School shooting in Connecticut

[~Ally~]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20730717 (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fne ws%2Fworld-us-canada-20730717)

I've just heard this on the news over here, I really hope none of those kiddies have been seriously injured!

What the fook is wrong with people?? :down:

[Moderator]

:down:

[Jojo87]

I just read about it in our local news. They didn't say much. I really hope
no one is injured. :down:

[Moderator]

A teacher was shot and has been taken to the hospital according to this report (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57559229/elementary-school-shooting-wounds-1-in-conn/).

[PatInTheHat]

What with the mega coverage this is gonna get, and this, oh yeah babes this one most certainly will, question in my mind ain't will there be another rash of these kinds of human tragedies & travesties, but sadly how many and how big, y'all reckon?
I'm thinkin' it best to be ready for it:down:.

[~Ally~]

People's attitudes are a disgrace, on that link Marsha posted somebody actually asked; "Why is this news?"! I wonder if they'd feel that way if their child was a member of the school? There's something sadly lacking in humanity lately and it really turns my stomach. I don't know if it's just people feeling they are clever because their comments are anonymous on the Internet, but even if they are simply trolling how do they live with themselves? Awful people.

[Becks19]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the teacher who was shot. And the poor little ones......( And Pat I pray there are no copycats who get an idea to do this again)

[PatInTheHat]

And for the more flat Earth type, um, "thinkers" (an Oxycontin moron if I ever wrote one), folks, including your more whacked variety, maybe even especially (bein' that none are incumbered by any social norms, don't matter much what language they think crazy in), are in fact just exactly the same everywhere, always have been, always will be...

AP | CHRISTOPHER BODEEN | December 14, 2012 at 03:37 AM
BEIJING -- A knife-wielding man injured 22 children and one adult outside a primary school in central China as students were arriving for classes Friday, police said, the latest in a series of periodic rampage attacks at Chinese schools and kindergartens.

So what do we do about crazy?
Hey I know, at least for right here, let's just keep up with that mental health austerity thing (otherwise known as, 'If I don't look at or acknowledge it exists, unless I reeeeally have to 'cause it's "Breaking News" , maybe it'll all just go away'), I mean that seems to workin' out real swell, and gee whiz just think about how much moolah it's all saved, not to mention lives ...thanks lock & loads Ronnie, you was da man:mad2:!

[cat in a bag]

I do not understand people.

I agree with Pat, I think we are going to see a whole lot of this kind of stuff, until we get past the "doomsday" on the 21st. I think there are people out there who figure they have nothing to lose, because of all of that crap.

Got me to thinking about our schools, all the doors are locked as soon as the bell rings. If you go to the school at any time other than drop off or pick up, you have to be buzzed in by one of the ladies in the office. But, it sounds like this was a disgruntled parent? So what is to stop something like this? Anyone can walk in at drop off and pick up times, and if the ladies recognize you, they buzz you right in...the fact that we even have to be worried about these kinds of things makes me sick to my stomach. :down:

[Becks19]

I do not understand people.

I agree with Pat, I think we are going to see a whole lot of this kind of stuff, until we get past the "doomsday" on the 21st. I think there are people out there who figure they have nothing to lose, because of all of that crap.

Got me to thinking about our schools, all the doors are locked as soon as the bell rings. If you go to the school at any time other than drop off or pick up, you have to be buzzed in by one of the ladies in the office. But, it sounds like this was a disgruntled parent? So what is to stop something like this? Anyone can walk in at drop off and pick up times, and if the ladies recognize you, they buzz you right in...the fact that we even have to be worried about these kinds of things makes me sick to my stomach. :down:

Tina, Ours is set up exactly the same way. The next step would be metal detectors. That would address the problem of both students and others bringing in guns etc. ( we have had a lot kids bringing guns to school here. so sad )

[~Ally~]

But, it sounds like this was a disgruntled parent?

Where has this been implied? The links I'm finding still aren't giving much information away...if you have a link I'd like to read it. :smile2:

I remember when we had a school massacre in Scotland in 1996. Dunblane_school_massacre A teacher and sixteen children were killed before the shooter killed himself. I won't ever understand people who commit these crimes, no matter how much people talk about "insanity" being the cause there's always some aspect of premeditation present, they don't just turn up at these schools with guns by accident! Maybe it's just not easy to accept that some people really are evil, pure and simple.

[GNTLGNT]

...there's no need to worry about the bally-hooed Mayan Kill-date or the Zombie Apocalypse, the sociopaths are gonna kill us all off before then-my god, my god I am just heart/soul sick over this...

[mjs9153]

The latest news report I saw said one of the children was killed..can only hope that was an erroneous report,but am sure the situation is pretty chaotic and the real story won't be known until a press conference this afternoon,probably..pretty sad when people think having a bad temper or day is justification to pull out a gun and start shooting innocent people,wtf..:glare:

[~Ally~]

SkyNews are reporting that 12people have been killed, and that the main shootings occurred in a kindergarten class.

I really hope those reports are nothing more than speculation.

[Bev Vincent]

The numbers are all over the map, but the latest report from Nick Kristof at NYT is 27 dead, 18 of them kids.

[Autumn Gust]

I just learned about the 27 deaths in the Conn. school shooting and immediately started to cry. It has become almost unbearable to hear such news... I can't even begin to get my heard around it.

[Shasta]

They're saying up to 20 kids may have been shot now.

:down:

[staropeace]

Last I read, there were eighteen people shot.

[Terry B]

Latest report is 25 dead, 18 of them children and thought to be kindergartners. My God - what is wrong with this world? I go from crying to being so mad I want to break something. This is incomprehensible at any time but this happening at Christmas is mind blowing. The news people keep saying they hope the numbers are wrong. Those of you with children at home - hug them and don't let go.

[JellybeanJay]

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/26-dead-after-lone-gunman-assaults-connecticut-elementary-school-official-says

heavens no!!! :down:

[cat in a bag]

My God...those poor little babies.

Ally, I was just making an assumption about it being a parent...I'm sorry. I should probably not have said that. Just seems like they would have to have some connection to the school, but like you said, there are just pure evil people out there.

[~Ally~]

I just learned about the 27 deaths in the Conn. school shooting and immediately started to cry. It has become almost unbearable to hear such news... I can't even begin to get my heard around it.

Yup, I've been crying too. It's just terrible.

[jchanic]

I've been watching Fox news and MSNBC. Latest count is 27 dead--18 kids, 8 adults and the shooter. There are also reports that one entire kindergarten class is unaccounted for. The principal of the school is one of the casualties. There are also reports of a second shooter.

John

[staropeace]

This is one of the very worse shootings I have ever heard about.....all of these little ones. It seems that this kind of crime happens during the Christmas season a lot. All of these little kids in kindergarten who trust adults and still believe in Santa. I would like to tear that shooter apart...shooting him was not good enough.

[GNTLGNT]

....the lyrics may not be appropriate to the horror of the event-but the raw emotion is...God bless and keep all the lost souls...I just can't deal with any more...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBo-n_17XU0

[Shasta]

GNTLGNT, one of the best songs in the world. By Mr. Wainwright or by Mr. Buckley. Thanks.

[exzel]

I am numb. I can’t stop thinking about the poor parents and families of the victims. My prayers go out to them.

So many emotions come racing back. Back in 1999 an inmate didn’t return from work release went on an armed robbery rampage and ended up at my daughter's pre-school. The teachers had all the kids hunker down and lay on the floor until the police emergency response team was able to get them out. The inmate shot and killed himself in the standoff with police before any kids or teachers could get hurt. It was the worst afternoon of my life as a parent.

What has happened to the sanctity of life in our culture?

[Becks19]

Oh my God! I was out walking my dogs and I had no clue it was this bad. All my thoughts and prayers are with those who were lost/affected by this tragedy. This is beyond horrible.
http://gma.yahoo.com/breaking-conn-school-district-locked-down-shooting-report-151955384--abc-news-topstories.html

[fushingfeef]

WHY, WHY, WHY???!?!?! I AM SO SICK OF THIS STUFF!!!

[fljoe0]

The MSNBC site is reporting that the shooter's mother was a teacher at the school and is one of the dead. Still no word on the identity or age of the shooter.

[Charms7]

This is such a terrible tragedy! And those poor kids who have lost so much, not the least of which is their sense of trust and safety, as well as friends and classmates. My prayers are with all who are affected by this horrific shooting! Newtown Connecticut Elementary School Shooting (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012 %2F12%2F14%2Fus%2Fconnecticut-school-shooting%2Findex.html%3Fhpt%3Dhp_t1)

[GNTLGNT]

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/3-weeping-angel-ellis-c-baldwin.jpg

[Bev Vincent]

NY Times: The gunman, who was believed to be in his 20s, walked into a classroom where his mother was a teacher. He shot and killed her and then shot 18 students in the classroom. He also shot seven other adults, and then killed himself inside the school.

[Shasta]

I heard his brother was the one who is in custody after running out right before. Does anyone have any confirmation of this?

[Moderator]

Heard that but haven't seen if it's confirmed yet. Just saw that a body was also found in NJ at the shooter's parents' house and police are on scene there.

[~Ally~]

Oh wow, this tragedy just seems to get worse...sounds impossible, but it's true.

[jchanic]

According to Fox News, the body count is now up to 20 children. They also said the body in NJ was the shooter's father. The mother was the teacher of the kindergarten class. She was killed as were most if not all the kids in her class.

John

[Shasta]

I have to say that I have read this whole Mayan prophecy thing. I'm certainly no expert but ss far as I can tell it doesn't say the world will end on the 21st but it does say there will be a change in the conciousness of man.

After all of this I really hope that's true.

[fushingfeef]

We can't let this stuff keep happening. When 9/11 happened, there were changes in security nationwide. Changes in financial laws to root out terrorist funding.

When a shooting happens, everyone is sad for a few days but the gun laws never change. What the hell is wrong with a little sanity in our gun laws?

Anyone who doesn't want any new gun laws should be forced to look each parent of those dead children in the eyes and tell them exactly why it's so damn important to have one of these deadly toys.

[mjs9153]

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4801735601358549&pid=15.1 "Jesus wept" John 11:35..

[Lily Sawyer]

I am beside myself, I am so upset about this. I feel completely twitchy like I did after the Virginia Tech, Columbine, and Aurora, CO shootings.

This is why I believe gun laws in the U.S. should be made so tight they'd choke an ant.

I feel absolutely awful for those families, neighbors, relatives, Sandy Hook Elementary employees, Newtown residents, basically anyone with even a passing familiarity with the area and the victims' survivors. It's one thing to weather a storm like Sandy, because you know it's coming. This is entirely different.

[Shasta]

I am going to become a hermit. These people are going to win becuase people like me are going to be afraid to leave the house. My husband is at the mall right now and I'm very upset about it. It's irrational, I know, but this stuff gets in your head!

[~Ally~]

It's too horrible for words. I read Obama said all the parents in the USA are heartbroken, but I can assure you people around the world feel the same way. It's devastating.

[Jojo87]

I have watch and read news about the shooting the whole weekend. It's so terrible and sad. :down:
How can someone be so cold that walk into a school with small children and just shoot3 them to death.
made me almost cry every time I think of it.
Thoughts and prayers goes out the families who have lost a child or a loved one.

[mjs9153]

We can't let this stuff keep happening. When 9/11 happened, there were changes in security nationwide. Changes in financial laws to root out terrorist funding.

When a shooting happens, everyone is sad for a few days but the gun laws never change. What the hell is wrong with a little sanity in our gun laws?

Anyone who doesn't want any new gun laws should be forced to look each parent of those dead children in the eyes and tell them exactly why it's so damn important to have one of these deadly toys.

I agree fushingfeef..enough is enough.I happen to carry a gun for work,but to me it is just a tool,nothing more,and more times than not I leave it at work.Never needed it before,but unfortunately,I am feeling that it will be necessary to purchase and carry an off duty firearm,given the events that are now becoming commonplace.I am proficient in it's use,but to me,I don't get the need 4 ,ten,fifty,guns..not knocking you,I just dont get it.I guess there are people who collect lots of teapots too,well okay..but the truth is guns hurt and kill people,and there is nothing that a handgun especially is built more for,unless it is a single shot target gun or a heavy duty revolver meant to keep you safe from bears in the alaska and rocky hinterlands..frankly,I don't see any reason why restricting gun ownership to single shot handgun,shotgun,and rifles could not be implemented..the forefathers did not envision twenty round handguns when they crafted the bill of rights.Not saying people could not own these weapons,but why not have centralized locations/ranges where they could kept,monitored,and shot off to your hearts content.. not making fun of people for having these weapons,but when I think of those little ones,crying,scared,and being shot one by one..my heart is heavy,and now is the time for change..:sad:

[hipmamajen]

What a huge, huge, unfathomable tragedy. I'm sure that we will get more information over the next few days and weeks, but I'm just as sure it won't really help us feel like we understand all this any more than we do right now.

I honestly don't even know what to say about this. There aren't words big, or sad, or angry or lost enough.

[GNTLGNT]

...I have thought very long before putting this post out there, and I DO NOT wish to be vilified for what I'm about to type...first off, I'm a parent, nurse and broadcaster-this combination with the instincts, insight and experience of each, has walloped me emotionally, intellectually and spiritually in the wake of the horror that was visited upon Sandy Hook Elementary and the the community and people of Newtown , CT...because of so much innocence lost and potential erased, this incident resonates with me far more than other deathly havoc that has been wrought...images and thoughts have rarely left me since Friday...now, to my second point...those of you who know me, are well aware I am a gun enthusiast and unapologetic of same....it doesn't take a genius to understand that this will ramp up the issue of tighter gun control and laws that many seem to be clamoring for...let me say, I have no issue with well-reasoned control, and I underscore that, because anyone suggesting "gun bans" may have their hearts in the right place, but are thinking with emotion rather than common sense....as a gun owner and concealed carry permit holder, I have no quibble with stricter controls on assault style weapons and extended clips...unless you are in the military or law enforcement-you don't need an M-16 clone or an AK 47, there's no practical use for such weapons in a typical household other than the "wow" factor, and extended clips?-maybe for competitions or again, police and the like-but by god, if I can't kill some SOB who's coming after my family in my home with six shots, I might as well dig a hole and pull it in after us...and "banning" guns?...keeping them out of the hands of those with evil intent has been nigh on impossible since Samuel Colt and John Browning first took out patents...those who wish to perpetrate horrors unimaginable or knock off the corner liquor store are ALWAYS going to have access, in some way-shape-or form....simply put, guns are a tool and should not be demonized...it all boils down to those with their fingers curling around and putting the pressure on the triggers...I feel it is highly wrong for responsible gun owners such as myself to struggle with those wanting all guns done away with-as I say, it ain't gonna happen...what I hope DOES happen, is more stringent screenings, background checks and education-plus added security measures at schools and other public places, because please remember-it's not only a gun that can wreak havoc...I pray for guidance for our elected leaders, sanity in the face of the insane-but most of all-I pray for those left outside the clearing, for they are now the victims... yes, they have the love and support of a grieving nation...but they need the peace only the Big Man in the Sky can deliver...thanks for reading, and God Bless us all...

[Moderator]

And hopefully, Scott, those who have been the most vocal about no restrictions whatsoever will realize that the time has come to implement legislation about gun controls. I can't speak for every gun control advocate but I think the majority of them, myself included, have a respect for retaining the intent of the second amendment and are not looking to ban all guns but I think the time is long overdue to do something to restrict certain types of weapons and ammunition. Our society as a whole deserves protection from them and this IMO is a situation of the needs of the many outweighing the needs/wants of the few. The point the President made about this being an effort not just about gun control but about how we deal with our nation's mentally ill should also be a part of the conversation.

I'd like to suggest that if there is to be more discussion about gun control, however, that we put it into a thread in Hot Topics and keep this one to remember and honor those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary.

[~Ally~]

I'd like to suggest that if there is to be more discussion about gun control, however, that we put it into a thread in Hot Topics and keep this one to remember and honor those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Thanks Marsha, you read my mind. I'm saddened that many of the news reports I'm seeing/reading are focusing so much on the gun debate instead of the victims. Yes it needs addressing, but it would be respectful to at least wait until these women and children have been buried first.

[Todash]

Thanks Marsha, you read my mind. I'm saddened that many of the news reports I'm seeing/reading are focusing so much on the gun debate instead of the victims. Yes it needs addressing, but it would be respectful to at least wait until these women and children have been buried first.

You know ... I understand that sentiment. But I also understand that it's only at times like this that we wake up enough to really discuss the issue. :down:

Agreed, though, about keeping it out of this thread and Chattery Teeth in general. As is generally the case, Marsha is right. (You must be a really annoying life partner, Ms. Mod. Because I live with someone who is also almost always right, and MAN does it get tiresome. :biggrin2:)

[Moderator]

That would be my concern as well, Todash, that people will move on to the next sound byte and not address this issue.

As for being annoying, he gives as good as he gets. :laugh:

[dejolane]

I live 30 miles from Columbus Ohio and there is alot of shootings there. I moved here 29 yrs ago and thank god nothing like this has happen to my kids when they were in school. My 2 grandkids are going to these schools now and pray God nothing does happen. My grandson was getting bullied so he is now home schooled so if this is all that comes out of it this yr I'll be happy.

dejolane

[Becks19]

My heart breaks for everyone affected by this horrible tragedy, my thoughts and prayers are with them . There must be changes made to how we deal with people who have mental health issues.( it does not go away if it is ignored) And an outright ban on semi automatic weapons is crucial. ( Ms.Mod, I wasn't sure where to put this, I apologize if it should go into hot topics)

[Spideyman]

Thank you MsMod.
I was glued to the Tv on Friday/ could not look away over the weekend. My heart breaks again and again for all the innocence that is lost. Now, the nation, the town and parents- grandparents- aunts and uncle- husbands- daughters-son and friends will begin the funerals. I offer to them this prayer:

Native American Prayer

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still - in each new dawn.

(Typically the attribution states 'Author unknown')

[cat in a bag]

God bless all those lost, and all those who have to try to pick up the pieces of their broken hearts.

My thoughts and prayers are with them all as they begin to lay their loved ones to rest today.

[GNTLGNT]

http://blogofdan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Prayer-570x300.png...for what solace my prayers will bring, I offer them up from the bottom of my soul...

[tmac61]

Prayers and thoughts for the families, there is nothing worse than the loss of a child.

[Haunted]

Those sweet, sweet babies. :down: They are in God's arms now.

[Shasta]

Let's not forget about the wonderful women who died, most of who were putting themselves in harms way trying to protect children.

[mjs9153]

Let's not forget about the wonderful women who died, most of who were putting themselves in harms way trying to protect children.

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=IA.276928464071&pid=15.1you read my mind Shasta,this beautiful young lady,Victoria Soto,died protecting her first grade students..can hardly bear to look at the photo's of the little ones..just mind numbing that this wonderful young person is gone,for no discernible reason than one person's selfish rage..

[Spideyman]

Let us remember the teachers and administrators who gave their lives to protect those in their care............

Dawn Hochsprung
Victoria Soto
Rachael Davino
Anna Marie Murphy
Mary Sherlack
Lauren Rousseau

[Shasta]

And the principal and the counselor who rushed at a man with an automatic weapon to get him to stop, mjs9153. I couldn't have done it. They were heroes. Absolute heroes.

[~Ally~]

Victoria Soto,died protecting her first grade students..can hardly bear to look at the photo's of the little ones..just mind numbing that this wonderful young person is gone,for no discernible reason than one person's selfish rage..

When the news first broke there was a picture of a young lady outside the school crying into her phone. You could sense so many emotions just by witnessing the fear on her face. I read yesterday that was Victoria's sister. Awful.

[Shasta]

When the news first broke there was a picture of a young lady outside the school crying into her phone. You could sense so many emotions just by witnessing the fear on her face. I read yesterday that was Victoria's sister. Awful.

I was wondering about that. I thought they looked alike. These poor, poor families. I wish we could do something to help them all with their grief but I know the only thing that will help is time.

[GNTLGNT]

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=IA.276928464071&pid=15.1you read my mind Shasta,this beautiful young lady,Victoria Soto,died protecting her first grade students..can hardly bear to look at the photo's of the little ones..just mind numbing that this wonderful young person is gone,for no discernible reason than one person's selfish rage..

..heros all...

[PatInTheHat]

Let us remember the teachers and administrators who gave their lives to protect those in their care............

Dawn Hochsprung
Victoria Soto
Rachael Davino
Anna Marie Murphy
Mary Sherlack
Lauren Rousseau

:y::y:
Won't be hearing much of that impressively stupid anti teacher let's put more kids in our classroom ignorant garbage now, nothin' but crickets on the subject I'd reckon, or rather, at least for a while.
Just imagine that ridiculous rhetoric coming to fruition, 50 or more students per classroom, I mean they said, you know, them stupid people, why why they said they had studies about how swell it will all be for everybody and everything.
Mmm hmm, yeah that woulda worked out just great, and ohhhhhh those lazy greedy teachers...well come on and bring it, where's it at now:glare:?!

[not_nadine]

Am I the only one that is a bit bothered by the images going around the internet of these poor babies?
A lot of them seem to be focusing on one girl. She is a large picture in the center surrounded by classmates with much smaller photos.
Maybe I am being petty, but I just dont like it.

[mjs9153]

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=HA.70777835733&pid=15.1 James Mattioli,aged six "and three quarters" his family wanted to remind people..in part,he loved cuddling with his mom,swimming,math,hamburgers with ketchup,his dad's omelette with bacon,and french toast...and was best friends with his older sister.. from his obituary and news reports..:down:

[Becks19]

Am I the only one that is a bit bothered by the images going around the internet of these poor babies?
A lot of them seem to be focusing on one girl. She is a large picture in the center surrounded by classmates with much smaller photos.
Maybe I am being petty, but I just dont like it.


I can't stand to see any of the pictures, it drives home the hurt and loss tenfold. May all of these little ones rest in peace and may their parents find the strength to endure this unimaginable sorrow.

[PatInTheHat]

Am I the only one that is a bit bothered by the images going around the internet of these poor babies?
A lot of them seem to be focusing on one girl. She is a large picture in the center surrounded by classmates with much smaller photos.
Maybe I am being petty, but I just dont like it.

Probably the girl of the father that made such a moving statement of love.
And I'm very uncomfortable with it too, makes my stomach hurt, and I say, good.
Tells me we ain't completely desensitized to slaughter, not to mention senselessness, and I wish they were posted on every inch of billboard, bench, bus, plane, train, and dog sled, and from coast to coast, continent to continent.
These babies may not be the faces of this current bloody fad we want, what are, but they are indeed the faces we've got...for now.
Folks seem to have already forgotten this so beautiful and bright wee one of all our hopes...
http://img4.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/70235712-christina-taylor.jpg:down:
Let's all try a maybe a little better, and a lot harder, to not forget these little people.

[heismyking]

I don't want to look at the pictures, it makes me cry. Why does this happen? This was such an absolute horror to me. I can not believe another incident yet in another school has claimed the lives of the innocent. It is utterly frustrating as a mother to hear of such a tragedy. My daughter who is sixteen and in high school remembers in public school the lock down practices they would go through in case of an event. I ask what good is that? Maybe it offers some sense of peace of mind, but does not solve the problem of people going off and killing innocent victims. If they want in the school they will find a way. I am going to say it and it might upset people, but there needs to be tighter gun control laws. I know guns do not kill people, people do, but something has to be done. We are becoming a more violent society. Maybe the world is going to end at the end of the week and all that has passed lately are the opening acts. Peace to those who have suffered the loss and to all too.

[ConstantReader1973]

The pictures make me so sad. I've cried so many times, and even now there are tears welling up. I'm not connected to these people in any way, but this tragedy has struck me to the core. I keep imagining, as a parent, how awful it would be to wake up each morning with the thought of greeting your child, then that horrible moment of realization that you will never see them again hits, and it hurts me so badly, I cannot even imagine LIVING THROUGH IT. I'm just so sad, and I can't stop crying. I have tried to turn the emotions off, just to give myself a break, but in a way, I don't want to. To me, those who can look at these horrible events without feeling are just another symptom of the terribly de-sensitized world we are living in.

My heart hurts for all those families. I can only imagine losing a child, and I can't know or feel what they are going through. I pray that God will hold them in His hand and give them comfort and some measure of peace.

[Out of Order]

I just can't.............

[fushingfeef]

I'm trying to avoid all the media coverage of this. It's hard because my heart goes out to those people, but I'm already starting to have nightmares about this (had a doozy last night) so I think it's best if I just avoid the whole topic for the time being.

[Sigmund]

Hi, Everybody.

I am trying desperately to not focus too much on this tragedy. (I'm not in the best condition, physically, emotionally or mentally to deal with it just now. Dear God. Is anyone?)

There are, however, some things that I cannot get away from.

The first responders who saw this hell and the CIS people who had to photograph, measure, etc, to gather evidence and intelligence on how the entire incident went down. ( They had to be there at least 36-48 hours amongst the dead gathering evidence.)

The Mayor (?) who had to go to the fire station and tell all the parents gathered there waiting for information and having to say, "...if you have not been reunited with your child(ren) ...you will not be..." (because they were murdered/dead)

The doctors and nurses (80+) who responded at the hospital waiting for the mass casualties to come in and give it their all to save these children...and to realize...there would not be ANY victims coming in. They were all dead.

The little girl who pretended to be dead amongst the pile of her schoolmates dead bodies...and survived. (The rifle/guns he used to murder those poor children would have destroyed their little bodies. The blood and gore that she must have seen, felt... falling on top and around her.)

God have mercy.

Peace.

[mjs9153]

Just as a general response,I know exactly how each and every one of you feels..I hate the thought of looking at the photos of these beautiful kids,and thinking they are gone now,never to return..the pain the families have now,is unimaginable to me..the reason I posted the photo of J,little James Mattioli,is because he is representative of all the kids..all he wanted to do was swim,play,love his family,learn his school lessons, and eat good things like hamburgers and french toast..that broke my heart reading his obit,which is much longer,but that is part of it..I am seeing resistance to the idea that we must do something to fix this,and for me,this is the tipping point..there are a lot of good thoughts out there,but one I haven't seen yet,is that evil flourishes when good men do nothing..well,I have had enough of these things(seventy, yes,70 school shootings since 1994) and we need to put our foot down..the right to guns does not trump the rights of others,especially innocent kids,to seek out life and the pursuit of happiness..

[Lina]

What happened is just horrible... I cannot bear hearing the details of it, because I just feel like crying. It is awful and absolutely crazy. What is even more frightening is the fact that such things happen a lot lately, people just go crazy, here, in Russia, we had a similar tragedy about a month ago, a man came to his work place with a gun, and shot all the people he could get, while they did not stop him. It is absolutely crazy, because such things have never happened here, and now we see what we see. But, sure, this tragedy in Connecticut is much worse, as it involved innocent children... I don't know what to say. My heart just hurts for those who suffered... :down:

[mjs9153]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_8u4VLk0iTI for the lost souls...and take heart,all suffering from this,families,friends,whomever..

[Spideyman]

At Victoria Soto's funeral, singer song-writer Paul Simon sang his song Sound Of Silence which was Soto's favorite.
Read the words, feel the feelings...........

Sound of Silence

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence

[Spideyman]

Web will go silent at 9:30ET today as part of the National Moment of Silence for Sandy Hook.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/20/tech/web/moment-of-silence-online/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

May all their souls rest in peace.

[FlakeNoir]

Probably the girl of the father that made such a moving statement of love.
And I'm very uncomfortable with it too, makes my stomach hurt, and I say, good.
Tells me we ain't completely desensitized to slaughter, not to mention senselessness, and I wish they were posted on every inch of billboard, bench, bus, plane, train, and dog sled, and from coast to coast, continent to continent.
These babies may not be the faces of this current bloody fad we want, what are, but they are indeed the faces we've got...for now.
Folks seem to have already forgotten this so beautiful and bright wee one of all our hopes...
http://img4.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/70235712-christina-taylor.jpg:down:
Let's all try a maybe a little better, and a lot harder, to not forget these little people.

Oh man, Pat you made me cry again.. but you are so right. We have to immerse ourselves in these families grief if we're ever to bring changes that will protect innocent people. To not feel this would be almost as big a tragedy.

[Srbo]

I just can't.............

Me neither.
The pain is too big...