Ditto! I completely agree. Sad but uplifting.

I'm not sure if this has been talked about but I am very aware that he appeared to have everyone in those classes huddle together in groups and then execute them.

Heatbreaking doesn't begin to touch how I feel. I am sick for mankind in general.

In many schools, the protocol for this type of situation is to huddle together farthest from the door and windows. So they may have already been huddled together before he entered. Still awful either way.

Last night on Chris Mathew's TV show some RWNJ was spouting off about how every school in America should have a gun in a safe so the principal could go shoot the shooter. I have never heard something that STUPID in my life. Teachers and principals especially in elementary schools are primarily either very young or middle age women. Hardly any have any gun training. How could someone expect them to gun down a gunman. Especially when so many of the gunman have been children or very young adults. Those women that died defending those children deserve every honor we can give them. Starting with naming 2 schools in every state after each of them. Moving on to mandatory back-round checks for all gun sales. Common sense gun regulation not "gun control".

I thought I may have to google RWNJ, but it's quite self-explanatory.

Gun regulations and Hollywood are one in the same. Today Hollywood executives are scrambling in what to do.

What do we do? It's difficult because we can't complain about guns when we turn around and watch movies with so much gun violence. It hypocritical. So my question is, what do we do?

Jo Ann-666954: "Today Hollywood executives are scrambling in what to do."

They're probably just scrambling for the rights to "Sandy Hook: The Movie".

I do not know about the rest of you; however I can no longer even read about this, it is emotional overwhelming.

Devil's Son there are background checks, I have gone through many of them for the guns I own. Adam's mother probaly passed a background check but they don't ask if you have a frigging nut job as a dependent. I would put blame on Adam's mother for not securing the weapons. Trigger locks and gunsafes are usually a standard practice for responsible gun owners.

Right on, Houston. Too many people in this country know all too well what their rights are but they don't (want to) acknowledge and/or carry out the responsibilities that come with those rights.

Wonderful generous unforgettable teachers and human beings.

And to think some people feel they are paid too much. Makes you think doesn't it?

So sad...

I hope people can remember these great people work in all our schools, YEAR AROUND!

So many think our educators are over-paid, lazy, and anything else they can be called.

Without them our country is nothing!

My daughter asked me: "will this happen to me?" I said, "don't let fear control you." That's what put us here in the first place...

Those teachers did good. Let's try and follow the example.

Jo-Ann666954

I think Hollywood certainly should be included in the conversation about gun violence, but consider that those same movies are shown in other countries that do not experience regular mass shootings. I don't think any single action or legislation is going to stop these events, but I do believe comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of mental illness must play a major part of the dialogue.

Even as a responsible gun owner, I still cannot fathom why anyone needs a semi-automatic weapon at home. The same rationale could easily be used for machine-guns and crew served weapons, and we don't let people buy those, do we?

As sad as this story is, I am glad that this boy's parents can find comfort in knowing he was not alone. His favorite teacher holding him, trying to keep him safe. What more can you ask for than for someone else to protect your child as if he/she were their own. It is so hard to read these stories, to see the faces of these boy's and girls, and to think that anyone could shoot such innocence. I know there is going to be a big battle over gun control, the NRA will have their side of things, and everyone else will have theirs. But, we must do something. This country has tried letting everyone have the right to buy many kinds of guns, I think it's time to try something else. I think we have come to the point to where all classroom doors should be bullet proof. I would gladly pay a little more in my school tax to know my children are safe. Teachers should be recognized for the job they do by being payed more for all they do. Let's hope something comes from this....

Devil's Son there are background checks, I have gone through many of them for the guns I own.

60% of the guns sold in this country require no back-round check. Like those sold at gun shows. In many states private sales of guns require no back-round check. While the guns in this case were completely legal many shootings are not. If the goal is reduction of all gun violence then the obvious solution is 100% back-round checks. I am not talking about harsh measures. In the US you can be on the terrorist watch list and still buy all the guns and ammo you want. Does that make sense to you? If I sell one of my cars the state knows about it. Because I have to transfer title or I am liable for it. Is it too much to ask the same from gun owners as car owners?

As far as the movies and the video games we each have a personal choice to make. Stop purchasing that which promotes senseless violence and stop exposing our kids to it. Media mimics society. If we patronize senseless violence, we create a culture that serves us senseless violence.

There is no greater power in the universe than the LOVE of ones fellow human being even in the face of unspeakable evil. In the end LOVE conquers all. HEAVEN has just opened it's gates to 26 Angels.

DS, I believe the term you are looking for is "back ground check"

Its simple, Jo Ann, 1) Outlaw ALL guns. 2) Impeach Chief Judicial Activist John Roberts for wrongly defining the Second Amendment as defending Peoples rights to guns when it clearly was meant to defend the rights of States to have National Guard and so that all Guardsmen could keep and bear arms in case of national Emergency. In his decision, Chief Judicial Activist John Roberts overturned 220 years of Supreme Court rulings (And also the will of the Founding Fathers whom themselves said that 2d Amendment was not about peoples rights to guns) that stated that the 2d Amendment was about State Militia (National Guards) not peoples rights to guns.

And thats my opinion.

Well frankly, Magnum, your opinion is just plain silly, not to mention completely nonfactual. Roberts didn't shoot anybody, nor did he cause anybody to, or allow them to! And finally, how the hell do you know what the will of the founding fathers was?? You have a right to an opinion, but jeez.......

I heard it was 40 not 60% that had no background check...those guns bought online and thru gun shows. Some states require ALL purchase to have a background check

that'd be a good addtion...you have to vouch for people in your household

do you have to renew gun liscence yearly or periodically (like drivers liscence?) Do you get questions asked of you such as "has anyone in your home committed a felony or been hospitalized for mental health reasons in the last two years?) (you'd have to work through what the mental health criterea should be.It should say "on penalty of 10000dollar fine or xx months in prison, please answer the following questions:"

If these teachers had been in Uniform, they would have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. I say, we nominate them for the Congressional Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the US.

The other 20% is accounted for by private, in person sales.

do you azzholes think you could write some words of encouragement or nice thoughts instead of of your bs on guns and hollywood. the article is about a boy and his love for his teacher.

Jim-Ohioan

So sad...

I hope people can remember these great people work in all our schools, YEAR AROUND!

So many think our educators are over-paid, lazy, and anything else they can be called.

Without them our country is nothing!

So true! Not to derail this story on a tangent regarding how many people (meaning, basically, the teabagging type), even though I am, it's sickening to read and hear about how teachers are disparaged for being "paid so much on our taxdollars and doing so little and being union thugs, et. al." Based upon the level of education and the amount of work, teachers are paid far below the "market value" for private workers.

★ ♡ †††††††††††††††††††††††††† ♡ ★ RIP

Idaho-Steven, Don't transfer title and everything that new owner does with that car, everything is on you. He hits and kills someone because he's drunk you're on the hook. he racks up 500 parking tickets or runs 500 tolls it's your car. You know what you get for the money. Well for one roads. Two, police to make the roads safer. Three, proof the car is not yours when the new owner causes trouble with it. Four in some states clean air inspections. Four, fire and EMT to rescue you on the road in a accident. BTW you only pay the titlle fee when you buy, ie a whole 15 times in you life maybe.

Heartbreaking. Better protection for the schools are needed. Crazies and terrorist can not be controlled. However, school security can be controlled to prevent or minimize the casualties of defenseless students and teacher. We have air marshals aboard planes, we can sure have marshals at our schools protecting the students. No amount of gun regulation would prevent a nut case from doing harm. However, an armed trained marshal can minimize or eliminate the hazard. Principals should not be expected carry weapons.

Today Hollywood executives are scrambling in what to do.

I'm surprised more hasn't been said about video game manufacturers.

g2020 you are right.they will talk about lack of funding and all the other nonsense when they could do it within the community. im ex military all my friends are retired law inforcement and military willing to donate time for added security all it would take is getting certified but it will never happen. im a vietnam vet i was a navy corpsman this is without a doubt the saddest thing ive ever seen. it pisses me off to think of all lack of firsts these kids will never have. no first kiss no first dance no first broken heart no prom no first love no first child. god bless and hold them tight they did not deserve this!

Magnum Serpentine, you should check out what the founding fathers said before you claim to know:

Thomas Paine told us "arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."

Washington said “the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” Then he seemingly justified his belief with the statement “it will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”

Samuel Adams, revolutionary extraordinaire told us "the Constitution shall never be construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." Some believe that the framers of the Bill of Rights sought to balance not just political power, but also military power, between the people, the states and the nation, as Alexander Hamilton explained in 1788:

[I]f circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude[,] that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens.

Patrick Henry, statesman extraordinaire said "guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." And to see the first statement not come true Henry said "The great object is that every man be armed.”

The Marquis de Lafayette is a legend in Revolutionary history. He observed "when the government violates the people's rights, insurrection is, for the people and for each portion of the people, the most sacred of the rights and the most indispensable of duties.

Believe me, I find what this mad man did as abhorrent as the rest of you; however, the answer is not in gun bans, or more gun laws. The answer is giving access to mental health records of people trying to buy guns; of course, this will never stop criminals, or the insane, from buying one on any street corner in NY or any other big city.

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.

Human kind has always been irresponible when it comes to weapons. We have utilize weapons against ourselves since the beginning of time and it will continue! I truly believe we are not ready for that type of power.

..." as they both died in a hail of bullets."....God damn it. if that statement alone doesn't prompt this country and our leaders to ACTUALLY DO something about our being the most violent country in the world, we deserve every tragedy we suffer. We are held hostage by "preppers" and NRA lobbyists and mouth breathing trash who insist on an archaic right to own not a musket, but dozens if not hundreds of firearms. God damn it.

Weapons outnumber the population! Why? Sorry if i tend to get off the subject, but this seems personal. My prayers go out to the victims and their families. What can we do to prevent this?

There are no words to express our gratitude to these teachers and Principal for their heroic act in the line of danger. God Bless them and the children and take them on to his kingdom.

Teachers are teachers because they want to be, not like some other occupations that a person just "falls into." I feel that they are called to the job.

I absolutely would have expected these women to behave the way they did - for the love of the children. They were as fierce as mother bears, covering the children with their own bodies. They were as loving as any mother, comforting the children when they were terrified. And they were heroic, as heroic as any military veteran, as any police officer or fireman.

In the midst of all the horror of last Friday's shootings when I find it so hard to understand why anyone, even the most deranged person on the planet, could have targeted these little 6 and 7 years olds I am comforted to know that Dylan traveled from this realm into the next with the arms of his beloved teacher wrapped around him. Anne Marie Murray must have been an awesome person. I wish I could thank her for being a teacher, for being a fierce protector of her children, for making the ultimate sacrifice, for being MY hero. Thank you Anne Marie.

Discussion threads, like Newsvine, are a place for people to express their opinions about a particular news event, but when they are stories like this one (which seem to be happening WAY too often) it seems disrespectful, or just plain wrong to air one's point of view, and simply offer condolences. But, because the point of this site is the expression of opinion, and with the utmost respect for the slain and their families, I would offer my point of view for other reader's consideration, and invite feedback in support or opposition, in hopes to promote discussion that could lead to action to prevent another occurrance of this type of tragedy.

When these senseless gun related mass murders occur, it seems the "knee jerk" reaction is blame guns or the lack of control of guns, insufficient mental health programs to spot tendencies in the killers before the act, or the large number of violent games, website, movies, etc. I respectfully disagree. I believe what our society suffers the most from that promotes this type of violence is the disintegration of the family in the United States. In this particular occurrance, it is notible that the first victim was the murderer's mother, which illustrates not only a marked lack of respect this person had for the woman who bore him into this world, but also the callaus disregard that he had for her well-being. While violence may not have been dealt out to the parents of other offenders, in many cases those parents typically have no notion of their child's ability to execute such crimes, and the parents are taken by surprise by their child's crime. Again, a lack of respect is exhibited to the parents by the child by doing something their parent find abhorent, and shows that there is little or no communication happening between the parent(s) and the child for the child not to recognize the wrongness of the act they committed, or the parent lack of understanding of their child ability to commit such atrocities.

For a long time in this country, we have been a nation of the single or absent parent, whether we have both the mother and father at home, or not. Many families that have both parents living under the same roof do not have the luxury of one parent bringing into the family a sufficient income for the family to survive to the standards in which they have become accustomed. The result is that the children are not immersed at the level necessary in the acceptable social morals needed to function in our society in a competent manner, and do not establishing a closeness, respect, and admiration for their parents that would make them cognizant of those ideas that their parents treasure and make the child protective of their parents physical and mental wellness, which would make such actions unthinkable. The result of not being involved with your child is often: drug abuse; failed marriage(s); domestic violence; teenage pregnancy; suicide; and/or various types of criminal behavior up to and including murder: the deliberate act of taking the life of another human being, maybe even their own life.

In my opinion, the way to stop this insanity is to take responsibility for your children. Whether you live with your partner, or separately, it took two to tango. It is the responsibility of every parent to raise their child to be successful. Not in a business or trade, but as successful humans. And, this cannot be done by allowing someone else to raise your child for you.

My sympathies are with the families of the children and the teacher that were killed. Peace be with you.

What should be understood that teachers all over America would have done the same thing for their"kids". No one realizes the effect a teacher can have on a student. No one understands what lengths a teacher would go to to protect their students.

@Bullwinkle -I think your opinion has merit, that the erosion of the family is a huge problem in America. But I don't think that is the only reason "the murderer" did what he did. List follows, choose one:

A) Lack of up to date gun laws

B) Lack of mental health care

C) Violence in movies and video games

D) Lack of family values

E) Complete lack of societal filters

F) All of the above

I don't think we will ever know the truth behind what the murderer's reasons for committing these heinous crimes are. Obviously (to me) there was a great amount of rage involved due to the multiple shootings of each victim. "Gangland style" execution would have been swift and succinct. Only rage or extreme hate would have a son shoot his mother in the head 4 times and defenseless children multiple times. Did that rage come from interacting with violent video games? Hatred of his mother for some perceived slight? Hatred of his absent father who had not seen him in over two years? True mental illness that had, according to reports, been treated since the murderer was a small child? Did bullying have anything to do with this rage? Peer pressure? Was it the thrill of the infamy of killing tiny children thus making him the most reviled person in recent history?

So I guess my response to you is that you could definately be right about the downfall of the nuclear family as a contributing factor in these senseless killings but I have a feeling there is more, much more that we will never know.

I am weeping.Each child should be praised and encouraged as they grow...if not by their parents...then another adult...praised not spoiled.On earth unfortunately it seems there will always be violence of some sort...but why do we have to repeatedly show it in our entertainment...I am dating myself but I can remember the first black and white shots on the TV news of the vietnam war...we had to look away from the TV in anquish..now children and adults watch violence with no reaction.This too may seem very odd to say in the heat of this moment but think of the movies of alfred hitchcock...the actual terrible scenes were subliminal...you did not actually see the violence...people have become numb...wake up...show love kindness and understanding.We all have a teacher that we loved...and the little angels..I weep again...maybe someone is trying to wake us all up..and we keep focusing on the guns..no guns..no guns...I do not think that rapid assault weapons should be sold to the public....but I think this story began before that.I think its what people do to people . Random acts of kindness..get busy people.....

So ... what's that I keep hearing about teachers being overpaid, lazy and insignificant? Bueller?

It will take unimaginable strength to get through that. Even if the rifles and clips are banned what about the ones already out there? They're not going away.

Well said Brigit1.

Amen.

These women are all heroines who placed themselves in the path of grave danger to protect the innocent lives left in their charge. The bravery of these guardians just proves that, even though great evil exists in this world, so does even greater good.

Bravo and Godspeed to each one. May their loved ones find some kind of peace through this time of loss.

@Ryan - OK, I had just gotten over my tears reading about how Anne Marie had laid down her life to protect little Dylan. I was doing all right again until I read your simple remark and the tears started all over again. I have heard the quote before but it hasn't had the impact before that it has now.

All of the teachers who gave the ultimate sacrifice are heroes in my beeok and I imagine everyone elses. These women were fierce, they were brave and they loved "their" children. How lucky the children were to have them in their lives. And thank you Ryan for the simple sentiment.

Ryan, thanks for the verse. John 15:13 is so appropriate for this situation.

Teachers have always been one of those silent heroes. I wish this country accorded half the respect love and admiration on its teachers as it does on its soldiers.

That's nice, but it's not what happened. They were all being massacred by a wacko enabled with guns.

PJ...I concur wholeheartedly.

Guitarma...Did you read the same story I did?

These teachers were ordinary women thrust into extraordinary circumstances and faced said circumstances with bravery above and beyond the call; the school's principle and psychologist ran toward the danger, other teachers did their best to get the children out of harm's way, or shielded them with their own bodies.

Yes, some were lost, but how many more were saved because of these wonderful women's courageous efforts? No one knows how they would react under such extreme crisis situations. I don't know if I would show such courage. I would like to think I would step up to the plate, especially with little children involved, but I just don't know.

Applause & Standing O to those who met danger head on and paid the ultimate price, RIP, and may their souls find peace.

Even in their deaths they have shown this is how mankind is suppose to act.

my heart goes out to the family that had lost loved one in connecticut shootings. in. I still cry when I be listening to the news and see the pictures of the babies that died of this violent crime. it hits home. we as parents always think we send our kids to school and feel safe with them being there. nothing is safe anymore. the whole world is grieving. innocent lives had been taken from this world. all we can do now is cherish the moment with our loved ones. because the next minute is not promised to us. they will be forever in out hearts and prayers.

Even in their deaths they have shown this is how mankind is suppose to act.

If only this was all of our focus, instead of so many being focused on their "right" to own weapons and ammunition with no purpose other than to kill.

The above is what we should be concentrating on, and not allow these deaths to do without honor and purpose. Changing our societal attititudes now, beginning with sensible regulation of firearms in this country, will mean that these 26 deaths will not have been in vain. They will have served to make the citizens of this country more humane and concerned about their fellow man, instead of being so paranoid and unreasonably fearful of their fellow man.

Then stop talking about something other than what should be the focus. Easy enough.

marydoe, my heart goes out to you. Thank you for your courage to let us know your pain. While our only child is alive, she is deeply troubled, and could have been Adam Lanza. My safety is no longer at risk, but she is no longer in our lives...I miss my daughter. There are so many parents who have suffered with children with mental health issues, will someone please protect us? Will someone please believe us when we say we want laws in place that strengthen parents' role in getting their kids help, even when the kids fight it? Is anybody listening?

marydoe, I am so very sorry for your loss. I watched as my mom struggled through the loss of my baby brother. I don't know how she made it through. I cannot fathom the depths of despair a parent feels at the loss of a child. Praying you find peace to ease your pain somehow.

Dear 32 years a bride, I'm listening and understand completely as the mother of a child who has mental disabilities,

I and especially my child suffered years of not understanding what the problem was. My poor beautiful child sturggled with things not understandable to him or to me. Him with feelings of being a failure, me with feelings of being a horrible mother for not being able to understand what was going on.

We went to counseling sessions that resulted in a diagnosis of from a personality disorder to HDD, with no clear method of how to go about a remedy, it there was one. He was eventually diagnosed as being bi-polar. Through reading and as understanding devloped, I now have come to the belief that he suffered from Aspergers Syndrom, an autisim like illness.

Oh God, if only I had known yestersday what I know today, perhaps my darling child would not have have suffered so. At the time, in the 70's, and yet today parents have no rights when the child becomes of age.

And -- isn't it surprising that generally those with a higher mentailty, IQ, suffer more from a mental disease? One would think that researchers would bre intrigued by this and want to study in depth, but, so far, I've not heard of a study, I wonder why.

T of E, you did your best in accessing all help that was available at the time and I hope you are usually at peace with that. If not, I hope you find peace knowing that many parents back then would have not even thought to see a therapist. Be sorry for the suffering lack of diagnosis caused but please have no regrets as you did your best. If you must take action, work to pass legislation or petition or volunteer to work with groups that help such kids today.

Even parents today of such kids...even parents with plenty of money...don't always get the kid the help they need. Witness this case. Mom was "worried about him" and thought he was "unstable" according to a friend.

I don't agree that those with higher IQ have more "metal disease". Do you mean emotional problems or inborn disabilities like Asperghers? they are not the same. Perhaps they overlap. Now, Aspies tend to have a higher IQ but the reverse is not true. Perhaps disabled kids with lower intelligence may not know they are different and how so have less mental distress?

@32 years... you are a voice of reason. Thank you.

@Simon - you are so very right. I thought I was getting past the horrific acts committed upon these innocent people and this just brings more tears. Their bravery is astounding

I can't stop crying.

Every time I read an article on this I cry-this one is not exception. What wonderful women they were. All of our children should have teachers such as the ones at this school.

Like many posting here, I've cried every day since this horrific event. I just keep praying .. I pray that somehow, someway, something good comes of this .. Lord, let those babies' deaths be the catalyst for meaningful change!!!

I had an interesting conversation with my 28 year old son today. He is a K & 1st Grade teacher. He is an Army veteran, also. He has the passion of working with kids of all ages. We talked about these events and he told me, like I didn't already know, that he would have found a way to try to "neutralize the intruder" or die trying. I cried some more for I know this is the truth. Thank you, son! I'm proud of the man you've become.

God bless and protect our teachers everywhere for they do love our children and would protect them, even unto death.

My love and prayers go out to every citizen in NewTown, CT - especially to the family and friends of those precious children and the brave educators who died trying to protect them. I pray for the first responders who will no doubt be haunted with the carnage they found in those classrooms. I pray for the surviving children who saw things in that school that they should never have seen in their lifetimes. I pray for the clergy and counselors .. you are needed more now than ever! I pray for a healing of our Nation and hope that somehow we find a solution to these senseless shootings. They are becoming all to frequent!

Hear my prayers, Oh Lord!

Riggle, thank you for that beautiful post. My prayers join yours for the innocent lives lost and the broken, hurting loved ones left behind.

I must correct you - the Fire Dept is all volunteers!

I stand corrected. Musta goggled a different Newtown.

Please don't use this tragedy to promote personal agendas.

I see nothing wrong with the comment, certainly nothing hurtful. Teachers have been taking a huge beating lately at the hands of those who know nothing about them, calling them part-time workers and union thugs, of all the stupid things on Earth to say.

I think it's completely appropriate for anyone who is tempted to think of teachers as lazy, greedy or thuggish to think of this woman, dying with that little boy in her arms. It was her job to be there, and she was no less a hero than any soldier in a foreign country, or policeman on a dangerous street.

It's not a personal agenda.

My son was a soldier, my daughter is a teacher. They both defend/defended children.

My wife is a middle-school teacher, God love her. She is not a thug. I think about the only reason she is "union" is because she has no choice to not be union in her school district. She struggles every day with children who have severe (behavioral/mental) problems but they can't get the help they need to address those problems. (And prior to what she teaches now, she taught purely learning/behavioral-disabled children for 18 years.) She struggles with parents who believe their kids are above needing help or refuse to acknowledge they need help. She is also blessed with parents who support her 100%.

These wonderful, beautiful teachers w ho died protecting those children need to be remembered as those, like President Lincoln said "Who gave their last full measure..." They were, indeed, heroes.

Oh, and her school this past year was hit with the death in an auto accident of one of its best teachers (and a good friend of my wife) and the suicide of one of its 7th graders. That young lady needed help but her warring (divorcing) parents ignored her for their own selfish interests.

the only reason she is "union" is because she has no choice to not be union in her school district.

Wow. Only in the land of the free...

Thanks Tim (and Boatrocker).

If a teacher wants to have legal protection (i.e. an attorney at no cost) against unwarranted accusations (sorry, but it DOES occur) then he or she has no choice but to join the union.

Boatrocker, these women didn't do what they did because they belong to a union or because of their pay. They did what they did because they are good, tremendously courageous people. Thank God for them!

I hate in when people make political statements on a forum when its really not appropriate. No one is talking about unions but yet you just had to bring it up. Do you have any compassion for anyone but unions?

Actually, Jazmin, on some of the other numerous stories, there have been people complaining about Unions.

Think about it, when confronted by someone with a gun, a soldier or a police officer has his/her own weapon (that they can hopefully use before the perp uses his/hers on them). These teachers had no such thing, nor do they have when a student becomes belligerent in the classroom and starts hitting, as they are not allowed to touch a child in anyway. My father was a teacher in the South Bronx in a bad school and had been confronted by a student with a knife. Luckily, he was able to talk the student down, but I could have lost him many years before I did, if the student did not calm down. I don't know why the metal detector didn't pick up the knife in the boy's possession. I am not advocating that the principal or the teachers should have access to guns, just trying to show you the facts.

yes, you would have

Pedestrian, ditto that. My thoughts exactly.

I so very much agree, Ken. I've thought about little else since I first heard the news last Friday. This is such a joyous time of the year, but, this senseless tragedy has certainly muted some of the joy at my house. It's just so very heartbreaking. Sometimes I'll forget for a bit and find myself laughing at something someone has said or done, then I remember the children and don't feel much like laughing anymore.

We all have our different beliefs, but, I believe we all have a final appointment with karma that even suicide doesn't exempt us from. Adam Lanza was too much of a coward to face his deeds in this life, but, he will more than pay for them in the hereafter, in whatever form that manifests for him.

In some ways, this still feels like a bad dream that we all just have to wake up from.

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 when 20 beautiful children stormed
through heaven's gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the
air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled
with such joy; they didn't know what to say. They remembered nothing of what
had happened earlier that day. “where are we?" asked a little girl, as
quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We’re
spending Christmas at God's house”. When what to their wondering eyes did
appear, but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near. He looked at them
and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then He opened His arms and He called
them by name. And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring those
children all flew into the arms of their King and as they lingered in the
warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face. And as
if He could read all the questions she had He gently whispered to her,
"I'll take care of mom and dad. “then He looked down on earth, the world
far below He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe, then He closed His eyes
and He outstretched His hand, “Let My power and presence re-enter this land!
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools” “I’m taking back my
nation. I'm taking back my schools! “Then He and the children stood up without
a sound. “Come now my children let me show you around. “Excitement filled the
space, some skipped and some ran. All displaying enthusiasm that only a small
child can. And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, “in the midst of
this darkness,” I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written By: Michael Jones

Absolutely amazing.

Mother, Other than weddings and funerals, I haven't been to church since I left it on Easter Sunday 1952 at Camp Kilmer New Jersey during the Korean War. As an agnostic, I still believe in a person who was called Jesus and who is my personal example of what a person's life should about. Aside from that, I believe that many of today's religions are corrupt, and I don't have any use for them. Thanks! By the way, I never tried to sway my children on either religion or politics. As a result, I have two sons that are Republicans, and a daughter, a Democrat. My oldest son and daughter are Catholics, and my youngest son a Baptist.

Sniff, sniff...speechless...

Mother, thank you so very much for that beautiful poem. Brought me to tears. Ok, where's the tissue.

Have a beautiful day.

Amazing motherof3-3160023., thanks for sharing.

Because Adam's parents refused to face the facts that he was not mentally right. Because Adam's parents did not keep him on medication. Because Adam's parents did not place him in a facility. They thought he was just a little different, shy...tried to mainstream him. Hoping any other parents out there with a child who seems "kind of different" pays attention.

Jeanette - this is not the time to start putting blame on the shooters mother or anyone else for that matter other than the shooter. She paid the ultimate price if in fact she didnt have the guns locked up or took her son shooting or didnt help her son or kept his illness secretrative. We dont have the facts to make this decision because she is dead and we may never know exactly what was going on in that household. She was shot 4 times in the head as she slept by her own son by her own guns - it was gruesome some say - so it annoys me to have people put the sole blame on her when she cannot tell her side of the story. This is a complex situation to sort out and I think many things need to be looked at as a result of this. She may have reached out for help for her son and was met with no action on the part of the people in the medical field because I am told your Menal Health system is very broken. So let the investigation take its course and listen to the results of that and not make statements based on what you have heard in the media. So far their reporting has been disgraceful and wrong in so many ways just being in a hurry to get everything and anything reported. I am Canadian and I just cant wrap my brain around how this could have happened in the first place. Those things just dont happen here but then again we have pretty strict restrictions on getting a gun. And each family doesnt see the need to have a gun or 4 or 5 guns in their house for protection. We simply just dont pack guns with us when we leave home. Of course some may but in 65 years I have never met one that does and we have 150 killings a year. And yes our Mental Health system is also flawed but there is help out there for them if they choose to want to be helped. But people also have to understand Mental Health better. I suffer from Clinical Depression for 40 years - have raised 3 kids on my own - am stable on meds and would never even think of picking up a gun and shooting anyone or anything - meaning deer or partridge or watever people hunt. But I fall under that stigma of Mental Health. So education is really really needed there.

motherof3-3160023 - thank you for sharing that!

Ms.C1960, please share the kleenex?

Jeanette, we don't know if his mother tried to get him some help. What frequently happens is a psychiatrist will give a diagnosis and prescribe some medication. If you go to another doctor with the same symptoms, you might get a different diagnosis and medicine. The shooter was over 18, basically considered to be mostly an adult, so if he was on any medication, all his mother could do is ask if he took it and he could lie and say he did. I read today that the police have not found any medications for him in the house, but it is possible that he might have tossed them out and not taken anything for a while. We may never know the full truth. Because of how our mental health coverage is, or I should say isn't, his mother could not have him confined in a facility. They would let him out as soon as he said he was feeling better and promised to take his medication. As for her not confiding in anyone, a) she probably didn't want to bother her friends, or b) there is still a big stigma in this country when it comes to someone having a mental illness.

Riggle, gladly, here you go. (Passing tissue)

I was with a large group of women this morning and the topic was about the shooting in Ct. All the discussion was about the why,how and what to do about it. Two of the women are gun owners and belong to the NRA, they are withdrawing thier membership and joining the rest of our group to support gun control. I think if women of America can stand up to say enough things can change. We all agreed the majority of gun ownership is men and it is the men that need to change. The 2nd amendment was written by men when women did not have the vote or a voice. We have the vote and the voice and we can change the gun laws if we work together. It is time women stood up, be brave and save our babies. Tougher gun control, more money to fund mental health issues and keeping an eye on these 20-30 year old males that look for an excuse to kill us.

If even one of the teachers was a legal gun owner, it may have been one dead in this story Adam Lanza.

mgm, your emotionalism is misguided and sexist. Please, enough.

I agree with "owen", though I appreciate the passion "mgm" narrowing this down to a male vs female problem is not the issue and is an example of the constant fingerpointing that causes roadblocks in any political process. Jack I couldn't disagree with you more and I tire of hearing that the correct solution for our current societal problem is to increase the number of "legal gun owners". I do not want to live in a society in which I'm sending my children to school with teachers walking around with guns strapped to their hips in lieu of simply supporting a law that states a regular citizen cannot own an automatic weapon. Through all the views and comments posted by "pro gun" individuals I still have not read one justified reason for owning such a weapon beyond "I just want to" and "it's my right". It is your right (currently) and those rights change as the society they support begins to change.

Jack-1220789: How do you know that none of the teachers were legal gun owners? I own a gun but I sure as heck don't bring it to work. And I would assume most folks don't walk around slinging iron unless they have this warped fantasy about being able to use it in a situation and be called a "hero".

The real heroes are the teachers and aides at Sandy Hook, selflessly putting their students' safety ahead of their own.

Leave it to the RWNJ's to reduce this tragedy to making generic statements about how MORE guns would have fixed all this. Using your logic we should let Iran have nukes, because obviously if all countries had nukes then that would reduce the risk of annihilation.

You and your kind are foolish, misguided and cold-hearted.

I did not mean for this to become sexist or male vs female, but emotional yes. I do not think my emotionalism is misguided at all. This is a time we need to be emotional about the gun issue in America. Guns kill people because they are killing tools. The 2nd A does not give citizens the right to own any and all guns, that is what gun companies that make a lot of money want us to believe. No more. Brainwashing and slogans no longer work, emotional yes, and for good reason.

I think your comment was completely reasonable, mgm. Odd how these days if you talk about "women" you get called "sexist." Or worse.

MGM.....yes perhaps emotional about gun issues...but equally emotional about mental health issues as well. Let's not forget that either. Mental health and stability of an individual played a huge part in this tragedy. Not to mention, based on your statement "Guns kill people because they are killing tools".....so aren't airplanes, so aren't cars, so arent trucks, so aren't knives, so aren't ......and so on. Honestly....where do we draw the line? Don't get me wrong....my heart breaks for each and every person affected by this tragedy....but before we go off saying "....that is what gun companies that make alot of money want us to believe"......I want you to know, that I still believe in the right of all law abiding citizens in this country should have the right to bear arms. And I don't own any firearms.

I agree that mental health and stability played a massive key part in this tragedy but to say guns are the same "killing tools" as airplanes, cars, trucks, etc. is not at all accurate. Sure any of the modes of transportation you list can cause death of an individual but how in earth can you say that they are the same killing tools as guns. I agree with MGM guns are killing tools because that is the one and only thing they are useful for, if not for actual killing it's for the threat of killing (defensively or offensively). I do agree in the right of citizens to bear arms but can it be that clear cut? Is there a point where we as a society say enough is enough? Where do we draw the line indeed; however, at some point doesn't that decision need to be made before another tragedy occurs. Automatic weapons are not necessary for ordinary law abiding citizens and can only cause problems when made available to the public at large.

The country needs better mental health insurance and providers.

Both Kip Kinkel (killed his parents before going to kill classmates at Thurston High School) and Adam had parents who gave them gun practice and access to guns, even though they knew that their sons had similar problems. The parents were in each case trying to reach and bond with their sons, with their hearts in the right place, but their brains couldn't see where it might lead to.

I don't know if either of them took their sons to psychiatrists, and if so, what the doctors said, but it would seem that both families had the money to pay for therapy.

Jdoe13.....perhaps not the "same" killing tools. But alas still tools (I.e. Tim McVeigh - Oklahoma City (Truck, fertilizer, gas)) . Which was exactly my point.....it is not the tool....but the killer! Make all the laws they want......but perhaps there's a hint of truth to the old adage...."when there's a will, there's a way".

Outta touch, I do see your point there and I completely agree that when there is a will there is a way; however, I think we need to look at ways in which we can make that "will" tougher to achieve. We can't control all the "ways" highlighted in the comments above as some would be logistically impossible and impractical; however, banning automatic and large caliber weapons seems like a reasonable and achievable goal to start with at this time.

So, we should have no regulations making the task of murder more difficult? The more difficult it is, the longer it takes to carry out, and the more opportunity for intervention to prevent it.

Every time I hear about a senseless mass murder the perp is mentally ill. That's the commonality. Not the weapon, they would use anything... it's a crazy person who should be locked away in a facility.

Outta touch , maybe you should make a list of all the mass killings using guns and then another list with all other methods . Do you notice anything ?

jdoe31....agreed. 9/11 airplanes = twin towers. I.e., NTS screening increased exponentially. I fly regularly. Because of my build, exterior profile and the items I bring with me for travel.....I am almost always asked to step to the side for further inspection. But I don't mind......at least actions have been taken to help deter potential future problems. Likewise your words of wisdom "tougher to acheve" are accurate and well put. With an additional counter balance to this very specific situation of addressing mental health issues too. It's not just guns. I've enjoyed the dialogue.

I am amazed at the number of people who think arming our teachers and other school personnel is the solution to the problem. Just this morning I read an article in which one of our lawmakers was pushing for this.

It doesn't seem to occur to these people that the principal, who would be the primary armed person, was shot as she emerged from another room, nowhere near the office in which her gun would be locked up. Even if she had been in the office,

I would hate to envision a school in which the first reaction to a ruckus (yes, I'm well aware of the inadequacy of using that term in this situation) would be to pull out a gun.

DOCJT....we already have regulations. What MGM was discussing was the possiblity of "additional" or "further" regulations (or in MGM's words "tougher gun control"). Additionally, I never said additional or further regulations weren't acceptable, but rather have a long hard look at this (as well as other situations). What is the "true" common thread.....???? Until we are willing to look at the true underlying theme, we can mandate as many regulations as we want....in the end there are many tools to use. Perhaps Jeannette-767450 hit the nail on the head?!?!

AHHH finally I figure it out RWNJ= Right Wing Nut ....!

Evidently, outtatouch, we do not have sufficient regulation. That is why a discussion of additional regulation is necessary.

The true common thread in the most recent mass shootings? Semi-automatic weapons, extended clips, and unfettered purchase of huge amounts of ammunition.

Another common thread? The tendency of some to glorify and worship firearms.

evidently DOCJT, you think we don't. I ask you this.......of the three guns reportedly used by the perpetrator in this incident.....how many of them did he procure? Not a one. ALL THREE were the property of his mother. So please explain to me how the existing gun regulations are not sufficient?

You spew off rhetoric and opinion out of emotion without appropriate and logical thought......and THAT is the flaw that society faces when trying to build an appropriate response to tragedy. THINK before you speak. I NEVER said additional regulations shouldn't be a part of the discussion.....and the most common thread is mental instability/disease in the perpetrators with a "tool" to kill.

I also laid a foundation as to other tragedies...I.E., Oklahoma City and the Timothy McVeigh bombing. That tragedy claimed the lives of 16 infants/toddlers/youngsters as well as many adults, but that wasn't a gun related incident but back to my point.....mental illness/disease of the perpetrator. Place ALL the regulations you want on semi-automatic weapons, clips, ammunition purchases....I assure you tragedies will continue. You keep telling yourself "gun regulation" was the common thread here, if it gives you peace.

DOCJT

So, we should have no regulations making the task of murder more difficult? The more difficult it is, the longer it takes to carry out, and the more opportunity for intervention to prevent it.

This is exactly what i'm talking about with you....... WHERE did I ever say we should have "no regulations"????? And by adding more regulations it would have made this murder more difficult??? How???? We as a society had 20 years of opportunity for intervention with this individual to prevent this. Please explain to me how adding additional gun regulations would have made us intervene? If we couldn't do it the first 20 years with what was in place for gun regulations, how would have increased gun regulations brought us to this perpetrator's mental state any sooner? I'll even go as far as saying perhaps the mother wouldn't have procured the firearms..... BUT the perpetrators mental state was unstable. His path of destruction would have occurred with different tools.....he formulated a plan with tools he could his hands on.......illegally. NO REGULATIONS were applicable to him.

It is not the lack or presence of gun control that is the problem. It is the lack of respect for the sanctity of human life. The manner is which a murder is done is inconsequential. If the desire is there, then no matter the means, there is a way to perpetrate the act. What is necessary is the unadulterated respect of life, and the realization that revocation of a life is not reversible. Life is a miracle that should be cherished, and that realization embraced, spread, and taught to our children to the point that to take a life becomes unthinkable. Not just ones own life should be venomously defended, but everyone life should bear equal consideration. When life becomes more important than a persons need for self gratification, then this will stop.

@ Outta Touch - you sure are.

BULLWINKLEMOOSE - well said.

LOCO TOPO - if you say so.

I understand what you're saying, but this WILL last forever for Newtown and all the loved ones of those who died. While it's very hard for me to watch the coverage, I feel like I am honoring them by doing so. The sadness and pain the stories bring us is only the tiniest fraction of what they are, and always will be, dealing with.

Sorry to hear all the coverage upsets you Dick , maybe if the media did not cover it then you could pretend it did not happen . But I am sorry to say it did happen and too many other incidents like it that have destroyed too many lives . You only have to change the channel for it to go away for too many people it never will

It'll be covered until the next event comes along that can be sensationalized and milked for all it's worth. That's how the media works these days.

alaskan, you don't understand the reasons behind the 2nd amendment to our Constitution do you? Lets not all be slaves to our emotions and use some reason based on real experience.

Thank You!! I don't own a gun but I feel that we should have the right to have guns, that doesn't mean ANY gun we like! The Constitution does NOT have the word gun in it. What it "garauntee's is the right to bear A-R-Ms. Now our society has decided that Nuclear Warheads are unsafe for the general public to own even though they are ARMS. So we can legislate who can have certtain types of arms the general population can have. Guns of war should be considered like a nuclear warhead, NOT available to the general public.

There is NO reason on this EARTH anyone outside of the military or police that someone should need to fire 30 rounds at a time. These mass shootings would be so MASS if a shooter had to fire one bullet at a time, and maybe help could even get there before to many are killed. Guns dont kill people, but people with automatic weapons can kill lots of people!

Exactly, well put blueingoregon! "Pro gun" individuals have this irrational thought that a ban on "assault weapons" will be a slippery slope to a ban on shotguns or deer rifles, this is not the case as the american public wouldn't support such a ban. Outside those in the military or police there is just no rational reason to have automatic weapons period.

owen-407025

alaskan, you don't understand the reasons behind the 2nd amendment to our Constitution do you? Lets not all be slaves to our emotions and use some reason based on real experience.

Unfortunately many gun carriers don't understand the 2A either. There is a provision in it to let guns be regulated without breaching a citizens rights. This is exactly why the wording "Well regulated militia" where written in to the 2A. The regulations where not so much for the people of the militia as they where for the use of the guns.

Seems when some stand on the 2A they only read what they want and disregard the rest.

I don't know about in the civilian sector, but is there training required prior to the purchase of a weapon. I mean like how to safely store it? For example, if I were to have a firearm, I would remove the bolt, the firing pin, have a trigger lock, and nothing would be stored together and the main portion of the weapon would be stored ina safe. This would keep those who don't need access from being able to use the weapon. It would keep the emotionally high strung mostly crazy pre-teens and those under 26 from accessing weapons in a fit of craziness (has something to do with a still developing frontal lobe and the ability to make rational decisions being hindered until somewhere around 26....).

Perhaps this is beside the point as I have yet to hear where he got the weapons, from his mom or dad? He bought on his own?

Do I need an assault rifle? No.... do criminals have them? Yes.... no win there unfortunately. But I am ok with a semi automatic as that is the only setting I have fired on when I was in the Marines (saves bullets and helps with target acquisition.)

An example of a well egulated miltia is in Switzerland which is touted by the pro gun side as an example of gun ownership but they leave out the part of it being part of military service and there are strict regulations regarding the storage and use of the weapons .

True that. The most vocal distorting the second amendment appear to have a blind spot concerning the words "well regulated militia."

DOC, the supreme court disagrees with you an most of the above regarding the interpretation of the 2nd amendment.

Show me, please, any Supreme Court finding that disputes what I said.

militia = army,air force, marines etc.

well regulated = they follow orders

president = commander-in-chief

A well regulated militia follows the orders of their commander. They have to or else you have chaos in battle.

Now why would the writers of the Constitution put in something that is common sense to any military person or any person who has control over an army?

For balance. The constitution created the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government. Each branch has powers to limit the "over reaching" any other branch. But the executive branch has one power that can not be checked by the other branches, command of the military. This because command has to come from one person. You can not quickly respond against an attacker by committe and consensus. So where do you have the balance? You let the citizens have the power to be the balance "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"

The writers knew this country came to be at the point of a gun, but a gun held by the citizens of this country. They knew that the government they had created could be taken over by one persons power of commanding the army. A free state has to defend itself from outside attacks but also has to be able to stay free from the inside. That is what the 2nd Amendment is about, balance.

I do understand the argument that citizens must be armed to safeguard against government tyranny, and while I agree in principle, I freely admit that no civilian force would be able to match our military when it comes to technology and firepower. The military has weapons no private citizen can own or hope to outgun. So while it might be a valid argument, it's not a realistic one.

No, it is realistic. A current example is Syria.

Obamacare does not specifically delineate funding for, or expansion of, mental health services. The law mainly focuses on pushing more people into Medicaid, which is a State-administered program subject to budget fluctuations, and assumes that more people with Medicaid coverage will result in more treatment for the mentally ill.

With States slashing budgets for mental services and pushing those costs onto Medicaid, I view this to be a MONUMENTAL FAILURE of our elected leaders, particularly Democrats and Liberals. They had the chance to push mental health services into the forefront of medical treatment with Obamacare, and yet they didn't do it. They simply left it to be handled by Medicaid, which will have to be reformed in the near future because of burgeoning costs.

@sparklystar

Easy enough to fix. Intro a new law specifically for the treatment of mental illness. Then watch as the Republican's do everything they can to kill it based on how much it costs. Even though it might be a great way to keep crazy people from using their beloved guns to kill people, thus keeping them from having to defend the 2A.

I am a centrist. I am not liberal or conservative in the way you think of them. This makes me an objective observer of both sides ills. Trust me, if there where ever a group of people that would love to have their cake and eat it too, it is the republicans.

If centrists where in office there would be compromise and change. Guns would be around, but you would not see an unlimited selection of them and you would not see social programs evaporate because we would be compromising where compromise needs to be made.

You want to blame the republicans for lack of mental healthcare, when Obamacare clearly is a democrat policy that does not include it and you call yourself centrist? I don't think so.

I agree, QE137.but the Repugnicants probably feel it's "cheaper" to clean the walls than to solve the problem!

sparklystar-With States slashing budgets for mental services and pushing those costs onto Medicaid, I view this to be a MONUMENTAL FAILURE of our elected leaders, particularly Democrats and Liberals. They had the chance to push mental health services into the forefront of medical treatment with Obamacare, and yet they didn't do it. They simply left it to be handled by Medicaid, which will have to be reformed in the near future because of burgeoning costs.

While I agree more should have been done. I would never blame the only people that support national health reform at all, for not being able to part the Red Sea. There is vast support among most citizens for some type of medical reform.But even with that,the President,Democrats,and Liberals,have had to move heaven and earth,to get what they were able to get. Not perfect by any means,but a first step.

Unless some people have been living under a rock for the last 4 years,they should see the right-wing is still trying to undo the health reform today.Had our side pushed mental health reform at that time along with it,its doubtful we would have succeeded with anything at all. Until this tragedy,which has brought mental illness to people's consciousnesses,mental health issues were very unpopular.Have we already forgotten that.Frankly,people don't like to think about it. Many,wrongly,think its a "scam issue,that people whine about anything and call it mental illness" (does that ring a bell). It took something as horrible as this tragedy,to make most people see it's a real issue in society. And if we support the people on our side working for us,maybe,with the issue better understood,maybe,just maybe,we can get something done.

I have a 15 year old son that has Aspergers, and now mood disorder due to the decision of the school district not to move him forward to the same high school his friends are attending. He was doing so well he was taken out of special ed classes in 7th and 8th grade and fully mainstreamed. He made a few good friends, who I was even happy to see come visit over this past summer (this rarely happens). Now, the school says he should go to his home school high school since he is now mainstreamed. Well, anger and depression that I haven't seen in years have hit him hard. One day he got so aggressive that I called 911. When we got to the ER we waited over 24 hours for a bed at an inpatient mental health facility. Then when they had one open, the insurance denied it and the hospital sent us home. This is Obama care. I was told by one mental health provider that if I was on Medicaid I wouldn't be denied him care. However, I would have to quit my job, and lose my home to qualify. Also, I hired an attorney to advocate for my son to change his placement at his psych doc's recommendation. $7,000 later the school is still not moving him to the high school he could cope better in. He tells me he worked so hard to get mainstreamed and now he's being punished. He only just started going back to school 7 days ago this year. He attends in his PJ's and his grades are dropping. He's a walking time bomb, but no one will help or listen. My heart goes out to these families, but I am guessing Lanza's Mother struggled with the school district as well to do right by her child, since she eventually was home schooling him. It's not the teachers, it's the adminstration above them.

Obamacare does not push people into Medicaid, which eventhough is a state administered program, it is still federaly funded.

QE137.....if the Republicans are such a failure, AND you honestly believe social programs are the solution to everything....than I would propose the following. Let's simply add a few lines onto our tax form 1040. If you honestly believe that republicans are the problem....let's add lines for all social programs being provided by our government. AND, put your money where your mouth is......I shouldn't have to pay for something I think isn't fixed. YOU pony up......and all those who want to pay more go for it. Our government can't even run a for profit business (the US postal service) to make a profit, what would make me think they can run any other program properly????

This is Obama care

While I fully sympathize with your situation, Sue@Chicago, and it is something I deal with on a daily basis in an attempt to find beds for those experiencing severe episodes, you are wrong in saying this is Obamacare. Your being denied a bed is the result of your private insurance carrier, not Obamacare.

Medicaid is paid for by federal and state funds, and is administered by the state. I'm not sure how much the state has to say about who qualifies, income levels, etc. I will as soon as I can get some answers. Earlier this year, the federal government threatened to sue Gov. Walker of WI because of changes he planned to make to save money for the state by changing the rules.

I'm permanently disabled, and have been on Medicare and Medicaid for over ten years. I've never had a problem with either. Recently I received a letter from the state saying that as of the first of the year I would not qualify for Medicaid. I will receive a $13.00 cost of living increase in my SSDI payment, and that would put me over the income level. That $13 increase will bring me to just over $750/month. According to the state, the income limit for Medicaid is now $557.11/month, which is approximately 60% of the Federal Poverty Level of $931/month. The only amount of my income which would not count would be a $20 allowance for personal expenses.

Medicare does pay 60% of most mental health expenses, but if a person with limited (or even not so limited) income has to pay for additional insurance or the balance of the expenses, it's not going to happen. And that's not considering the cost of medications, although much of that cost can be covered by Medicare Part D, if available. But since many of the meds cost over $200/month, and a combination is quite often required, the costs will put the needed help out of reach of many who need it.

Changes in the way we treat mental issues are not a solution to the violence we are seeing in our society, but the lack of help for those who need it only exacerbates the problem.

Sue,

DOCJT is right. The problem is that insurance companies make decisions not doctors. What we need to do is put decisions back in the hands of doctors and get insurance/profit out of the equation. Medicaid for all is a great way to do this. If gov't agrees to increase their payment structure to meet most insurance plans more doctors would start accepting medicaid, which will increase the overall health of our country. The end result would, in the end, be the dying out of private insurance companies. The biggest problem I see with Obamacare is it did not go far enough. It empowered not deflated the control of insurance companies on health care and gov't policy.

Sue, it is not Obamacare. Many years ago, long before Obama was even in college, an acquaintance of my parents made their mentally challenged daughter a ward of the state. The reason they did that was because she was reaching 21 years of age, when they would have to buy her her own very expensive policy. While they were more than comfortable, they could not afford the premiums for her insurance, especially since she would not be covered for several months with a new policy because of a "pre-existing condition".

As for your son's and your problem with the school, it is the way special needs programs are set up. One of my son's classmates was placed in a self-contained classroom at a different elementary school. At the annual meetings for him, the boy's mother would look at his IEP and see that they wanted her son to reach certain goals in making friends. She inquired about academics, but they said that these other goals were just as important. When he reached the friendship goals, the district wanted to bring him back to the original school. The mother said that he should go on with his friends. She was told by the Special Education Committee that the state regulations do not make allowances for friendships; that once he reached his goals, he was to go back to his own school.

Correct. Children are sent to another district only when the needs as outlined in their IEP cannot be met at the home district. If IEP goals are met, a new IEP is written. If the new IEP can be upheld in the home school district, then the child returns to the home school. That is the way that the LRE is interpreted.

Uncle Bob, if Obama paid any attention to the republicans, healthcare reform would not have happened at all. He did it without republicans and left out mental healthcare. There was no "parting of the red sea" when it came to healthcare reform, more like hiding in Davey Jones locker. They very easily could have included mental healthcare and they didn't. Why?

I agree with you 100%, but we need to not forget. 11 years ago firefighters were our heros, but then the feelings were lost and some vilified our public servants. please do not forget all those who work for us, the servicemen and women, the firefighters, the teachers, the police who are there for us.

Lori, you are absolutely right!! I ask for blessing for all of those who make it possible for us to live safe and relatively carefree lives! I think about some countries where bombs drop on them like rain falls on us, and it makes glad the police, the firefighters, the teachers, are out there when we need them!

And to a classroom with some special ed teachers/aides and kids in it...?

Because he attended it and it was close. No need to speculate further or make up "reasons."

Latest news I read said he was at the school the day before and had a "confrontation" with four people -- the principal, the social worker, one of the teachers who was killed and another teacher who was not there the next day. No further info yet available.

Why stop at tanks and jets? Why not make nuclear arms available for private purchase? You never know when you'll have to defend your home against North Korea. /s

Yes, Sam and Chris; that is the ‘logic’. More firepower will make us safer.

I am sick and tired of hearing, ‘oh, there’s too many guns out there now’, and ‘we'll never get a strong enough law passed to do any good’. We hire those legislators with our votes. If our legislators are in bed with the gun lobbyists, then vote them out. They work for us. We will find legislators that fulfill our needs.

We need to create a different culture, one in which we don’t need to tote guns around with us everywhere we go. We don’t need this generation of students thinking that they need to carry guns for the rest of their life to be safe. The NRA and gun manufacturers may like this idea, but this is not the way we have to live. I’m not ready to give up.