Friday, May 30, 2014

Not One More

 
 
photo via Pinterest
 
It's a Sweet Place this little Blogging Community, isn't it?
It is so nice to have Kindred Spirits as we navigate our way through a Life that is Full of Silliness and Joy and Sadness and Beauty.
I have been trying to put together a fluffy little blog post.
I have been trying to comment on your brilliant posts.
But I cannot until I get this off my chest.
This happened: 
 Click HERE to read about the deadly rampage at the University of California Santa Barbara.
This is my daughter's college. She was not there that day.
It does not matter Where this happened. It happened. And it keeps on happening.
Our Hearts are Breaking.
Please watch this heart wrenching video of the father of one of the shooting victims by clicking HERE.
Obviously there as an issue of mental health that needs to be addressed.
But the sad wretched killer with a documented history of mental illness was allowed to LEGALLY purchase guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Let's take a Deep Breath.
If you feel as frustrated and angry and sad and helpless as I do
Here are some resources for you:
Every Town for Gun Safety click HERE
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence click HERE
 
Hundreds hold hands to form a circle in the Pacific Ocean for a memorial honoring victims of the Isla Vista rampage.
 
You can read more about this memorial service HERE if you'd like. 
 
 
PEACE

 


31 comments:

  1. Oh Connie, this is just terrible. As a Brit, I find the USA's gun laws incomprehensible. I cannot understand why some people fight so hard to retain the right to have a gun, when faced with seemingly endless tragedies like this one.
    I know how strongly you feel about this issue and you are right to post about it. That image of the human circle in the ocean is very poignant. Yes; surely we can imagine a better way.
    Sending much love. xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. As an American! these gun laws are incomprehensible. Thank you, my friend, for being so supportive. XXXXOOOO

    ReplyDelete
  3. Whenever these things happen I see people interviewed on the tv saying it's not the guns it's the people behind the guns! But if those people had no access to guns then surely ... surely the chances of these massacres occurring would be greatly if not totally reduced.
    Check out this video ... it's funny ... but does have a point
    http://youtu.be/9pOiOhxujsE
    Nobody should have to live in fear ... and you don't need a gun to feel safe ... you just need to know that nobody else has a gun.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Jo. Don't you just love John Oliver?? Now I remember seeing this. I've been so sad that I had forgotten about it. Thank you for reminding me. You Aussies!!! You are an awesome bunch!!

      Delete
  4. It's all about the guns, isn't it? Those poor girls, whether they were there or not, will never be the same. How tragic that we enable - yes, we, and yes, enable - those who are sad and angry to fulfill their darkest impulses so easily.

    Hug your daughter and help her feel safe again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda. My daughter, like her mother, is not scared. We are both very sad and completely pissed off!

      Delete
  5. Connie, what a beautiful post. These things do keep happening so often, it's easy to get numb, but when you have a personal connection it really jolts you. I cannot understand why stringent gun laws should be considered a breach of our normal freedoms. And I also don't understand why there seem to be so many mentally ill people who are able to get guns. There are restrictions on driving a car - why are there not enforced restrictions on guns? It's totally insane.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Connie,

    This is a very moving post.

    We are completely at a loss to know why, especially in the knowledge of such a vast waste of human life, that there continue to be people that think that guns are the answer rather than the problem. As in all of these dreadful events, one tends to become desensitised but when they have an impact personally then one really does get shaken to the core. But,what to do? The symbolic human chain is so endearing but it is, sadly, only a symbol. Actions here have to speak louder than words but how to start addressing this issue?

    Hold your daughter close.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know. Just a symbol. That is why I left the links. Americans can change a lot of these crazy laws at the voting booth and by getting involved with change. It's hard work but I am UP for it. Thank you for your support.

      Delete
  7. I just dont think i can express myself properly here...I am so sorry and it is such a sorry state of affairs. It seems such an incendiary topic and from an overseas point of view i dont understand this attachment at all costs mentality. I saw somewher that after the shoe bomber which was a failed attempt for some reason we take off our shoes at airports and yet guns have not budged one iota...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah. I feel soooooo much safer now that people are walking around airports barefoot and thirsty.

      Delete
  8. It is so terribly sad. I am thankful at least that your daughter was absent that day. How horrifying.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Connie, this was such terrible news, and thankfully your daughter is safe. I know a lot of people in the USA feel very strongly about the right to bear arms, the subject seems to create huge debate, surely at the very least the gun laws have to be made more stringent to protect people, the heartbreaking truth is this catastrophic act isn't isolated, and it will happen somewhere else, it's tragic that innocent people are at risk. I really do hope changes can be made, I really do. x x x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Sandra. Thank you. I really do think that most Americans are sensible. But there are those that feel unsafe because so many have guns so they feel that they need a gun to protect themselves from the people with guns. Totally warped logic.

      Delete
  10. I feel for you and the families affected by the tragic event. It is really scary what mental illness can do. There should really be some major action to solve mental illness and gun control. Stay safe to you and your family,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Something needs to be done ASAP. That is why I'm speaking out.

      Delete
  11. So very sad that this kind of thing still goes on and on. You have a lovely Blog and great photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry you had to meet me on such a sad occasion. :-(

      Delete
  12. Connie, when I heard the news, all I could do is pray. I knew of other parents who have their children at the university. Thankful your child was not a victim. I don't know what to say about this country. It seems to have turned its back on its people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Glenda. So happy to get a comment from another American that feels the same way I do. The best that we can do is to stay on this issue and all of the other important issues. It's so easy to live comfortably here in this country that a lot of people just hang out and let things take their course. I'm just not one of those people. Love you!!!

      Delete
  13. Oh what a horrendous tragedy and a terrible shock for you. I can't imagine how it felt to hear that news Connie. Thank goodness your daughter is safe. Yes, the key issue of accessibility to guns needs to be addressed properly. For me, the fewer people that have them the better, same with any weapon, the world has become such a scary place and each time something like this happens, it feels like it makes it easier to happen again. Mental health care is also a massive issue which needs better services and a more consistent approach. But that's the bigger stuff. Now's the time to hold your loved ones close. Xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely. Fewer guns. Fewer shootings. It's pretty simple math.

      Delete
  14. OMG!! I remember seeing this on our news, and feeling angry. Bloody guns!! So glad your daughter is alright, and you have a right to feel like you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeah. I am pissed off at so much thoughtlessness.

      Delete
  15. I get so frustrated at the number of Americans who protest that it is their right to own a gun when terrible events like this happen with such alarming regularity. When will these people see sense. My heart went out to that bereaved father who spoke so eloquently. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Vix. I think you know that even one of our friends is walking around with a little pink gun in her purse. I am so frustrated by this lack of common sense.

      Delete
  16. Why? What's the point? What does it achieve to make guns available for personal use? Totally and utterly pointless. I live about 50 miles from Dunblane which was affected by a Primary School shooting eleven years ago, and you know what, it has never, and will never recover. Devastating. Take care Connie, and you be angry, we all should be angry at this madness xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. It was really sad what happened...

    ReplyDelete
  18. I was just browsing your archives and was struck by this. It is a while back ,but so much of this continues to happen. I am bewildered by our gun laws here. I understand the broken politics behind them, but that they exist as they do, is beyond reason. I am glad you shared this. I was interested to read the international readers responses, too. I think it is importantl to share things like this, it can't always be about flowers and threads, after all. Much love,
    Elle
    http://www.mydailycostume.com

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...