Horror in a Connecticut elementary school
It’s hard to know what to say about the horror that took place this morning in a Connecticut elementary school. The combination of a madman, children and guns has left a reported 27 dead, including 20 children, most of them apparently executed in a single kindergarten classroom.
Again, 27 dead, and hundreds and hundreds directly connected to them have had their lives forever diminished. Even the millions of us who knew nobody in Newtown have been left chilled to the bone on this early winter day.
The 24-year-old gunman, dressed in paramilitary garb, is among those dead. His mother, a teacher at the school, is dead as well. Three weapons were reportedly found at the scene — a .223-caliber assault rifle and two semi-automatic handguns.
As always, the trauma inflicted on those families and that community is difficult to comprehend, and it is compounded by the brutal senselessness of the crime. Tragedies such as this always create questions — “How?” and “Why?” just the beginning of them — for which there can never be adequate answers.
I do know that anybody capable of such cold-blooded killings exists in a world that is far darker than any of us are able to imagine. I also suspect that crimes such as this are perpetrated in part to force the rest of us to glimpse — if just for a horrifying moment — that place so devoid of warmth and light.
Someone on Twitter just asked me: “WHY does this happen now when it didn’t 40, 50 years ago? WHAT is different?” I don’t know the answer to that one either. I suspect that we are witnessing a form of hysteria, as easily communicable as a computer virus from Aurora, Colo. to Clackamas, Ore. to Newtown, Conn., and once that virus is released it is impossible to predict where it might emerge next. Individuals who once might have stewed, alone, in their twisted anger and bitterness now recognize others like themselves on the evening news, and one violent incident creates a sort of permission for the next.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
557 comments Add your comment
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
9:54 pm
CORRECTION:
WHAT MASS MURDER DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN
FOR US TO SAY “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
bman.
December 14th, 2012
9:54 pm
NRA………If Not Today, When?
———————————————
This person should not own a gun. Picking out the crazies isn’t all that hard
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
9:58 pm
“WHAT MASS MURDER DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN
FOR US TO SAY “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
And questions like that aren’t enough. WHAT would YOU have done to stop such atrocities? “Someone should do something” is not an answer, it’s just a way to make yourself think you care…but obsolves you from any responsibility for an answer.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 14th, 2012
10:01 pm
Picking out the crazies isn’t all that hard
You should go to work for the FBI with your special gift
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
10:06 pm
@Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
9:53 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There are enough SO CALLED “INTELLIGENT” people on this
blog that can come up what a reasonable SOLUTION if
they wanted to.
I am not the one to fear…….I don’t own a gun nor do I
want to own a gun.
I worked for the school system for 23 years and I LOVE CHILDREN.
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
10:07 pm
CORRECTION:
There are enough SO CALLED “INTELLIGENT” people on this
blog that can come up WITH a reasonable SOLUTION if
they wanted to.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:09 pm
“There are enough SO CALLED “INTELLIGENT” people on this blog that can come up what a reasonable SOLUTION if they wanted to”
Still with the “somebody should do something” I’ve seen what others would do. I’m asking what YOU would have done.
bman.
December 14th, 2012
10:10 pm
“You should go to work for the FBI with your special gift”
I will probably stay with cooking (it’s a special gift, too). As for special gifts, here’s one for you & your truck.
Merry Christmas, sir!
http://lmgtfy.com/stickers.html
bman.
December 14th, 2012
10:12 pm
Seriously, why don’t they have a security guard at the schools? Is it $ ?
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:17 pm
“Seriously, why don’t they have a security guard at the schools? Is it $ ?”
Seriously, a security guard can’t possibly be at every entrance at all times. And all a killer has to do is wait until he comes out of one of them and shoot him. With a suppressed gun, he might not even be found until after the shooter has entered the school.
bman.
December 14th, 2012
10:22 pm
doggone .. .. I only asked why do schools not have a security guard – not can anyone here imagine a scenario where having a security guard present would be pointless….
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:26 pm
“I only asked why do schools not have a security guard – not can anyone here imagine a scenario where having a security guard present would be pointless”
And I answered it, and so did you just answer it: because having a security guard would be pointless. *A* security guard would have very little chance of preventing such an atrocity. Under the very best combinataion of circumstances and luck, he might be able to end it more quickly…but he’s just as likely to simply be the first victim.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 14th, 2012
10:27 pm
.. .. I only asked why do schools not have a security guard – not can anyone here imagine a scenario where having a security guard present would be pointless….
That scenario answers your question.
Geez….
bman.
December 14th, 2012
10:32 pm
ganged up on by a mountain man, his truck and a woman with 10 dogs….sheet
I will ask a few principals and other people in education if the reason for not having a security guard is because it’s pointless. I’m sure I will get that exact answer.
I’ll let you know
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:37 pm
“a woman with 10 dogs….sheet”
2 dogs, not 10
And while you’re at it, ask them why they don’t have their schools surrounded by electrice fences topped with razor wire.
td
December 14th, 2012
10:46 pm
I wonder if this would have happened if those children would not be alive today?
“MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state lawmaker, worried about a recent string of deadly school shootings, suggested arming teachers, principals and other school personnel as a safety measure and a deterrent.
It might not be politically correct, but it has worked effectively in other countries, Republican Rep. Frank Lasee said Wednesday.”
“To make our schools safe for our students to learn, all options should be on the table,” he said. “Israel and Thailand have well-trained teachers carrying weapons and keeping their children safe from harm. It can work in Wisconsin.”
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-05-arming-teachers_x.htm
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
10:48 pm
@Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:09 pm
“There are enough SO CALLED “INTELLIGENT” people on this blog that can come up what a reasonable SOLUTION if they wanted to”
Still with the “somebody should do something” I’ve seen what others would do. I’m asking what YOU would have done.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What would I have done?
Before this incident?
FIRST I would shut down the NRA.
SECOND I would make it illegal to possess any firearm with the exception
of a law enforcement officer.
Third if anyone is caught with a fiream or selling a firearm…….
they would be incarcerated.
Yeah, that’s what I would do.
td
December 14th, 2012
10:51 pm
NRA………If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
10:48 pm
Well you live in a dream world because we have that little thing call the 2nd Amendment so outlawing citizens from having guns is NEVER going to happen.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:51 pm
“SECOND I would make it illegal to possess any firearm with the exception of a law enforcement officer.”
Yeah, that’ll definitely do it. Because there’s just NO WAY for someone to get a gun illegally, is there?
bman.
December 14th, 2012
10:51 pm
“And while you’re at it, ask them why they don’t have their schools surrounded by electrice fences topped with razor wire.”
I probably won’t ask them that. Electric fences and razor wire? hmmm….a security officer at a school is really that outrageous of a suggestion to have you say such a thing?
The first day this school and others close by re-open, there will be police all over the place. Of course, if some crazy midget secretly parachutes off of the back of a Georgia hawk and onto the roof of the school, it will all be for nothing. A security officer? What was I thinking?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 14th, 2012
10:54 pm
Well if arming teachers doesn’t work, lets arm infants and kids. Here’s an idea. We give everyone a nuclear bomb with a deadman’s switch. That will do it, I am sure.
What’s the answer to gun violence….more guns.
The stupidity of the concept makes Monty Python proud.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:55 pm
“I probably won’t ask them that”
Afraid of the answer you might get?
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
10:56 pm
The realism is, there are demonic spirits that are preying
on the mentally ill and the mentally unstable.
Guns and mental illness are a deadly combination.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2 Thessalonians 2:9
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
bman.
December 14th, 2012
10:59 pm
“Afraid of the answer you might get?”
Do you not know how foolish you sound? Really?
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 14th, 2012
11:02 pm
@Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
10:51 pm
“SECOND I would make it illegal to possess any firearm with the exception of a law enforcement officer.”
Yeah, that’ll definitely do it. Because there’s just NO WAY for someone to get a gun illegally, is there?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You asked me and I told you what I would do.
I know that people could get an illegal gun.
But if people get harsh sentences for possessing or using a gun
they’ll think twice about owning or using one.
ONE COULD ONLY HOPE.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
11:07 pm
“The realism is, there are demonic spirits that are preying on the mentally ill and the mentally unstable”
Yep, could be. And restricting the rights of the sane won’t do a thing to prevent those with problems from carrying out their atrocities…if they are determined enough. And they can be, as today proves.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
11:09 pm
“But if people get harsh sentences for possessing or using a gun they’ll think twice about owning or using one”
Because that tactice has been SO successful in preventing murders, right?
“ONE COULD ONLY HOPE”
Now you’ve said something sensible.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
11:13 pm
“Do you not know how foolish you sound? Really?”
I know how foolish you sound? Really.
Cloudodust
December 14th, 2012
11:16 pm
Keep up the good fight : How wrong you are. Wrong to the point of absurdity. We as a compasionate society don’t wish to infringe upon the rights of the unstable or mentally misaligned among us. We HOPE they will just leave people alone and the medications they’re prescribed will keep them in check. Only problem is they might just quit the drugs that keep them harmless, or have an unforetold incident, or just flipping snap or who the hell knows. In the CT case, the man’s mother possessed what appears to be legally held guns. She didn’t flip but her unstable azz of a kid did and once again, the gun gets the blame, not the failing mental health system. The tipping point to the unstable’s criminal acts occurred somewhere in their past. They break and commit deeds the rational would never do. Check the stats on legally held guns owned by persons and the criminal intent by those very same people. Shocking low. Now take the bad guys and the cracked eggs and you’ll find a huge statistcal swing. I carry, not like I should but I have the legal right. After the rash of incidents, I’m gonna become a full timer. I hope and pray I’ll never have to draw my sidearm but if I do, I pray I get a chance to right a wrong before it happens…
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
11:17 pm
One last comment and then I hit the sack: the BIG danger with instituting “solutions” that sound good, but that don’t really DO any good is that they leave a false sense of security in their wake. Everyone thinks the problem has been contained…and it hasn’t been.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 14th, 2012
11:17 pm
Do you not know how foolish you sound? Really?
Glass house, meet stone.
bman.
December 14th, 2012
11:19 pm
The suggestion of a security guard at a school is foolish? Please explain …at least attempt to explain.
bman.
December 14th, 2012
11:31 pm
“Glass house, meet stone.”
You’re playing stupid again. Looks like you’re winning …
Mad as hell
December 14th, 2012
11:41 pm
Evelyn at 3:31—”Had his mother survived, I wonder what she might have to say about her son. I would imagine she would say he showed some signs of depression, maybe even early mental illness. When and how to intervene is the hard question. Nearly every parent deals with at some time of other”"”"”"”
Therein lies the problem to be corrected. Nice sweet Momma had been laid off by the principal and had a few unusual defensive weapons laying around the house including an assault rifle. Son is wacko and playing violent video games where people are getting shot and killed. Poor Momma just had no idea this could happen.Maybe her judgment was so bad that’s why they laid her off.
Glad the shooter got Momma
willydoit?
December 14th, 2012
11:47 pm
I wonder how many of the anti-gun folks on this blog would support the death penalty for anybody that is convicted of using a gun in the commission of a crime??
Put your money where your keyboard is…you say you want tougher gun control, here’s your chance.
kuyo
December 14th, 2012
11:58 pm
Oh my God !!! i am crying
thuggishNews
December 15th, 2012
8:02 am
Could better security at school entrances have helped in this situation? Like an armed officer inside, and those airport scanners to screen all students and visitors? Dude got into this school way too easily.
Aquagirl
December 15th, 2012
8:25 am
an armed officer inside, and those airport scanners to screen all students and visitors?
People scream about airport scanners in AIRPORTS. You think they’ll walk through them to get into a school or send their kids through that every day? Plus the cost would be beyond imagining.
And what happens when he walks through the scanner? It beeps as he proceeds into the school to shoot adults and children. Wow, that does a lot of good.
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 15th, 2012
8:27 am
Bookman. I think the picture atop your blog will serve as an iconic image of this tragedy.
Heard on the news last night that parents were instructed to pick up their kids from a local firehouse where they had been evacuated for safety. After all the kids had been picked up, it was then the sad duty of someone at the firehouse to inform the parents still waiting that there are no more kids here.
What could have been done to prevent this from happening yesterday? What can be done to prevent it from ever happening again?
I don’t know. But I bet the country’s mood will swing toward “do whatever it takes” in answer to the second question.
And a day after some lowlife, scum bag, jerk off, throws and obscene temper tantrum that includes the murders of 27 others I can’t say I’d disagree with a pragmatic approach.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2012
8:40 am
It’s not about penalties. The dealth penalty does not prevent crimes of passion or crimes resulting from mental illness. Its about taking common sense efforts to implement gun safety, to reduce the availability of large clips of ammo, to treat those with mental illness, to increase the ability of law enforcement to stop unlawful gun trafficking, to trace bullets to bring to justice those who use guns for crimes (where they don’t kill themselves). Its not about a single mass murder. Its about repeated gun violence, repeated mass murders, repeated hotheads who pull guns on kids playing music or coming home from the store. Its not about setting up a false sense of security but rather taking steps to do what we can to preclude these events, to observe, to prevent but to realize they may still occur but less frequently and perhaps over time better tools will become available.
And it is stupifying to see the arguments about how some guns were legally possessed so nothing could be done but we can’t change laws because then only guns would be held by criminals, some sort of idiotic Gun Catch-22.
The one thing that is certain. The stupidity of the NRA in putting more guns in the hands of people INCREASES the risks to our families and our children. Its time we talked SENSIBLE policies. Its time we have a debate about what does make sense and stop the stupid pointless retorts that basically we just have to accept this.
TM
December 15th, 2012
8:50 am
I expect our elected officials will do the obvious and soon our kids will be removing their shoes, belts and any other metal objects before entering the schools, will not be allowed to bring in any liquids containers that exceed 6 oz and of course remove the laptop from the case before putting it on the belt.
My suggestion would be to give all student beginning in the 9th grade a mental heath exam each year if they fail they put in an institution.
JKL2
December 15th, 2012
9:03 am
Waiting for the reports on how he was a founding member of the Tea Party and Romney supporter.
If all else fails, “It’s still Bush’s fault”.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2012
9:08 am
Yes, JKL, because these serious issues and the deaths of these children and adults must be addressed with the stupidity of your shameful idiotic post. Why don’t you say that to the face of some of the grieving families.
independent thinker
December 15th, 2012
9:20 am
REASONABLE QUESTIONS FOR TEACHERSTO SOLVE THE LATEST MASS MURDER BY CRAZED GUN NUT -:
We live in an NRA controlled state which has a history of wholesale gun sales to criminals and we wonder why there were 31,347 gun deaths in the US in 2009 versus 35 in England?Children are part of the daily gun freak show od senseless deaths the US promotes. Besides sane gun control, teachers are part of the problem.
For you enlightened and horrified educators let me ask this:
1. Why does a Kindergarten teacher with a disturbed 20 year old living at home need two assault type weapons and a pistol to defend herself and should the principal have screened her staff for the possible event that unfolded?Any guns in your possession? what kind? kept where? Any wackos living with you or family violence history?- If yes goodbye.
2. As a teacher what have you done to discourage kids and parents from giving their little darlings violent video games??
3. As a high school teacher what have you done to ensure the odd kids who are not popular and appear dysfunctional get proper counseling and treatment?
4. What you done to ensure there is proper security at your school to keep anyone who is disturbed out of the school (particularly close relatives of staff) and to have police readily on call?
RF
December 15th, 2012
9:38 am
@independent thinker: here are a few thoughts in response to your questions as a high school teacher and parent.
1- there’s no information yet to indicate what this lady knew about her son and what may or may not have been done with him. At the very least, we need to make it easier to report someone with these problems and we need a stronger mental health system to deal with them. As it is, you call the police and tell them about someone, and there isn’t much in the way of legal authority to do anything until he breaks a law. As to guns, many own them, and the presence of less than stable individuals in the home is pervasive through our society, not just as teachers. As for me, they’re kept locked up with ammo stored separately. We have hunting rifles used for deer hunting. If someone wanted to take one, it would be a huge challenge to get to them and then find the ammo ( I was told last night on this very thread that I’m poorly prepared having stored them that way). As of today, nobody crazy enough to worry about in the home. I worry more about some of my students’ families. I can’t account for their ownership or use of guns, nor can I know their mental status.
2. We can talk all day long about the video games, but we can’t stop them from buying the games. I have held a firm line on my opinion of them, but beyond that what else can I do?
3. We recommend kids for counseling all the time. There is no legal requirement for parents to get counseling because their kid is acting strangely at school. We can send them for a risk assessment at the local counseling center, which we do as often as necessary. There’s very little legal authority for anyone in the community to require counseling unless ordered by the court. That only happens after a law is broken. We need the laws that would require more counseling and follow up, and we need the mental health experts to offer it. In many communities, there is little in the way of professional mental health treatment available.
4. We lock doors, we have a resource officer who is armed. What else can be done and where will the money come from to pay for it? In the Conn. case, the guy shot out a window to get in past the locked doors that required electronic unlocking from the office to get into the school. Police are readily on call, but you know as well as I do that by the time they get there, people are dead. How exactly do we screen staff for possibly disturbed relatives? You can’t seriously think every brother, sister, child, spouse, cousin of every staff member can possibly be monitored.
RF
December 15th, 2012
9:43 am
Keep: we also need to seriously go after assault weapons. I think, and there’s no data or research of yet to back me up, that in many cases these crazies are emboldened by the presence of the assault style weapon, even if they don’t use it. I think at least part of the decision to go through with the horror is based on having the arsenal to make them feel more powerful. It’s scary how many of those weapons are out there in average homes and how many people can get to them. I’m convinced that the presence of those weapons increases the likelihood that many of these obviously disturbed individuals will follow through on their plans. Some will do it anyway, but I think the amount of firepower they have encourages them.
Christian Conservative
December 15th, 2012
9:59 am
“WHY does this happen now when it didn’t 40, 50 years ago? WHAT is different?” I don’t know the answer to that one either.
The answer is simple Jay and you as secular progressive realizes it but simply won’t admit it. The value of the human life has declined. Plain and simple. Abortion on demand along with banishing GOD from our schools. What do you expect? Immoral lifestyles being accepted along with video games that simulates what this guy actually did… This country needs to wake up! We have no values and its people like this that can easily take advantage of it….
Just saying
December 15th, 2012
10:32 am
I certainly hope this finally encourages ALL parents to examine what measures they can take to pull their children out of these government prisons and homeschool them. How many more failures do you need to be shown in this system before you look for an alternative?
godless heathen Christmas has declared war on me
December 15th, 2012
10:54 am
The consensus amongst my FB “friends” is that the blame for the Conn. killings lays squarely at the feet of the Supreme Court for banning prayer in schools.
Nothing like a tragedy to bring out the stupid in people.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 15th, 2012
10:58 am
Just saying: “I certainly hope this finally encourages ALL parents to examine what measures they can take to pull their children out of these government prisons and homeschool them.”
Then what do you say to the parents of those slaughtered at the Aurora theater, or to those who’ll die in the next slaughter which may or may not happen at a school? You’re whistling in the wind.
td
December 15th, 2012
11:17 am
Christian Conservative
December 15th, 2012
9:59 am
“WHY does this happen now when it didn’t 40, 50 years ago? WHAT is different?” I don’t know the answer to that one either.
The answer is simple Jay and you as secular progressive realizes it but simply won’t admit it. The value of the human life has declined. Plain and simple. Abortion on demand along with banishing GOD from our schools. What do you expect? Immoral lifestyles being accepted along with video games that simulates what this guy actually did… This country needs to wake up! We have no values and its people like this that can easily take advantage of it….
You are absolutely 100% correct. The culture war, war on Religion and the forced acceptance of secular humanism is the real problem but you will not get a progressive to admit it. Instead you see the blame being passed to an object that can not think and plan, aim and pull the trigger.
godless heathen Christmas has declared war on me
December 15th, 2012
11:36 am
Definately what this country needs is less tolerance for the beliefs of others. /sarc
RF
December 15th, 2012
11:51 am
“The value of the human life has declined. Plain and simple.”
But the Supreme Court decided corporations are people, and we all know you guys value them.
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 15th, 2012
11:58 am
@td
December 15th, 2012
11:17 am
Christian Conservative
December 15th, 2012
9:59 am
“WHY does this happen now when it didn’t 40, 50 years ago? WHAT is different?” I don’t know the answer to that one either.
The answer is simple Jay and you as secular progressive realizes it but simply won’t admit it. The value of the human life has declined. Plain and simple. Abortion on demand along with banishing GOD from our schools. What do you expect? Immoral lifestyles being accepted along with video games that simulates what this guy actually did… This country needs to wake up! We have no values and its people like this that can easily take advantage of it….
You are absolutely 100% correct. The culture war, war on Religion and the forced acceptance of secular humanism is the real problem but you will not get a progressive to admit it. Instead you see the blame being passed to an object that can not think and plan, aim and pull the trigger.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There are many “so called christians” who own guns and
committ these types of murders.
You are “26″ Times more likely to be killed by a Christian, then a Muslim terrorist.
in the United States every year.
So for all you xenophobic, scared, ignorant, Christian Crusader types out there. I ask you..
Who should Americans really fear?
(1) [link to http://www.disastercenter.com
(2) [link to ask.yahoo.com]
(3) [link to en.wikipedia.org]
(4) [link to http://www.strategypage.com
thuggishNews
December 15th, 2012
12:06 pm
an armed security guard inside schools and metal detectors to screen entrants. paid for by the school district by enacting a school security tax.
Change the law so it is impossible for those with psychological problems our undergoing counseling cannot buy a gun either at a gun show, in a private sale or by mail.
Do the same at malls and movie theaters and churches.
NRA.........If Not Today, When?
December 15th, 2012
1:50 pm
@Christian Conservative
December 15th, 2012
9:59 am
=========================================
Christian Conservative = Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in politics or religion.
It is time for a change in your christian conservative attitude towards politics
and religion.
The election of Obama should have taught you something.
The “so called christians” are just that “so called christians”.
Conservative christians are just as hypocritical as non-christians.
You are “26″ Times more likely to be killed by a Christian, then a Muslim
terrorist in the United States every year.
So for all you xenophobic, scared, ignorant, Christian Crusader types out there. I ask you..
Who should Americans really fear?
(1) [link to http://www.disastercenter.com
(2) [link to ask.yahoo.com]
(3) [link to en.wikipedia.org]
(4) [link to http://www.strategypage.com
ITS ALL BUSH'S FAULT
December 15th, 2012
3:07 pm
Here is one category that Ga leads all other states in . More idiots with guns per capita.