Are We Serious?

A break from the workout numbers today. I feel the need to vent. And doing so on Facebook is only going to do two things. 1) Piss off half my friend's list, and 2) Make me even more annoyed. So Blogger it is! And those that can find it, can read it, and argue with me on here. The list is much shorter, so there won't be so many people to fight off.
So by now, we are all aware of the horrible shooting in Connecticut yesterday morning (were you also aware that in China yesterday, some crazy wielding a knife attacked 22 children and an elderly woman?). There are two things, in particular, going around on Facebook today that are just pissing me off to no end. The first, gun control, either pro or against. And the second, some form of bad things happen in schools because God isn't allowed in schools.
I cannot believe that so many people are using this to push their agenda. It's been a fsking DAY, people. How freaking callous can you be? Let these poor families mourn before you start spewing from the mouth. Just have some freaking respect.
Let's start with the guns. You cannot take away people's rights to own a gun. Making them illegal isn't going to stop the bad guys from getting guns. And what you'll have, is a bunch of unarmed citizens who can't protect themselves if the event arises. I'm not saying every Joe Smith should be able to get an automatic weapon (and from what little I've investigated, the rules on getting those weapons are pretty strict--though, I haven't done enough research to say with certainty that I believe that 100%. And the last thing I need right now is someone in a black suit knocking on my door because I was Googling about getting automatic weapons). I mean, think about it. Drugs are illegal. Does that stop people? Law abiding citizens, yes. But the people that don't care? Hell no. People need to be careful with their firearms. Take precautions. Lock them up. But, the government doesn't need to take them away from them. And arming teachers? A little extreme.
Next, the God in school thing. This one... I just don't even know where to start. How does this even make sense, in this particular circumstance? It seems like an entirely different argument completely. Allowing God in school won't stop these things. Better security measures will prevent these tragedies. No visitors outside the office. Metal detectors at the doors. Let's take some of the budget and secure our schools! Our children shouldn't be afraid to go to school. Our parents shouldn't be afraid to send them.
And, before I get any hate, I am not Christian, but I have no problem with allowing God in schools--to an extent. Pledge of Allegiance? Cool with me. Allowing a moment for silent prayer? Fine with me (if your kid doesn't pray, they can just be respectful and stay silent for a few moments). Allowing kids to carry their Bible with them (or whatever holy book they may have)? Absolutely! Allowing for pre and after school prayer groups/Bible study? Go for it! The only problem I have with it, and it's not for the reason you might think, is teaching it in class. I don't think a religious class in a high school setting is a big deal, because high schoolers aren't going to be influenced as easily. I wouldn't want someone teaching something like that to my elementary student. I feel like that is my job, as the parent. And then you run into being fair. I know from experience, that there has to be so many students signing up for a class to happen (which is why I got suckered in AP Calculus my senior year). So, if there are only 4 or 5 Jewish kids, they won't have enough to offer the class. Whereas, you know there will be enough Christian students. So, there would have to be something more like a World Religion class, where they just learn about the different religions of the world. Honestly, this idea I like. Knowledge leads to less ignorance, and that is always a good thing.
Anyway.
I know I just went and threw my opinions out there, after bitching that others were. I'm not doing so in the same fashion, though. I have no agenda. I am just, utterly heartbroken for all those families. No one should be planning their babies funeral this close to Christmas, especially because of an event like this. 
And for the love of all that is good, can we please, PLEASE focus on the victims. Don't immortalize this piece of scum that took their lives. Mr. Morgan Freeman said it best:

"You want to know why. This may sound cynical, but here's why.

It's because of the way the media reports it. Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single victim of Columbine? Distur

bed people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he'll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody.

CNN's article says that if the body count "holds up", this will rank as the second deadliest shooting behind Virginia Tech, as if statistics somehow make one shooting worse than another. Then they post a video interview of third-graders for all the details of what they saw and heard while the shootings were happening. Fox News has plastered the killer's face on all their reports for hours. Any articles or news stories yet that focus on the victims and ignore the killer's identity? None that I've seen yet. Because they don't sell. So congratulations, sensationalist media, you've just lit the fire for someone to top this and knock off a day care center or a maternity ward next.

You can help by forgetting you ever read this man's name, and remembering the name of at least one victim. You can help by donating to mental health research instead of pointing to gun control as the problem."

(Update: Haha, internet. You got me. Above quote is not by Mr. Freeman, but that doesn't change the truth I feel is behind it.)