Schools grappling with growing bullying problem Swift
consequences are needed to teach bullies, whether they’re kids
or adults, that their actions are wrong The bullying epidemic
continues, even as a multi-pronged crackdown by states and
educators gathers steam. For nine months, I dealt first-hand
with the bullying issue almost every school day. The problem
most assuredly is out there, and across the nation steps are
being taken to focus on it. I virtually “lived” the bullying
issue— and its tragic impact — from September 2011 through June
1 when I did a special national tour of schools of all levels in
my non-writing incarnation as a comic ventriloquist, something
I’ve done for 22 years. From Sept. 12 to June 1, I did programs
at 260 schools, driving more than 45,000 miles. Schools could
choose their theme — and 95 percent of the school requested my
no-teasing/no bullying show. As I criss-crossed the country in
my 2004 Chevrolet Venture van, doing shows at schools with as
many as 1,500 students to as few as