Connecticut School Shooting

[Shelley & Beans]

Hoping and praying that none of my fellow Doodle Lovers are effected by this, but wanting to send my thoughts and prayers to those that are and to let you know your Canadian friends are feeling for you. How heartbreaking that society (and lost individuals) can be so cruel. Children under 10 years old don't deserve this fate for any reason.. God Bless!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh boy. I have no idea if this is true but I will do more reading. But I do know that many psychiatric drugs have saved millions of lives. I think that since many of these mass mureders of late have been dead on the scene we should start to collect blood and tissue samples to analyze them to see if this is true. There are blood level tests for many of the psychiatric drugs but they are often useless from a clinical point of view. Whether there are tests readily available for the enzymes that metabolize them is the question and who should we screen for them?

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks F, I would be interested in what you uncover.  I heard an interview which sparked my initial interest, but I always take these expert interviews with a grain of salt. I looked up his bio, etc. and his credentials seemed solid but that's all I know. I've had personal experience with the children of two close friends where violent unpredictable behavior worsened with prescribed meds.  No one had an answer at the time.   

[F, Calla & Luca]

Of course some people have paradoxical reactions to some medication but that doesn't mean that even they might benefit greatly from the appropriate medication.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Yes, both of these kids (two entirely different situations) eventually did benefit.  A decade of different medications, changing diagnoses, and different doctors. Both are in their mid-twenties now and seem to be doing reasonably well...fingers crossed.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Guns.I have long thought about this issue.   A few years ago, a policeman knocked on my door and sat down to tell me, I should be in fear of my life and should consider owning a gun.  He was pleased I had two dogs but in my situation he felt it was just not good enough. Shocking and there are no words to explain my emotions and the ordeal that followed this event the next several months.

That said, I worried for my own thoughts about wanting to shoot a gun.  So, I took a concealed carry class and shot off a lot of rounds.  The education is invaluable.  No, I still do not own a gun but I know the laws, the situation, how to handle emergencies, what type of gun to own in my home.  Know if I shoot one, it better be to KILL someone. There are no warnings.

I have no intent to ' carry ' but I have a better understanding of the use, when to use, when not to use, and ... well let's just say, if I were to ever get a gun it would be a large shotgun.

If someone breaks into my home, there is NO mistake of that sound. Click click.

Every time I think of it, I return back to what was taught in this class.   For me... there just are no words.  I hate to think any of us have to take a class to learn about how we are going to Shoot someone.  And, shoot to kill only.  But, those are the facts. You own one, your intent is to shoot to kill.

Awful

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I would like to add, that my A.L.I.C.E. Training was much more valuable. Perhaps I will separate post this in a discussion.  Something we ALL need to know and learn.

[Adina P]

Semantics, I know, but I'd say for the vast majority of gun owners, they hope to NEVER be put in a situation that requires them to shoot.  They're NOT out looking for reasons to shoot someone.  NO.  They are just wanting to have be able to protect themselves/their families/others should the need for defense come up.  "...intent is to shoot to kill" sounds like someone is wanting to have that chance.  But that's not the case. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

  "I know, but I'd say for the vast majority of gun owners, they hope to NEVER be put in a situation that requires them to shoot"

I agree.  The awful, was maybe not stated correctly. Awful, we have to be placed in these situations.  For me, the whole ordeal was just awful.  But, I lived, and I learned.  Thank goodness.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so sorry you were in such a frightening situation and incredibly grateful you did not have to use a gun as you were trained. I would love to hear about your ALICE training.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

The sadness in our area is just overwhelming.  I sat this morning at a service and watched a young Mom sitting in front of me with her young son and she was unable to stop crying.  There was standing room only...it seems like people are coming together to pray and support each other.  As we get more and more details on what these kids and their teachers experienced my heart breaks over and over.  He was able to do such destruction with this semi-automatic weapon...he shot one little six year old eleven times.  The President is here in CT and we need all need him to commit to taking a leadership role to help prevent this from ever happening again.  He will be speaking to us this evening....he's meeting with the families first.  There are so many teachers that were heroes on Friday.  They will be will be with our children tomorrow.....bless them all.

[Carol and Banjo]

Church was full here today.  People do seem to need a way to come together.   Praying for all our teachers as they go into their classrooms tomorrow morning.