Dead Children

I saw a post on Facebook in which a friend posted that we Americans would not be nearly as upset, and indeed have not been nearly upset over children killed in Pakistan or Yemen by drone strikes. Which should we be more upset about? A lone gunmen killing our nation's children, or taxpayer funded collateral damage that kills unknown children every day? 

"It's the End of the World As We Know It"

   This past week had three separate incidences that really make it seem like the world is ending. The tragedies, coupled with personal problems, allowed for my first doctor-diagnosed panic attack.
   First, the Clackamas Town Center shooting. This is my mall of choice, I used to work at the Bath and Body Works there. My daughter's step-mother and brother were there when it happened.
   Then the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school leaving a total of 28 persons, mostly 6-7 year olds, dead. As a mother, my child is my world and I wept for the parents. And I don't want to talk about that anymore.
   Lastly, an old drinking buddy from my Kansas days, Jeff Atherly was shot and killed responding to a drug deal call. Though not close to him by any means, I mourn for the loss my friends have experienced.
   For a short time, I deactivated my facebook account. Where I wanted to find solace by grieving with friends and family, I found memes, witty quotes and poignant articles about gun control laws and laws about locking up the "crazies." Tragedies that don't belong to any party were instantaneously morphed into political arguments.
   We have not had time to mourn and we will not properly mourn because we are too fast-paced. Everybody wants to be the next person with the next profound thing to say. Ashamedly, I returned to facebook today because I'm too damn connected that way. I was disgusted by my lack of self-control, I still am.
   You know what would be awesome? A day of complete social media silence. Log into facebook and twitter, but don't post anything. Spend a day looking through your loved-ones' pictures or re-reading the poem your best friend wrote. Use social media to cherish the good things in your life.


   And on other related note: One of my friends posted this clip. Generally I'm not a Mike Huckabee fan.
I'm not religious, but this really struck home:



   I think allowing for religion and prayer, allowing people to use their faith to express their feelings of grief or joy is healthy for the whole of society. A cross on the side of the road is not offensive, it is a weak mind that is offended. Prayer should be allowed because it is the one thing people can do where there is otherwise no control. It is a medium for teaching values and expression of feelings. I wonder if we had allowed for a more religious/spiritual society if these shootings could have been prevented. Instead of trying to get everyone to shut up so no one is ever offended (or the alternative of forcing people to conform to a particular religion), can we just allow room for acceptance of differences? Would that be so bad?