May we never forget! May we never grow weary of hearing about Littleton, Colorado, but go forth as we answer the wake-up call of the century.

As a stay-at-home person, I listen to the news off and on all day. I grew so tired of the O. J. Simpson "news" and grew sicker by the day to hear of the promiscuity of our President. It got to where you couldn't listen for the real news or weather without being bombarded by the latest, "You heard it first here on Channel X!" Or "You'll only see it here on Channel Y?"

We've changed the "Extra, extra, read all about it" cry of the paperboy to the "You'll listen or else" attitude of the newscasters. We all grew sick and tired of finding out "What brand of toothpaste O. J. Simpson used" and "What brand and color underwear the President wears" Okay, I'm going a little overboard here.

But I pray we never grow tired and weary of being reminded of the carnage that took place in Colorado. This goes right up there with "Remember the Alamo!" This is a tragic historical event that should be remembered for a long time to come: an event that allowed us to look into our very national souls!

It has been said, "When we don't learn from history, it has a tendency to repeat itself." Pray God, never again! Enough is enough! No more! May we always remember the tears of Littleton lest they become the tears of Fayette County!

Kids used to tell cruelty jokes back in the 1950s. One went, "Mommie, mommie, why am I going around in circles?" The answer was, "Shut-up, or I'll nail your other foot to the floor!" I've often felt like the kid in this joke, wanting desperately to move forward, to do something, only to feel that one foot was nailed down.

I think this mixed desire is stirred in the bosom of most of us, feeling that we would like to do something, but what?

Some of the comments have been: "People are using the Colorado shootings to further their own agendas political, religious, etc. And some have said, "Let it just die down, don't stir it up, people will soon forget and go back to business as usual." Please God, never let us forget!

This is not just some isolated problem Colorado's problem. The acts of these horribly misguided teens and those in others school shootings are just a few of the bubbles boiling to the top of a very volatile brew. There is a rolling, rumbling, boiling on the surface of a deep cultural volcano about to erupt in America!

Many of our youth are part of a lost, turbulent generation. Let's play the blame game! Whose fault is it that our youth are making such horrible mistakes? The students, the parents, the school, the church, the government, or the gun, knife, baseball bat manufacturers?

My answer, "Yes." We are all to blame. I have to accept my art of the blame and I'm stepping up to the plate and confessing that I am a part of the problem because I have not been a part of the solution!

In looking for answers, we must first define the questions? Did I do enough? No. Could I have done something? Yes. Am I willing to do more? Yes. What? Whatever it takes to help my community be a safe place for my grandchildren!

Now I ask you, are you willing to help? The willingness has to come before the action. There is a core group being formed in Fayette County for the purpose of getting that other foot off the floor so that together as a unified community, we can bring about changes in the roiling pot before it boils over the top.

The name of this group is S.C.A.T. (Students, Community Against Terrorism). It is the hope of this core group to provide the seeds that when planted will be nurtured until fresh, healthy fruit is produced.

This has to be a concerted action involving, parents, students, churches, educators, community and business, as well as local, state and federal governments. Please put this on your calendar and make it a priority. S.C.A.T. Rally, May 25, 1999, 7 p.m., Starr's Mill High School Gymnasium, Ga. Highway 74, Peachtree City.

There will be an open forum at this time on "What Can We Do?" There will be a panel of knowledgeable, professional individuals who will make themselves available to address your comments and questions. Let's not wait and later have to ask these professionals, why? why did it happen to us?

If you are a parent, grandparent, student, youth pastor, youth group or organization, educator or anyone who is interested in the youth of today, leaders of tomorrow, please contribute to the solution with your presence, questions, answers and ideas. This will not be a time of negative input or time to grind your ax, but a positive upbeat gathering to show support to our students, to let them know that they are not in this thing called life by themselves.

It is the hope of this group to grow into a network of groups with plans and ideas implemented to reach out to all of our students via volunteer networks of mentors, tutors, instructors, business owners, counselors, etc. that will provide a listening ear, activities, training, jobs, love and security so that no child in Fayette County needs to feel alone, hopeless and unloved.

For further information or to volunteer your time, talent, or resources, call Jennifer Hall at 770-461-1974.

Education is not just for the students! We need to be educated also!