Residents Gather for Candlelight Vigil to Remember Connecticut Shooting Victims

Southern Pines residents gather at the Douglass Community Center Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil to remember the Connecticut shooting victims.

As of Sunday, December 16, 2012

About 40 people turned out at the Douglass Community Center in Southern Pines Saturday night for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the Connecticut school shooting on Friday.

The West Southern Pines Citizens for Change had called for a candlelight prayer vigil to spend several moments to reflect on the events and how easily it could have happened here.

Oliver HInes, chairman of the organization, began the event at 5:30 p.m., and it included prayer and song. Several police officers turned out for the event, including interim Police Chief Bob Temme.

So far, there is at least one local tie to Friday's tragedy. Pinehurst resident and occasional Pilot opinion columnist Paul Dunn said Sunday that his sister's granddaughter, Grace Audrey McDonnell, was among the children killed inside Sandy Hook Elementary. She was 7 and the daughter of Lynn and Chris McDonnell of Sandy Hook. Her parents' photograph was on the front page of The New York Times Saturday.

In addition, both President Obama and Gov. Bev Perdue have ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half staff until Dec. 18.

In a proclamation, the President said: "As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, December 18, 2012."

Governor Perdue said:

“Our thoughts and hearts are with the families of the victims of this senseless act of violence in Newtown, Conn. Bob and I are deeply shocked and heartbroken over this tragic loss of life. Our prayers are with all the families of the children, teachers and administrators.”

More like this story

JimRussell44 5 months ago

A certain portion of our population often uses the quotation: "Freedom is not free." The price we pay for our right and "freedom" to bear arms is the occasional mass murder of innocent people. So for all you 2nd Amendment supporters out there who don't want anybody to interfere in any way with YOUR rights, lest it create that "slippery slope" you are deathly afraid of, go to a mirror, take a close look at the person staring back at you because you are looking at the person who has some responsibility for what is happening all to often in this country.

Matt_Woodruff 5 months ago

Flawed logic there Mr. Russell. Drunk drivers kill innocent people, should we ban cars? People are killed all the time with knives, should we ban knives?

njc17 5 months ago

It's really sad when people USE tragedies like this to spew their anti-gun rhetoric. Matt, you have it right, we need to ban hands that choke, feet that kick, feelings that break hearts.

njc17 5 months ago

Somebody starched your underwear again?

pinewoodnc 5 months ago

I'm sure we will hear the same old line "guns don't kill people, people kill people." That is the pat answer for people that just have to have guns. People continue to ignore the fact that when the "right to bear arms" was initiated, it was a long time ago in history when we had no police and people HAD to have guns to protect themselves in the wilderness and provide food for their families. History changes and laws should change with them. Unfortunately, as with many things, people just can't be trusted to do as they should when allowed to have a dangerous item. The sole purpose of a gun is to either harm or kill something. Cars are NOT in the same category as guns. I believe that in instances such as this, the owners of the guns used in the killings should also be charged. If parents or any individuals that HAVE to have a gun cannot keep them safely stored away from the hands of children or others that might use them inappropriately, then they need not have the guns or be held responsible when a tragedy occurs. It is sad that people just cannot be responsible. If they can't be responsible, then the ownership of guns needs to be outlawed. I also believe that over the last few decades, our children have become immuned to the horror of violence through all the violent movies, video games and music that they are immersed in. Also, with the decline of the family, the children are not being nurtured properly which leads to more psychological issues. It is a sad commentary of American life and I see worse to come if things are not turned around. I hope everyone will think of these poor folks that will suffer a very sad holiday season because of this horrific event.

JimRussell44 5 months ago

There is absolutly nothing flawed about my logic, Mr. Woodruff. We don't have a national organization in this country trying to prevent laws from being passed that would help to keep drunk drivers off the highways. But we do have a national organization in this country that prevents any type of gun control legislation that would keep semi automatic weapons with large magazine capacities out of the hands of the general public. You guys get all paranoid when you think Iran or North Korea might have access to a weapon of mass destruction but have no qualms about letting everyone in this country have as many weapons of mass destruction as their homes will hold. I know it's hard for you to admit you are part of the problem. I also know it's easy to place the blame on people like me who shine the spotlight on you.

And your comment about banning knives plays right into my point. Yesterday, in China, a man attacked adults and children at a school. 22 children were injured before the man was brought under control. None of the children suffered serious injuries. In China, guns are not available to the general public.

Yukonjohn 5 months ago

History changes and laws should change with them.

pinewoodnc, there is a mechanism for changing the Constitution. Thankfully it has not been changed in this area. Guns are not only for killing food and protection. It is for repelling a tyranical govt. That is the MAIN reason for our 2nd Amendment. When written, it was NOT for personal protection, or primarily for killing food, that was a given. It was for protection from the same type of govt. that they had just broke away from!!! Read your history.

JimRussell44, you mention gun control...gun contol is hitting your target.

Yukonjohn 5 months ago

All that said, God be with the families of all those affected by this horrific tragedy.

packwilleat 5 months ago

Last time I checked murder is still illegal, so is drunk driving, drugs, prostitution, gambling, rape, tax evasion, lying under oath, treason......... do I need to go on, or do you get the point??

Yukonjohn 5 months ago

Pack, I was talking with a friend the other night about this horrible tragedy. We both feel that if teachers and administrators were armed and proficient with weapons, that these things could be minimized. They might not prevent it, but it could be lessened. They would have to have training, intensive training, but l honestly think it would help.

packwilleat 5 months ago

Yukon ~ even a stun gun would work. I remember back in my high school days. Even though it was illegal, me and the good 'ol boys had our deer rifles and shotguns behind our truck seats. Everyone knew, teachers, students, principle. No one cared. We all had pocket knives to boot. Not only do I think they didn't care, but they found comfort in the fact that we were trustworthy and "on call". We never caused any harm nor ever intended too.

packwilleat 5 months ago

A couple years ago I had a coworkers son get expelled from high school because a K9 sniffed out a 30-06 round in his truck, sitting next to his McD's french fries in that magical abyss between the center console and drivers seat. When we can't trust the trusted, who do we trust??

fugitiveguy 5 months ago

Guns have been around for centuries. These mass killings have only happened in the past 2-3 decades. It has to be something other than guns.

pinewoodnc 5 months ago

What next??? People with cannons in their front yards so they can "blow" people away if they think they don't belong in their neighborhood. I find it horrifying that anyone could condone teachers or school administrators having guns. Thankfully, I believe that more and more people are beginning to have serious conversations about gun control and what needs to be done to help prevent tragedies like the one that just happened. BTW, Yukon, read your history! I've read mine many times.

Yukonjohn 5 months ago

pinewoodnc, And you disagree with my statement how?? Were the Founders not wanting the citizens to be armed to repel an tyranical govt.?? I will find you quotes if you desire.

fugitiveguy 5 months ago

Why is it these tragedies always seem to happen in "gun free zones" ?

skylinefirepest 5 months ago

Ok, I'll be totally as fair as possible....Pinewood, Jimrussell, spuws, what EXACTLY do you have in mind for preventing these types of incidents?? Put it out there for us all to see...this is your opportunity to shine. What would you do? What would prevent these incidents? What will keep firearms out of the hands, not of the law abiding, but of the hoodlums?? Serious, thought out answers please.

pinewoodnc 5 months ago

My biggest question is for what reason does anyone need the kinds of guns that are being sold to the public? For what purpose does the ordinary citizen need military style guns and guns that can shoot multiple rounds. I am not an expert on guns as I am totally anti-gun and have had virtually no exposure and have no desire to do so, but have seen documentaries of the type of guns being sold at gun shows and it is horrifying to me. What person needs that kind of gun power? I feel that the only kind of guns that should be available (if any) to the general public are basic rifles that are used in hunting. IF it is necessary (which I am not an advocate of hunting), than I believe that should be the only guns available except to the military and police. It is very apparent that people cannot be responsible and if something isn't done, no one will be safe anywhere. England has baned gun ownership and we should do likewise.

ProudPatriot 5 months ago

Good Lord, don't arm teachers!! That would be the day I quit teaching! Teachers have enough hats to wear already. Hire more SRO's if you want more protection in the schools.

skylinefirepest 5 months ago

Hey guys and girls...answer my questions honestly or just try to shut the hell up! If you're not willing to do anything but spout bullhockey about how you don't like guns for whatever reason then you don't deserve the forum. Answer the questions or admit that you ain't got a clue other than you don't like guns!!

JimRussell44 5 months ago

skylinefirepest, we have had this discussion the last time there was a mass murder shooting. I'm sure you have not changed your thought process and I sure have not changed mine. I think pinewoodnc has stated my position just as well as I could have done it. Everyday citizens of this country have no reason to have automatic or semi-automatic firearms capable of firing a high number of rounds as quickly as you can flex your finger. If having a gun gives you the "protection" you need, why wouldn't a six shot revolver work? If the only handgun available in this country was a six shot revolver, you would be as well armed as the boogeyman you think is behind every door waiting to kill you. If a six shot rifle was the only thing available in this country for hunting, it would take someone with an accurate shot to bring down his prey. In my humble opinion, ANY other type of firearm should only be available for police and military use. Any citizen convicted of using a firearm designated for police and military use in the commission of ANY crime would receive an automatic death sentence...no exceptions. Any citizen convicted of any crime involving the use of any type of weapon (or threat of a weapon) should face mandatory minimum jail time of at least 5 years and more based on the severity of the crime. You want to know what I think will help the problem, well there it is.

packwilleat 5 months ago

Jim ~ I'm VERY confident with my single shot rifle. It seldom requires a follow up. But I do agree with you, the people do not need semi-automatic weapons....... we out number the ones with fully autos 500 to 1. Cheers!!

Yukonjohn 5 months ago

Wow, unbelievable. Folks, I have a question for you. I see that you have given honest answers to what skylinefirepest asked. I respect your opinion. As a matter of fact, l gave probably the best ten years of my life to protect your right to have that opinion. That said, do you understand the situation that was ongoing when our founding documents were written. The colonies had just had it "up to here" with England taxing them without representation. They wanted to be free. Free to rule themselves. They also saw that in the future, even themselves could go astray and be tyranical. They wanted the populace to be armed to put down a tyranical govt. This is why the 2nd Amendment exist. That is the only reason it exist. We should be heavily armed. We never know when maybe we might have to "come together" and rise up and overthrow our govt. T. Jefferson said that we should have a revolution every 20 yrs whether or not we needed it. These men saw where the populace might have to do what they had just done. That is why it is not only our right....l say it should be our responsibility to be armed and proficient in their use. Not that l advocate the overthrow of our govt. but one never knows. Well, that is my opinion, and it is like ....well, you know...the thing that everyone has, and most of them stink...lol...

CJ 5 months ago

You only have to read this column and others in the Pilot to find out how divided this country is on EVERY issue. Don't think we'll ever see eye to eye.

coffecreme 5 months ago

My sincere condolences to Paul Dunn's family in losing their sweet precious child.

NCKen 5 months ago

Newtown, Connecticut ... the logical outcome of the toxic Progressive culture.

coffecreme 5 months ago

Pilot please shut down this comment section . There is no respect, sympathy or empathy here.

samosamo 5 months ago

U.S.A. Born by the Gun,and will die by the Gun. As a nation we applaud violence, through video games , social networking, sensationalizing on mainstream news. yet we are appaled when innocents die.The blood is on all our hands. Where did the young man get this idea? Why does a single Mother have to have three semiautomatic weapons? I wonder.

Mythreekids 5 months ago

My sincerest condolences to the Newton, Connecticut family. My heart still pounds when I think that this could have been here and one of my grandchildren or other relatives could have been victims. For guns, against guns...whatever your stance, the fact remains that these children and staffers are dead. Perhaps if we would all take an inward inventory, then think about how we interact with those who have differing opinions. Then, ask yourself, if face to face with those who so adamantly differ from you, could YOU do that person harm. Sometimes, the rhetoric here makes me wonder. While we all as Americans have a right to differing opinions, at some point, the good of the masses supercedes that of an individual. The problem with us seems to be deciding when. God bless America is MY prayer. And, my hope is that we will learn to accept others as we want to be accepted along with our differing beliefs. Have a better day, everyone.

coffecreme 5 months ago

Beautifully said mythreekids

njc17 5 months ago

Samo, you hit on a piece of it. I am watching FOX and the parade of "experts" decrying everything from video games to weapons, and NOT ONE looks to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, a discarded sense of morality and values, It's the other persons fault or it's the Video games fault, or the gun's fault. WE AS A NATION have knuckled under to the small but vocal group taking God out of every part of our lives. From removing evidences of Christ from the "holidays" to Taking God from schools. It's time, NOW, to take back from these small minded people, the spirit of ther Holidays, Put back Prayer in schools, the Ten Commandments in courtrooms. bring back that semse of morality. ,

moonchild7 5 months ago

Another very, very sad day in America. Trying to "fix" a disturbed mind that is filled with HATE and ANGER is not an easy thing to do. It's so difficult to help that kind of person but it's obvious that a lot of people knew about this guy, his family and the family's situation. Have no idea what sort of "HELP" the Mom was attempting to get for her son (if any) but the tragedy of course is that whatever was attempted, this guy was totally unaffected by it. So sad, that more of those people who knew the family weren't able or weren't willing to really get him and the Mom better help. I was really taken aback though when it came to the "fact" that the guns were owned by the Mom's. If that's true, then the Mental Health of both must be called into question and what was really going on in that house. Who would even want to own such powerfull weaponry? The tv news said that there had only been one murder in that area in the last ten years. It's a VERY safe place to live. I have many family members who live there and NONE of them own a gun. My sister has always given me "heck" about the fact that I own a gun, she used to tell me how more "Civilized" the people in CT were because guns were very restricted there. We of course here in the SOUTH have been considered "Neanderthals" by the people in the NorthEast. I won't tell you about the brisk conversation's we've had in the past two days. My nephew and his wife who have two small daughters and live in a nearby town had close friends with children in Sandy Hook Elementary. They were okay. But here we are today, a few days after another HORROR of KILLINGS, the worst I think because they were mostly small children and were murdered so SAVAGELY. Yukonjohn and others, here's what we know: Fighting off Monarchial Tyranny was one thing for our Forefathers and the Patriots. They were smart to write into our Constitution a Second Amendment...but it has been taken to the EXTREMES and we must now bring sanity back to the situation. Bring on the NEW GUN LAWS and bring them now. We will not always be able to foresee what a very disturbed person might do but we can control the weaponry that they might want to use to a sickening effect. "So sorry for your family Mr. Dunn, my condolences.

jj585 5 months ago

Crazy people will get weapons and do harm no matter what. Better to have an armed school resource officer. Guns were designed to kill. The type of gun you buy does not come with a label of protection or mass murder. How the tool is used is based on the person wielding it. 22 kids got children stabbed in China the same day. They don't have guns. Outlaw knives now? Then what? Outlaw holding your hand in a fist? Isn't coughing on someone bio-terrorism? We should outlaw that too. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/world/asia/man-stabs-22-children-in-china.html?_r=0

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Drunk drivers kill innocent people, should we ban cars? People are killed all the time with knives, should we ban knives?

No, but we have regulations, licensing, and educational requirements for driving, and limits on how big a knife you can carry.

forourkids 5 months ago

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who have been touched in more ways than one with this recent tragedy. My question as a Moore County resident is..."Who's to say it will never happen here"? We have issues in our school every day that are often brushed under the table because we do not want to ruin a child's record or it was classified as a joke. What happened to zero tolerance and the need to be vigilant? We should put the accountability back on the students and those adults involved with them. If a child threatens to hurt another student with any weapon or bullies them in any way...stop babying them and make them realize the severity of their actions. The accountability is not there not even in our own school system where many of us send our children everyday. Think about how close one of our schools is to a prison for goodness sakes. Zero Tolerance means Zero Tolerance.....go back to teaching a lesson by really teaching a child what happens when you make a horrendous statement or threaten someone! If they were held accountable, maybe, just maybe it would make someone else think. BTW drugs are illegal and they can be found by anyone who wants them, yes even in our quaint community. Gun control not necessarily the answer, if the want them they will get them, yes even in our quaint little community.

skylinefirepest 5 months ago

Thank you, DR, as a gun owner you do have some common sense. Now to answer a few of the questions...guns are tools and different jobs require different tools. Semi-auto firearms are the choice of most people today simply because we don't have to stop and re-load every six shots. If you or your family is being threatened then how many shots might you WANT to have available to you? Honest answers please since spuws chose simply to spout more trash rather than have a discussion. Mr. Russell and I have already hit this subject at length and we simply don't agree...he says he can protect his family with his bare hands, if necessary, so I'm presuming he doesn't have arthritis in his fingers, as I do. Simply put firearms save lives...don't take my word for it, check it out! I happen to know several people that think they can protect their families without using a firearm...they don't KNOW they can since they've never had to...they THINK they can. I also know a few people that USED to think that way until they were seriously threatened...they now think as I do. A good sized group of you think that you will have time to call the police and that they will come screaming around the corner and save you?? Ask any policeman how foolish that is! Coffecreme, I have all the sympathy in the world, more than you can imagine, for these families...but the anti gun, non thinking, idiots hit the airwaves almost within seconds calling for more gun control, without the slightest idea of what laws are already in place, without knowing what it takes to purchase a firearms in this country, and without a clue what they want except "more gun control". Threekids, I would harm no one...unless they were threatening me, my family, or my country. Pinewood, guns have evolved just like everything else has...these are not "military style weapons" , they are simply tools used for different purposes...for hunting a few shot capability, for targets a single shot, for self protection I want one with as many rounds as I can get. As I have said before, if you don't like guns then by all means don't buy one...but don't tell me what I can or can't have...as long as I am a law abiding citizen it's simply none of your business!!

packwilleat 5 months ago

I totally agree with forourkids. We need to bring back morality to the class room. That violence of any manner will not be tolerated. Zero Tolerance all the way. But then again it's hard to teach our youth morality when the adults have none to express.

jj585 5 months ago

If those children were shot at and wounded the reaction would be the same. Regulations are generally the after-the-fact reaction to irresponsible, negligent, or ignorant behavior. The problem is, the folks who think that more regulation is the answer seem to think that the government regulators are benevolent gods who themselves never make mistakes, are not subject to greed, corruption, political influence, negligence, incompetence, etc.

packwilleat 5 months ago

Jj585 ~ exactly. No matter how many times history proves them wrong they still believe "if we just elect the right person......"

TSG 5 months ago

A tragic occurrence to be sure. Praying for those killed, injured, and their families isn't just the least we can do, it's all we can do. Referring to the 2nd amendment as outdated displays a less than perfect understanding of the Founders' intentions. That document may not be sacrosanct, but it certainly isn't ambiguous either. Mechanisms for change are clearly outlined, and represent the only and most logical steps needed to change the will of the majority, thus changing our nations positions. Using a police state like China as a shining example of rational gun policy should immediately disqualify that person from expressing any more thoughts on this matter. A thorough expression of that level of ignorance would take up a great deal of time, and probably to no avail. The NRA is powerful, but also remember the mental health lobby fought vehemently against severe limitations focused on those they represent. As for supper, the media doesn't focus on inner city violence, because inner city news outlets do that. If the networks made that violence a coverage priority, there wouldn't be time for much else.

packwilleat 5 months ago

"They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?"

– Paul Harvey 8/31/94

geoffcutler 5 months ago

Seems like it's time to direct our attentions toward what might be going wrong in our culture that would lead a 20 year old to kill his mother and innocent children. Guns have been around forever, but have these types of tragedies?

jj585 5 months ago

The problem we face when such an event occurs is that we know the man who did the deed but not the names of the people killed. Eric and Dillon were names that people remembered from the Coulmbine shooting yet they were the ones doing the deed. This instance we had on Friday was "The 2nd worst" school shooting we have had. Aren't they both equally heinous? Some idiot is going to get whatever weapon they can get their hands on and try to beat the "high score" Doesn't matter if it is a gun, knife, homemade bomb, etc. The people that do these things shouldn't get the publicity. This isn't an event to portray one political view or another. All this portrayal of this event did was light the fire for someone to top the next time they snap and have a bad day. Let's just forget this man's name and remember at least one of the victims.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Semi-auto firearms are the choice of most people today simply because we don't have to stop and re-load every six shots.

Problem with the semiauto for home defense is the very real possibility of the bullet going through the target (or a miss going through a wall) and hitting an innocent person. Use a shotgun. Puts the intruder down and the pellets stay in him. And if you need more than six to put an intruder down, you're dealing with some kind of werewolf and you should probably be running away anyway.

Thatcher 5 months ago

Based upon the posts here, it is obvious that feelings are intense on both sides. If you want some real perspective, read this column, "I Am Adam Lanza's Mother." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother-mental-illness-conversation_n_2311009.html. This horrific event has less to due with guns, nothing to due with race, and everything to do with mental illness. Give it a read, and give it some thought before reposting here. Cheers.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A shooting has been reported in the parking lot of Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Police said “at least 60 rounds” were fired outside the Macy’s. The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Marcus Gurrola. Police said the man lives in his car. Michele Gile, CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter, said when Gurrola was taken into custody, he reportedly told police he “was unhappy with life.”

CEDAR LAKE, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana man who allegedly threatened to “kill as many people as he could” at an elementary school near his home was arrested by officers who later found 47 guns and ammunition hidden throughout his home. Von. I. Meyer, 60, of Cedar Lake, was arrested Saturday after prosecutors filed formal charges of felony intimidation, domestic battery and resisting law enforcement against him. He was being held Sunday without bond at the Lake County Jail, pending an initial hearing on the charges, police said in a statement. Cedar Lake Police officers were called to Meyer’s home early Friday after he allegedly threatened to set his wife on fire once she fell asleep, the statement said. Meyer also threatened to enter nearby Jane Ball Elementary School “and kill as many people as he could before police could stop him,” the statement said. Meyer’s home is less than 1,000 feet from the school and linked to it by trails and paths through a wooded area, police said. ~snip~ Officers searched the home, finding 47 guns and ammunition worth more than $100,000 hidden throughout the home. Many of the weapons were collector’s guns.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A man opened fire early Saturday at a hospital in Alabama, wounding a police officer and two employees before being shot and killed by another officer, authorities said. Police were sent to St. Vincent's Hospital around 4 a.m. to check on a report of an armed man inside the facility. Two officers who arrived separately converged on the suspect on the hospital's fifth floor. "When the officer encountered the suspect, there was immediate gunfire from the suspect," Birmingham Police Sgt. Johnny Williams said. One police officer and two hospital employees who happened to be in the area were wounded. A second officer shot back, mortally wounding the suspect. Williams said detectives were still trying to determine Saturday why the armed man was in the hospital. Authorities did not immediately release the names of the assailant or the victims.

It's like a damn epidemic.

OldPilot 5 months ago

For all the folks screaming at each other in this blog suggest you read "Our 'Gun Culture": How Many Deaths Will It Take?" by Gordon White in The Pilot, today, Sunday, December 16, 2012.

jj585 5 months ago

southernpinesupperwestside no one cares about the shooter. He's dead as he should be. No one cares about his name, his color, his upper-middle-lower class, He was an idiot with a gun and he's dead. End of story. Just like all the other idiots out there except this one was armed. Now he is dead. No need to put him on a pedestal. Are you serious or just trolling?

moonchild7 5 months ago

People want answers they say. I think the first question should be, ":Why was a 20 yr old MAN who was perhaps addicted to computers and gaming, living with his 52 yr old mother who was perhaps addicted to guns?" That's a start and I'll say it SPUWS, these YOUNG DISTURBED WHITE BOYS seem to be getting a pass on alot of things. My sister has lived in the same neighborhood in southwestern CT for over 50 yrs now and a lot of her neighbors have been there for just as long. In this supposed idyllic place (which really has a minimal amount of crime) the list of Physical, Mental and Emotional "maladies" would astound anyone. Not sure about the causes other than everyone in the neighborhood has had some really awful experiences, who hasn't? But here's the difference. This area is VERY VERY wealthy and they like to keep these things under wraps. I didn't read anything about this one. A little over 3 weeks ago my sister told me about the murder-suicide of two local brothers. The wealthy family had a family business but the father "trusted" the one son more than the other and gave him the CEO position, while keeping the other son as just a paid employee. So the "lesser" son went to the business and shot and killed his brother and then drove to the home of his mother and shot himself right in front of her. Two sons dead . Why? Why did this happen? It's quite competiive up there and the LOVE of MONEY and POWER is sickening. I've talked about these things before. Some of the answers are simple, while others are not. But I would say it comes down to perhaps a few. Hate, Hypocricy, Jealousy, Greed, Stridency, The rich and poor alike suffer from these maladies of course, you would think though that persons like this mother and son who could "afford" mental health help would have been getting it. Apparently not, or more importantly if they were, they were definately LYING to their Counselors. Society though gives them a pass because of their "wealth" while the young men in the cities are put away in jail for doing much less. Hypocricy and lying is really making our country a spectacle of disgrace.

dEYMORIN 5 months ago

The question has been asked what has changed in the last 20-30. I think that is a very good question, here is something I think points to, if not outright illustrates a major change.

http://www.cchrint.org/school-shooters/

I think the rampant and irresponsible use of pyscho theraputic drugs is the most underrated problem we have today. The people on this list were not undiagnosed but at one point under care, care that apparently was ineffective. These people were not capable of anything but moral turpitude, they suffered from things that made making basic morale decision at the very least difficult. Discontinued use of these drugs, once started, or even a miscalculation of dosage can make correct morale decisions almost impossible, even in people with a good morale base. If these people had at the time of the incidents that they were involved in a capacity for right and wrong, the guns they posessed would have been left to there own devices and indeed would not been in the hands of those that would misuse them. Turning a situation like this into a reason to bash those that do not have the same politics as you, and continue to ignore the reasons for these tragedies,regardless of what you believe, places the blood of the victims squarely on your own hands.

Thatcher 5 months ago

"Are you serious or just trolling?" Both. He's a serious racist who is trolling. Sad.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Actually, SPUWS asks a fair question. Before the Pilot did away with comments on local arrest stories, every story where the mugshot was of a young African American man drew a lot of racial comments that I'm sure some of the mouth breathers thought were clever. Especially if he was described as wearing a hoodie. Let a white guy murder 26 people, and the usual idiots are so quiet you can hear the crickets chirping.

And before you all get your panties in a wad and start bleating in the usual faked outrage, that's a comment on the pervasive racism on the boards, not the shooting,.

packwilleat 5 months ago

Dusty and SPUWS ~ if it was one of your kids that were murdered in one of these incidents, I don't think you would care what color the shooter was. Stop trying to use these horrible tragedies to push your made up racial bs agenda. Innocent kids died you low life douchebags. Your moral compass is so far out of line that you're almost on the same page as the mass murdering nut jobs. Congratulations on a new low.

Thatcher 5 months ago

"Let a white guy murder 26 people, and the usual idiots are so quiet you can hear the crickets chirping." Your worst post in months. The "usual idiots," as you describe them, are all posting on this topic. Second, the killer's race is irrelevant, except to those who view every tragedy through the prism of race. But you knew that. Cheers!

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Pack, maybe you'd be more comfortable with the other Neo-Nazis at Stormfront.org. They hate the gummint as much as you do.

Thatcher: so you admit your fellow commenters are idiots? Progress...

packwilleat 5 months ago

Dusty and SPUWS ~ all jokes and wise cracks aside, the two of you are the most despicable pieces of human excrement to grace this site. Regardless of how you view things innocent Americans died, not only just Americans.................... children.

Thatcher 5 months ago

southernpinesupperwestside-- I'm not angry with you, and I have no hate or rage towards you. Your posts are simply sad. And that's about it. Cheers!

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

When you throw a rock at a pack of dogs, the one who yelps loudest is the one you hit. When you mention racism on a message board, the anonymous cowards who scream the loudest reveal themselves as the racist punks they are. There's a reason the KKK wears hoods...they need the anonymity. Like Pack.

packwilleat 5 months ago

SPUWS ~ the whities are called things like psychopaths, goth, satan worshipers, racist, Nazi(what Dusty just called me), freaks, white trash, trailor trash, red necks, bible thumpers, klan members, nra supporters, gun lovers, "patriots"................ any more??

Thatcher 5 months ago

You are not mentioning racism, DR, you are promoting it. Cheers!

packwilleat 5 months ago

Dusty ~ if I looked like you, I'd wear a hood everyday. ;-)

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Highly significant, isn't it, that neither I nor SPUWS mentioned Pack at all when we commented about racism here. Yet he's the one who got the most furious, enraged, and defensive.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Interesting article here about why Nancy Lanza kept the weapons that were used to kill her in her house. She was apparently one of those people who was convinced that everything was about to collapse.

“Last time we visited with her in person we talked about prepping and you know, are you ready for what can happen down the line when the economy collapses,” said the gunman’s aunt, Marsha Lanza.

Sounds like some of the commenters here.

Now let's see who screams loudest about THAT.

Thatcher 5 months ago

Nancy Lanza was shot in the face multiple times and killed by her mentally ill son. Yet you feel the need, now, to speculate about her political beliefs. Your post was disgusting and gross.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

you are a damn loser and a hypocrite!

Remember that Pack loves to rail about how all government is slavery and how all taxation is theft...yet he admits he has an unspecified government job funded by taxpayers. He has to stay anonymous because he's terrified of losing his place at the government teat and actually having to live according to his professed beliefs.

When you point this out, he doesn't even try to defend the contradiction, but instead falls back on a bunch of lame insults he wouldn't have the balls to use under his real name, much less say in person.

He's normally too ridiculous to even respond to, but he's chosen to get all pissy about posts that didn't even mention him, so he's fair game until I get bored with poking him and watching him scream like an enraged chimp.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

I'm not speculating about anything, Thatcher, I'm sharing an actual quote from one of her relatives.

Sorry the facts don't fit your narrative.

You're trying to replace Preacher Geoff as the Board Nanny, aren't you?

packwilleat 5 months ago

Dusty ~ I'm honestly tired of you treating people like s*#t. Your comment was to everyone who is not a Liberal and you very well know it. Most will duck and hide or ignore your bullying and insults, but not this guy. You're attacking innocent human beings that have the right to voice their opinion, that my friend makes you no different than your boy Lanza.

Thatcher 5 months ago

Geoff doesn't need replacing...he's still here and doing well. I don't have a narrative. A mentally ill man killed both of his parents, then killed an entire classroom. With this, you look for a narrative. No one is suprised.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

Most will duck and hide or ignore your bullying and insults, but not this guy.

Pretty hilarious from someone hiding behind an alias.

jj585 5 months ago

spuws Maybe because all the "young black men of better and more positive character" are too busy posting on their local newspaper to do interviews.

packwilleat 5 months ago

I have enough bosses to answer to. If I told you what I did, you'd be another one of them. I answer to the public on a daily basis. I get to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly everyday I show up. But like I've said before, you should be glad to have me protecting your tax dollars from going down the drain. Which way do you want it?? I'm fighting to keep millions of your tax dollars out of needless projects and development that is against the public's interest. If I let the powers that be have their way we'd be in a much deeper hole than we are now.

moonchild7 5 months ago

What has to be asked is could anything have been done that could have PREVENTED this HORROR. It seems to me that this families "situation" was known by many people. While only a very very small number of persons act out in such a horrible way, who knows if a lot of tragic actions are prevented by correct medications and good counseling. Yes, I'm going to say it...All We Need is Love. The divisions and hate that permeate the world must be curtailed. That mother and son in CT were apparently left alone by family, friends and neighbors to ultimately have their minds descend into deep swirls of depression, and paranoia. We must help each other more no matter where; The Inner Cities, the rich suburbs, the wild west and the poor, poor south. Hypocricy and racism are a big part of the problem in America. Grow up.

dustyrhoades 5 months ago

What a big brave hero you are, Pack, safeguarding the public behind the protection of your secret identity. You're just like Batman.

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! What a joke. You're a fraud, Pack, and a coward on top of it. And I'll say what I damn well please to you, and to anyone else, because you won't do a thing about it but fume and fuss anonymously on a message board.

packwilleat 5 months ago

Moon ~ that's the problem today. Too many people are scared to socialize with their neighbors. My wife and I easily come off as the nicest couple around when we are out and about. I come home and rake the leaves in the front yard, and my neighbors will not even acknowledge me when I say "Hi, how are you today?" Sure I'm 30 living amongst retires, but come on.... I have a polo shirt on and khaki shorts and a Titleist ball cap. I'm far from what anyone would consider a threat. When we moved in some 5-6 years ago, did we get any welcome? Nope! We got a $50 fine for having a moving trailer parked in our drive way on the second day. What are people so scared about? So much has changed from what I remember as a child, it truly breaks my heart. A buddy of mine stopped by some months ago on a weekend, unannounced, knocked on my door, when I opened it all he said was "do people do this anymore?" All I could reply was "no, but they should".

Residents Gather for Candlelight Vigil to Remember Connecticut Shooting Victims

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