This is a time of year that is about love, family, friends and most of all giving. Discuss holiday plans, recipes, gifts (the tangible and intangible) and more here.
Meanwhile, just in time for the season, Netflix and Amazon.com have released for streaming a raw and intense documentary about giving, Craigslist Joe.
In December 2011, 29-year-old Joe Garner decided to see if he could live solely off the generosity of others all month long. He empties his wallet and takes to Craigslist. The dozens and dozens of heartwarming (and often funny!) encounters Joe has with people from Craigslist moves him, and viewers, to tears. In particular, he is once invited to stay with an Iraqi family in Seattle. They tell him about their experiences, good and bad, as immigrants in the U.S. And in New York, he meets an eccentric woman named Fran with cancer. Joe quickly realizes Fran has a severe hoarding problem. Without judgement, he spends a few hours at her place clearing one small area for her to sit, bringing joy and peace to Fran. Will Joe find a place to rest his head and food to eat every day? The answer may surprise you.
Craigslist Joe is the ultimate 31-day grifting plan--and yet this grifting had a greater purpose. To see if most people really are generous, open, and good at heart. Perhaps the most moving moment of all is when Joe's mother talks about the experience. She says she wasn't going to worry about her son out there. She was confident her boy would find plenty of good people to help him. We were rooting throughout the film for Joe to prove his mom right. Thank you, Joe and Zach.
1625 sediments (sic) from readers:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 1625 Newer› Newest»I'm so angry with Wolf Blitzer. During the interview on the phone with the Rabbi, he asked what he was saying to the bereaved parents to comfort them. Really? Wolf?
I'm sorry, I cannot tolerate that kind of journalism, I don't care how many awards he's won.
Two favorite recipes from the PA Dutch Country. Please notice that although there is no rumspringa in either of them, they are still good!
Christmas Cake
Gugelupf
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup sweet cream
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
grated rind of 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped raisins or nuts (optional)
Beat eggs until light and fluffy
Add sugar and continue to beat
Add lemon rind
Sift four, add salt and baking powder. Sift again
Add sifted ingredients alternately with cream.
Mix everything together. Add raisins or nuts.
Pour into greased TUBE pan.
Bake at 250 for 1 hour. When cake has been removed from pan, cool and cut in half horizontally.
Spread fruit sauce or cream filling between layers.
Put on top layer and spread on more filling, or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
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Sand Tarts
1 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
Cream shortening and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until fluffy.
Sift flour. Add salt and baking powder. Sift again.
Add sifted dry ingredients to the shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
Stir until a medium-soft dough is formed.
Chill several hours in the refrigerator (this is important!).
Roll very thin (this is also important!) and cut in shapes. I use cookie tins from the early 1900s -- rabbits, santa, churches, stars, bells.
Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, OR colored sugar, chopped walnuts, pecan halves or raisins.
Place one inch apart on greased cookie sheets.
Bake 350 for eight to 10 minutes. This makes about five dozen cookies.
I don't know if anyone is interested in recipes for molasses cookies, Hermits, or Jumbies. Please let me know and I'll post them.
Worse than that...
The facebook of Ryan Lanza was being circulated as the shooter. The RL posted hey guys it wasn't me I was at work. Then I'm on the bus now. Then STFU it wasn't me.
So everyone thought oops some poor schlupp's fb was being circulated. NOW it looks like that guy was the brother of the shooter and had no idea his brother was the shooter, just that people were posting about him being a shooter. Then his bus made it home and was placed in handcuffs:
pic.twitter.com/V0JponCp
My post was in reply to:
Tucker's Mom said... 199
Oh whoa, it's the brother Adam Lanza (20), not Ryan that was the shooter. Adam may have had Ryan's ID.
The father is alive, now reported.
With all due respect to those who commented that Kate going to school was all about Kate, speculating that she might have interrupted class to hug the kids, etc. etc., it is possible that she was there for a reason other than just to make it all about herself, and then she took her kids home at the end of the school day.
It's possible. It really is, and you know that I'm not one who defends Kate.
Anonymous...this is NOT gossip. I was told...I can't say by whom because that would be violating someone's privacy. However we all know which child wanted (and still wants) gymnastic lessons.
You come here and work your hardest to white wash Kate, but in 'reality' you must be embarrassed about this duty because you can't even put a name to your posts.
Admin...sorry for feeding the bottom dwelling mud-sucker, troll, whatever. I'm in a bit of a pissy mood and have time now to speak my mind. Moving on to the next subject... COOKIES! ! !
I'm going to pick one of the recipes posted here and go for it.
Parent in Lancaster....point taken. ;-)
So the guns were registered to Ryan (he was old enough) and Adam took them and used them for the massacre.
What a tragedy.
I'm the one that originally posted Ryan's name here as it was reported on the news when I was typing.
They are saying he had a mental illness, personality disorder, etc. Not sure how much of that is true, more investigation will provide more accurate information.
I'm so angry with Wolf Blitzer. During the interview on the phone with the Rabbi, he asked what he was saying to the bereaved parents to comfort them. Really? Wolf?
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Auntie, I know. I heard that and said some choice words to him. I get so angry at the reporters who, after a tragedy, actually have the nerve to say to a victim's friends and family, "How are you feeling right now?" I'd love for just one of them to answer, "How in the hell do you think I'm feeling, you idiot?" Just once.
Berks Neighbor said... 8
So the guns were registered to Ryan (he was old enough) and Adam took them and used them for the massacre.
What a tragedy.
I'm the one that originally posted Ryan's name here as it was reported on the news when I was typing.
They are saying he had a mental illness, personality disorder, etc. Not sure how much of that is true, more investigation will provide more accurate information.
))))))))))))))))
I wonder if he took his brother's ID to get the guns. I was thinking maybe he had it for underage drinking. I wish.
Reporter just made a profound statement -- "the shooter was mentally troubled."
Gee, you think? Where do they get these people?
Well in fairness it just came out he had a personality disorder so the reporter was probably trying to convey that. I don't get as upset about reporters, honestly they're people too and don't always know the right or wrong things to say in a tragedy just like us. I wouldn't want to interview anyone involved I'd feel tongue tied.
I read that his brother told police his brother has autism or aspergers AND a personality disorder AND OCD.
Another awful thing about these events is that they cause some of us to view the human race so negatively. I've been hearing a lot of, "What is wrong with people? People today are terrible, etc..."
The thing is, what happened today isn't "people." "People" are devastated and beyond broken for the victims of families. What happened today was because of one bad seed out of millions, a deeply disturbed individual.
People, for the most part, are good and compassionate, and come together when these types of events take place. Just looking at this objectively, there are those who need help and do wind up being a danger to society. But that should NOT be applied to the vast, vast majority of people in general.
So much for the bullying theory by the sheeple. Astounding they would try to compare this to those who blow the whistle on Kate.
My grandson and I just spent a lovely afternoon decorating my tree. He's relaxing so I thought I'd hop on the computer and the first thing I see is that some effing madman slaughters innocent children. WTF!!!!!!!! What is going on in this world. My heart goes out to those grieving parents and their community. I've got goose bumps right now. This tragedy reminds me of the shooting in a kindergarten classroom in Dumblane, Scotland back in 1996. I believe 26 people in all were killed in that massacre, 15 of them children. British tennis star Andy Murray was a student at that school. He was eight years old when it happened. This is absolutely horrible. Ally my heart goes out to you as well as this hits close to your home. My husband is from CT and my mil and sil still live there.
What a heart breaking, horrible day.
An entire Kindergarten class, gone.
The hopes and dreams of their families, gone.
Words cannot express my sadness.
Parent In Lancaster County said... 9
I'm so angry with Wolf Blitzer. During the interview on the phone with the Rabbi, he asked what he was saying to the bereaved parents to comfort them. Really? Wolf?
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Auntie, I know. I heard that and said some choice words to him. I get so angry at the reporters who, after a tragedy, actually have the nerve to say to a victim's friends and family, "How are you feeling right now?" I'd love for just one of them to answer, "How in the hell do you think I'm feeling, you idiot?" Just once.
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Hell yea! I am appalled at the reporters that are shoving mics in KID'S faces. KIDS. REALLY??????????
Schools need to be redesigned. Several of our local schools have front doors that give the only option of having to enter through the office. No one can enter through any other outside door. Our school district also scans every visitor's driver's license or other form of i.d. to determine if they are child molesters, etc. Of course, I guess a shooter could take aim through windows, but forcing all people to enter through the office is a step in the right direction.
Security cameras need to be installed at every entrance.
So sad for this community. There are just no words.
:(
A few yrs ago, a neighboring school district had a shooting on campus and the shooter was headed our way. All our schools went into lockdown, robo-calls went out to parents saying we could pick up our kids, etc. I texted all my kids they would be safer at school...every door had an armed police officer.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 93
"Kindergartners??? Who kills kindergartners????"
My first thought too. They're just babies for heaven's sake. This is tragedy beyond reckoning.
How does anyone wrap their heart and mind around this. Those poor babies, their parents, their families, the community.
What the hell happened?
I so hoped to log on and catch up on some Kate snark, the great documentaries Admin has uploaded and the holiday recipes you wonderful folks have been sharing.
Now though, it seems so hollow.
What the hell happened? (Yes, I know that twice now I've said that...it just keeps coming back.)
Working women I agree. How ironic this very thread is about how Craigslist Joe set out to prove most people are good.
Improbable Dreams said... 167
So horrific, the situation unfolding in CT, I feel so hollow inside, and wish that I could help.
Each of us is dealing with this differently, and rightly so, But sometimes there's a healing that comes of doing things together, With that in mind, and in all humbleness and respect, I invite you to join me in lighting a virtual candle against the dark.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng
Improbable Dreams, thank you very much for sharing this. I lit a candle, it was very therapeutic and comforting.
I've been in my car most of the day and come back to find this tragedy all over the internet (I listen to audio books in the car, not the radio). What a horrific thing to happen. Improbable, I went over and lit a candle. Our group only has 3 lighted right now. I just don't have any words right now. I'm going to go do a little praying and a little crying and maybe I'll be back later this evening. They were just babies!
Kate may have been at school this morning for the PS/JK/K/1st Grade Winter Concert at 9am. Maybe she gave the 6 a hug then but wrote her tweet (as she so often does) with a lot of room for interpretation. That way it would appear she made a special trip to give hugs because she's such a great, caring mom, when she was actually there for a completely different purpose.
Working Woman said... 21
Improbable Dreams said... 167
So horrific, the situation unfolding in CT, I feel so hollow inside, and wish that I could help.
Each of us is dealing with this differently, and rightly so, But sometimes there's a healing that comes of doing things together, With that in mind, and in all humbleness and respect, I invite you to join me in lighting a virtual candle against the dark.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng
Improbable Dreams, thank you very much for sharing this. I lit a candle, it was very therapeutic and comforting.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Thank you! I hope you don't mind me posting this: I followed your link and found the group for this tragedy specifically:
http://tinyurl.com/c68yhj4
"But, one day, and those of you who grew up with moms like Kate can attest, some day, these kids will be relieved to know that not everyone believed the fairy tale that Kate spins on an ongoing basis on her blog, on Twitter and in every interview."
I read this several times and realized this is why I dislike Kate. I am one of those kids. And some people STILL believe the farce. These little kids, as they get older, will get more and more clarity. I am 48 and still receiving it. We have huge extended family and a few of my cousins have said my mom was their favorite aunt, so nice, so pretty, so cool. (Their parents, my aunts and uncles, know the truth.) In the past year or so, I have set them straight. I didn't say much, said I don't want to taint their memories, but ours are different and we lived in a house of horrors sometimes, and that matters too. Kids are smart but sometimes they live in denial because the truth is too painful to process and I believe that's where some of these G kids are right now. They KNOW something is not right.......but as she said, 'it's R life.'
Agree or disagree that what Kate did or didn't do in maybe or not going down to her kids school, I personally don't agree with it.
However while Kate's fans admire her today for doing whatever iti s she did, I look at it as, Kate still has her children to hold and to hug. her children were more then likely safe in PA in their school today. Unlike those unfortunate to be in that little town.
There are families tonight and for the rest of their lives who will never again have that chance. Kate more then likely has those chances but instead she has chosen to wrap herself to the more important things--her hobby, running in races, plotting for new show, cookbook, whatever it is this month.
It seems the world of Hollywood, actor or reality are bound to say something of public tragedies, it's sort of expected and supported but she completely wasted a Tweet, I think.
There are families who are broken, kids who lost best friends, a sibling, a grandchild, a cousin. Parens who now have to face the reality of gifts for their kids that they never got to open on the holidays.
We all are touched by human tragedies, large, and the small on some level because as people we all feelings things--pleasant but more often times then not we feel those unpleasant things and send our hearts and feelings out to those in grief. Tragedy itself, changes people I think, I would like to think.
Even if you don't have connection to the people, the place, the state I at least hope that all of those who are able to enjoy family, their children and such know that there are a lot more carrying tweets and messages that have gone to people in this circumstance then Kate could ever make.
Beauttiful post, Marie. As usual.
I second that PJ. I missed Marie's insight when she was gone.
I still can't comprehend 5 year olds. Kindergardeners. So innocent. Some kids from this school have been patients of mine.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Aly, I'm so sorry. Kindergarteners are still our babies. So you're a pediatrician and some of the these victims were your patients? I can't imagine...
Kate may have been at school this morning for the PS/JK/K/1st Grade Winter Concert at 9am.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Aren't the six kids in second grade?
I am in complete shock. I just can't imagine this. I can't imagine going to pick up my child and learning that they aren't coming out. My heart is breaks for these families and this community.
It's been released that the shooter killed his mother who was a teacher at the school.
All I can say is this young man had to have been mentally ill. Not that that excuses it in any way, shape or form. It can help us understand a bit better but it doesn't erase the pain these people will carry for the rest of their lives.
Gee I was thinking third grade since they're 8 years old. But I don't keep track of who is in what grade anyway.
Improbable Dreams said... 176
From one of the kindest, wisest men I ever knew:
"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 by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." ~ Fred Rogers
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Thank you for posting that today, Improbable Dreams.
I miss Mr. Rogers, and how kind & gentle he was. Our world needs more people like him.
When I heard that an entire kindergarten classroom was "unaccounted for", my heart just sank.
Times like this I really miss Fred Rogers. He would know just how to comfort kids. I guess his words live on. The quote about the helpers is a platitude actually worth something.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 35
Times like this I really miss Fred Rogers. He would know just how to comfort kids. I guess his words live on. The quote about the helpers is a platitude actually worth something.
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Amen.
Fox News is reporting that Adam Lanza go up this morning and shot his mother in the face with one of her legally registered guns. He then took all three of her legally registered guns and drove to the school and did his damage. This is beyond awful. Everyone hug your loved ones, not just the little ones because you never know.
"He then took all three of her legally registered guns and drove to the school and did his damage."
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Excuse me for my ignorance, but why would a female Kindergarten teacher have three legally registered guns in her possession, including two 9mm handguns and an AR-15-assault rifle??
Has the media commented on that?
Excuse me for my ignorance, but why would a female Kindergarten teacher have three legally registered guns in her possession, including two 9mm handguns and an AR-15-assault rifle??
Has the media commented on that?
*****
Why? The Second Amendment, and she wanted to own them, and they were legally purchased and registered.
Let's please not question this victim who had her face blown off this morning. Leave that to the forensic professionals.
I'm glad that Mr. Rogers's words "spoke" to some of you, as they did for me. I feel comforted by his cardigan-swaddled quotes in times like this.
And I'm glad also for the candles.
And cookie recipes...and tales of Christmas traditions...all of which are a healing balm of sorts in troubled times.
A Pink Straight Jacket For Kate said... 17
What a heart breaking, horrible day.
An entire Kindergarten class, gone.
The hopes and dreams of their families, gone.
Words cannot express my sadness.
====
Indeed, Pink.
Jesus wept.
Aren't the six kids in second grade?
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You may be right -- I've honestly lost track of who is in what grade, but if they were expelled from kindergarten last year (was it last year or 2 years ago now, I don't remember) they'd be in 1st grade this year.
This is from the Syfy channel "Tonight’s scheduled 10PM episode of Haven contained scenes of fictitious violence in a high school. In light of today’s tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, Syfy has decided not to air it. At this time, no decision has been made as to when the episode will air." This is a class act move, and the Batman movie should have done. A touch of kindness and sensitivity on a day of shock and mourning. Just a short time. It'll air later. I like the kindness being shown towards to our fellow human beings.
I don't see what being a kindergarten teacher has to do with her choice to be a legal gun owner. What did strike me though is I doubt a teacher didn't do all she could to help her son with whatever his issues are. It's possible this happened even despite people trying to help him.
I just had to stop to see if you were being mean to Kate tonight. I am a school teacher, we called every parent for our 483 students or next of kin. We had parents leaving their jobs just showing up, we had to lock down our school, as we were afraid of a copy kat kind of thing. We were called by the Police Dept to lock down the school. I'm sure this happened all over the country. Kate did good today. As soon as news spread via texting or whatever means to those children from outside the school, children get scared, they don't understand the distance between Ct and PA or any other area, they hear guns, school, shootings, we have had so many that our children are aware of this tragedy as though it happens everyday. Turn off your TVs, radios, stay off of the computers and hug your children, grandchildren, spend time with them, read to them, play a game but get their minds off of what is going on with the TV stations. We have to protect their delicate minds when they are so innocent and young.
What a magical time of the year with both Christmas and the Jewish Holidays and all the other religions and it is a time of year we will always remember as a day that 20 children are lying in coroner's laboratories being autopsied, how sad is this day and night?
It is a different world, the anger level, the expression of that anger is more dangerous than the guns. Make them illegal and then all the dangerous people have guns. It is not the guns but the people who are dangerous only gun's bullets are faster.
Protect our children, teenagers and encourage our grown children with small children. My niece called me earlier, she said Aunt, I take Susan to day school 2 mornings a week, what do I do and she was crying, she is only 28 and for her to think every place she takes and leaves her daughter is time for fear and worry is horrible.
I don't see what being a kindergarten teacher has to do with her choice to be a legal gun owner.
777777777777
I don't know too many Kindergarten teachers who are in possession of a military-type assault weapon, but I'm sure this will be disclosed in the days to come.
I will at least give Kate credit for acknowledging what happened today--BUT would she have even mentioned it, if her tweeties didn't tweet her about it?
Improbable Dreams, that is a great quote from Fred Rogers. I avoided the news until this evenings local news, and the station I watch did a good job of reviewing points parents should keep in mind when answering their own childrens questions.
This hits close to home for our area. The Beltway Sniper, John Allen Mohammed, threatened to shoot school kids in Ashland Virginia. Local truckers parked their trucks by school to block any potential snipers view. The Virginia Tech shooting, the kid who did it was very mentally ill. All the schools around here now have drills for emergencies including fire, tornado, and intruder.
What makes someone mentally ill snap and hurt someone else? No easy answers, and many times we will never know. That information died with the person today. Such a horrible event.
What I meant about the 24/7 news- we have reporters trying to fill time when there really is no new information, or wrong information, like the wrong person being identified. So they show the same photos, videos over and over, they harass emotionally distraught people, they demand ness conferences from law enforcement who are trying to do the work of investigating what happened and who did it. It would be so much better to have, for example, an announcement that the station will be back with special report as more information becomes available,.something like that. 24/7 news channels are valuable resources and have good points, but also bad points. I don't think they should have interviewed any children, like CBS evening news did, even if the parent is right there holding the child on camera. I was appalled.
Iwana doesn't make sense. If I had a dying spouse and a small child, I would be doing my hardest to make sure this was the best Christmas ever. Not jotting off to LV. This is a different Milo, she been tweeting back to people that have formerly been "blocked"
Winter Wonderland said... 46
I don't see what being a kindergarten teacher has to do with her choice to be a legal gun owner.
777777777777
I don't know too many Kindergarten teachers who are in possession of a military-type assault weapon, but I'm sure this will be disclosed in the days to come.
____________________________________
Maybe she was a Prepper...
or a gun enthusiast...
or former military (many teachers are)....
You may be right -- I've honestly lost track of who is in what grade, but if they were expelled from kindergarten last year (was it last year or 2 years ago now, I don't remember) they'd be in 1st grade this year.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The Kindergarten episode was in the fall of 2010. They would be in second grade this year.
Iwana doesn't make sense. If I had a dying spouse and a small child, I would be doing my hardest to make sure this was the best Christmas ever. Not jotting off to LV. This is a different Milo, she been tweeting back to people that have formerly been "blocked"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He tweeted a few weeks ago that his wife was hospitalized with pneumonia and only four percent of those who have her type of cancer survive, that her liver is affected and her kidneys aren't functioning. It's difficult to imagine that she would be well enough to go off to Vegas if she is so ill, but who knows?
Something about that whole scenario just doesn't make sense.
You'd be surprised who owns guns. Even kindergarten teachers.
Lots of people who look and feel vulnerable own guns for protection. Not all gun owners are this terrible violent picture you imagine. This is really so sad but no one ever talks about all the kids saved because their parents shot intruders and kidnappers.
Martha said,
"I'm sure this happened all over the country. Kate did good today."
___________________
How did Kate "do good" today...because she was at school and hugged her kids when she picked them up? Isn't this what countless parents did when their children came home from school? Why does this make Kate special? It is not known whether she went there just for the purpose of hugging her kids, or if she was already there for a school function and hugged them at the end of the day.
"Excuse me for my ignorance, but why would a female Kindergarten teacher have three legally registered guns in her possession, including two 9mm handguns and an AR-15-assault rifle??
Has the media commented on that?"
Also, no one mentioned that she didn't show up to teach that morning, and I doubt that she called in sick before her son shot her. Seems like that should have sent up red flags? Especially since I guess it was common knowledge that her son was disturbed?
My whole family is teachers. She didn't own it herself, but my grandmother was a kindergarten teacher and my grandfather owned a rifle. In the home. No one has used it in decades but it's still there. My cousin is an AP history teacher and owns a rifle for hunting. My mom's cousin was an elementary school teacher and the whole family has always had guns in the home. Venison tastes really good when they can manage to get one.
A lot of America lives this way. There's a whole culture of gun ownership out there that includes plenty of teachers.
RE: question about salted or unsalted butter in
Grandma's Scottish Shortbread recipe:
I always use unsalted, but that's just my personal preference. I never buy salted, so didn't think
about that when posting the recipe. Although, I'm not sure the salted kind would harm anything.
Syfy channel
********************************************
Don't get me wrong I think that's a respectful decision but that's not the same thing as the batman movie the biggest movie of the year. Shutting it down would have meant multimillinor dollar losses and would have sent a message to gunman that if you shoot people you can get big things to shut down. It's just the SYFY channel and no one losses any money they can just show something else. It really is no loss to them to just change their schedule. Batman executives couldn't just "show something else."
I am a school teacher, we called every parent for our 483 students or next of kin. We had parents leaving their jobs just showing up, we had to lock down our school, as we were afraid of a copy kat kind of thing. We were called by the Police Dept to lock down the school. I'm sure this happened all over the country.
&&&
Yes it happened here too. Thanks for sharing that. Not only am I praying for all the victims but for all the educators everywhere that they can feel safe and that they can help their kids feel the same and make it through emotionally. I will add you to the list. I could do without your snide remarks. Coming here to made snide comments about us today is no different than your complaint that we snark on Kate in my opinion. I say the same thing to you, you rip on us TODAY? Otherwise please join in. You sound really interesting.
Let's please not question this victim who had her face blown off this morning. Leave that to the forensic professionals.
^^^^^^^^^
It was a question. I am not blaming the mother. I just asked, but I guess I wasn't supposed to do that. Of course she has a right to own legally-registered weapons. Handguns for protection I can understand, but an assault rifle I'm not so sure about. I am listening to law enforcement talk about this right now. Some are concerned about her possession of these weapons - not that gun possession should be illegal, but the reason why she had these guns in her house and where he got all of the ammunition. Apparently it wasn't a small amount.
That's all I asked. I'll go away now and have some eggnog, triple spiked with Captain Morgan.
Why does this make Kate special?
^&**
Because the sheeple think Kate should get a medal for brushing her teeth, saying thank you, and hugging her kids. Oh well.
I have nothing to offer the victims and survivors
of the Connecticut tragedy but my prayers and condolences.
I just assumed he killed he quite early in the morning before she went to school. Is she actually a current teacher? I didn't consider that she might have been involved or knew somehow. Is someone suggesting that?
On the radio the Diane Sawyer interview they replayed with the first grade teacher was heartbreaking. She said she told her kids she loved them, she didn't care if it was inappropriate and you're not supposed to do that, she was sure they were going to die and she wanted the last thing they heard to be "I love you". She also barricaded the door and squeezed them all into the bathroom and wouldn't come out even when the police were knocking. I was driving in my car tears streaming down her face. There are ordinary heroes that emerge from these kinds of things.
You know at my old job ever since a coworker was found in his home dead for about four days (so sad), they ever let it go ever since when someone didn't show up to work.
That's all I asked. I'll go away now and have some eggnog, triple spiked with Captain Morgan.
*****
Have one for me!
Your post just left the door open to blaming the victim, as I read it. What I understand is that the assault rifle was in the trunk so the murderer may have used the hand guns.
The images in my mind...pointing a gun at little babies...just makes me ill.
ps...your comments were in line, not out of line, so continue to ask. I have a feeling we'll have some contentious back and forth over this tragedy, as we did over the nurse who committed suicide.
We respect respectfully posited thoughts.
On the radio the Diane Sawyer interview they replayed with the first grade teacher was heartbreaking. She said she told her kids she loved them, she didn't care if it was inappropriate and you're not supposed to do that, she was sure they were going to die and she wanted the last thing they heard to be "I love you".
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I've seen that interview twice now. God bless her. She said I guess teachers shouldn't say that but I wanted "I love you" to be the last thing they heard, not gunshots. She is a true hero and she doesn't even know it. She seems really young too.
This is really so sad but no one ever talks about all the kids saved because their parents shot intruders and kidnappers.
====
If nobody talks about it, then how is this common knowledge? Are there any statistics on how many kids have been saved because their parents shot intruders and kidnappers? How often does this happen? Not snarking, just curious.
Google is your friend. No one talks about the millions, yes millions, who have been saved from death or injury because they had a guns on them, because people have an agenda and think they can save this country by taking away guns but you see they can't take away guns if it comes out that people need them to protect their families and that more would die if they take them away. That doesn't fit into the leftwing agenda so we never hear about it. In trying to prevent this tragedy (and believe me it was a tragedy it was awful!) we could be killing millions! I'm not being snarky just getting you to see the other half of the equation.
"Guns Used in Self-defense. According to the authors of Cato's recently released study on how often guns are used by citizens to prevent crime, "tens of thousands of crimes are prevented each year by ordinary citizens with guns." In a study of more than 5,000 news reports over an eight-year period, Clayton Cramer and David Burnett showed that the mere presence of an armed citizen thwarts many crimes, even beyond those that are reported by the police and subsequently printed in the newspaper.
How often do Americans use guns for defensive purposes? Criminologist and researcher Gary Kleck, using his own commissioned phone surveys and number extrapolation, estimates that 2.5 million Americans use guns for defensive purposes each year. He further found that of those who had used guns defensively, one in six believed someone would have been dead if they had not resorted to their defensive use of firearms."
"200,000 women a year using guns to defend themselves against sexual abuse. As a matter of fact, as of 2008, armed citizens killed more violent bad guys than the police"
You're right this is never ever talked about ever. They don't want you to know this because then no one would want stricter gun control. Open your eyes.
This had to be the most horrifying moment imaginable.
Parents were told to come to the fire station to be reunited with their children. Many came and went with their kids. Other parents continued to wait, only to find no more children arrived. Someone had to tell them that there would be no more children to be reunited with their parents.
If anyone is looking for an escape tonight and wants a break from the news, I can recommend Last American Cowboy, an Animal Planet series about ranching families in Montana. It's on Netflix streaming, only maybe 8 episodes so plays more like a miniseries. It's a real slice of Americana and has a "PBS House" type feel to it.
Here's a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAsNUD36dOw
JoyinVirginia said...
This hits close to home for our area. The Beltway Sniper, John Allen Mohammed, threatened to shoot school kids in Ashland Virginia. Local truckers parked their trucks by school to block any potential snipers view. The Virginia Tech shooting, the kid who did it was very mentally ill. All the schools around here now have drills for emergencies including fire, tornado, and intruder.
=========
Yes, when the sniper struck the Ashland Ponderosa, my mom was eating just two restaurants down! It was really scary during that time around here. I remember being afraid to go to the mall or take a walk--and when you did go, you were watching over your shoulder the whole the time. We homeschool, and so the kids stayed inside to play rather than to go outdoors.
Also, whoever said Milo was fascinated with Kate's bed is right on. And then today she mentioned Kate's "good bra" and being #ShapelyLikeKate. I think she also brought up Kate's pajamas not too long ago, too. Milo is definitely the Creepmeister. And since she began using #hashtags recently, she's gotten really annoying! I think if Kate invited her for a "sleepover* (wink), she'd be right there!
I keep being on the run, but I do try to check in and at least skim. I love to see what you all are up to. I want to wish everyone here a blessed Christmas or Hanukkah and/or New Year's--depending on what you celebrate!
"Google is your friend."
*****
This response always grates on the nerves. If someone makes a statement and knows the answer to a question, then please share it.
"Open your eyes."
*****
Why the rudeness?
Anonymous for this personal post:
My step daughter is an elementary school teacher. Her husband is a policeman/detective and their home has many guns. Her 10-year-old son has been diagnosed with Asperger's. His emotional problems always peak during the holidays for some unknown reason.
Tonight she is emotionally torn. She feels the present and fears the future.
All this is so close to her life. I don't know how to comfort her right now. There is no way to comfort anyone during this kind of tragedy.
It does bring back bad Beltway sniper memories. I was living there at the time. The shooting at the Home Depot happened on the same street I lived on. I have never felt anything in the world like that ever before or again, being scared to walk outside. LIke we were in a war zone with a sniper taking you out at any moment, but you're unarmed. It was insane. I can only assume that is but 1% of the fear these people feel, and that was bad enough. I can't believe that was 10 years ago nearly exactly.
Anonymous I wouldn't know how to comfort her either other than to say the vast, VAST majority of Asperger kids are not violent whatsoever. This is not the norm. It saddened me when I heard he might have aspergers because a lot of people don't understand that as it is let alone to have this idea it might be a violent disorder. Of course guns should be kept safe and away from all 10 year olds Aspergers or not.
I don't blame the reporters either. I blame the idiots that actually ALLOW a microphone to be shoved in their and their kid's faces.
Im sorry for the rudeness I really am. It was uncalled for, it just can just get very frustrating when the 80 people a day saved by guns are never talked about. Wanna talk conspiracy theories let's talk about why this country won't tell you guns save lives and rapes and prevent crime.
When I heard about the school shootings, I cried as many did. What do you say about something so tragic and unnecessary? My oldest grandson is in kindergarten and I had to call just to tell him that I love him and his brother very much. I wish I was closer to hug them.
I have prayed for the families who have to deal with this tragedy and the loss of their innocent little children, as well as the families of the other victims. I keep have this thought going through my head: what is going on in this country? Why does seem to be that our children are being victims of random violence in school? Why is this random violence happening so much more often the past few years? Such as the mall shooting a few days ago and the theater shooting a few months ago. What is going on?
I don't recall hearing of these incidents while I was growing up. Random shootings in public places, gang wars and innocent people being shot. What happened? What changed?
Are laws to lenient? Are criminals coddled? I don't know the answer. I just know that these very violent public attacks are increasing and it's scary.
Dear Lord, please bless and comfort the families that lost loved ones in this tragic incident today. Give them Your shoulder to cry on and lean against in this time when I'm sure they feel so weak. I know You are holding close and comforting the little ones that are in Your loving care tonight.
LoveMyGrandsons said... 81
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So touching and thoughtful. I think you've expressed what many are thinking tonight.
Joy brought up the Beltway sniper. I never said a peep about about it until she mentioned it, although if you've read here, we've talked about it before. Virginia Pen Mom chimed in with similar memories. I only lived in DC about a year, it was an unlucky coincidence it happened to be 2002-2003. Sharing terrible memories during tragedy and sympathizing with what htey must be going through is not "all about you." How about focus on the victims not on this blog.
Not really the same thing but said... 59
Syfy channel
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Don't get me wrong I think that's a respectful decision but that's not the same thing as the batman movie the biggest movie of the year. Shutting it down would have meant multimillinor dollar losses and would have sent a message to gunman that if you shoot people you can get big things to shut down. It's just the SYFY channel and no one losses any money they can just show something else. It really is no loss to them to just change their schedule. Batman executives couldn't just "show something else."
_________________________________________
For one night, and one night only, they could have pulled the movie. Call me crazy but I believe in PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS.
So all this talk of weapons, I deduced that in PA one must register their guns.
Guns can prevent crimes, but they are also a major factor of accidental deaths among friends and family members (little johhny playing with the gun and it accidentally went off) and a major factor (next to blunt force trauma- think beating to death) in spousal/domestic partner fatalities. Unfortunately proximity positively correlates with use. No I am not anit-gun. I own a gun (not registered. doesnt have to be in my state) I am just a masters student in criminal justice and this is something we study- A LOT. I am full of statistics, studies, laws, books, papers, case studies and on and on.
Love My Grandsons, thank you for that thoughtful post and prayer.
Anonymous said, Wanna talk conspiracy theories let's talk about why this country won't tell you guns save lives and rapes and prevent crime.
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I don't think that the parents of those children who will never be coming home again are thinking about how guns save lives and prevent crime.
Anonymous, could you please pick a name? It's so difficult to have discussions when you can't tell one anonymous from another. It's also Rule 1. Are you the poster in @69, 70, or another anonymous?
LMG,
It must have touched you dearly having a grandson that age. I know as soon I heard the story, thoughts of my daughter (now in college) just went flooding back to her in kindergarten- like it was yesterday. It was almost too much to handle. That age, the first year of school, that first step into independence, is so precious; you never forget it as a parent.
Hug your darling grandbabies as much as you can.
I feel sorry for you. I've had just as many life experiences as Admin (different of course) and lived in many more places. I think lots of people here have based on all the fun stories here! Get out there and participate in the world and you'll amass some life experiences too. Some people are get out there and go people and open to trying things and I'm very sorry that is not you. You sound very jealous. How old are you? It's never too late to go back to school, meet some new people, join a club, travel even if it's not far, any one of any age can get some life experiences. Engaging with the world is f-u-n. Try it. Too bad one thing Admin hasn't been able to do is get rid of the likes of you.
Tucker's Mom and Dmasy - I just don't understand what happened that so many have so little respect for human life. What changed? I know there were murders decades ago, but what happened that now our children seem to be targets? No one can deny that these violent attacks have increased over the last 30 years. why? I just don't know what to think so the only thing I can do to keep my family and others safe is to pray.
Anonymous said... 79
''........Wanna talk conspiracy theories let's talk about why this country won't tell you guns save lives and rapes and prevent crime.''
~~~~~~~~~~
OK. I'll talk about it. A few years ago, I read that of the people who had shot/killed in self-defense someone in their homes in Texas, the highest percentage were senior citizens. I've since looked for that article, and have been unable to find it. The young and the elderly are the most vulnerable. However, I suspect if you took that percentage of senior citizens who killed to defend themselves, the number of abused women killed by their abuser would FAR outnumber the elderly who defended themselves. So there you go.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 82
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The Home Depot killing was the one that unraveled me the most. I drove by that store everyday on my commute to DC. I could see that store, the area, the easily accessed highways for his escape. Mohamad knew the area really well. He knew exactly where to park and how to quickly get away after each shooting.
I had a sick feeling that the shooter(s) would be tempted to drive 2 hours down I-95 to Richmond, where I lived at the time.
Eerily, the shooters came within 5 miles of my house. Remember the "white van" that supposedly was seen at the gas station where Mohamad called (from the pay phone) and taunted Chief Moose? Yeah, close to home.
I remember helicopters flying around, canvasing the neighborhoods looking for them. One actually flew way low to take a good look at me as I stood on my driveway.
Oh, what a scary time. When I thought they were caught, I was so relieved. No more zig zagging in the parking lot walking into the Ukrops or Kroger. No more hiding behind my car while I loaded my groceries.
It would be a few more days before the police actually caught them snoozing at the rest stop, and then the rampage was finally over.
How dare anyone make light of anyone's experience connected to that horrible period of time. It was truly terrorizing to all who lived in the DC and Richmond/Ashland region.
Truly, it's nothing to brag about, but something that we can't forget.
Yes, butterfly, my thoughts instantly went to my grandsons in kindergarten even though he is in Iowa. I just couldn't help it. My thoughts and prayers are with the families that have to deal with this senseless tragedy and heartache.
Tucker, I remember all that that day. I remember every morning we'd turn on the news fearful there was another one. The first couple people didn't make the connection then it was just one after another, it was so creepy. It was it the 50 you took in (it was the 50 right???)? You probably drove 20 feet away from me walking to the Rosslyn metro stop every morning. I was staying in extended stay hotel though later moved way across town to College Park, it was much cheaper. That walk was fine, I was so happy to be within walking distance to the metro, and then suddenly one day it was a walk of terror for the whole city. So chilling. I am just sick for those families tonight. Actually the one thing that did bring us comfort was keeping a sense of humor, I remember the famous advisement to zig-zag as you walk!!! LOL we giggled a lot about that. Couple of my friends went home. Most of us stayed.
swiffer time
Are there any reports as to how the shooter entered the school dressed in black assault fatigue, carrying weapons? I haven't been following the news tonight. It's just too heartbreaking.
This reminds me of two things. The first is Oklahoma City.. a daycare center blown up. The other one is the Amish school shooting that happened near here in Lancaster County. My coworker lived down the street from that shooter. Both involved the mass killing of very young very innocent children. I think these psychos do that for maximum shock effect. SICK
A tiny piece of good news- gas prices are expected to continue to fall into January. Whew.
butterfly said... 94
swiffer time
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On today of all days, they show up, but it's the weekend and they come out regardless...
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 92
Tucker, I remember all that that day. I remember every morning we'd turn on the news fearful there was another one. The first couple people didn't make the connection then it was just one after another, it was so creepy. It was it the 50 you took in (it was the 50 right???)?
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Yes, I drove 50 most days into DC. What a sucky commute. When I moved to N. Va to work in DC, I had no idea what an HOV lane was and that I couldn't take the major highway and zip right into work each day because it was only me in the car!
What sucked more was driving a stick in that traffic every day. I did move closer to DC when I could. In fact, now back in the area, I'm only 2 miles or so from my old apartment!
How things change yet stay the same ;-)
Pulling the Wool I don't know how he got in but did you hear this, the principal had just installed a new security system and was sending out emails THAT VERY MORNING about what the procedure was for people who came to the school doors? This is craziness.
LoveMyGrandsons said... 88
''What changed? I know there were murders decades ago, but what happened that now our children seem to be targets? No one can deny that these violent attacks have increased over the last 30 years. why?''
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I think what has changed is the different way the mentally ill/troubled are dealt with. Wasn't it during the Regan years that change happened? So many of the homeless are mentally ill. I believe more than a few times, after someone has killed another, the parents have said that they repeatedly attempted to get help for their child to no avail.
Though I do think that there is no doubt that gun control of some sort must happen, I think that some of the mass shootings could have been prevented if the person was in some sort of mental health facility. I believe it was Butterfly that has addressed this line of thinking, and I would be interested to hear more of her thoughts.
Honestly, we used to just lock everyone up. Then there was some kind of big documentary, I'd have to look it up to remember the name it was before my time, about maltreatment in institutions, which sparked a big movement to let these poor people be free that institutionalizing was a terrible thing, which frankly, has merit to it. But I think it has led to a lot more people on the loose who maybe shouldn't be, as well as a lot more homeless, as well as a lot more people losing their kids--it used to be you could just keep your kid in your institution no problem. I have heard statistics as high as 90% homeless are severely mentally ill.
We try to do something good for people our hearts are in the right place, but there are consequences to everything no matter what the good intentions, and that meant that releasing all these people meant a few violent people are just roaming around free.
Pulling The Wool said... 95
Are there any reports as to how the shooter entered the school dressed in black assault fatigue, carrying weapons? I haven't been following the news tonight. It's just too heartbreaking.
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All I read is he was clad in black, no assault fatigues, so maybe more details to come.
Localyocul,
I thought of Oklahoma, too, but when the story became clearer, the school shooter seems to have been mentally ill and OKC was an act of domestic terrorism, so McVeigh for sure was going for the shock value. Maybe the school shooter was too, or maybe he was trying to hurt his mother, the teacher- who knows at this point. Doesn't really matter though, does it? The result is the same, the loss of babies. Senseless.
a prayer #93 - I am educated and reading is one of my favorite things to do. I believe in God and in prayer and if you don't, that's your choice. However insulting those with different views is ignorant and in light of all that has happened today, I am in no mood for it. So I will end this comment by saying SHOVE IT!
I think if Kate invited her for a "sleepover* (wink), she'd be right there!
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I doubt if Milo would get much sleep. She'd be too busy wiping the drool off the comforter.
Admin...I think I remember what you're talking about. Was it Geraldo Rivera who did the documentary? I'm off to google, before some snot tells me to!!
I read the first responders are to undergo counseling too. Is this standard procedure for crisis like this?
ealitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 101
Honestly, we used to just lock everyone up. Then there was some kind of big documentary, I'd have to look it up to remember the name it was before my time, about maltreatment in institutions, which sparked a big movement to let these poor people be free that institutionalizing was a terrible thing, which frankly, has merit to it. But I think it has led to a lot more people on the loose who maybe shouldn't be, as well as a lot more homeless, as well as a lot more people losing their kids--it used to be you could just keep your kid in your institution no problem. I have heard statistics as high as 90% homeless are severely mentally ill.
We try to do something good for people our hearts are in the right place, but there are consequences to everything no matter what the good intentions, and that meant that releasing all these people meant a few violent people are just roaming around free.
The decision to free the mentally ill was not based on "good-hearted people" moved by a documentary. Ronald Reagan got that ball rolling as governor of California when he had the mentally ill dumped out of institutions as a cost saving measure, a move that was followed by many states nationwide.
Indeed, it was Geraldo. He was and investigative reporter, and did a report on Willowbrook State School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willowbrook_State_School
Many good hearted people strongly pushed to free those locked up.
It was deplorable we locked up perfectly harmless people, people with things like Downs.
I have been in the medical billing field for decades and I think part of the problem with mentally ill people being put back on the streets too soon has to do with insurance.
The care for this type of treatment is very expensive and insurance companies will only pay so much for so long. Then the family has to pick up 100% of the tab and most cannot afford this.
Then there is the issue my uncle went through. He and his wife had 3 daughters, but she had problems with anger. For awhile she went to counseling, but never would stick with it. Finally one day she attacked their older daughter, 13 at the time, in the shower. His wife was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a variety of illnesses, one of them schizophrenia (?). She was prescribed medication which really helped her. The problem was she didn't want to take the meds and would stop and the problems started all over again.
When my uncle took all of this to court, they decided that my aunt could not be forced to take the medication against her will. Without the meds she was crazy and left the house and became homeless. My uncle left the window to the attic unlocked and always had blankets and pillows in there so she could come to sleep if she wanted. But the door from the attic to their home was kept locked so she couldn't get in and hurt the girls.
When she was in the hospital and took her meds, she was a normal functioning person. When she was out of the hospital, she refused to take the meds and couldn't be forced to do so, so she ended up homeless.
I know what my point was with this post, but not sure I made it. Sorry.
*** Ladies, please read this. It might lift your spirits on this sad day and remind you of the good, the type of good that can overcome such evil. ****
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y
Sending my warm thoughts and best wishes out to all of you. This is such a heartbreaking day and it's wonderful to be able to come here and discuss and express sorrow.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 101
Honestly, we used to just lock everyone up
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We still lock them up...now they languish in prisons, instead of being treated in mental health facilities. You can learn more about that from Frontline's THE NEW ASYLUMS (transcripts at the link):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/asylums/etc/script.html
LoveMyGrandsons said...
Dear Lord, please bless and comfort the families that lost loved ones in this tragic incident today. Give them Your shoulder to cry on and lean against in this time when I'm sure they feel so weak. I know You are holding close and comforting the little ones that are in Your loving care tonight.
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Amen.
That was a beautiful prayer, LoveMyGrandsons.
Just got a message from a co-worker. Her cousin and his wife lost their little girl in the shooting. This just brought it 'that' much closer. So heartbroken.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 109
It was deplorable we locked up perfectly harmless people, people with things like Downs.
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Of course, but that has nothing to do with the fact that Ronald Reagan released mentally ill patients for one reason and one reason only -- MONEY and that other governors followed suit. The rise in homelessless in this country is diretly tied to those policy decisions.
Berks I am so sorry to hear about your co-worker's cousin's daughter! I am sending my thoughts and prayers out to you as well, it makes it all the more heartbreaking to have a close tie to the tragedy.
Be well, dear, we are here for you.
I don't disagree, of course the politicians did the act. But I'm just saying there was also a big movement behind it, regardless if they ultimately did it for money. Others even found the documentary, it's all over the place the role that had. And I don't see any politicians now trying to undue it so they must agree.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 101
Honestly, we used to just lock everyone up. Then there was some kind of big documentary, I'd have to look it up to remember the name it was before my time, about maltreatment in institutions, which sparked a big movement to let these poor people be free that institutionalizing was a terrible thing, which frankly, has merit to it.
---------------
It was Willowbrook State Hospital in New Jersey - Geraldo did an expose on it and it helped bring attention to the lack of care those with mental illness were receiving. The hospital was a real horror - there's lots about it on the Internet. But the thing that changed the whole scope of mental health care was the advent of the new psych meds. Schizophrenics and others could be released back into the community as long as they were medicated. Problem was, and is, this group isn't always medication compliant and so we're left with far fewer hospitals, a broken health care system and many with mental illness who continue to receive less than adequate care.
Until the stigma of mental illness is removed, these issues are going to remain. It's terribly sad and, as we've seen again in this latest shooting, deadly.
I think what has changed is the different way the mentally ill/troubled are dealt with. Wasn't it during the Regan years that change happened? So many of the homeless are mentally ill. I believe more than a few times, after someone has killed another, the parents have said that they repeatedly attempted to get help for their child to no avail.
Remona Blue said...
Though I do think that there is no doubt that gun control of some sort must happen, I think that some of the mass shootings could have been prevented if the person was in some sort of mental health facility. I believe it was Butterfly that has addressed this line of thinking, and I would be interested to hear more of her thoughts.
_________________________________
It seems that emotional and or mental health issues are the underlying cause of school massacres and even if guns are controlled for, the massacres (or single murders) will still occur- another poster (and I am sooo sorry I didnt get the name of who posted it, but thank you!) wrote that in China, a man killed students with a knife!! At Virginia Tech, a student beheaded his girlfriend in the cafeteria and, little known to the general public, the worst school massacre in US history was the Bath school bombings in 1927 which killed 45 in all plus injured 58 others. In all these cases the killers were emotionally distraught. And they did not have guns. Could these have been prevented? Were there signs? I think in the case of the Virginia Tech student, probably. I think in the Columbine case, definitely. I dont think someone decides, out of the blue, to go on a murder spree. Anomie could be a factor, they feel detached from society, they dont feel they belong, and so they take it out on those around them. These are all theories, but I truly believe that mental health is where ought to focus on preventing any more school massacres.
I agree with you Jane that's consistent with what I've seen, people CAN function on the outside with certain things in place but when those don't work disaster can strike. The thing is we've decided adults have certain rights and it is legally difficult to force adults to do things.
What I am glad to see is there is more and more discussion of mental illness lately when these things happen. MOre is better.
I just wonder why it is that in our family someone always gets sick over the holidays. It never fails. I had a legislative e-mail update saying that the flu is becoming widespread in PA. Yes, I know. We all have it here. I have so much to do, a get-together on Sunday, and unless there is a miracle cure, it's not happening.
Anyone here have a tried-and-true granny's chicken soup recipe they would care to share? Crock-pot friendly, of course. Many thanks in advance! :)
LoveMyGrandsons said... 110
''I have been in the medical billing field for decades and I think part of the problem with mentally ill people being put back on the streets too soon has to do with insurance.
The care for this type of treatment is very expensive and insurance companies will only pay so much for so long. Then the family has to pick up 100% of the tab and most cannot afford this.''
~~~~~~~~~~
Will the Affordable Care Act address the problem with insurance? I think your story about your Uncle and Aunt is exactly the problem I was talking about when saying that some parents of some that kill have been unable to get help for their children/relative.
The publicity generated by Willowbrook was a major contributing factor to the passage of a federal law, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act of 1980.
I just heard on the news that the gunman killed his mother (who was a teacher) then went to the school, killed the people in the office, and then went to the class his mother taught, and they are the ones he killed. An FBI profiler called it ''murder by proxy''. That by killing the children his mother loved, he was, in effect, killing his mother over and over again.
Again...horrific, and with mental health problems.
His mother though undoubtedly was insured as a kindergarten teacher and could probably cover her 20 year old son.
When these sorts of tragic incidents happen, people seem to have a natural tendency to think, What could have been done? What SHOULD have been done?
The thing is, sometimes people do everything they can to help a person and her (or she) just doesn't want the help or is too far gone. The Virginia Tech shooter for example, if I'm not mistaken, he had been in therapy and working one-on-one with a teacher -- people really wanted to help him. He still killed 33 people.
It's so tragic that these events take place and it may not be just a control issue or just a mental health issue, but a multi-faceted one. I am praying for the future, and that our children or children's children or children's children's children, will grow up in a society that does not see such catastophes.
Gun control issue I meant
The thing is, sometimes people do everything they can to help a person and her (or she) just doesn't want the help or is too far gone.
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Sadly yes I think sometimes there are people we just can't help unless we're willing to lock up forever everyone who shows the tiniest sign of deviancy. Not sure I would want to live in a country like that either, though I know that won't bring any comfort to families tonight.
Working Woman said... 111
*** Ladies, please read this. It might lift your spirits on this sad day and remind you of the good, the type of good that can overcome such evil. ****
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y
Sending my warm thoughts and best wishes out to all of you. This is such a heartbreaking day and it's wonderful to be able to come here and discuss and express sorrow.
************************************************
Thank you for posting that article, Working Woman. For as horrible, and evil as some people are, I know that there are many, many more that are decent & good hearted in this world.
Your are so dear & kind for offering all of us snippets of hope & decency. I have no more tears left to cry today.
Thank you again, Working Woman.
I wish you warm thoughts, and best wishes as well.
Remona Blue, I don't know. I haven't read all of the affordable care act, but from what I have read, I'm not sure it will work. The reason being is that there will be increases for the middle class to help cover the expenses for those that can't afford coverage. One of the most ridiculous things about Obamacare is that if people do not get insurance, they will be fined. If they couldn't afford insurance, what makes anyone think they can pay the fine?
The big problem is the insurance companies. Their quarterly profits are obscene. Yet they continue to raise monthly premiums and yet lower the amount of what they pay. Therefore, the patient is left with a higher bill. The insurance companies are all about profit, not care, and will not give up even a small bit of their profit; they will pass it on to their customers. We just had a news item this morning in Chicago that with the new law, it will affect something (Idon't remember, it 4 AM), so the insurance companies would increase premiums to pay for this cost. They are not taking a hit on anything, they are passing it on to the consumers. And with the new laws, the consumer has no choice but to get the insurance and pay these fees otherwise they are breaking the law and will get fined. Insurance companies are ecstatic about Obamacare.
On the other note, people that are mentally ill and yet will not take their meds is a whole other problem. The family tells them to take the meds or leave because of their violent tendencies. If they refuse to take the meds, they can't be forced to so that puts one more mentally unstable person on the streets, living on the streets, and becoming less connected with reality every day.
Berks Neighbor said... 114
Just got a message from a co-worker. Her cousin and his wife lost their little girl in the shooting. This just brought it 'that' much closer. So heartbroken.
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I'm so sorry.
Tucker aw that sux! DC isn't exactly fun in a car. I didn't even have a car there until the COllege Park days, didn't need it living and working so close to the Metro. Only time it kinda sucked was carrying groceries. The Metro was pretty slick, the only day I was ever late was when someone committed suicide by jumping in front of the train.
You ladies have been lovely, as has been the conversation. It is good that mental health is being discussed, people need to know it's ok to seek help, and people need to know it's ok to ask someone if they need help. Don't ignore the signs, so many suffer silence.
Lights out time (shout out to Milo)
Night all
I just realized how I worded this in a previous post and would like to clear it up:
"This is such a heartbreaking day and it's wonderful to be able to come here and discuss and express sorrow."
Of course, I did not mean it is wonderful to have to express sorrow, BAD akward phrasing. I meant that it is fortunate to have each other's support at this blog during such a rough time. So sorry for the awkward wording on my part!
And Pink, thank you so much, I really appreciate your kidness, always.
Working Woman we knew what you meant. This has been a very safe place to hang out today. I appreciate you all. It struck me that so many of us want to be HERE when this kind of thing happens. We are a good group.
Admin wait when did you live in College Park?? I went to school in College Park! (UMD). Best 4 yrs of my life :)
Working Woman I certainly did! I started out in Arlington but was staying at a rather expensive extended stay hotel called the Virginian Suites and just couldn't justify it for more than one semester-- when I got a short term job that was a bit more "long-term" than just a semester (basically, they were willing to keep me on staff until I started law school, about 8 months), I decided to look around at the college areas for cheap rent. Found a GREAT place in College Park with two other roomies, one was in college at UMD the other was a very sweet au pair. I didn't go to UMD, but did give blood there once. Beautiful campus. If you know where the library is, the public library not the school one, I was about a mile up the road from it, biking distance.
Berks, I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers will be with that family, and all of the others.
Admin #126 - I'm on the fence. I'm not talking about locking people up for the "tiniest bit" of deviancy, but what about those that show major issues and refuse the treatment/meds to help them?
My uncle's wife attacked my 13 year old cousin in the shower, but thankfully my uncle was there to save her. There were so many ups and downs with my aunt because she refused the meds once she left the hospital. For the safety of my cousins, my uncle gave her an ultimatum. She chose to leave. It kept their family safe, but put a mentally ill person living on the streets and a threat to others.
Oh Working Woman College Park is where I had my first and only experience ever with IKEA LOL. My parents came to visit me and we went to IKEA like it was as good of a tourist attraction as the Lincoln Memorial.
Of course, but that has nothing to do with the fact that Ronald Reagan released mentally ill patients for one reason and one reason only -- MONEY and that other governors followed suit. The rise in homelessless in this country is diretly tied to those policy decisions.
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I thought it was various groups like the ACLU that were indirectly responsible for releasing non-violent mentally ill into society, and the institutions couldn't function because there was nobody left. There were lawsuits filed by the ACLU, and the act of 1967 when Johnson was President and Brown was governor. Reagan, as governor, came into this at the tail end of it.
My history tends to be "off" sometimes, so perhaps, well, you know...
Blowing my understanding is more along with yours, that there was a big movement by in fact mostly LIBERAL groups, but people love to blame Reagan for this kind of thing. ;) Oh well.
Wow Admin, very practical move on your part.
I know where you are talking about, glad that worked out for you. :)
At the risk of sounding corny, I feel that UMD is a magical place, I graduated in 2011 and I still yearn to be there sometimes. College Park was an interesting town to experience, I was used to the suburbs and had ZERO experience with public transportation, which led to some funny experiences lol. Great times. At least I have my memories I guess :)
I cried thinking of the parents who lost their child today. I imagined a parent who ordered a toy for their child and receiving the toy next week and what that would feel like. Wanted to throw up.
I watched CraigslistJoe with my family tonight. Wow. We loved it. Of course I cried at the end. What a weird thing. Watching a show and seeing humanity at it's best and being aware of what happened today and seeing humanity at it's worst. The world is a strange place. I am grateful for every thing I have. Every day is a gift.
Working Woman, no need to apologize, Sweetie. We know what you meant and appreciate your thoughtful comments.
There was a genuine, homey atmosphere to College Park that felt vaguely mid-westy. It is a rather unique part of D.C. and I made a good choice parking myself there.
Blame Reagan said... 115
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 109
It was deplorable we locked up perfectly harmless people, people with things like Downs.
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Of course, but that has nothing to do with the fact that Ronald Reagan released mentally ill patients for one reason and one reason only -- MONEY and that other governors followed suit. The rise in homelessless in this country is diretly tied to those policy decisions.
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In ohio it was called House or Senate Bill 648, I forget which one. The money was supposed to follow the consumer into the community by hiring case managers, community clinics, job training programs and community house (group homes, rent subsidies in private apartments etc). More of the 'trickle down' that they were so fond of telling us about at that the time. The money never trickled down. Oh it went to county boards, called 648 Boards. There were a few boondoggle programs, but that was it. It was fine tuned in 1988, to keep closer tabs on the money and designate it for paying for medications, food programs, job training, day treatment ('partial hospitalization') etc. I was working in community mental health at the time and it was a nightmare. Just trying to find housing for folks became my full time job. I stuck it out for 9 years.
Hospitals shut down, people were, and are, medicated for three days and DUMPED back on the streets. I am not exaggerating, ladies, I promise. I dont know how the new regulations are panning out, but up until 2 years ago it was easy to max out your benefit on mental health treatment and it is DARNED hard to hospitalize someone over age 18, against their will.
At his young age, so much of his mental illness may have just now been coming into focus anyway.
An FBI profiler called it ''murder by proxy''. That by killing the children his mother loved, he was, in effect, killing his mother over and over again.
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I thought about that as soon as I heard that it was his mother's Kindergarten class. There may never be answers as to the motive, but I also wondered if he didn't crave attention from his mother, thought he wasn't getting the love that he deserved because she had too many "children" (her students) who were received her attention. In killing them, he was eliminating what he thought was the competition for his mother's love.
I wonder if he left any notes. Has this been mentioned in any updates?
Agreed about College Park! It was a very down to earth, as were the students at UMD. Admin, did you ever go to Santa Fe Cafe? When I was a freshman it was the only bar that would let us in if you got tickets for the music performances, so that's the one my friends and I would go to and it was so much fun. They would have a different tribute band practically every week (i.e Beatles, The Chili Peppers), play great music. It was amazing.
Paper Plates Forever! Yay! said... 141
I cried thinking of the parents who lost their child today. I imagined a parent who ordered a toy for their child and receiving the toy next week and what that would feel like. Wanted to throw up.
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Oh, God.
The presents. The stockings.
Oh, God.
miloandjack
@Kateplusmy8 Despite the horror of this day...the sun will arise again 2morrow...a new child will be born & life will go on! #LiveLifeFully
Oh, Milo, Milo. Life will not go on for a very long time (if ever) for the families of the victims.
It's a little too soon for life will go on tweets right now.
I watched CraigslistJoe with my family tonight. Wow. We loved it. Of course I cried at the end. What a weird thing. Watching a show and seeing humanity at it's best and being aware of what happened today and seeing humanity at it's worst. The world is a strange place. I am grateful for every thing I have. Every day is a gift.
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If you haven't watched it yet, right now is a good time to do so.
Oy Milo.
Everyone knows life goes on. No one else is saying it yet.
Was watching Fox tonight and they interviewed a woman and her eight year old daughter who is a student at the school. The woman was asked if Adam Lanza's mother was a teacher at the school and the woman answered that she wasn't listed on the school directory and that the woman had never heard of her before. So who knows what her affiliation with the school was. The woman did say that a pre-school was opened up in the school this year and that Ms. Lanza may have worked there.
Santa Fe Cafe?
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No, where is that? I was never really a big going out gal, when I did usually it was in D.C. where I worked. We liked this place called the Hawk and Dove which was famous for nerdy political sitings that no one else would ever recognize them lol.....I just Yelped it and saw it is CLOSED!!! Oh that hurts my heart.
Anonymous said... 79
Im sorry for the rudeness I really am. It was uncalled for, it just can just get very frustrating when the 80 people a day saved by guns are never talked about. Wanna talk conspiracy theories let's talk about why this country won't tell you guns save lives and rapes and prevent crime.
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So nice of you. Thank you. Clearly a subject you feel strongly about. I guess my opinion is that there has to be a mid way point somewhere. Some are calling for school teachers to keep their own guns in the classroom locked in their desks. I cant imagine that would help one single thing, a teacher herding 30 frightened children against a nut with a commando rapid fire assault weapon. But hold on, let her get her purse, unlock her desk, hand a tissue to Suzy, get out her gun - oops it's under tomorrow's math lesson... Wont work at all, I dont think. But I could be wrong. Do middle class suburbanites NEED these maximum damage weapons? How many of your neighbors do you NEED to mow down in 11 minutes before the big game on Sunday? What next: handheld nuclear missle launchers? A car at 16, nuclear weapons at 18, a rite of passage. The weapons are not going anywhere, ever. At some point there has to be a line in the sand, and maybe it is in much stricter screening, I dont know. I have a lot of questions, a lot of fears but not one suggestion or answer.
Dang, and I usually know something about everything. Snort. But not this time.
LOL this funny Yelp review of the Hawk and Dove is so true:
"This is what's funny about DC (as opposed to NY). You go to a dive bar here and instead of finding hipster posers who wear really tight pants and smell like balls, you find a whole mix of randoms - older people (who also wear tight pants and may or may not smell like balls), middle aged people trying to stay away from the trendy places, and people like us who just want a cheap drink at a place that has hanging dusty dead animals on the wall. "
the institutions couldn't function because there was nobody left.
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No point in a politician keeping a facility open with no one in them. It would be silly not to close them.
, I deduced that in PA one must register their guns.
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Actually I don't think they do. I remember hearing something about Jon's weapon being perfectly legally without registering. PA people?
Admin 153, Lol I the name Hawk and Dove definitely sounds familiar...
Santa Fe is on Knox Rd... actually that may be closed now too, it's hard to keep track! But it was def open until 2009
Wishing everyone a night that's as peaceful as restful as can be, given the circumstances. Thanks for being such great support.
Twittering And Twattering said... 148
miloandjack
@Kateplusmy8 Despite the horror of this day...the sun will arise again 2morrow...a new child will be born & life will go on! #LiveLifeFully
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What next? #SuperFunSandyHookSchool? She'll be annoiting Kate as the organizer in charge of getting that school up and running my Monday morning. #ObliviousMom
The problem is, this is all interfering with Milo's daydreaming about her daily Very Special Episodes of the Kate and Milo Plus Some Kids Show. I hope Lights Out Man gave her a little extra dose of her HS meds tonight, she will need them to get back to her Kate LaLa Land.
HunnyBunny went to college in DC, GWU, for 3 years.
Actually I don't think they do. I remember hearing something about Jon's weapon being perfectly legally without registering. PA people?
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Unless the law has been changed recently, no, Pa does not require gun registration.
Why? Why?? Why??? God, it's only me and I know so little, but maybe it's time rethink free will. There seems to darkness and evil growing stronger with the actions in the last few years that effect innocent lives lost.
Why is the name of the attacker repeated again and again and again in the news casts? Did this person do this so his name will be recognized forever? This one? Maybe not. But others before have and I personally think their names should NOT eve be mentioned other than an initial accounting of their crime. It only brings pain to those involved. The perpertrator (SP?)gets exactly why they commited murder. They WANT their names brought up.
Today's massacre? Blame it on the cocktail of drugs that he did not take and the couselling he did or didn't attend, and the signs he gave that were misread or ignored.
Right now, Tonight, Blame this rambln on the ambien.
Oh Milo. Shut you big, boring mouth. It is too, too soon to be talking about life going on. You are truly a clueless idiot. Now I fully and completely understand your attraction to Kate. Two dopes who never heard of the word self-awareness and empathy. Not only do you make me gag, you make me wonder if you truly are tweeting from your hospital room in the forensic hospital. If I was a betting woman, I would bet everything that Kate has never met you in person. If she did, I'm thinking that would be the end of this sick obsession you seem to have with her.
Dwindle said... 159
Twittering And Twattering said... 148
miloandjack
@Kateplusmy8 Despite the horror of this day...the sun will arise again 2morrow...a new child will be born & life will go on! #LiveLifeFully
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What next? #SuperFunSandyHookSchool? She'll be annoiting Kate as the organizer in charge of getting that school up and running my Monday morning. #ObliviousMom
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Her tweet today was just enough of a carrot to dangle in front of that dingbat's nose to put Milo into fever pitch praise for her. (Granted, it was more sympathetic towards the victims than her #SuperFunSandy tweet)
I'm kind of hoping this terrible event will make her think twice before she retweets platitudes about how life is a bowl of cherries no matter what. Milo should maybe follow suit. Yes, the sun will come up tomorrow, but it will never be the same for so many families.
I remember when my boys were in High School, there was a school shooting somewhere in the states, can't remember where. I asked my DS #2 What would he do if someone was shooting at the HS? He said he would run and find his brothers! I thought, WOW, how brave! I told a friend what he said, because she has 3 boys the same ages as mine. She said, Wow, I wish mine would say that!
Just wish an off duty policeman dropping off his kids or the D.A.R.E officer seeing what was going on and shot that b****** right in the you know what. They say he killed his mother, father,and his gf is missing.
It is gut wrenching that those children are still in that classroom since they were killed and only God knows when they will be able to get out of there. They will stay over night in that classroom. Those poor babies.
At Columbine, a boy who was shot outside and his body was laying on a huge cement sidewalk block, his mother had it removed and put it as a foot rest in her back yard under her swing. She said because that was the last place her son was.
I believe kate is lying about going to the school. I read a twit from Milo and this feeling came over me that Milo is kate. Either it is kate or a really messed up person.
Those platitudes? stupid, gross, insane, creepy.
One of the big problems in the Mental Health care area is lack of availability. Even if you have insurance, it's difficult to get care. A good friend of mine has an adopted son with severe mental health issues (he was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and with crack cocaine in his system). He's desperately in need of a residential treatment program because, as he gets older, he's becoming more and more difficult to manage and more and more of a danger to himself and others. She finally managed to get him on a waiting list for residential treatment. The list is TWO YEARS long. In the meantime, he's been in juvie twice already this school year for attacking his teacher (he's 11 years old and in JAIL!!). It takes her 2 - 3 months to get him seen by a doctor and to get his meds adjusted and he's hit a growth spurt, so his meds should be checked much more frequently than that. She and her husband have good insurance coverage, but that's meaningless if the care isn't available. If it's that difficult for people with good insurance and good resources and a kid whose parents are good advocates and "pushy" (as the school has labeled them) in getting help for their kid, can you imagine what it is like for kids with little/no resources or parents who aren't well-educated and agressive in pursuing help for their troubled kids?
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. A sheeple tweeted Kate and said her cousin died in the shooting:
grandelovers2
Please pray for my cousin who was killed in the shooting today, he was 6! I will miss him forever.
grandelovers2
I'm ending my day with a broken heart. I will love you and miss you forever Joey! Yu were only in first grade
However, she says "he," but in the same tweet, says "baby GIRL:"
grandelovers2
RIP to my baby cousin. He didn't deserve to be apart of this shooting. I will miss you every day baby girl! I love you! #Connecticut :(
Just to get sympathy from Kate, and then tweeted Kate to follow her because Kate made her feel better by tweeting her.
How nuts (and desperate) must one be to do this?
https://twitter.com/jtes/status/279684040884367361 6 kids found hiding in a closet!
If I was a betting woman, I would bet everything that Kate has never met you in person. If she did, I'm thinking that would be the end of this sick obsession you seem to have with her.
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Sometime in the past, Milo has admitted that she has never met Kate, but nevertheless, Kate is a friend because Milo has come to know Kate and everything about her through their intense and personal internet relationship.
First-grade teacher Janet Vollmer sat down with her class of 19 five-year-olds and read them a story as the shooting went on int he school.
Also, a custodian went running around, warning people there was a gunman in the school, Varga said.
"He said, 'Guys! Get down! Hide!''' Varga said.
One report has Janet Vollmer as the Kindergarten teacher, that the shooter's mother is not listed on any district directory and was not a teacher at the school. Another report said that she may have been a substitute at some point.
You'd think that if she were a Kindergarten teacher this would have been easy to confirm.
I heard several parents say they've never even heard of her. Usually at a small elementary school everyone knows all the teachers at least by name. This is odd. Clearly he was from Newton. Maybe she was retired or something.
Kaitlin Roig looks about 24 years old. Wow. What a hero. She wouldn't even let the cops come in when they were at the door because she was afraid the gunman might be pretending to be a cop.
Diane Sawyer certainly made up for her rocky election night coverage with that remarkable interview. At the end she just reached out, squeezed her hand and said thank you.
Admin, it's NewTOWN, not NewTON.
Is it? I've mostly been listening to the radio today haven't read much and everyone was pronouncing it Newton.
No one was pronouncing it NewTON on radio or television. It was twitter that spelled it wrong.
No one was pronouncing it NewTON on radio or television.
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Lots of people were on my station, hence why I've been using the logical spelling of it since most of my news came via audio today. Am 640 LA. It would be an acceptable alternate pronunciation. What does it matter now that we know it's actually town not ton?
No one was pronouncing it NewTON on radio or television.
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Funny you should mention that. I'm sicker than a dog, with a family that's also down with the flu. I can't sleep and just flipped through to CNN, where a reporter just called it Newton (report from earlier today).
How are the locals pronouncing it? Where I grew up there are at least three suburban towns in the county that are not pronounced the way you would think they are based on the spelling. Well, just like Reading. You would think it's Read-ing not Red-ing.
Where I grew up there are at least three suburban towns in the county that are not pronounced the way you would think they are based on the spelling. Well, just like Reading. You would think it's Read-ing not Red-ing.
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Like Wyomissing and Toughkenamon? Even Lancaster is mispronounced. It's not pronounced as in Burt's last name! :)
I have been watching all day today.There are just NO WORDS for these parents who has lost their child...and none for the parents who child SAW this.What can you say? How to do help them? I can't even imagine.
What got me the most,was the chicky on CNN...who was grabbing everyone she could to get anyone,who would talk about this.
She even tried to get the story from a six year old...6!!!
What did he see??What did he hear??Did he see the shooters face?? Did the shooter say anything?? You saw bullets?? Some were RED...did you know it was blood? OMFG!!!!
I would like to know why this man went crazy and slaughtered innocent children.BUT...I don't want have the story painted out for me.I don't need to know who was shot first,what they said after being shot,I don't want to know that kindergarteners were shot down like nothing and were left suffering.
The shooter is dead...there is no case to be presented.He's not going to jail...I see no need to make these children re-live this now.Theres no reason for it.
This CNN reporter has crossed the line.
As for kate? Her tweet was shit. Yes kate,it's been over a year since you got yourself fired cause you had zero interest.BUT you have never let the kids off the hook...you remind them daily about how they don't have anything anymore because of them and Jon!
What got me the most,was the chicky on CNN...who was grabbing everyone she could to get anyone,who would talk about this.
She even tried to get the story from a six year old...6!!!
What did he see??What did he hear??Did he see the shooters face?? Did the shooter say anything?? You saw bullets?? Some were RED...did you know it was blood? OMFG!!!!
Don't blame the reporter. Blame that child's parents for allowing their child to be interviewed. It's pretty easy to just walk away from a microphone.
Admin, I'd recommend watching this video. It explains why 24/7 coverage, in which you said you had no problem with, is so very, very wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PezlFNTGWv4
If you don't want to waste one minute watching the entire video, then skip to the forensic psychiatrist's WISE WORDS at 1:43. Maybe it will change your mind?
Just information. Learning is good. :)
Save the eight...
Not to start any kind of fight...BUT I blame the cnn reporter.The story wasn't tragic enough for her...she need/wants all the gory details.
There is not going to be a trial for the shooter...he's dead.There is really no reason to get all these details.This woman wanted the scoop...the 1st to report.The ratings.
Anderson Cooper on the same channel...said right out he was going to mention the shooters name as little as he could.He didn't want this puke to get fame or copycats watching him get fame.He told the facts we have right now and focused on the people who tried to save the children...
He wasn't trying to get the "scoop" on all the gory details.
He didn't say over and over that the children were still laying in the spots where they died at 9am today.
The other CNN reporter was over the line.
The Cato Institute has an agenda.
From SourceWatch: Cato was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane and Charles Koch, [5] the billionaire co-owner of Koch Industries known for its financing of the Tea Party and various conservative advocacy organizations. David Koch is currently on Cato's Board of Directors. In 2008 Jane Mayer wrote,
"According to the Center for Public Integrity, between 1986 and 1993 the Koch family gave eleven million dollars to the [Cato] institute."[6]
Again, the parent could have intervened and said "No more questions. You are crossing the line." I get sick of these media hungry bystanders/victims pushing their kids into the spotlight. They need to take some responsibility for their, IMO, poor decision. If they were uncomfortable with the questions, again, why didn't they walk away? Because they want to be on teevee.
Lukebandit - the same thing happened to me. It just flew into my mind from left field. Then I dismissed it primarily, because of the pictures, and the animals and the almost professional race calling. Their tweeting style is eerily similar.
It's true that there was a supportive social and medical/practitioner climate for reform of the mental health system. These reform ideas were mostly very good ones ('least restrictive environment' and 'mainstreaming' were part of it), but they were devastated by Reagan et al under the guise of reigning in 'Big Government' spending (sound familiar?) even while Reagan exploded the national debt and raised taxes 11 times.
Reagan came into office with Carter's Mental Health systems Act (enthusiastically passed by both the House and the Senate) already in effect which focused on community-based mental health facilities instead of hospitalizations, among other things. Rosalyn Carter championed this legislation.
Within days of taking office, Reagan gutted the budget of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and then increased requirements for SSI benefits so drastically that there was a public outcry and the courts halted the changes. Reagan changed mental health funding to bloc grants to the states, reasoning that halfway houses etc would be cheaper to run than expensive hospitals and could be privatized (sound familiar?). But, as we know, nothing kept patients IN a halfway house and medication compliance was an issue. Funding to halfway houses/community centers was further cut, thereby compounding the issue, as hospitals and institutions were closed. The homeless population exploded during this time as patients ended up on the streets.
Reagan's actions on behalf of big business and special interests groups created the mental health debacle we are still dealing, and not dealing with, today.
Today, many mental health services (Asperger's, Autism, the Developmentally Disabled)as well as for the elderly) are administered via Medicaid; consider this while watching what is happening to Medicaid right now. You can not complain about the lack of social safety-net services on one hand and slash the funding on the other hand.
How do I know this? I have a Master's in Special Education with many specialties including education of the Developmentally Disabled (formerly: Mentally Retarded) and the Mentally Ill. I also have a sister with schizophrenia who is non-compliant and existing on Medicaid, thank God, and not the streets. My mother was a psychiatric nurse during this time period and I grew up with this history. My MIL is in a nursing home with dementia. After 2 years, her retirements savings ran out ($200,000 at about $10K per month and Medicaid took over paying for her care. This is a common scenario.) That the aging population will be hit very hard by Medicaid cuts is something that is rarely discussed.
The Myth of Reagan is just that: a myth.
We can thank one of our First Ladies for closing down the mental health system. There used to asylums and she opened the doors and put the people out on the street. No halfway house, nothing. Now the mentally ill have almost no services available to them and what they do have is sorely inadequate. They are essentially treated now with drugs that the nature of the beast precludes them from taking. I am thinking it was Betty Ford who did this, the one that drank rubbing alcohol and Listerine. I know the Betty Ford Centers are great but very, very costly, luxurious and unrealistic. Mental illness is an incurable disease and apparently no research is being done. The mentally ill are crying out for help, and no one is listening, until it is too late.
Thank you anonymous for the back story on that. I remember when that all happened and I thought oh no as I knew people in my community who were in and out of the asylums and then suddenly the families had no recourse but to deal with the insanity. It was scary for them. There is no way this guy's family was not aware of what a threat he was but could not lock him away.
Your welcome. I can do nothing for my sister. Nothing. Her illness makes her paranoid and suspicious of our family, among others. She refuses to see us. Unless she poses a threat to herself or others, there is no recourse; and when/if a threat is confirmed, then only for 72 hours' observation unless the threat is deemed extreme.
Anonymous 189 -- Thanks for the history lesson. PLEASE pick a name. Your information is valuable but will be more credible if you own it.
Pity Party -- Betty Ford was not responsible for closing down the Mental Health system. She was, however, responsible for bringing the issue of addiction forward and was the impetus behind the founding of the Betty Ford Centers. The centers treat addiction, not mental illness in general.
The push toward community treatment of the mentally ill uncovered some horrific abuses. I'm sure Dwindle remembers this particular case. When the major mental institution in Columbus, Ohio, was closed down, one patient, a woman, was discovered who had been there for a very long time. I want to say over 30 years, but I'm not sure about the actual length. She was classified as non-verbal and profoundly retarded. Turns out she was neither. What she was, was DEAF. Can you imagine the indifference and lack of caring she was subjected to over that period of time, that no one discovered that she wasn't interactive because she couldn't hear people talking to her?
Reagan was the president who said that the only reason people are homeless is because they wanted to be. He also blocked policies providing for the treatment of AIDS, because the patients were "queers and addicts" until a very brave woman named Elizabeth Glaser confronted him with "I'm not gay or an addict, but I have AIDS. My daughter wasn't gay or an addict, and she had AIDS. My son isn't gay or an addict and he has AIDS". THen he began to open his eyes a bit. I wonder if he would have listened if she'd been Betty Blow from Podunk instead of the wife of a Hollywood star. Saint Ronny" my Aunt Fanny!
Re the reporter -- I agree, Starz22. WAAAAAAAAY out of line. Is the parent to blame? I don't know. I didn't see the interview. Was the parent even in evidence or did the reporter walk up to a random child who had yet to be reunited with his/her parents and stick a mike in the kid's face?
Re oddities of pronunciation -- There's a small town up the road from where I live called Nevada. You'd think it would be pronounced like the state, NeVAHda, right? Wrong. It's pronounced NeVAYda. Weird. And there's Lima, pronounced LEYEma instead of LEEma. And here in Ohio, Lancaster is pronounced like Burt's last name.
How ironic that one of Reagan's sons is gay.
Anonymous, thanks for the very valuable information.
Butterfly, I love your posts and perspective.
Totally OT but I'm wondering if anybody here was or is a Dungeons & Dragons nerd?
Parent In Lancaster County said... 181
Where I grew up there are at least three suburban towns in the county that are not pronounced the way you would think they are based on the spelling. Well, just like Reading. You would think it's Read-ing not Red-ing.
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Like Wyomissing and Toughkenamon? Even Lancaster is mispronounced. It's not pronounced as in Burt's last name! :)
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Or Lenape (lennipee) and Schuylkill (skookull)
Oh, and Newark De is NEWark but Newark NJ is Nework
Parent in Lanc.County@31...
Anyone here have a tried-and-true granny's chicken soup recipe they would care to share? Crock-pot friendly, of course. Many thanks in advance! :)
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Sorry to hear you and yours are unwell. The flu (or fiaca as we call it) has just run it's course here and sipping chicken broth was a savior for us. I always regard the chicken as merely an excuse to add all the lovely, nutritious veggies to the pot while still legitimately calling it chicken broth for the kids. My stock:
1 whole chicken (or cut up parts)
1/2 lb carrots
2 med. onions
3 stalks celery
3-4 cloves garlic
3/4 T peppercorn, 1-2 bay leaves, coarse salt to taste.
Bring chicken to boil and skim off foam that forms. Turn to simmer and add all other ingredients. Cover pot or leave ajar and simmer for at least an hour or until chicken is cooked and carrots are fork tender. Strain and cool broth (I set mine outside for the night in this cold weather). Defat stock by removing the solidified layer that forms on top after it has cooled. Add the chicken and any veggies back to heated broth with either noodles(I precook mine)or rice.
I refer to the stock as liquid gold and use it for everything. We sip on just stock when we're sick, I use it to cook rice, it makes a fine egg drop soup, I use it for sauces and gravies as a base, and I've even made a low fat version of alfredo with it.
I hope the recipe helps. I even think the smell of it cooking on the stovetop has medicinal properties.
Healing ether wishes to you.
Doh, I just realized that you asked for a crockpot version of this. I think most everything would be the same. Just keep it on low for a several hours, maybe 4-5 (perhaps longer). Make sure chicken is cooked and carrots fork tender.
My heart is still heavy with grief reading about this story. I thought of my 5yr old granddaughter, and it hit home. How do parents and family deal with this? My prayers are going out to them.
Coincidentally-I got a call from my granddaughter tonight, and then later spoke to my grandson. My daughter and I did not talk about this incident at all--but I believe she just knew where my thoughts would be today.
When I went to bed last night, I put on nextflix (or, @netflix) and I saw a movie in my queue i forgot I put there, it's for one of my papers, "Murder by Proxy: How America Went Postal" and it is a documentary of spree killings, why a person just goes and kills a large group of people, like in a mall or school. Not the very best documentary, but definitely interesting in that it deals with the mental health of the perp
Kate is a Twit, I am so glad you got to talk to your precious granddaughter. I am thrilled that she is safe and sound, and send warmth and love out to you as you deal with this tremendous event, as I am sure that it does hit home.
Your granddaughter is lucky to have you.
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