Visitors to AndySpeaks

Our open show of support on this website is not a display of disrespect by any means nor is it to minimize the pain and suffering of the any of the victims and their families, of this tragedy on March 5th,2001.

Do we hate the action Andy resorted to? Yes we most certainly do, but we simply don't hate the boy.

Is Andy truly remorseful ? Well here are a few of his exact words from his written statement that he could not read the day of his sentencing because of being overwhelmed with sorrow after listening to the Familes statements:

"It's very hard for me to talk about what I did on March 5,2001. I feel awkward talking about it because I am so ashamed. Words are not enough to express how I truly feel, but I want to at least try... I am truly sorry for my actions... I feel horrible inside for victims, their families and my family. I do wish that I could make it up to the victims, their families and mine... I will live everyday with the horrible memory of March 5... What I did was wrong.."

There recently seems to be a mis-conception that supporters don't think that Andy should be punished for this actions. That is the furthest from the truth! We agree he should be punished, but as a Juvenile, that he is.

We would like to see a punishment that offers years of counseling, education and rehabilitative treatment. We fully understand that Adolescence is a transitional period of life where cognitive abilites, judgment and impulse contol are still being developed. They are developmentally different than adults, thus CHILDREN ARE NOT ADULTS. It was upon this belief that the Juvenile Court System was created in 1899, along with the outrage of treatment Children were receiving in Prison. Supporters of Andy believe, along with many in this counrty, that troubled Juveniles should be tried within this Juvenile System and not tried as little adults in the Adult Court System. We make no apology for our strong convections and our heartfelt concern, of troubled children. No matter what crime they may commit against society, they still are children in every aspect.

Various Projects we may post here, are not for the general public. They are projects implimented and controled by and for, the supporters only. Don't take offense because WE have choosen to help Andy's Parents in getting him just the simple basic necessities of life that people not in a Prison, take for granted: Small T.V., wrist watch, hygiene products, books, writing paper, envelopes, AM FM Cassetter Player and a few music tapes. In emails sent here to Questions@AndySpeaks, people have expressed outraged that Andy has just these few basics ! I'm astonished what pure unadulterated hatred for a teenager, can transform Adults in to. I wonder... if Andy had been from and raised in Santee and had not been the " new kid" who had moved there a few months prior.. would the folks of that tiny community still express and carry the same degree of resentment or hurt ? If had been 'one of theirs', would they be more inclined to find the answer to the biggest question: WHAT MAKES OR DRIVES A CHILD TO TAKE A GUN TO SCHOOL? This kind of question is not worthy of a simple question. It's a complex answer that can only serve complex answers. Personally I don't see how locking children up in Adult Prisons for life, is going to help us answer this question nor will it stop any possibility of this tragedy ever happening again somewhere in another community.

What ever happened to the young man who stood before the Judge at Andy's sentencing and then spoke openly of bullying being alive and thriving at Santana High School and then went as far to bravely say, the D.A. was lying when they stated, that there was no bullying at S.H.S's campus ? ? ? As I sat in that court room and listened to him, I was amazed that no one ever mentioned or commented on his open plea for help. He stated that if someone didn't step in to do something, there could very easily be another child would do the same thing Andy did. His words that day fell on deaf ears but those of us who sat behind Andy that day, will never forget this brave young mans words.