LDS Teenager Murdered at her High School in Parkland

[_Markk]

Not just kids killing kids. Look at the guy in Las Vegas.

Okay good, so what are some the deeper root reasons why these people choose to do so, if you want to make it broader...fine.

[_Jersey Girl]

Not just kids killing kids. Look at the guy in Las Vegas.

Okay good, so what are some the deeper root reasons why these people choose to do so, if you want to make it broader...fine.

Why should we repeat ourselves?

[_Kevin Graham]

Not just kids killing kids. Look at the guy in Las Vegas.

Okay good, so what are some the deeper root reasons why these people choose to do so, if you want to make it broader...fine.

WHO CARES???

The point is get them unarmed first and then worry about what's going on in their heads.

[_Themis]

Not just kids killing kids. Look at the guy in Las Vegas.

Okay good, so what are some the deeper root reasons why these people choose to do so, if you want to make it broader...fine.

Stop pretending those who want better gun control are not looking at other factors to reduce violence and deaths. The reality is gun laws in the US are not adequate. You will never get rid of all these other factors, so we shouldn't continue to ignore one of the biggest factors firearms. If you want to make an argument for why certain gun laws won't work go ahead.

[_Lemmie]

Asking for your indulgence - I came into work today because my wife was going to be at the funeral for Alaina Petty.

Mourners are gathered at the Coral Springs Stakehouse - very likely far more than would normally attend Stake Conference. As the Mormons on the board will understand, if the parents hold Stake positions, which her parents did, then pretty much everyone in the stake will know their teenage children. That's just the way it works. There will likely be many non-members from her school as well because Alaina was a smart, talented and popular young woman.

Today, LDS parents will have to explain to their young children what happened and why Alaina will not be at Church any more. Then they will have to come up with an answer when the kids ask if the same thing will happen at their school.

Those on the board who are convinced that a 19 year old should be allowed to buy an AR-15 should to go to:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-school-shooting-these-are-17-victims-n848706

and have a look at Alaina's photograph and short biosketch. They need to think about the fact that she will never have the chance to grow up, marry, raise a family, or even have a life. They need to ask if things can continue the way the are in this country when it comes to the laws and culture that permit this kind of tragedy approximately every three days (at least 18 times so far this year).

Then look at the other 16 photographs, and think about the new reality for the hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of parents and children in South Florida, Washington State (my daughter's family), and elsewhere, who knew, loved, cared for and even depended on, one or more of these victims.

These were innocent people with families. They were brutally murdered for the simple reason that Republicans are convinced that a 19 year old kid should have ready legal access to a highly lethal military style weapon - one that was designed for no other reason than to efficiently kill human beings.

Today is a holiday so no one else is in the office - no one to be embarrassed at seeing the tears in this old man's eyes.

DrW this is heart-breaking--just heart-breaking. Please give your my wife my condolences also. What a terrible thing to have to experience.

[_subgenius]

40% federal excise tax on guns and ammunition. If we can't do anything about the guns, let's create a fund to pay for the mess our lack of willingness to address this problem creates.

ah, the sin tax. how inspired.
You know a bigger mess is created by fatty food and laziness... is 35% too much of a tax rate on fried mozzarella sticks and people without gym memberships?

[_Gunnar]

You know a bigger mess is created by fatty food and laziness... is 35% too much of a tax rate on fried mozzarella sticks and people without gym memberships?

So, because more people sicken and die from unhealthy food choices and laziness, no attempt should ever be made to acknowledge and lessen the problem of gun violence? Its not like no one is already acknowledging, addressing and working on the former of those problems, you know! How stupid can you get?

[_subgenius]

So, because more people sicken and die from unhealthy food choices and laziness, no attempt should ever be made to acknowledge and lessen the problem of gun violence? Its not like no one is already acknowledging, addressing and working on the former of those problems, you know!

Yes, that is correct, but while you can acknowledge the issue you shouldn't exaggerate the issue.

by the way, how come it's not a "gun problem" when a cop shoots somebody???

[_Gunnar]

Yes, that is correct, but while you can acknowledge the issue you shouldn't exaggerate the issue.. . .

It is irrational at best and callous at worst to claim that the issue of school shootings is being exaggerated when it is so pervasive only in our country. What other country has this problem?

. . .how come it's not a "gun problem" when a cop shoots somebody???

Who says its never a "gun problem" when a cop shoots somebody? I certainly don't!

[_cafe crema]

Students are beginning to mobilize. People down here, students and parents alike, are saying, "This time is different". And they backing it up with action. Unlike Columbine and Sandy Hook, these kids are older and more affluent. Most importantly, they have the benefit of nearly a decade of great improvement and growth in the social media networks.

Likewise with kids in liberal Redmond, Washington (the home of Microsoft), and probably many parents as well. It's likely that metropolitan Seattle will be another epicenter for a groundswell of support for some kind students vs. guns political action movement.

I mentioned that there was a difference this time in an earlier post. Not sure if it was this thread. What I am seeing is not so much victims who are weakened by this, but an attitude of total outrage that we haven't quite seen before. You would have thought that Sandy Hook would have been the tipping point.

I say that the tipping point is Florida. I don't know why it has taken this long or so many lives lost. But I say the opportunity for real change is here and now.

Parents and young folks alike are lashing out in a way we've never seen before. They are telling the administration and America itself that they can stuff their thoughts and prayers, that they want ACTION. They're angry as hell.

I noticed a sign being held in front of the White House today by students during a lie in protest, it read to the effect "Is Congress or the NRA making our laws?"

Our children aren't stupid. They are awake and aware, and they are rising up in their own defense. How pathetic a statement is that on who we are as a nation?

Of all the reports I've seen regarding the Florida shootings, THIS is the one that made me think that something is different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cmaeYG3EIE

That's a mother who is in full on outrage. She's putting President feet to the fire. That's the hand that rocks the cradle right there. She's wounded, she's grieving, she's damned mad as hell. It seems to me, that she is one of the voices that has changed the tone of the narrative.

I'd like to be this hopeful, but I'm not.

Florida won't even debate gun control less that a week after the shooting but decides it's important to spend time talking about pornography and it's "public health risk".

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/Florida ... 14379bac85