The so-called "bystander effect" made the news this week.

This effect is the social psychological phenomenon that occurs when individuals do not offer help in an emergency when other people are present. According to the Wikipedia definition, the more bystanders there are, the less likely it is that the person in need will receive help.

Although this theory has never been proven, it still seems to rear its head in situations where witnesses to a crime stand back and do nothing.

The case of the 15-year-old girl who was gang raped and beaten for two and a half hours outside a homecoming dance in Richmond, Calif., presents yet another illustration supporting this phenomenon.

The girl arrived at her high school dance wearing a purple dress, sparkly earrings and killer shoes. She danced. She had fun. She laughed with a friend who would later find out that she hadn't really left early like her friend thought.

She had been raped.

Yes, the fact that this girl was raped repeatedly by at least four assailants (police think as many as 10 may have participated) in a picnic area on a high school campus that was supposed to be secure boils my blood.

But there is something about this situation that makes me even more livid: There were 20 witnesses to the attack who watched and did NOTHING.

Reports state that some witnesses laughed, took pictures and even called other friends to come "check it out." Apparently these highschoolers thought this sick sideshow was entertaining.

Not one of them called the police or notified a security guard. Not one.

Police found the girl half-dressed, drunk and semiconscious under a bench at around midnight last Saturday.

How did they know where to find her? From a call they had received from someone who overheard people reminiscing about the attack.

So, the person who actually DID something wasn't a witness at all. They just happened to hear about it.

The scariest part of this whole travesty is what this says about our culture. When did it become acceptable to do nothing? When did rape become recreational? When did what I will call the "giant disconnect" of my technologically minded generation get this far?

Many of the Richmond High students are using excuses like being afraid to "snitch" and that maybe the bystanders thought she was just another drunk girl who was "asking for it."

But not one of them is condemning their peers for doing nothing. Not one.

I cannot begin to express the fear that incidents like this make me feel for my generation. Will civility and treating human being as human beings ever be back in style, or will we all eventually turn into bystanders who watch as our society disintegrates before our eyes?

I, for one, hope that we are smarter than that.

But that is just one person in a generation of lazy, moral-less and complacent young people who are continually proving that we really aren't that smart.

Blame the violence on TV. Blame the unending objectification of women that appears in every nook and cranny of our pop culture. Blame technology and its dehumanizing effect on this generation.

But never, EVER let it get to the point where you blame yourself. Getting to that point would mean that you were one of those people who stood by and let something like this happen.

I hope you never let it get that far.

Don't be a bystander.

I have two boys: Lucas, 9, and Liam, 7.

I say I have them, but at that age they are on the verge of having me. I don't mind. They are a joy to my soul that I cannot even begin to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it. Consequently, I spoil them.

I would have denied this a short time ago, but with a clear eye and little perception, it is really undeniable. As I write this they are eating chicken nuggets, potato chips, a sandwich, cheesecake and ice cream. Sure, I snuck some broccoli and salad in there before that, but that doesn't erase the junk. More often than I like to admit, we eat fast food in the interest of time.

How does that prove anything? Well, it doesn't. It's just a small symptom of a larger issue. We have a lot of choices in what we choose to eat in this country. A vast portion of it is healthy. That I choose (yes, it's a choice) to allow them to eat a lot of junk considering the health crisis in the country (and my house) is really inexcusable in most ways. But I continue to spoil them, literally and figuratively.

Why do I do this? I'm sure there are a lot of psychological reasons, but one of the big reasons is... because I can. I have the choice to do so, and so I do. The choice extends to toys bought, moderately expensive outings for entertainment on a regular basis (Hello, Toy Story 3D, and thanks for the wallet-lightening experience), and various other unnecessary things that happen on a regular basis.

Convenience stores are a great example. Spending as much in a convenience store on junk as I could have spent assembling and fixing a good meal is really a bad choice. To take the example further, Lucas can stand there in front of the candy and take twenty minutes agonizing over his choice. Then he gets in the car and can be really unhappy with it because Liam got something else that Lucas now thinks he would have been happier with.

What? Right, exactly. If I go in, leave them in the car, make the choice for them and bring them something, they are as happy as two puppies in a puddle. No agony, no regret. Why is that?

They didn't have a choice; they just appreciated what they got. So many times we are given a choice and we agonize over it and finally make a decision only to regret our choice later. Or we gripe about our choices and why don't we have better choices because we have a RIGHT TO BETTER CHOICES!!

What reality have we chosen in which we don't appreciate the choices, gifts and conveniences that we have in abundance? Are we all so spoiled that we refuse to be grateful for the immense blessings we have in every moment?

Many of us feel entitled to more than we already have. It's our right, after all. We pay for rent, tuition, a parking sticker, food, comfort, etc. The list is endless. I try to think about my choices, be grateful for the blessings, and examine how I can be gracious and giving of my excess - money, time, stuff - to anyone who has need.

I hope you join me in this and re-think that entitled feeling and instead feel more obligated to help meet the needs of others.

Fall is by far my favorite season. It is simply wonderful to watch the slow and beautiful death of nature. The cold, crisp air is invigorating, and the colors of the leaves are stunning.

Another reason that I love fall is because my favorite holiday takes place in this season. Making and wearing costumes is one of my most enjoyable activities, so naturally Halloween takes the cake for me. The days leading up to Halloween are great, with the anticipation and excitement building as I finish sewing my latest costume. Halloween comes, and I get to display my handiwork. It is the one day of the year - aside from time spent at anime conventions - when I do not get strange looks for dressing up.

The day after Halloween, however, is one of the most annoying days of the year. I still want to bask in the glory of the previous evening, but my pleasant contemplation is ruined by Walmart. The day after Halloween, Walmart is filled with Christmas decorations and accessories.

Christmas? It's only November - the beginning of November, no less. Whatever happened to Thanksgiving?

It seems to me that every year, Christmas slowly takes a little bit more of the calendar to itself. Christmas used to stay in its proper month of December, but in recent years it has invaded and taken over November.

Thanksgiving has fallen under the shadow of Christmas. The morning after Thanksgiving, when you should be sleeping in to rest your overstuffed belly, excited aunts and grandmothers are waking you up at 5:30 to rush to the early-bird Christmas sales at stores all over town. Why can we not just lounge around and enjoy all that leftover turkey and mashed potatoes?

Santa is not content to stay in his now two months of the year. In October, I witnessed some Christmas shopping commercials on my television set. Stores are advertising their layaway option for shopping, suggesting to their custumers that they come and begin their Christmas shopping several months ahead of time.

Yes, the Christmas shopping rush is brutal, but that is the way it is meant to be! If things continue like this, Halloween will soon be dominated by Christmas images as well. Once that happens, no holiday will be safe. There are already Christmas-in-July sales. Soon it will be Christmas all year 'round.

I must say, I enjoy Christmas. I love gathering together with as much of my extended family as possible to play games, eat food, chat and exchange gifts. This all takes place on one special night, however. I do not want to see all of my other holidays destroyed by Santa and his greed. Free milk and cookies all over the world for one night ought to be sufficient sacrifice. Christmas even has a plethora of its own music. What other holiday has its own music?

My solution to this problem: Boycott all things Christmas until the proper time.

Since Santa has taken so much of the rest of the year already, I suggest that we take a stand and resist him, even on his own turf. Santa, get out of my other holidays! I ask all other concerned citizens to join me in my fight against excessive Christmas.

No Christmas until December 31!

The impending winter is upon us. Already it's getting colder, and with Daylight Savings Time over, the days are shorter and filled with less sunlight.

As our bodies transition from the light fluidity of summer warmth to the chill, we bundle up in coats and scarves. Similarly, our bodies want a natural layer of insulation to help ward off the lower temperatures. We crave foods that are more substantial than the salads and light farm produce of summer. This is why people tend to gain more weight in the winter. Add in more than one major holiday with abounding opportunities for unhealthy eating, and weight gain is easily accomplished.

Inevitably, come spring, we are not always in our best shape. We love the warmer weather, but we do not necessarily love the clothing style that inescapably follows. Why must our bodies hide under a layer of padding? How can this unfortunate phenomenon be remedied?

Obviously, self-control and wise choices in what we eat are important elements for staying healthy and trim, though some indulgence around the holidays is acceptable and normal.

Another way is to keep up with a workout regimen. This has multiple benefits. First, you stay warm in continually dropping temperatures. It also helps combat all those indulgences you allow yourself. You may not burn off every extra calorie eaten, but it is certainly better than doing nothing at all.

Finally, you can maintain the lean summer version of yourself.

My personal method of exercise is running. Running is highly versatile. It is cheap because all you need is a decent pair of running shoes; no gym or class memberships, fancy equipment or difficult moves required. Many people run with iPods and listen to music, sometimes even lectures or sermons. If you choose to forgo the earphones, it's an excellent time for contemplation, thought and prayer. It can help clear your head and focus you on tasks at hand. It can be done virtually anywhere at anytime and provides fresh air.

Interestingly, there is a wealth of scientific evidence that supports the idea that humans were meant to be runners. In addition to the theory that our ancestors had to track and catch their meat, certain biological features of our bodies are well-suited for running, such as our proportionality and the size of our buttocks.

That being said, not everyone is meant to be a runner, and certainly not everyone enjoys it. However, it is not as difficult as it is sometimes construed to be. Two years ago, I couldn't run a mile without stopping. A few weeks ago, I completed a 10K.

Recently, at a high school cross country meet, I heard one observer mention that runners are generally good, quality kids. They are self-disciplined, dedicated and have initiative. You can use running to develop these qualities, not just in an athletic sense but in all areas life. Some people choose to make running a solitary activity; others have running buddies, groups and clubs. Either way, the personal satisfaction that comes from running is empowering and energizing.

Coming up in November, there is an excellent opportunity to jumpstart or further your running career. November 21, the Saturday before Thanksgiving Break, is Siloam Springs's annual Turkey Trot. Take the opportunity to get your holidays off on the right foot.

Visit http://www.siloamsprings.com/departments/parks_rec/index.php for more information. Happy running!