Amish shooting -- grieving for someone I did not know?

It is really a shame what happened in Landcaster, but you are ashamed to be an American because of it? Violence is everywhere in this world... and has been a part of life since human existance... If anything, we should be ashamed of the human race, but where does that get us?

It pissed me off and greatly disturbed me also and I am nowhere near Pennsylvania. It's not about where you live because that was the worst kind of tragedy. With the dangerous public schools I thought that Amish schools were the only safe ones now. But not anymore. Some Non Amish sicko son of the devil goes in the school and murders these innocent little school girls who didn't do a thing to him. The Amish are the most peaceful people on earth who stay in their own world and dont bother anyone how could anyone go murder Amish children? I was sooo upset about that. There's so much bad stuff going on everyday that it's hard to be shocked by anything because we are all desenstized by it.

You know long ago in rural area kids would go hunting and then bring their rifles to school. Schools actually had gun racks and with all the guns there were no school shootings. But the culture/society has changed so much that now schools have metal detectors and security guards and there are still school shootings. Just this year there have been so many school shootings I lost count. I think there were 4 or 5 just this month.

Our country has a horrible problem and it's only getting worse. Now every sicko out there will want to be a copycat and they will go to any school, kill who they can then kill themselves. Its like a sick fad now.

I understand where you are coming from, everything just seems so surreal when you see all these shootings on TV. I cannot comprehend why anyone would do this sort of thing. What is happening to our world, I hardly ever want to watch the news anymore because the stories often leave me feeling disturbed, frightened and helpless. I don't really know what I could say to you to make you feel better, all I know is that we are all human and in this together. I wish people would remember this before they go and take the lives of others. Also, it is good of you to try and help the Amish, I think we should all do something, even if we just pray for the little girls who died and their families.

I understand your Upset on this I to also feel for those Children I am so ashamed that American can be so hateful ... to people that have not done nothing to us ,I Would love to do something , All I can do right now is pray for the Families that were hurt by this those poor Girls ,I have girl there Age and I feel so much for the families , it a hard time for the Amish and the other Families that have had a school shooting it crazy it hard for me to send my kids off to school with out just a bit of concern for there Safe being !

All we can do is Pray , Pray for The Amish Families and for America that we will come back to that one Nation under God , like are four Fathers started this Country !

I don't think what you're feeling is odd. It's perfectly normal. That was a horrendous thing that happened to those children.

I am also from the area, so to have something like that happen there of all places really is shocking. I have always felt like it has to be one of the most innocent, beautiful, and peaceful places on Earth. This event shatters that feeling. The Amish are so peaceful that this would happen to them doesn't make sense. It really gives that reality check that it could happen anywhere. It takes away that sense of security, similar to the way I felt after 9/11, but on a smaller scale.

I know you're angry, but think of the police officers who were making their ways into the school house while being shot at to try and save the children. They were risking their lives. That's not worthless.

I have heard that they will accept donations of food, but the details of this I'm not sure of.

Pray for the victims. The children, the Amish, the shooter, the family of the shooter, the family of the victims. Just Pray. Or hope they will be okay; if no religion. But what that victim of one of the girls who lost two of her daughters said was so sad, but awesome. Dude the lady was like I forgive the man, and we, and the Amish community is united. Something like that. Maybe that is the key. I mean most of this from what I heard in my class is that these people are anomie from society. Well maybe we should unite as people together. Maybe if we help just one person a day. I mean it is hard. Everything is rush rush. I am like that to. Were not perfect. I am not perfect. But maybe if we help someone. Maybe we can add a little difference. An a difference is good.

Whoa!! Slow down before you talk yourself into an emotional dither!!

It's laudable that you identify so strongly with the victims of this awful crime, and shows that you are able to empathize with others. However, you've condemned an entire country because of a relatively isolated event.

The America you're describing is the one portrayed on the nightly news, not the one that exists in your own world. This was one man in a small town. There are 300,000,000 people in the USA, and most of us are neither murderers nor victims.

This kind of event has gone on ever since the planet birthed people. The reason it's overwhelming, however, is because it is so rare. If, in fact, this were really common, our natural defenses would have created an emotional shield to protect us. That's why after 2 years of war, we hear daily of deaths in Iraq without breaking down into tears.

Take some time to offer kindnesses, not just to Amish, but to other strangers in your community. The best way to breed a healthy society is to be as healthy and open as we can on our own.

It is a crazy story, one that cannot be justified in any way. The man was a sicko who had problems, at least he's not around anymore. I don't really agree 100% with the way the Amish live. In the article I read, it said that the families were refusing to fly in airplanes to the hospitals which slowed down the processes in the hospital and that there were no phones in the schoolhouse which also hindered help getting to them faster. In today's society there are some things that are just necessary to have for safety reasons. Anyways, the only thing I know to tell you to do to help grieve is to be supportive of the families. You can grieve even if you didn't know them personally. Your sympathy and support is more than enough. Send cards or flowers or something.

J

I don't think it sounds odd to grieve for those kids. I visit the area a few times each year and see the Amish as really happy and content people. To have their children taken away for no reason is something ANY of us could grieve. I'm not ashamed though of America or Americans because of this. Yes the shooter was an American but he does not represent me or my country. There is no comfort or help we can give this poor community but I think a show of support would be nice. Maybe just sending a card or note to their church office would be appropriate.

"I also feel like our police are worthless until after the fact.", well in my opinion they are pretty useless AFTER the fact as well.

MDS and MCC offer

support to Amish community

in wake of shooting.

Card / Letters:

Bart Township Fire Co.

P.O. Box 72

11 Furnace Road

Bart, PA 17503

Additional Support Options:

Nickel Mine School Victims Fund

c/o Hometown Heritage Bank

P.O. Box 337

Strasburg, PA 17579

Nickel Mines Children's Fund

Coatesville Savings Bank

1082 Georgetown Road

Paradise, PA 17562

Robert's Family Fund

Coatesville Savings Bank

1082 Georgetown Road

Paradise, PA 17562

I only found out about it today. I was dropping my daughter off at school, and the proncipal made an announcement. Y'know, I love my home, I miss my family, but I'm glad I'm not there now. I just don't understand how someone could walk in and kill innocent children... and worse, feel he was justified by some incident 20 years ago. I know my kids are safe here, but still I had a hard time leaving her there today. I care about my country, but I care about my kids more, I don't want to come back until my kids have graduated.