1. This was written by an online friend of mine Tony Zanichkowsky and is well worth the read:

" There's already talk of eliminating schools and moving to a society where all children are taught at home, through internet or televised lessons.
People are reacting crazy over this. Nobody is going to seriously consider tearing down all the schools and eliminating teachers, so the government can educate millions of children using a relatively small handful of television teachers. The social aspect of school will be lost, and kids would be insulated from society...all out of fear.

We cannot allow domestic terrorists drive us into guilded cages any more than we would allow foreign terrorists to do so.

We cannot become a society of fear and start talking about tearing down our bricks and mortar schools, and keep our kids trapped inside their own houses, in a panicked effort to keep them safe from crazies.

I don't pretend to know what the answer is to tragic events like this, but I do know that fear and retreat are not options. Sure...we could use firing squads on these jerks, if they didn't chicken out and kill themselves first. But they always seem to evade capture and prosecution. And the left will always oppose their execution anyway.

Lets maintain out support and prayers for the families that have been devestated by this event, and others like it, but stop overreacting in our "solutions", by talking about imprisoning our children in their own homes, and turning ourselves into a society of victims...afraid to peer out at the sunshine, every time some antisocial butt wipe decides to go through the guard rails.

A fearful society is a controlled society. Controlled by government, or by criminals.

Fear and talk of retreating from life, will destroy us as a society, and drive us closer to being a community of mice.

I agree, Stacie, that we can't become consumed with finding influences to lay the blame on. Society or a bad upbringing did not cause this. A sick bastard caused this, just like the guy in China who attacked a school full of children with a knife yesterday.

We are never going to fix all of society's ills. We are incapable of forming a perfect union of people. We can't attempt to outlaw everything in the world. Bad people can get their hands on anything they want, and we are incapable of ridding society of bad people.

All we can do is support the victims of such incidents, and continue on...refusing to let miscreants turn us into a nation of frightened sheep.
That is the core definition of terrorism. Using fear to control a people."

Posted at 12:28PM on Dec 16th 2012 by Gilda

2. i think that home schooling seem's to right around the corner , as to what just,happen in sandyhook . or private scooling for all children , with securty .

Posted at 6:45PM on Dec 16th 2012 by pfrobbins419

3.
‎"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This is the Bible's definition of faith, but in the light of what happened in Newtown on Friday, faith takes on new meaning for the parents who lost a child. Faith is the thing you cling to as you try to understand why your baby is gone. Faith is what you cling to as you slowly realize that all of the dreams and hopes that you had for your baby ended in a blaze of gunfire from an emotionally disturbed young man. Faith is what you cling to as you pray that your child did not suffer, faith is what you cling to as you pray that your God did wrap his arms around them and took away the fear and horror of the moment as he welcomed them home. Faith is what you must cling to in the next few minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years as you try to hold on to your sanity and composure for your other children and family. There are no words to describe the pain you suffer when you lose a child. I know, I lost my son eight years ago and there are days the pain is so raw it feels like yesterday. My faith is the thing that gets me through the night, keep my sanity and keep on keeping on. My faith is the thing that helps me understand the tragedy and give me the strength to make it through each day.

Posted at 6:25AM on Dec 17th 2012 by Jessie Cunningham

4. Thanks for your great comments. Here is an interesting perspective from a very well known actor. I have to admit, I do agree with what he had to say. He commented on how the media reports such a terrible tragedy to the public. He commented that more people would remember the gunman's name than the kids and the teachers who were killed. He said we should focus MORE on the victims than trying find out more about why the criminal committed such a horrible crime against humanity. I assume by finding out why or what happened we might prevent this from happening again. Believe me I hope and pray it never does. Being supportive of the victim's families and the community on Newtown Connecticut, makes the most sense at this time.

Posted at 7:05PM on Dec 17th 2012 by Tony Burse

5. So, after the events in Newtown, do we still think that teachers should be working without contracts, and not getting decent pay???

Posted at 5:23PM on Dec 17th 2012 by shell5375

6. Having lost a child, there is a poem I'd like to pass on to your readers, maybe you could print it in your paper, it has brought me great comfort over the years, it's called "A Child of Mine" by Edgar Guest, it sounds as though as it was written for your beloved children and their teachers. My prayers are with you all at this most difficult of times, Cynthia West, Huron Ohio

Posted at 7:35PM on Dec 17th 2012 by cynthia west

7. I am offering free private grief counseling to the families of victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Please contact me. drgraceg@sensualmentality.com or you may speak with me on yahoo chat graceg1971a I am free to come to your home (like Dr. Hank does on Royal Pains) or you may come to me. I am in Trumbull. Please contact me for information. Dr Grace

Posted at 9:26PM on Dec 17th 2012 by graceg1971a

8. Servpro of Newtown and Southern Litchfield County is holding a School supplies drive for the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Although, staff and teachers have limited access to the old school for furniture and some supplies, they do need help in setting up Chalk Hill in Monroe for the survivors. We are asking the local community to help with the collection of school supplies for the children and also any other supplies the teachers may need. If anyone knows what the staff and teachers need specifically, please let us know. 203-743-5362 or servpro.8240@servproofnewtownslc.com.

https://www.facebook.com/SPOfNewtownSLC?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/463200713716287/

Posted at 9:33AM on Dec 18th 2012 by Servpro of Newtown

9. Thank you!

Posted at 9:40AM on Dec 18th 2012 by Servpro of Newtown

10. I’m so fed up with humanity right now.

Posted at 10:00AM on Dec 27th 2012 by laurie.tobin

11. I grew up in the surrounding community of Newtown CT and still have close contact with so many friends there. I know I feel helpless in determining what I can do to help but I came across this today and wanted to share with my New Jersey community because I know how well we come together in times of crisis as well. I’ve now been reaching out to the entire Patch community. If you can help that is wonderful and I am sure it will be so appreciated by the children and families of Newtown.

Once Upon A Child - Danbury, CT
“Let’s Give Sandy Hook School a Winter Wonderland”

We've been asked many times about how we might help our friends and neighbors in Newtown. We' d like to share this wonderful idea from the Sandy Hook PTA:

"Like our children, no two snowflakes are alike. We invite you to create snowflakes to decorate Sandy Hook School’s new home. Be creative! All colors and designs are welcome. We know that children will enjoy creating art that can adorn the walls of SHS’s new elementary school." ~Sandy Hook PTA & Connecticut PTSA

Please mail snowflakes to the address below by January 12, 2013:
Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

All the very best from our Once Upon a Child family,
~Diana

Posted at 7:52PM on Dec 18th 2012 by KerryEMcCann

12. There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe how grievous an act this nation has just witnessed. Sadly instead of looking inward and taking a good moral inventory as a nation we are trying to blame someone else. This issue is not about the method used in those killings but what has happened to the values America once held so dearly. We have lost our way. I can only hope we can find a modicum of what once made America great, and plant that seed for future generations.

Posted at 4:50PM on Dec 19th 2012 by Todd Ouellet

13. This Christmas we will be celebrating with all our family and friends...There will be 26 Families that will be missing their little angels, and loved one's from the horrible Sandy Hook School tragedy…Let’s get together and show them and their families by putting 26 candles in a circle in your front yard, window etc. on Christmas Eve to show their families that they are in our hearts and our circle of Love…Please pass this on to your family and friends to show your sympathy, with love to them…

Posted at 7:53AM on Dec 20th 2012 by Jill Harrington

14. This Christmas we will be celebrating with all our family and friends...There will be 26 Families that will be missing their little angels, and loved one's from the horrible Sandy Hook School tragedy…Let’s get together and show them and their families by putting 26 candles in a circle in your front yard, window etc. on Christmas Eve to show their families that they are in our hearts and our circle of Love…Please pass this on to your family and friends to show your sympathy, with love to them…

Posted at 7:54AM on Dec 20th 2012 by JHarrin458

15. Since last Friday, I wake up each day with my heart heavy and my mind on Newtown. The nation's heart is broken, and our prayers are for you. As an educator for 30 years, I am painfully aware of the increasing challenges our country faces and the onerous impact of those challenges in the classroom. When Columbine happened, the only place I discovered heartbreak and not shock was in the teacher's lounge. We had witnessed the effects of societal upheaval and have been crying out for support before and since. Will we finally stand together to reclaim our neighborhoods, our schools, indeed, our children?
Politicians often pontificate about seeking common ground, but our generation-long relinquishment of important factors to others must end now. Our systems are badly broken and our priorities amiss. Only we can decide how firmly we will unite for the sake of our friends and families. Let us join hands around this common ground-the very spirits of the women and little ones of Newtown who left us too soon. What is more important than that? Scripture says, "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." Luke 17:2
Do we have the will and sense of purpose to carry us through the rough road ahead? We MUST, in their names, because in the end, only love will remain.
I extend my apologies to those in your beautiful community who are bearing the brunt of our collective failure to respond powerfully to forces that have not had our best interests at heart. I pray Newtown will lead us on a better path. You did not ask for this mission. Nevertheless, it has come to you. You aren't alone. A enormous tide has shifted, and you will have the support of millions.

Posted at 10:15AM on Dec 20th 2012 by Gloria Bandy

16. Jill, I know your intentions are sincere. But what this family needs is the media to give them a break. Everytime someone creates yet another vigil it gives he media something to make spectacular again. Put up a candle and pray or meditate. Send gifts to them or any donations. But do it anonymously. As everyone should at this point. If you really care only you need know that, not the press. If this does not make sense then you would be doing it to shine light on your own goodness and that would be wrong.

Posted at 10:25AM on Dec 20th 2012 by Todd Ouellet

17.
Due to the recent events that took place in Newtown CT, I feel obligated to utilize my skills as a film and video producer to create a documentary titled "Bullying - An Epidemic Among Todays Youth..." Not that the devistation that Adam Lanza caused is justified, but I believe had he not have been bullied from the age of 5 until the age of 20, the massacre might not have taken place. Bullying has been the root to the Viginia Tech Shootings, The Movie Theater Massacre in Colorado, and many other teenage murders and suicides.

Kickstarter.com is a website where people like myself, who need funding to complete a project go and describe their project and if it seems important enough, or enough people know about it, it comes to life.

I created a project on Kickstarter.com to obtain funding so I can create a documentary with the focus on Bullying. I am asking you to please get the word out, not for me, but for all the kids who are being bullied, or who would be bullied in the future. Maybe this documentary can save many lives, if not at least one.

The suicide rates for teens because of bullying has tripled in the past 2 years due to cyber bullying. Now with computers, bullying is much easir to get away with.

Please check out this link to the projects page. --> http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/652097815/bullying-an-epidemic-among-todays-youth

Posted at 3:42PM on Dec 20th 2012 by Julian Lauria

18. Julian, the more we find excuses for what is wrong with this country the worst it will become. Until the term bullying became part of the medias vocabulary it was never the cause for this kind of violence. It is being used as a crutch for too many. Let us start bringing it home. Let's talk about a real issue, like poor parenting, and the social disfunction being caused by a loss of social skills due to technology.

Although I do disagree with you I wish you the best with your film endeavor.

If anyone agree please email me at: team2aseekonk@gmail.com

Todd Ouellet

Posted at 7:46PM on Dec 20th 2012 by team2aseekonk

19. A child's safety

Was reading that a state representaive from Oklahoma, Mark McCullough, has suggested that teachers carry guns during school hours.....my, my...what kind of thinking is that ???? Rather like airline passengers carrying guns in case there is a hijacking.............To enter a courtoom or an airline, one must go through a metal detector................one entrance in, and one enterance out...........

Emily L. McPadden, Brookfield, connecticut

Posted at 2:29AM on Dec 21st 2012 by mcmummins

20. Someone sent this to me and I cried when I read it, but it's sad but comforting!

Christmas Poem - A Must Read

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring those children all flew into the arms of their King and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, "Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, "in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Posted at 7:04PM on Dec 21st 2012 by COCO