Doc Warren

This series of blogs is excerpted from a chapter of a book that I contributed to. It is being shared here in the hopes that it may help to provide some foundation for ideas in your area. Please excuse the formality of the writing and please note that this series in no way reflects an opinion on how the professionals at Sandy Hook Elementary School handled the situation or preparation. It is my opinion that they likely did everything foreseeable to prevent this tragedy; sadly not everything can be planned against and thus avoided. My hat is off to those lost souls, the first responders and every member of the school’s team. They all did what they could to avoid this tragedy. Many died protecting this nation’s most cherished resource; our children…

I write this as the news is discussing the tragic multiple murder that was perpetrated at Sandy Hook School in Connecticut. News is still scattered, reports as high as 29 dead have been reported, many of them kindergarten students. It is reported that a whole kindergarten class may be unaccounted for hours after the shooting began. The alleged shooter is reportedly dead, reportedly a 24 year old whose mother worked as a kindergarten teacher at the school who entered the building at 9:30 am carrying many weapons. Some of these reports may prove inaccurate but what is known is that many are dead. It is reported that he had earlier killed his father in New Jersey before killing his mother in CT on his way to the school.

I sit here in my monkey suit, custom tailored, smart tie, long sleeved shirt, calf skin leather shoes, silk tie and suspenders; it can mean only one thing, I am headed to testify as an expert witness in court. Very few things can make me wear long sleeves or a tie for that matter…

A few years ago I was at a conference and saw a display table for a program called “Spring Lake Ranch” and met Rachel Stark who was manning the booth and also was in charge of Admissions and Outreach. I found her to be a bit different, unlike others who were simply trying to sell a program. Rachel appeared to not be trying to sell a program so much as she was trying to promote an idea. This intrigued me mainly because it is how I feel about the programs that I developed and direct. Hers is not mainstream to say the least, which really is a shame when you think about it. Nestled on 600 acres of land in Vermont they have developed a true therapeutic community. The program blends ranch work with a therapeutic milieu; a combination of lay people and licensed pros make up the program staff. Clients take part in everything from growing food and animals, to woodwork, syrup making, maintenance etc. they learn how to adapt to life in more productive ways, how to address their issues, increase personal responsibility and self respect and also how to be both interdependent and as independent as possible; a combination that is hard to find.

Fellow fans of Red Green and the Possum Lodge will recognize this as the Man’s Prayer; that oft cited motto of the fictitious lodge that we have watched for years on PBS that was developed by Steve Smith and became available through the magic of television. Though no longer made, he still tours in a one man show because as he said “retirement stinks.” Reruns still grace our screens and we can buy boxed sets on his website. I think you may even be able to get “Red Green” limited edition duct tape should you so desire. Though let’s face it, duct tape is best when it is found.