Whole buch of prayers need

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Early this morning, there was a shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. There are very few details available at this point, but we already know how the story will unfold. Mass shootings, and the reactions that follow, have become disturbingly routine in this country, to the point where it's possible to tell the story of the aftermath before it happens.

1) Right now, we're in the alarm stage; the shooting has just happened, people are scrambling for more information and decrying the cruel, twisted world in which such a thing could happen. TV stations are running live footage of a parking lot in which nothing is happening, just in case there's a development that will suddenly and inexplicably make a shooting in an elementary school make sense.

Twitter is awash with outrage, as if expressing the fact that we're upset by such an event will prove that we haven't been desensitized — will affirm that we don't live in a world where mass shootings are a regular occurrence, even though we do.

2) Next will be the speculation stage: Media outlets will try to figure out some possible logic to this clearly senseless event — was the shooter out for revenge? Emotionally disturbed? What set him off? If we can find a specific and unique reason that this particular shooting happened, we can tell ourselves that it's an anomaly; that it could never happen at our kid's school, at our localmovie theater, at our place of work.

There won't be a satisfactory answer. We'll all be reminded that really, a mass shooting could happen anywhere, any time.

3) This realization will spark a desperate clamor for prevention. The guns debate: people on one side will hope that maybe this one will be the tragedy that sparks real discussion of gun reform. They will call for it, they will demand it. But they won't be heard.

People on the other side will remind the world that people don't kill people; guns kill people — although this year alone we've seen an awful lot of people using guns to kill people.

4) Then the sentimentalizing stage, where we try to hold onto our humanity by resisting the inevitable slide of this story into the abyss of news stories past, replaced with the next big thing. Memorial photo slide shows will be compiled of the victims and run on loop, there will be more speculation as to the shooter's troubled childhood. Parents across the country will call for heightened security at their children's schools.

5) Then the normalizing stage, wherein we all move on with our lives. We tuck this event away as one more tragic thing we've witnessed, if from afar. We pack it away into memory with a shudder, and a wish for things to change. Then we sigh, we shake it off, and we go back to work and celebrity gossip.

6) Then it will happen again.
 
Such a stupid tragedy, made none the better by the Christmas season when everything should be happy and joyous. Prayers indeed for all involved
 
I'm shocked. I passed by that school this morning on my way to work from Physical Therapy. I am sitting at work and I'm about 12 miles from there right now. State police had a press conference and only said that there were "Several" fatalities. AP is saying as many as 28 may have been killed.

It all seems surreal......way too close to home......way too close.
 
At what point do we start to look at our society and admit what we are doing isn't working! We mourn and then wait for the next "worst ever" event to happen as we live our lives in fear to do anything. As a Man I cannot understand the shooting of innoccent children (or anyone) that couldn't have fought back if they wanted to. As a Christian I pray for the victims, parents, and loved ones of those effected by the rise of evil in that small town. As an American I am enraged that we have to continue to be on the "defensive" instead of waging a war against the desensitizing of or our culture and the crumbling of our moral compass and values. This is truely a sad day for the state of our society!!!!
 
There are two things about this I don't understand.
1) What on earth would have to happen to a person to cause them to do this, let alone at a school filled with young kids!
2) And why the %$*# can an average person buy this type of weaponry and a bullet proof vests? The system has seriously failed!

AK
 
Very sad events today. I can't image what the parents are dealing with of children who lost their lives today. Living in the town next to Newtown, it was very scary and the surround schools where locked down until 1:50pm. I can't wait to hug my kids tonight.
 
If you live in the area, please do not attempt to go there. The state and local LEOs are turning everyone away. I went up to help and even with my credentials I was turned away.
 
This is such a great site! It really feels like a great big family. I say that, because I often hear the latest news on here. So I come on today, and hear about this tragedy, and the first post is a simple request for prayer.

My prayers are indeed with all the families of those who are involved.

Everyone talks of how things need to change, and they do, but people don't target the real problem. Guns aren't the problem, it's the person who uses them. Taking guns away from people will only encourage more of this to happen. There's nothing that will keep weapons away from evil people. Shucks, firearms aren't that hard to build! I'm not going to turn this into a debate over guns, but just a reminder to point blame in the proper place.

We need to turn back to what once were American values: justice, mercy, integrity, honor, morality... The real change won't come from trying to make situations like this harder to happen. Real change comes when we stand together and choose to do what is right. Teach right and wrong to our children, and change ourselves.
 
Obviously, the morals of these people are dead. We have treated criminals so softly that the threat of punishment has no meaning. In my opinion guns do not kill people. People kill people!! A gun is an inanimate object that has no will of it's own. A loaded weapon will not fire and kill a person unless someone aims it a a person and pulls the trigger. I have owned guns with a 50 round magazine capacity and enjoyed shooting them. I have fired legal machine guns. I still have never shot another human. Against unarmed children even a single shot weapon could kill many people. Shock and fear tends to paralize victims, especially children, and as they have no way to defend themselves they are easy prey. Even shooting one child is a horrid crime, the additional children and adults killed just multiplies the sorrow. I have respect for my fellow man and for the laws of God and man that say "Thou shall not kill." There is a serious breakdown of the moral values in people that do something like this. Some of these people are looking for publicity, no crime is too heinous in the bid for attention. We must teach our children to have good morals and to be above reproach. It is not easy and each child is different in how they react to guidance and love, but we must try.

My prayers are with the families affected by this tragedy and we need to give them all the support and prayers that we can.
 
Folks, I hate to mention this here due to the tragedy at hand but please remember, discussion of politics are strictly prohibited here at IAP. Guns are a very political topic so please, let's steer away from that area of this tragedy and leave that discussion for other sites. I really don't want to have to delete posts due to gun discussions so please, let's not go there. Thank you!

Curtis O. Seebeck
IAP Head Moderator
 
While I don't pray for myself or others it breaks my heart to see all those innocent childeren not be able to grow up.My heartfelt condolences for all the families that have to suffer through this tradgety.
 
There is no way to understand the motive or madness of a coward such as this young man. I cannot fathom the pain he has inflicted on so many people. We pray for the famiies dealing with the loss, for the children that have to live with the aftermath of something they cannot begin to understand and the terror he has wrought.
 
So sad to here this at this time of the year, prayers a thoughts go out to all the families involved in this tragic incident.

Lin.
 
Un-Believable

I am stunned to hear of this shooting. My thoughts, prayers and my being goes out to those affected by this attrocity. I cannot begin to understand, the reasoning behind this. My thoughts are with all those affecting by this.

Very, Very Sad.

Kevin
 
Such a tragic event with such a priceless loss of life. My heart and prayers go out to the families who's lives have been turned upside down. As for understanding why this has happened, it is clear. As long as man has a choice between good and evil, blessings and cursings, life and death, there will always be those who choose rhe lessor; the evil simply because it comes down to a choice.
 
Was taking care of my 2 local Grand Children last while there mother worked late. Sat in a rocking chair with my 2 year old Grandson holding him close utile he fell asleep, the went down and sat next to my 8 year old granddaughter with my arm around here until mom got home. Called the 3 Grandkid in Idaho and talked to them a told we loved them very much. Sad Sad day kinda took the fun out Christmas for now.
 
Sadness and Resolve

I just got home from a candlelight vigil near the school. There are a number of Christmas trees that have been set up on the road to the school. (you cannot get onto the school grounds due to the continued police activity) Folks have been bringing decorations, flowers, teddy bears and other gifts to leave as a gesture of support and resolve. Many shops have been open 24 hours for people to have somewhere to go. Churches have remained open for prayers and for people to begin the grieving process. I knew one of the teachers that was killed and one of my coworkers lost his niece in this tragedy. I have seen first hand the toll this tragedy has had on, Police officers, Firefighters, and first responders. The reality is setting in and they are beginning to give in to the emotions that they have had to suppress for so long. I cannot fathom how hard this must be for them. I'm a combat veteran but I don't think I could handle the scene at that school.

Through all the sorrow and the tears this close knit community has decided that they are not going to let their Christmas be stolen like those little angles and the guardians who gave their lives to protect as many as they could. I also went to the park where all the media are camped out and met some of the teachers that were in the building and watched some of the interviews with tears streaming down my face. I met a parent of one of the survivors who was telling the media of her daughters teacher who told her students to hide in closets and cabinets. Her daughter heard the gunman enter the room and heard her teacher tell him that her students were all in the gym. He shot and killed her before he left the room. that teachers brave act saved 18 or 19 young lives. If she were in the military she would likely be awarded the congressional medal of honor. I also heard several people say that the principal also saved countless lives by alerting the other teachers of the impending danger. Several parents and children from the school were at the vigil to show their support.

Since I am a cat lover I was happy to learn that a woman who runs a cat rescue opened her doors to anybody who wanted to come in and just pet a kitten. Her place was packed and many people said that being able to pet a cat made them feel a little better. I'm sure that I will be going to many more gatherings and vigils in the next few days and I hope that everyone takes a moment to tell someone that they love just that. You never know when something can happen.
 
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