Following the tragic shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore., allegedly by 15-year-old Kip Kinkel, newspapers across the country trotted out the usual gun-control editorials. The New York Times,  the Buffalo News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Chicago Tribune - all of them and more beat the drums for more gun control.

More typical, though, in the second-day news coverage was the emphasis on “programs” - usually those that leave God out of the discussion - or the lack of them. “School Officials Didn’t Order Boy Into Counseling Because of Cuts,” read a Boston Globe headline. Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber was quoted in several papers around the country calling for a new state “violence prevention program” for $30 million.

But at least one politician in Washington refused to jump on the program bandwagon. The colorful James Traficant (D-Ohio) laid it on the line in a speech on the House floor:

“Another tragedy in our schools: more expert analysis."

“One group said America should heed the advice of the First Lady when she said it takes a community to raise a child. I do not mean to be disrespectful, but I disagree."

“Communities do not raise a child; PTAs do not raise a child; schools do not raise a child; day care centers and summer camps do not raise a child. My colleagues, the awesome responsibility of raising a child is still the parents’. Parents raise our children."

“Maybe if America got back to basics and placed more emphasis on parents instead of communities, our kids would be much better off. If the community wants to help, they might allow God back into our schools. Parents, with the help of God, will be much more effective raising our kids.”

James Traficant (D) - District 17
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