First of all, thanks Purp, you caught every one of the most important words in my post. I meant every word I said when I mentioned that it could have been any of us. We are all really special people here at the boards and it grieves me to think a single one of us might have been lost so senselessly. That so many people were lost so horribly still wrenches my heart daily.
I will reserve my love and compassion for people like you who for the very most part earn it with such routine dedication to truth and decency.
As Veb mentioned, what we carry forward from this experience is very important. It must most certainly contain love and compassion, without it we are doomed as a race. But like the love a lioness has for her cubs, we must protect our own fiercely and without hesitation. Compassion is something that must not be squandered thoughtlessly. Our country is the most compassionate on earth, giving to so many in times of war, peace or disaster. There are times when this nation needs to reserve some of that compassion for itself. This is one of those times.
Towards that end I propose we all try to be a bit more appreciative of each other and how rare it is to find such a collection of good souls all in one place. The light we can shed is tremendous. I just happen to feel rather strongly about having violence dim that light by even one single bit. I have had images graven into my mind that I will never be able to shed. I did not ask for them and neither did any of you. I’ll leave it at that.
Scotti, I hope you know me well enough just by the beautiful musical pieces that I have sent to you whereby you also know to count upon me to care. I have never met so many people as I have here that are so easy to respect. My words have been mentioned and responded to in this thread so I wanted to reply without ranting quite so much as I usually do.