Students stepping up should be applauded, aware of the consequences of their actions

Nothing can bring back the 17 people killed in Parkland, Fla., earlier this month.

Or the dozens in Vegas last year, or even the five killed in Chattanooga in 2015. Nothing.

But the dialogue and the determination expressed after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida on Valentine’s Day feels different.

(And, no, this has nothing to do with the president saying he would have disarmed the shooter himself. In reality, that may be the most universally approved statement Donald Trump has made in his year-plus in office. His supporters scream in delight at the thought of President Trump handling business against a crazed killer; his detractors scream in delight at the thought of Trump going up against an armed madman. See, we can all agree on something.)

This time, the debate feels more passionate. It’s more personal. It’s more pointed about guns and control and age limits and background checks and lots of other issues.

Perhaps the best part is that students are driving this discourse.

For too long, younger generations rode the wave of indifference.

This tragedy has galvanized a lot of young people in a different way. And that’s great. Exchanging ideas and viewpoints with people who are different from the rank and file of those making political decisions is a great starting point.

High fives all around, especially for the local kids looking for ways to get involved.

The next step in the process, however, has to be more practical.

Protests are important, but so is the political process in the real world.

Make no mistake, that the students want to have a seat at the table for the real-life conversation is great.

But while you still may feel strongly enough to walk out of class, know your protest could come with sacrifice.

And while there are some hand-wringers wondering if the rules should be suspended in this case, then the next question has to be, what about the next case? Or the protest after that?

If the rules are broken, no matter how noble the intention, they are broken.

If student walkouts start with this and are allowed to go unaddressed, then it’s not a real protest, right? And if they go unpunished, then who’s to say protests could start with guns and go to the next issue and the next, and before you know it, we’ve got walkouts about not enough curvy straws on Tuesday in the cafeteria and “No Homework Thursdays.”

In some ways, the students should demand their absence be treated as unexcused and whatever work or tests they miss be counted as zeroes.

Otherwise, the establishment and leadership simply are patting the students on the head and collectively saying, “Well, isn’t that cute.”

Honestly, welcome to the conversation, young America.

I am happy to have you. But like the rest of us, your choices will define you, and your actions will lead to reactions. Words and behavior have consequences. Rightly or wrongly.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.