Redbud tree memorial

[knopfling]

A group has planted 26 trees in a Salt Lake City (Utah) cemetery, one each for the victims at Sandy Hook.
The trees are Redbud trees.
They said the tree is native to Connecticut, so that's why they chose it.

[dmg]

There has been much sympathy over this here in Scotland since we had to endure the Dunblane massacre in 1996.  The wife of my old physics teacher was actually a teacher at the school.  The small town is only 20 miles from where I live. 

I will never forget watching the pictures on a TV report and this little girl who was lucky enough to have survived, running out the school building as fast as her little legs could carry her, straight into her mums safe arms.  It was the look on the little girls face that was most memorable though - a look of absolute terror like I had never seen before.  That should never have to be experienced by anyone, let alone a small child.

I don't understand the gun culture in America but using violence to cull violence seems like idiocy to me.

[ingridswing]

There has been much sympathy over this here in Scotland since we had to endure the Dunblane massacre in 1996.  The wife of my old physics teacher was actually a teacher at the school.  The small town is only 20 miles from where I live. 

I will never forget watching the pictures on a TV report and this little girl who was lucky enough to have survived, running out the school building as fast as her little legs could carry her, straight into her mums safe arms.  It was the look on the little girls face that was most memorable though - a look of absolute terror like I had never seen before.  That should never have to be experienced by anyone, let alone a small child.

I don't understand the gun culture in America but using violence to cull violence seems like idiocy to me.

+10000000

[Mona Dee]

There has been much sympathy over this here in Scotland since we had to endure the Dunblane massacre in 1996.  The wife of my old physics teacher was actually a teacher at the school.  The small town is only 20 miles from where I live. 

I will never forget watching the pictures on a TV report and this little girl who was lucky enough to have survived, running out the school building as fast as her little legs could carry her, straight into her mums safe arms.  It was the look on the little girls face that was most memorable though - a look of absolute terror like I had never seen before.  That should never have to be experienced by anyone, let alone a small child.

I don't understand the gun culture in America but using violence to cull violence seems like idiocy to me.

I second that !!!

[Pottel]

I always said and will say it again, ...
No primary schools --> no gun violence!
Sad...really..

[Rkd]

It is extremely frustrating to many Americans that don't buy into the gun culture's propaganda because it is impossible to discuss this issue with those that do. Conservative talk shows and the National Rifle Association foster a kind of paranoia in the US that was reflected in the mother of the Sandy Hook killer. She amassed quite an arsenal of weapons to protect herself from "the enemy". How sadly ironic it is that she turned out to be the enemy herself by having those guns available to an unstable son, as well as (either directly or indirectly) imparting to him the thinking that guns are a means to solving problems.  My personal background is in teaching, a profession I dearly love. However, the day school administration or politicians make a policy that firearms be a required part of my teaching day would be the day I find a new profession.

[IrisRose]

This gun culture and fanaticism for guns is very embarrassing for many of us here in the US.   Many of us are ashamed of and appalled at the blind selfish stubborness of National Rifle Association's devotees who insist that they have the right to own assault weapons.   If you have the stomach for it, listen to their ridiculous arguments.   They would be funny if they weren't so stupid and tragic.   

[Fieneke2]

I agree with the things you say about the NRA Marie!

Fieneke

[JF]

No primary schools --> no gun violence!

sorry Pottel but I don't understand. What do you mean exactly ? 

[IrisRose]

I think Pottel was being facetious.   Some people here are making the ridiculous argument that the solution to the problem is for teachers to carry guns.  Pottel is joking and going the other extreme.   Don't even have schools.    Then no gunman can come in and kill anyone there.       

[dmg]

I noticed the children started back school today.  Another place, of course;  their old school is still a crime scene apparently.  How did their parents let them leave home...

[IrisRose]

It's a humanity issue.  What child could stand going back into that school.   It will probably be torn down.

[dmg]

It's a humanity issue.  What child could stand going back into that school.   It will probably be torn down.

Dunblane Primary is still there and functioning as normal.  It was refurbished after the massacre.  I reckon this may be done to the school in Sandy Hook too.  It seems they maybe got the redbud tree idea from Dunblane Primary:

http://www.stirling.gov.uk/services/education-and-learning/schools/primary-schools/dunblane-primary-school

[JF]

I think Pottel was being facetious.   Some people here are making the ridiculous argument that the solution to the problem is for teachers to carry guns.  Pottel is joking and going the other extreme.   Don't even have schools.    Then no gunman can come in and kill anyone there.     

ah ok thanks, sorry for misunderstanding. It's always difficult for me to grab humor in my non-native language, and more without smileys...