“I have decided to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
Unfathomable events like yesterday happen far too frequently. That the victims were small children is beyond comprehension.
I have always believed in the innate goodness of mankind though I also know evil exists. It is just something I have never understood. At the very least, people deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. It doesn’t take much. Sometimes a smile is more than enough.
Christmas is the time for family, for going home, for being together and for celebrating those traditions which connect the family over time, through generations. A pall of sadness has fallen over Christmas. How do you celebrate a season wrapped in love after yesterday? I guess maybe you love each other more.
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December 15, 2012 at 11:34 am
Long time since I lost hope in humanity and the belief of an innate goodness. But I do know there’s evil everywhere out there in the world.
Christer.
December 15, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Christer,
I have to believe that most people are good, but I do accept that evil exists. I haven’t lost hope.
December 15, 2012 at 12:48 pm
I can’t imagine what would cause a person to comitt such acts and then take their own life. Unfortunately, this act and the one in Portland will revive the gun control debate which will cause the NRA to rally the gun owners to oppose any changes and nothing will happen until the next tragedy. The Supreme Court has already ruled that the second amendment to the constitution allows individuals to own fire arms. Now the debate will be in the details of protecting innocent people from the nuts who seem to get hold of guns.
December 15, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Bob,
There are certain guns the average gun owner doesn’t need such as assault rifles. I think we work to remove them first. We’ll never overturn the 2nd amendment. Too many people own guns, but we can start to regulate what they own.
December 15, 2012 at 9:02 pm
In my part of the country some people think that they need assault rifles to protect themselves from the drug violence across the border. They think the drug cartels are already on our side of the border creating havoc. According to some of my coworkers these stories of violence are not reported in the main stream media.
Law abiding citizens should have the right to own guns, but they should be prevented from falling into the hands of the mentally deranged.
December 15, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I believe in gun control. Not limited to semi automatic or other military style weapons. I do not believe that individuals should own a gun for any purpose.
We will go to St John Fisher Chapel tonight. I can make no sense of the events yesterday in Connecticut. We have a wonderful six year old in our family and I cannot fathom how the connecticut families can go on.
I like it better when I am “fighting” with “im6” over Beach Boys or posting silliness about Leonard Cohen.
Went to work for a while, wrapped Christmas presents, watched EPL. I have lived in America for thirty two years and this is as terrible as I can recall.
December 15, 2012 at 8:31 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I too believe in gun control but I doubt we’ll make much headway so I suggest we start by regulating the sort of weapons people may buy, then move on to the number then gradually remove the right to carry arms. When that amendment was written, the US was a far different place.
I so agree about fighting over The Beach Boys.
Today I saw a Christmas play and went out to dinner with my sister. It was a good day.
December 15, 2012 at 1:57 pm
There are no words. Just none. I try to lean towards the light but it gets harder every year.
December 15, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Caryn,
It does get harder but it so worth the effort.
December 15, 2012 at 3:10 pm
My husband had to play Santa this morning at the Mason’s annual breakfast. At first we felt strange about it, but as the children came in and their faces lit up when they saw Santa, we appreciated it more than ever. I plan on appreciating every minute of this season even more with my girls though my heart is still very much broken.
Love,
Erin
December 15, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Erin,
I too will look for all the joy I can find. It is the best way I know to fight the darkness.
December 15, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Very sad news. My condolences goes to the families. Life isn’t fair.
December 15, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Birgit,
Sometimes life is a bit unbearable and yesterday was one of those days. Such poor babies.
December 15, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Went to see some of my grandchildren in a concert this afternoon. The conductor was crying. We have friends from Newton.
December 15, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Mark,
I am so sorry for your friends that they and those they know have to live with that tragedy.
December 15, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Thank you for posting this, Kat. I have always believed in gun control, and I don’t know why I can’t stop the tears from falling. Yes, it does get harder to lean to the light. I have no more words.
December 15, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Lori,
None of us have the words.
December 16, 2012 at 11:15 am
Our grandaughter is 5, and I can’t imagine losing her.
When the 2nd Amendment was written, it was for a “well-regulated militia.” There is no militia, nor are they regulated–just people, some of whom are mentally ill, thinking they have a “God-given” right to own a firearm. Taken to the extreme, why are machine guns not allowed in the hands of citizens? Why are they regulated?
Is it only a matter of time when nuclear-tipped bullets are designed?
Should they be regulated?
I say let’s get rid of all weapons everywhere in the world.
December 16, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Bill,
I also remember the historical context of that amendment. It’s been a long time since any of us have had to protect our land from gangs of marauders or rustlers.
Yes, some people, look at the NRA, do believe they have the inherent right to carry a weapon. The shooter’s mother was an avid gun collector. What is that! Why is that? I don’t get it.
I would make that my first wish to the genie in the lamp because that is the only way it will happen.
December 16, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Americans have always had a great fear of government tyranny and an armed citizenry is a prime bulwark of freedom. And if the government can’t protect it’s citizen’s, the People have a natural right to protect themselves and their families by whatever means is necessary. Disarming law abiding citizens is hardly the answer. The founders had the foresight to enshrine these unalienable rights in the constitution.
Whatever this guy’s problem was, he was obviously sane enough to pick a soft target and kill the most helpless amongst us. Airplanes and schools are magnet for wacko’s. Pilots and and co-pilots are armed.
I’m thinking maybe 5% or 10% of able bodied adults should serve as auxiliary deputies in the counties where they live. Modern version of militia/guard. The idea being that in any large gathering, a few responsible citizens will be armed and able to respond.
December 16, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Spaceman,
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
Maybe we do need a citizen militia as that’s the reference in the 2nd amendment. but I worry about over-reactions. Shoot first and ask questions later seems to be the mantra of many gun owners. That scares me.
December 16, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Hardly; gun owners have a high reverence and extreme respect for safety. I routinely carry and the very last thing in the world I would ever want to do is use it.
Jesus was born into a violent world. Herod killed all the under 2’s. Was he crazy or evil or both. Not that much has changed
December 16, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Spaceman,
I know only one person who has guns, and I worry about him. He hates easily, and that scares me.
Herod killed all the male children looking to kill Jesus . He was hooked on power and wanted to kill the child he thought would become a rival. That is evil.
December 17, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Im sure Herod would deny he was evil
December 17, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Spaceman,
Few people would ever admit to being evil. They seem to have justification in their heads for what they have done or will do.