Even in Nebraska

[Paisley]

While I and a lot of other folks agree with you on that detail, let's not let this get into detailed woulda/shoulda/coulda's. If there are Loungers for whom this sort of thing makes them think about changes they can make in their own life safety-wise, they should feel free to PM any one of us on the Lounge who have knowledge of this sort of thing.

What we should focus on is that this sort of thing IS uncommon, and in fact really is not much more common than it has ever been in this country. What has changed is information technology, live television and the internet provide an immediacy and detail to stories from thousands of miles away that was lacking when folks previously had to rely on what may or may not have been reported days later in the much less detailed local printed press.

What is best and healthiest to take away from this sort of tragedy, whether due to a natural disaster or the evil acts of men, is not despair or phobia but rather a conscious realization that life is never safe and controlled and guaranteed. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to live our lives in the now and make sure we show those we care for how much they mean to us every day.

Any other steps we may take are secondary to that.

Well said. While shootings are frightening and horrible, we're all far more likely to die early due to unhealthy lifestyle choices or a car wreck.

 

[deadpandiva]

I hope everyone found there friends and relatives to be safe and unharmed. I despise the time that this person made me worry until I reached those I knew. I did find out that one of my aunt's friends is among the women who were killed. I don't think I will ever understand what the fascination with fame is - that one would destroy so many things around them for their moment in people's memories. I would rather lead a quiet, good life with a few freinds and relatives that remember me as a good person than many remembering me as an animal. So very sad.

I'm glad your relatives are okay and very sorry to here about your Aunt's friend.

 

[AmateisGal]

I hope everyone found there friends and relatives to be safe and unharmed. I despise the time that this person made me worry until I reached those I knew. I did find out that one of my aunt's friends is among the women who were killed. I don't think I will ever understand what the fascination with fame is - that one would destroy so many things around them for their moment in people's memories. I would rather lead a quiet, good life with a few freinds and relatives that remember me as a good person than many remembering me as an animal. So very sad.

I'm so glad your friends and family are ok - and very sorry to hear about your aunt's friend.

I watched the live press conference where they released the victims' names. Most of the victims were employees of the store - Von Maur. Flags will be flown at half-mast from today through Sunday in the state of Nebraska.

I personally refuse to give that monster any satisfaction of fame - he will remain nameless on my blog and his picture will not appear anywhere on it.

Last night I wasn't ready to go to sleep yet, the day's events still too fresh and too, well, close. It just affects you differently when it happens so close to you. I've been to Omaha numerous times (though I don't think I've ever been to that mall) and it only takes me 30 minutes to get there from here.

But I was astonished at how the news coverage differed per network - the picture of the monster was posted on CNN before it ever appeared on the Omaha websites. If it was me, I would never have released his picture - that's exactly what he wanted and it's what he got.

Life is truly precious - we never know when it will be taken from us. Hold those you love and like close to you today and every day.