, being paid OFF to remain quiet, or are being IGNORED..
Hey snowflakes Be careful for what you wish for, you just might get something else.
A less on to the Gun Control students: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Sometimes safety measure cut both ways. The law of unintended consequences. Who cares if they can see your “stash” at least no one can smuggle in a gun! HAHA Fool!
The govt needs to DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!
Oh crap, the govt did something.
Good one, Dr.
Just not the thing they were whining to get..
TOUGH TITTY!!
poor things can not hide their drugs
Also can not hide truly personal items like feminine napkins, condoms, and spare underwear.
Why would they be carrying in spare underware/condoms and the like?
>> Why would they be carrying in spare underware/condoms and the like? Why would they be carrying in spare underware/condoms and the like? <<
Well, like, you need the condoms so you can do that in-the-nostril-out-the-mouth thing when you're, like, out of Tide pods, and the spare panties are in case things go, you know, like, wrong. Like.
It’s been reported that the shooter hid his rifle in a backpack when he entered the school grounds. If clear back packs were required then, it might have been possible to alert authorities before he started shooting.
Is this a perfect fix? Of course not, but it is a start and whatever minor inconvenience or alleged lack of privacy it may be, it is well worth it for the gain in safety.
Maybe these high school students don’t realize it, but they do make small, zippered cases that they can put personal items that they don’t want displayed, but then if they used them, they wouldn’t be able to complain.
I think the schools should make all the students and teachers report to school naked and heads shaved to make schools more secure {I am kidding of course but “clear backpacks” are not going to help as there are too many other ways to hide weapons}
In order for a clear backpack to be effective in exposing contraband, everything in the backpack has to be transparent. Transparent books, transparent lunches, transparent sweaters, etc. Just sandwich a hammer in there between the history book and the lunch bag, and no one’s the wiser. Why mention hammers? In 2012, the FBI reported 678 people were murdered that year with “personal weapons” (hands, fists, and feet), 518 were killed with blunt objects (hammers would be in that group) while rifles (322) and shotguns (303) lagged behind.
No, this isn’t a perfect fix. What these paid operatives don’t seem to realize is that adults can actually do more than one thing at a time. I think this idea combined with other measures is a great idea. If they think they are not being treated in the manner to which they have grown accustomed, wait until they wheel in the metal detector, explosive and drug sniffing drugs, guys in suits with bulging pockets … surprise spot checks of classrooms and individuals, identification cards with chips to be scanned before entry … better yet, hire gangs that need the money, to patrol … they are firearms experts and paranoid enough to spot a threat. //sarcasm off
>> wait until they wheel in the metal detector, explosive and drug sniffing drugs, guys in suits with bulging pockets … surprise spot checks of classrooms and individuals, identification cards with chips to be scanned before entry … <<
I can hardly wait. Ooh, that tingling in my leg … that must be what Pelosi felt every time Obama opened his yap.
Well, for years we’ve seen that kids in school do NOT HAVE a right to privacy, with teachers and others being allowed to go into their lockers when ever, WHY should they be allowed to say “my privacy is being violated’ here?
Have metal detectors at the school doors. Have armed security and more than one. Do not tolerate any violence,, threats of violence or drugs in the schools, by suspending or expelling kids if necessary, instead of all of this political correctness from people like Obama, who did not want anyone to be punished. Make the police and the FBI do their jobs! Furthermore, the idiots going after the innocent NRA can go to you know where!
[Make the police and the FBI do their jobs! ]
And when they don’t, START FIRING THE incompetent buffoons!
>> like Obama, who did not want anyone to be punished. <<
like Obama, who did not want any blacks or minorities to be punished.
Fixed it for ya.
We used to carry our books under our arms and the girls in front of them with their arms across them. Didn’t need knapsacks as we weren’t carrying drugs, booze, electronic pacifiers or binkys.
By the by, the NRA IS doing its job of educating young people in gun safety and handling, providing training and competitive events and securing the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. If you’re not happy with what you think the cost of the, FREE TO YOU, backpacks are, you may return them you spoiled, inappropriately entitled babies. All you seniors may also start thinking about enlisting as soon as you graduate so you can do something for others instead of expecting everyone to do everything for you.
This is the best answer yet. Why do they need backpacks nowadays. Millions of kids have managed school without them.Besides they will have back problems as they grow older
. Smart real smart
Plus, since school after school is going to having them do everything online/via tablets etc, WHY DO they still need such big *** books??
lt,
Not that familiar with books.
“University libraries get rid of books”
The University of California–Berkeley recently removed 135,000 books from its Moffitt Library to make room for open meeting spaces, glass writing boards and “nap pods,” an example of a major change taking place on university campuses nationwide.
Controversy erupted at the University of California–Santa Cruz when administrators removed 60 percent of the printed materials in the Science and Engineering Library. Faculty members were outraged that approximately 80,000 books valued at $2 to $6 million were hauled off campus or destroyed without their consultation. A proposal to remove 90 percent of written materials from the Cabot Science Library at Harvard was scaled back by the faculty.
One of the main justifications for removing books from libraries is that they are being replaced by digital resources accessible on computers and other devices. Some faculty members are uneasy with such large-scale digitization, but most students are embracing it. In 2014, students at the Haas School of Business at UC–Berkeley successfully petitioned to have 70,000 books moved into storage facilities. “I’ve never actually needed to use a physical book,” UC–Berkeley graduate student Ted Xiao said. “I’ve never checked one out. I can’t honestly say I even know how.”
https://www.thetrumpet.com/16264-societywatch
I think it’s analogous to blaming law abiding gun owners for any shooting deaths. We didn’t do anything wrong and neither did the students who now have to use clear backpacks.
SO, they whined and demanded some ‘common sense measures’, and ALL TO OFTEN THEY are fully ok with EVERYONE being penalized cause of what one or two bad apples do.. SO now the shoe’s on the other foot, and THEY ARE THE ONES being penalized, we should suddenly stop doing so?
“Those who trade liberty for security deserve neither”
Ben Franklin.
Perfect. Even though I logged in ready to post this, I will simply concur.
Seconded.
Thirded. AND signed!
Something for the students to consider. You were so demanding that Government destroy your 2nd Amendment Rights, that same Government figured you didn’t want your 4th Amendment Rights either. Something to consider when you get wiser, if ever. Hope you enjoy living in the police state environment you are helping to create.
Snowflakes…
They all need to JOIN the NRA as life members and help the problem rather than causing more! The problem is very simple: execute all terrorists or at least put them in Gitmo with no human contact for life; convict any criminal of any felony using a weapon and give them life without parole; if a criminal kills someone execute them; lock up all gang bangers on RICO conspiracy charges for life without parole; deport ALL illegal aliens regardless of age or reason why they snuck into America – permanently, no readmission under any circumstance! Deal done, problem solved. Law abiding American Citizens have NEVER been the problem! The 2nd Amendment is ABSOLUTE – they get to keep any weapons they choose!
You want security over freedom? Welcome to prison.
Hahahahahha. Anybody over 17 knew this would be the results. Except libs..they are stuck at a 7 year old emotional level.
“Gimme…now…whaaaa”
And all of us who were trying to POINT THIS OUT to them, were laughed at.
Guess who’s doing the laughing now! US!!
WHINE WHINE WHINE – Oh shut up you punks! If you did not behave like trained pigs, you’d not be treated like prized pigs (not that you are any “prize”) I note that all hoggs have big mouths too. GROW UP – you are such snowflakes. You want to be taken seriously and treated as adults, then act like you are at least sem-adult instead of bratty little kids who are spoiled, pampered, delicate!
But will those backpacks stop a bullet? Should have been made of Kevlar!
Personally i have had more than enough of these whiny insignificant little gueyntes; they have contributed nothing to civil society–just the noise of chickens cackling mindlessly. When they grow up and pay taxes and maybe then have something to say, let’s hear from then agina. Until then, no more.
Aren’t the bags free? So what is their problem?
They’re not Louis Vuitton or Prada.
Nothing’s free. They are being paid for by WE the tax victims!!
Free for them. Isn’t that how they think it works?
I am so sick of this whole thing. Those students wouldn’t be appreciative of anything unless all guns on the planet are gone. They have no clue about the NRA or Marco Rubio or that matter. Students quit being a mouthpiece for the Dems. You all look stupid.
You asked for more government, and you got it. What’s your problem?
Ohhhh… Now *your* freedom is being infringed, and it makes you unhappy… Hmmm…. Maybe *think* before you *act* next time? Because once freedom is gone, it’s impossible to get back.
I hope you learned your lesson. Probably didn’t, though.
I’d say they are incapable of learning from this abject lesson..
Isn’t it a bit poetic that the very people who were demanding that government “do something”…suddenly didn’t like it so much when they discovered “that something” was going to put restrictions upon them which they didn’t approve of.
This is a great example of: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
They want to inconvenience and take everyone’s rights but their own. Maybe they need to refer to the Founders they are not taught about in the Socialist Teachers Union public school system today, “Those who will give up some freedom for a little safety, deserve neither freedom, nor safety.
Of course they wanted everyone else but them to suffer. ITS how liberals think!
“Other people’s money,” other people’s pain, and restrict other people’s rights–that’s the liberal WAY!
Certainly seems like it Teabag.
These seemingly over privileged spoiled students are not going to be happy until all adults cower down to their demands. They ask (demand) changes to make them safer in school. Yet when the school does something to make them safer, they whine about it. Then they deface the items that they are given to be safer. This defacing should be met with punishment. The putting paper in the backpacks to hide what they have in there is against the reason for the clear backpacks. This is different than spray painting slogans on the front of the school buildings. Maybe the school should have made the students pay for the clear backpacks. Then they might have more respect for them. BUT, the way these students act, I doubt they even know what the word respect means.
THen they would be whining that it would be unfair to make THEM pay for the backpacks..
Liberals demanded “do something” and the best any with their limited intelligence could find was a useless transparent backpack.
IF anyone with even an “average” IQ truly wants to make a definitive improvement in school violence; arm school employees. This way, the attacker can and will face return fire from any of several responsible adults who already have the best interests of the students at heart. Or… we can, instead, do other things just as dumb as see-thru backpacks…which are equally useless and equally wasteful of funding.
Shoot the bad guy. Save the students. It really is that simple but simple fixes are often ignored…while kids continue to die needlessly.
Confucius say .when Fascist look to take others constitutional rights they should be careful what they ask for …….and for the little hitler youth who thinks the back pack is worth more than her life , shes right
Well, she did the division backwards. She will be dismayed to know that as she stated, her life is only worth $.95.
What are they teaching these kids, anyway?
Obviously not proper math!!!
I was wondering if the other student understood what transparency was.
Actually, she got it right. Dollars per student.
Every time I see a heading that says, “Gun control (fill in the blank) unhappy…” it makes me smile.
At least something is clear thinking. . .and it ain’t the protesters.
Join the NRA if you haven’t already.