School Shooting

[greenacres2]

I've just been reading about the tragic events in Newtown, CT today. Newtown also happens to be the home of Taunton Press. While my prayers are with all those whose lives and families were deeply impacted--there are also special thoughts for the members of our extended woodworking family.

While we will mourn the loss, i'd also ask that you might give some thought to the emergency responders whose mission today will stay with them forever. Whether career or volunteer, these folks faced things that will stay with them forever...and will do it again one life at a time.

Makes no sense, not at all.

earl

[chopnhack]

Senseless loss... Good thoughts Earl, they do a job that sometimes can be above and beyond anything we can imagine. The emotions, the risks that they take and the long term effects as you mentioned.

Sadly, the young man that did this seemed to be mentally ill. I don't know if he was actively being treated or not, but the news indicated there were signs of mental illness? Short hours after a tragedy and the media is aware of this man in a small town's mental illness??

RIP to all that were lost today and may God grant strength to the survivors.

[jabe]

My prayers go out to all the families & friends of all the victims and the teachers/first responders.

As a former teacher we were taught to go to lock down during an emergency on campus. I was fortunate nothing serious happened during my career. Those teachers are heros, may God give them strength to carry on.

[cabinetman]

A very tragic event. All of the shootings like that are tragic. I would love to see an interview with the shooters' parents letting them explain it all. Stuff like this didn't happen when I was a kid. The worse thing a kid brought to school (if he was caught) was a pocket knife, and 9 times out of 10 it was dull. It was likely only to be used to play mumblety-peg after school.

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[Pappy]

I would love to see an interview with the shooters' parents letting them explain it all.
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I've seen no mention of his father, but he killed his mother before going to the school. The guns belonged to her and, according to the reports I have read and heard, she kept them locked up.

[jseklund]

I keep opening this thread trying to think of something worthwhile to say in response to the topic. I really don't have anything. I've opened the thread 5-6 times, started to type and then closed it when I realize that I'm not getting out what I feel about the event.

Tragic is one word. Devestating. I don't know. I don't have children of my own, but I can't imagine being a young parent in their 20's and trying to start a life, having a child and then in the middle of all that struggle someone takes everything away for no reason.

Unfortunately, it looks like this event has become a talking point for politicians already.

[chopnhack]

Tragic is one word. Devestating. I don't know. I don't have children of my own, but I can't imagine being a young parent in their 20's and trying to start a life, having a child and then in the middle of all that struggle someone takes everything away for no reason.

Unfortunately, it looks like this event has become a talking point for politicians already.

I have two munchkins and can't begin to fathom a loss like this one.... As for the politicians, they will use any event to their gain. I am sure we will see the anti-gun lobby flare up, the parent blamers, the system blamers, etc. but ultimately we are all mad that something like this happened and feel powerless because it can happen anywhere.... We are all responsible for our own actions and responsible to society for what we do. The only thing I can think to recommend is that we all become more involved in the world around us. I know that the older generations know what I mean.

[Pappy]

After I posted earlier I read an article that included a quote from the shooter's father. No mention still of if his parents were together, just that he shared a home with his mother.

[cabinetman]

I have two munchkins and can't begin to fathom a loss like this one.... As for the politicians, they will use any event to their gain. I am sure we will see the anti-gun lobby flare up, the parent blamers, the system blamers, etc. but ultimately we are all mad that something like this happened and feel powerless because it can happen anywhere.... We are all responsible for our own actions and responsible to society for what we do. The only thing I can think to recommend is that we all become more involved in the world around us. I know that the older generations know what I mean.

It's easy to point blame. Parents somehow think that it's up to the school system to teach morality. The older generation that you refer to, taught right and wrong in the home. Schools were the place kids were supposed to learn to add and subtract.

When I was a kid in school, if we had a debate, it wasn't settled with a weapon, but a parking lot provided the space to vent our feelings. I really can't get over how many incidents like this have occurred in recent years, but it's just outrageous. I think back about my childhood, and the discipline that was allowed in the home. I didn't like it at the time, but now realize it was effective. Today, kids threaten to call the police if a hand is laid on. Maybe that's a place to start. JMO.

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[chopnhack]

Kids are not allowed to have fist fights anymore.... Apparently its an offense akin to inciting a riot. :-(

[cabinetman]

Kids are not allowed to have fist fights anymore.... Apparently its an offense akin to inciting a riot. :-(

As kids we weren't allowed to either, but they happened. The disputes got settled, and nobody died.

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[BobSch]

... As for the politicians, they will use any event to their gain.

Not to mention the media. I've often thought the worst thing that has happened to broadcast news is when Nielson and the other rating services started clocking new programs. It just encourages sensationalism in reporting and I can't help but wonder if all the coverage encourages this kind of tragedy.

[chopnhack]

Not to mention the media. I've often thought the worst thing that has happened to broadcast news is when Nielson and the other rating services started clocking new programs. It just encourages sensationalism in reporting and I can't help but wonder if all the coverage encourages this kind of tragedy.

Great point BobSch, I try not to watch the news too much because it seems like it just depresses you further.

[chopnhack]

As kids we weren't allowed to either, but they happened. The disputes got settled, and nobody died.

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You get kicked out of school now for fighting... Can you imagine that, have a fist fight with a kid and get banned from the school....

[All Thumbs]

There have already been at least a few major blunders by the press on this one. I think that, as time unfolds, we will have a better picture of what happened here. Until then I'm not speaking to upbringing, motives, etc.

All I'll say is that, those were just babies.

I cannot fathom the horror that a child feels when they're attacked in such a heinous manner in a place in which they should feel safe and secure.

That goes for the teachers and administrators, too.

God bless every single one of them.