As I sit back today and reflect on the past year and celebrate Nolan’s 1st B-day. I can’t help but ask for GOD to watch over all involved with the tragedy that has struck so many lives in Newton, CT. More than ever, I feel an ache in my heart and bitter discomfort in the pit of my stomach because of one person’s unnecessary actions. Why the children??? I won’t judge, it’s not my place to do that. All I can do is pray. GOD BLESS
I picked my kids up early today and as they ran up to me like they do ever day, I had to hold back a lot of emotions. I’m truly blessed.
Praying for those in Newton!
Another terrible crime and at least 26 more dead.
What saddens me most is that I predict it will be the same old story. Here’s what will emerge:
– The perp will have been exhibiting progressively worsening signs of mental illness. Paranoia, schitzo behaviors, delusions, etc.
– His family will have tried to intervene, but because he had not physically harmed anyone, they will say there was nothing more they can do.
– He will have had a number of minor brushes with the law. Law enforcement will say they feared escalation, but again there was nothing they could do because he had not harmed anyone.
– The perp will have obtained his weapons and in at least one case he will have easily thwarted an existing gun law because bureaucrats will have failed to properly enforce the law as it stands.
Same as VA Tech, same as Arizona, same as Colorado. A person descending into ever-deeper mental illness, but he cannot be committed to a treatment facility because that would infringe on his rights.
We don’t need gun law reform, we need mental health reform. Mentally ill people need to be handled in a vastly different manner in order to protect both them and society at large.
It’s very sad to have to make these predictions, but nothing is being done to protect the public and to help the mentally ill at the same time. We just keep putting them back out on the street and hoping.
Grouse
I just don’t understand the need to take innocent lives. 
I’m with almost everyone on this….. I feel for the families victimized, ache/grieve for the loss of little, unfulfilled lives, angry at the offender, frustrated with the press, confused on any difference I could possibly make…… We’re never going to save everyone because someone is always going to come up with a loophole, a strategy, or an exception. I do….. just wish it would stop.
About the press, I saw coverage yesterday that talked about the growing number of incidents like this and they did talk about a study from the FBI that suggests that these offenders are using all the details of the event, via press coverage, to help plan their own violent attacks. So what does the press do? Just keep airing more pictures and details, and attacking the expired assault weapons ban. I do think there’s a difference between having the right to know, and needing to know.
God help us all and I wish all of you a happy holiday season. Can’t imagine those homes….. that probably already have presents under a tree for a child that won’t be there. My heart breaks for those families…..
I watched the television coverage for about an hour on Friday. Made me straight-up sick. They used words like “historical”, “unprecedented”, “unreal”, “this will go down as the worst school massacre”.
Don’t they understand what they’re doing? They’re just fueling the fire. 
A discussion is emerging now about a voluntary media ban on naming the perp.
I think this would be a very positive step as obviously these mentally ill individuals are feeding off of and taking encouragement from the infamy (for lack of a better word) of these terrible crimes. IMO, it would be far better to deny them this “name in lights” effect by simply calling them “the criminal” and leaving them unnamed.
That step alone is only a small bucket of water on the fire, but I think legitimate sportsmen/women and responsibel gun owners need to be bringing up positive steps and solutions rather than just risking the appearance of being self-absorbed by trying to argue against the “ban all guns” sentiment.
As citizens, we need the security and mentally ill people need the help that can only be afforded by having real, professional treatment available. The problem is that there is no way of ever being able to forsee which mentally ill person will become the next mass killer. Therefore, we need to help them all.
We also need a voluntary media ban on naming the shooter and we need the media to focus only on the victims and the families and therefore deny the killer the attention he seeks.
Grouse
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I watched the television coverage for about an hour on Friday. Made me straight-up sick. They used words like “historical”, “unprecedented”, “unreal”, “this will go down as the worst school massacre”.
Don’t they understand what they’re doing? They’re just fueling the fire.
This is not the worst but unfortunately its the latest.
Here’s the worst on record:
This happened in CT. I dont think there should be round the clock coverage in MN. It doesnt affect us and it only puts the idea in the wrong heads just like you guys are discussing.
We just got this letter sent to all parents in our school disct. here. Considering I’ve stopped at my daughters school during the day while running my trapline, I really question the “Steps” You have to imagine this. I walk up to the door wearing neoprene waders, hoodie, and look like I just stepped out of a swamp, NO QUESTIONS – just buzz me in. Told them at the reception “I’m just dropping something off for my daughter at her locker” RESPONSE “OK, if your just going in/out you don’t need to sign in”
I just got the warm fuzzies reading this
December 17, 2012
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It is with great sadness that we learned of the tragic events that occurred in Connecticut on Friday, December 14th. When a tragedy occurs in a school and when children are harmed or lose lives, it impacts all of us in a deeply personal way no matter where the tragedy happened. I want to reassure all of you of the steps we have taken in the Watertown Unified School District to help to ensure the safety of our students. We believe the following precautions work to provide a safe environment for our students:
• All building doors are locked during the school day. Visitors must be permitted to enter the buildings, and they must identify themselves and their purpose for being in the school.
• All staff members are required to wear identification badges to ensure they are easily identifiable. Visitors must sign in at the office and also wear an identification badge.
• We ask staff to be vigilant in monitoring guests as they walk the halls of our buildings; staff is instructed that, in the event they observe someone without district-authorized identification, they are to question the individual’s presence and escort him/her to the office.
• Additional security has been hired to support evening activities at WHS.
• Routine drills are conducted to prepare students for a lock-down, in much the same way we conduct drills to prepare students in the event of a fire.
• All staff has been trained by our student services team for procedures to follow in a crisis as well as procedures to follow every day to maintain the safety and security of our students.
As our students arrived at school Monday morning, our teachers, administrators, support staff, and counselors were prepared to help respond to student concerns regarding Friday’s tragedy.
The NASP Website http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx is an excellent resource for information on how to help children cope when a national tragedy occurs. From their website I have pulled the following recommendations for parents and adults:
1. Reassure children that they are safe point out factors that help insure their immediate safety and that of their community. Remind them that trustworthy people are in charge.
2. Let children know that it is okay to feel upset. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy like this occurs. Let children talk about their feelings and help put them into perspective. Even anger is okay, but children may need help and patience from adults to assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
3. Tell children the truth. But be mindful of the age of the child. Don’t try to pretend the event has not occurred or that it is not serious. Children are smart. They will be more worried if they think you are too afraid to tell them what is happening.
4. Focus on your children over the week following the tragedy. Tell them you love them and everything will be okay. Try to help them understand what has happened, keeping in mind their developmental level.
5. Make time to talk with your children. Remember if you do not talk to your children about this incident someone else will. Take some time and determine what you wish to say.
6. Stay close to your children. Your physical presence will reassure them and give you the opportunity to monitor their reaction. Many children will want actual physical contact. Give plenty of hugs. Let them sit close to you, and make sure to take extra time at bedtime to cuddle and to reassure them that they are loved and safe.
7. Limit your child’s television viewing of these events. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then turn the set off. Don’t sit mesmerized re-watching the same events over and over again.
8. Maintain a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to your family’s normal routine for dinner, homework, chores, bedtime, etc., but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.
9. Spend extra time reading or playing quiet games with your children before bed. These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness and security, and reinforce a sense of normalcy. Spend more time tucking them in. Let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.
10. Safeguard your children’s physical health. Stress can take a physical toll on children as well as adults. Make sure your children get appropriate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
11. Find out what resources your school has in place to help children cope. Most schools are likely to be open and often are a good place for children to regain a sense of normalcy. Being with their friends and teachers can help. Schools should also have a plan for making counseling available to children and adults who need it.
At any time, please feel free to contact your school counselor, principal or teacher. Communication is crucial during difficult times and we want to ensure all children’s concerns are addressed.
This quote from Mister Rogers was used to end Meet the Press this weekend, and I think it serves as an appropriate reminder to us all today:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” Mister Rogers
Please join me and all of the members of the Watertown Unified School District family as we join the rest of the nation in offering our thoughts, hearts, and prayers to the families, schools, and community of Newtown, Connecticut who were impacted by this senseless tragedy.
Sincerely,
Cassandra Schug
Superintendent
I was thinking about this more today as I hear more crap about gun control and the lack of PHYSCO control
“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.”
So what the heck is Feinstein up to??? If you current own (legally) how can they make a law that includes “Possession”
Anyone hear about this shooting that was thwarted by an armed security guard??
Gee wiz I wonder where he got the idea….
This is a really long article – but well worth the read…as it sounds as if Adam Lanza is the grown version of what you read below:
A disconnect from society, voted for the right guy and told us and believes that its everyone’s business to get it back to square one!!!
Mark
People wonder why the NRA seems to liberal when it comes to protecting our rights to own guns. This is a prime example. This guy isn’t looking to remove AR’s and high capacity magazines. He’s after every gun, if you can’t see that, then you are fooling yourself.
Kooty:
You know, I really like the stories that he does for SI and ESPN and understand where he is coming from, but am too leary of losing 2nd amendment rights to completely agree with that premise!!!
Mark
We must not, as a nation, be consumed with fear and cowardice.
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We must not, as a nation, be consumed with fear and cowardice.
I wish I had a pill to thwart fear and cowardice! I’d give a free bottle to every household in the nation! People ARE getting scared, thanks to a media all too ready to pounce of every opportunity to sensationalize and terrorize everything for everyone! Crazy…..
I know I’ll never sell the country on the idea eye-for-an-eye accountability, but that’s how I feel. Teach anyone with ears to hear that we’re all armed and if you pull that trigger in a premeditated act, you’re going to die! Does that deter anyone that’s done it? Maybe not but I still believe it would get through to some.
very well said grouse, just a terrible situation and as you said, its always the guns fault…. just keep the family’s and friends in our prayers
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