Connecticutt. How can we "deal with it"?

My daughter said something similar Jingle. She was very upset and said she can't get her head round what has happened to those beautiful children, so she won't watch the news and will give her babies extra cuddles. We all deal with such events in our own way.

Sadness, despair, rage... I keep thinking of my own GC and wishing I could be there to wrap my arms around them and keep them safe. This time next week, I will be.

That lovely young teacher finished me off when she said she felt she had to be like a parent. So she told all the children that she loved them very much.
She thought it might be the last thing they heard.....Heartbreaking.

this is how we can deal with this

What an inspirational message Butty. Yes, it has to be tackled head on, starting with telling the Gun Lobby that their time has passed, then collectively aiming for a culture change. All those software geeks who create violent DVD games could exercise their creativity in a better way. We should refuse to buy such games, because young people in this country are becoming inured to them, too. Adding our voices to all those petitions alone isn't enough, but not adding our voices won't help, either.

And this is a country that prides itself on it's religious beliefs as well. And that preaches to the rest of the world on how they should run their countries. A country that's supposed to be 'free'; free to do what..kill innocent children? I know how I'm dealing with this, and it's with anger at hypocricy and I'm not letting up [even if the gun lobby does fund the Republican Party].

I am so shocked by this terrible crime but almost more shocked/surprised to learn that one of the teachers actually had a gun with her!!

I feel outraged and angry too, Crimson. I'm trying to use it in a positive way by being a part of those who want to change the gun culture.

I guess I mean, how to deal with it personally.

I can't tackle America's gun laws.

I suppose we have to wait for the pain to ease off. Although Dunblane still feels raw.

J I've nowhere to put my feelings from a personal perspective. My family in the States are uncomfortably close to this tragedy, so all I can do is to get very, very shouty via emails and sign petitions. Anger often has it's roots in fear, and it certainly does with me - so I'm getting bloody angry - and trying to put it in a place where it may do some good.

That's a powerful article you linked to, butty. Thank you. ALL the Americans I know feel like that. They need to get angry out loud and force some change by their politicians.

A few weeks ago I was saw a tragic picture in the Guardian of a small boy being lifted out of the rubble of a missile hit in Palestine.

He was dressed in jeans and trainers and apart from being a bit dusty looked entirely normal.

Except he was dead, his little limbs hanging limp.

I just couldn't seem to get over it.

All over the world small children are being killed in wars and massacres.

And now this latest horror.

I almost wish I was religious so I could get some comfort from praying about it.

I saw that photo too - I cried

Yes petallus. American bombs kill too. All so sad.

Thank you, *Butty, for the link to that excellent article. I have shared it on Facebook.

This outrage came on the anniversary of my grandson's death. He would have been about the same age. Now the two events will always be linked in my mind. There are things about this tragedy that I know will bring terrible pain. Christmas presents already bought that will never be opened, the empty place on Christmas morning, the way that Christmas can never, ever hold the same happy innocence.
This is not about me. You've all been very supportive and kind already, so no flowers please. This is just my way of paying my sympathies to those families from a position of insight.

My heart breaks for them all.

I like to think that such empathy can be felt even if it is by people many thousands of miles away. And can be a comfort in it's own, small way.

Thanks anno.

Nanadog I was touched by your post. [noflowers] emoticon. x

The funerals start today. Rest in peace little ones.

Butty the article you linked to expresses exactly my own sentiments. We all can do something; sign a petition, write a letter, join a march or a demonstration, give financial help. Every child who dies a violent death, every child who suffers abuse, every child whose life choices are limited by birth deserves to have someone standing up for them!!