O/T feel sick inside - CT Elementary shooting

[cyseymour]

Impressive post by texxxx. There is no easy solution. Doesn't mean assault weapons shouldn't be banned. One thing I did notice is that these spate of killings in the US really started in 2009, after the economy went sour. Yes, we did have Vtech in 2007, but since 2009 began we have had nine or ten different shootings.

Most of the time, it is the same theme; the shooter is male, a loner, and socially isolated or disturbed. This suggests that the problem is technology is making us more and more isolated as human beings and that some people, particularly quiet, sensitive males, are having trouble managing the level of tension that comes with a struggling economy.

I just think that overall, the vibe has been more tense in this country the last few years. America and its communities need to come together in a warmer way and make sure that everyone feels included and valued as members of our society. And get the economy going again with government support that creates jobs and makes people feel hopeful in their future.

[sycks22]

Being an elementary teacher it's going to be tough explaining how my students should feel safe after that horrible tragedy. Kids shouldn't have to worry about violence at school now.

[kcohen]

I obviously have no answers. However, I am disheartened by the knee-jerk reaction of some to punish law-abiding citizens by depriving them of their Constitutional rights due to the actions, however heinous, of a few.

My prayers go out to those parents that they can somehow get beyond this and recover to the extent possible from what is, as any parent knows, the ultimate nightmare - the loss of a child.

[the 'stache]

There will be time later to debate the merits of finally making some real changes to gun laws and banning of certain weapons. Now is not the appropriate time.

All I know is that my heart broke last night when I talked to my father, and he told me what happened. I've been crying on and off ever since. And I know as bad as I feel right now, I know I'm going to just lose it when the names and pictures of the children that were killed are released. Knowing that these innocent little ones were just starting their lives just tears me up inside. And those wonderful teachers that were killed. These were good people. Teachers are heroes. They are underpaid and work long hours, but their impact in stimulating the minds of our young ones is immeasurable.

My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones, and I pray that real changes are made so this doesn't happen again.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by cyseymour

Impressive post by texxxx. There is no easy solution. Doesn't mean assault weapons shouldn't be banned. One thing I did notice is that these spate of killings in the US really started in 2009, after the economy went sour. Yes, we did have Vtech in 2007, but since 2009 began we have had nine or ten different shootings.

Most of the time, it is the same theme; the shooter is male, a loner, and socially isolated or disturbed. This suggests that the problem is technology is making us more and more isolated as human beings and that some people, particularly quiet, sensitive males, are having trouble managing the level of tension that comes with a struggling economy.

I just think that overall, the vibe has been more tense in this country the last few years. America and its communities need to come together in a warmer way and make sure that everyone feels included and valued as members of our society. And get the economy going again with government support that creates jobs and makes people feel hopeful in their future.

CySeymour's second paragraph evokes a thought, not original, I have had for some time. I cannot prove it, but I cannot help but feel that an increase in the frequency of these horrid events stems somehow from a correlation between our mushrooming rate of digital connectivity and the isolation, paradoxically, it engenders in certain personality types. Social media makes it so much easier for extreme fringe elements to find each other.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by kcohen

CySeymour's second paragraph evokes a thought, not original, I have had for some time. I cannot prove it, but I cannot help but feel that an increase in the frequency of these horrid events stems somehow from a correlation between our mushrooming rate of digital connectivity and the isolation, paradoxically, it engenders in certain personality types. Social media makes it so much easier for extreme fringe elements to find each other.

This is what I told my wife yesterday. I think a contributing factor to this, and these types of tragedy, might be the new age of lightening fast information transfer around the world.

As for this discussion, there won't be anything solved on this board, and it's almost like a political debate. We'll let it go a little longer but please keep the "privacy" board rules in mind. If you want to get into a heated argument you need to be well known or have your name by your posts. Since the debate is sort of generic that rule isn't being as strictly enforced but it's still there. Also, after a while longer I can see this thread potentially being locked, so we can get back to what the focus of the board is. We are all an internet family and I don't see some debate like this being the demise of civilization as we know it. I am still very sad for the families and friends involved in CT. It almost takes my breath away when I really think about it.