Obama at Newtown vigil: US ‘will have to change’
“Can we say that we’re truly doing enough to give all the children of this country the chance they deserve to live out their lives in happiness and with purpose? I’ve been reflecting on this the last few days,” Obama said, somber and steady as some in the audience wept.
“If we’re honest without ourselves, the answer is no. And we will have to change.”
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Yes, but how?
We struggle to make sense of inhuman acts such as the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. In our country, this theme has become all too familiar….but such young children?! How? Why?
In the coming days, we’ll learn more about the life and final moments of the young man capable of pulling the trigger. Mental health expers will weigh in on the effects of nature and nurture. People will debate the role of guns, violent videos and other media. Politicians will propose systemic changes. Hopefully these sweet young faces will spur us into actions which will make a difference.
As I mother, I struggle to understand or even to watch the news unfold. I am certain of one thing however. Such an act. Requires. Zero. Empathy. http://www.amazon.com/The-Science-Evil-Empathy-Origins/dp/0465031420/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355737343&sr=8-1&keywords=science+of+evil
We need to understand how this young man got to that point of “zero negative empathy” and what role our society plays in creating and enabling such severe empathy deficits. This is the hard, honest work we must do to make our country worthy of the memory of these children.
God bless them and their families. God help us.
