Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

[shugknight]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

Stop blaming video games. Stop blaming guns.

Blame the irresponsible mother, who was not right in her head (her relative from Illinois said that the mother prepared for the worst) that bought all these guns to "protect her family" from the fallout of the economy.

She then went on and let her mentally ill son, PRACTICE SHOOTING with these guns.

I'm also 99.999999999999999999999999999% sure that she did not lock these guns up in a safe place. They were probably stored in an open cabinet/drawer somewhere.

[NYJets]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

Stop blaming video games. Stop blaming guns.

Blame the irresponsible mother, who was not right in her head (her relative from Illinois said that the mother prepared for the worst) that bought all these guns to "protect her family" from the fallout of the economy.

She then went on and let her mentally ill son, PRACTICE SHOOTING with these guns.

I'm also 99.999999999999999999999999999% sure that she did not lock these guns up in a safe place. They were probably stored in an open cabinet/drawer somewhere.

Or how about we examine ALL the aspects of this tragedy and other mass killings, and not look for one thing to blame?

[tribefanisu2003]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but this is so true.

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PezlFNTGWv4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

I could not agree more with the comments of the forensic psychologist at the end of this video.

I'm not saying this is THE solution, by any means. But, if the news did not show the faces of the killers, say their names, tell us all the shooter's life story, etc... I do believe it would lead to less "inspiration" for the future perpetrators of such horrific acts.

We'll never know what was going through this guy's head. I cannot, in any way at all, imagine any scenario in which a human being can look at a group of 6 and 7 year old kids, and then gun them down in cold blood. But, I do believe that part of the reason that he did what he did before killing himself is because he wanted his name to go down in history. And now, we know his name, and we know his face. Just like he wanted.

I know it will never happen, because the media is who / what it is, and they're all about ratings. But, I really wish they would take the advice from the video above: Refer to the shooter as simply that: "The Shooter". If nobody knows their name, their face, etc., not only will they not get the attention they so desired before killing themselves, but their surviving family members would be at least less likely to receive death threats, having their name defamed and facebook / twitter profiles bombarded, etc.

I am in the same boat as those that say they haven't felt like this since 9/11. It's impossible to compare one tragedy like this with others like Columbine, Aurora, and the like: they are all horrific, senseless tragedies. But I think this one shook me up so much because the most innocent of lives were taken. The futures of defenseless, innocent children were taken from them. The ripple effect will wreak havoc: all of these kids' (and teachers / principal's) family members' lives have been turned upside down. The children and people who did survive the day will have this day haunting them for the rest of their lives... they'll never be the same. When you factor these in, hundreds of people have been directly affected by this. Then there are millions of people, like myself, who have no direct relation to any of these people, but are left shaking their heads and wiping tears away. All because this "person" (and I use that term VERY loosely) could not cope with his issues like a human being.

It just blows my mind. It goes without saying that I really, really feel for all of those families. But, I also feel for those of you that are parents... I can't even imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. The "what if that was my kid?", etc. While my wife and I don't have children yet, we will in the very near future. However, I have a nephew and 2 nieces, 5, 4 and 2 years old respectively, and that entire day, I could not shake the image of one of them having been gunned down like this. It's truthfully more than I could take.

I'm thankful for places like OS, really. (As corny as that sounds). I don't post here very often, but it is great to see a community like this, where we can talk as adults, and be free from the exaggerating attention grabbers that you will find in the comments sections of news sites and articles.

Peace be with all of you during this holiday season.

[chilli311]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

I'm not saying this is THE solution, by any means. But, if the news did not show the faces of the killers, say their names, tell us all the shooter's life story, etc... I do believe it would lead to less "inspiration" for the future perpetrators of such horrific acts.

I know it will never happen, because the media is who / what it is, and they're all about ratings. But, I really wish they would take the advice from the video above: Refer to the shooter as simply that: "The Shooter". If nobody knows their name, their face, etc., not only will they not get the attention they so desired before killing themselves, but their surviving family members would be at least less likely to receive death threats, having their name defamed and facebook / twitter profiles bombarded, etc.

Bravo

[55]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

Anonymous posted all of the personal information of the Westboro Baptist Church members after they said they would picket funerals of those killed.

I really wish all those westboro members would just die. They are a stain on the world that I really wish someone would cleanse. If I read an article that they all died, I would open a bottle of champagne and celebrate.

This is the best post in the entire thread. Those losers from the WBC are the lowest forms of life on the planet.

[DickDalewood]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

This is the best post in the entire thread. Those losers from the WBC are the lowest forms of life on the planet.

Agreed.

As must as I dislike Anonymous, I'm their biggest fan in this situation. Go ahead and release every piece of information you can find about those Westboro idiots and let nature take its course.

Freakin' pathetic stains on this earth.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

I don't acknowledge that group of people. And I believe that is how they should be treated. They shouldn't be covered in any way, shape, or form in any media. If they show up at a funeral, they should be ignored by everyone attending the funeral as if they were not even there. That is probably easier said than done, but they are praying on the emotions of people for shock value. They want you to react. The only way they go away is to marginalize their message and refuse to acknowledge it.

[JODYE]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

The fact that the WBC has the word church in it's name is a disgrace.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

I haven't posted in this thread yet, till now.

I'm just sad. I've been crying since Friday. I can't shake it. I've never been this sad and depressed, not even when my Dad passed away.

I lived through all of these shootings, the recent Chardon shootings on 2/27/12 moved me bad. My wife is a teacher in the Chardon school district, albeit at an elementary level, it still moved us being so close. My cousin was supposed to be at the table where the 3 kids were killed, but he was sick that morning. Fate, whatever, but he has dealt with survivor guilt for 10 months.

Then there have been 15 attempted suicides, 6 of which have succeeded, the most recent iroincally enough was Friday morning.

Now we have this shooting. Those little kids excited for Christmas and their break from school, ripped from this earth. I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. My 4 year old will be in kindergarten next year, it breaks me. I'm a mess right now. I'm broken. My life feels like it's falling apart around me, I worry I can't protect my kids. I have nothing direct with Newtown, CT other than being a father. I can't put into words what I'd feel as I hope I never have to feel it. But the grief I feel now as an outsider is almost too much for me to handle. Diversions haven't been working, I keep seeing/hearing things that bring it back. Not to mention the 6 adults who are also gone, having my wife as an elementary teacher, it wasn't easy having me see her go to work this morning.

The one place I felt was always safe, an elementary school, who wants to harm little children? Who does that?

I'm just tired of being sad. My thougths and prayers are with everyone directly and indirectly affected by this tragedy. I wish I could say something profound to help anyone feel better, but my words are meaningless compared to what the familes are going through.

Hug your kids tighter, tell them you love them more, kiss them more, don't even take one second for granted. Life is too short.

We will find better days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOp4NAq6EHI&feature=youtu.be

[SPTO]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

A couple things:

1. There's a fine line between not reporting anything and reporting too much in regards to the shooters in these instances. I think a lot of it has to do with the 24 hr news cycle but even then there is bound to be more coverage than you'd like. It's a tricky job for the media and more often than not most media organizations fall flat on their faces. I think there DOES need to be SOME coverage of the shooters and what led them to do the things they did or else you wouldn't get a full picture of why these things are happening. The problem is with so much media, spin and agendas being pushed through it becomes oversaturated and you get the "idol" worship from others who will go and do something just as bad or worse.

It's damned if you do, damned if you don't. I wouldn't want to be a news editor for a paper or a managing editor for a major news network in a situation like that. Personally, in a perfect world i'd prefer they report the facts of what happened 24-48 hrs afterwards than stop talking about the killer and follow the legal process some time into said process.

2. I don't think the normal "video games is to blame" "We need stronger gun control" arguments are going to hold water though I do think the latter is one of several solutions that should be pursued. It's clear that it's a far bigger range of causes as the last few of these shootings have seen some seriously deranged people going all out. It seems a lot of it may be based on mental illness/over medicating said illnesses in America. The shock to the system that has come about by this shooting puts all those one dimensional hues and cries in their place and exposes them as people trying to push and agenda without ever looking at the evidence.

I'm hesitant to mention one prominent former politician who made one of the most braindead comments about this but whereas before there'd be tons of traction with what he said in the past; today it's viewed as ridiculous in the context of what happened that day.

If you want to know who i'm referring to look up

Spoiler

Mike Huckabee

If this post was too political feel free to delete it.

[chilli311]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

I don't acknowledge that group of people. And I believe that is how they should be treated. They shouldn't be covered in any way, shape, or form in any media. If they show up at a funeral, they should be ignored by everyone attending the funeral as if they were not even there. That is probably easier said than done, but they are praying on the emotions of people for shock value. They want you to react. The only way they go away is to marginalize their message and refuse to acknowledge it.

That's why they do it though. It takes a very strong person to ignore what WBC does when it's their own family member that they are having the funeral for. Chances are, if you're at that funeral, you are at an extremely vulnerable place emotionally. It doesn't take much to set someone off when they are in that state.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

EG, those are very moving words. I have 4 boys, 9, 7, 5 and 3. Today, 3 of them are at elementary school. I drop them off everyday. Today, when I dropped them off, fear set in. They are entirely out of my hands in a public school. Anything can happen

I think when we give of ourselves in this world, and by that I mean when we give life, by having kids, raising them etc., I think we leave ourselves open to hurt. Even with our spouses, we are giving our lives to them. With our friends and family, we are growing with them and growing in love for them. In all of that, we and they have the potential to be victims of pain and suffering. But even in that we can't let fear cripple us.

Maybe it's all the more reason to love harder and do what we can for those closest to us. Our families deserve as much love as we can give.

[NYJets]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

A couple things:

1. There's a fine line between not reporting anything and reporting too much in regards to the shooters in these instances. I think a lot of it has to do with the 24 hr news cycle but even then there is bound to be more coverage than you'd like. It's a tricky job for the media and more often than not most media organizations fall flat on their faces. I think there DOES need to be SOME coverage of the shooters and what led them to do the things they did or else you wouldn't get a full picture of why these things are happening. The problem is with so much media, spin and agendas being pushed through it becomes oversaturated and you get the "idol" worship from others who will go and do something just as bad or worse.

I do agree with this, and I also agree it's not easy, I don't have all the answers for how they should cover it, and I'm glad I don't have to make those decisions.

I do think examining the shooters past is important. I don't think this should take place over national TV all in the public eye. Mental health experts working with people who really knew him can be useful. Interviewing anyone who came into contact with him on national tv is not. I don't know exactly how the media should go about calling attention to the mental health aspect of this without making the shooter famous, but I know there are some very obvious ways that the media can at least start moving in the right direction.

[WazzuRC]

Re: Elementary School Shooting in Connecticut

I visited my wife's 4th grade classroom for the first time this year on Friday. We were so busy with the kids that morning, we didn't find out until lunch what had happened. We both were devastated. It was such an eerie feeling being at an elementary school all day knowing this had happened in another part of our country. My wife's classroom is the first classroom when you first walk into the school so this really hit home on a personal level.

We did basket-weaving all morning long as an activity for their Native American unit in social studies. Just seeing how much fun the kids were having making their baskets and being with their friends, only to then a couple of hours later realize the tragedy of what had happened at a similar elementary school really was shocking to me. It puts a lot of things in perspective.

[PadresFan]

I have been reluctant to post in this thread because this really devastated me and I couldn't even imagine what the parents are going through.

In every situation, I try to take positives from it. Although it has been difficult to find a positive with this sad event, I have been inspired by all the victims as I continue to read their stories and really find out how remarkable they really were. This surely has helped take away from the shooter and the incident itself.

I ask everyone to do the same out of respect for the true victims. I will start with a link about a young girl from San Diego who was killed on Friday.

http://kgtv.m0bl.net/w/news-local/story/80718585/

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