What kind of world do we live in?

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Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:13 pm

As many of you know, there was yet another campus shooting yesterday. As of this morning 7 are dead and 15 were wounded. This one hit especially close to home for me as my ex-wife's nephew (I guess he was my nephew while we were married) is a student at NIU at was shot 6 times in the attack. By the grace of God, or whatever you believe in, he is expected to make a full recovery. He was air-lifted to a hospital about 10 minutes from where I work and I'm going to be able to visit him this morning. He's a great kid, he's stayed in touch with me despite the nastiness of the divorce and we've gone to several baseball games together. I spent years worrying about my son getting killed in Iraq. He comes home, safe and sound, and last night I get a call that my nephew was shot - IN SCHOOL - just for being in class. My daughter was planning to go to NIU, now she's scared - and the bitch of it is, I can't honestly tell her something like this won't happen again, or won't happen wherever she decides to go. It makes me sad, despite my gruff posturing, I really try to be a nice guy - thinking, that in the long run, good things happen to good people. After this, to be honest, I'm not so sure. I'll never understand the motivations of the chicken-shit prick that did the shootings. I don't remember this kind of shit happening when I was young. I'm really depressed.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

Repro -- best to your nephew. It's horrible that this is becoming an annual occurrence.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 2301

Sorry to hear about your Nephew. I hope he makes a full recovery.

I don't have an answer as to "why" this stuff happens, but it does, and will most likely continue to do so all around the world. Sad

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:39 pm

What a tragedy. Something has to change.

I'm very sorry for you and your family.

Baiting Guru Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3193

Really sorry to hear that Repro8. Best wishes to your nephew and everyone else affected.

Maybe show Agrav8 this.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:03 pm

I'm truly sorry for your nephew. When I read the story in the paper this morning I was appalled, but your account makes it that much more personal. I hope he'll recover completely.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:39 pm

Im sorry about your nephew i hope he makes a speedy and ful recovery

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:39 pm

Thanks, all. I just got back from a very teary-eyed visit to the nephew in the hospital. He was hit twice in the back, twice in the arm, twice in the leg. By some miracle, no major organs or arteries were hit. I'll say this for him...some of me definately must have rubbed off on him because I walked into the room, I asked him how he was doing, and in his pain-killer induced state -- he replied in his best Monty Python voice "It's just a flesh wound" at which point we both laughed for about 3 seconds before breaking down in tears because of the sadness of the whole thing. He hasn't been told how many people were killed, they want to make sure he's completely out of the woods.

Master Baiter Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 233 Location: USA

Sorry to hear that, Repro. Best wishes to your nephew...although if he is quoting Monty Python already, I can tell he is going to be fine! (Not to mention having an EXCELLENT sense of humor!)

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:08 pm

That's truly awful for you R8, and my heartfelt best wishes go out to your nephew - although with a sense of humour like that, one hope's he'll be ok!

I dont' think there are any answers as to why these things are happening, but where-ever I look I see people under pressure, desperate and unhappy, and part of me can see how that can lead to such desperate and diabolical acts. It is a dreadful situation. Sad

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:42 pm

Wow. I just read this. I'm truly speechless.

Your nephew must be an amazing young man to greet you with such a wry, humorous comment in the face of this. You know someone like that will do well in life.

I'm just blown away by the fact that he survived six gunshot wounds. That is just...mind blowing. I'm sure it will have a profound impact on the rest of his life. He clearly is meant to be alive, and I trust he will put his astonishing gift of life to good use.

I'll keep him, you and your family in my thoughts.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:57 pm

I would love to explain "why" this type of thing happens, but I don't want to get "**WARNED**" again........

I wish a fast and speedy recovery to your nephew. Good thing he has a sense of humor to live through this. Most people in his situation would just feel sorry for themselves, but at least he has a positive attitude. He shows strength in that factor, and has respectful admiration because of it.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:07 pm

Cachuma wrote:

He clearly is meant to be alive, and I trust he will put his astonishing gift of life to good use.

Well, that certainly made me cry, again. When he's up and about, I will be taking him to a White Sox game and will make sure he's aware of that, if his parents haven't already.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:18 pm

Sorry this happen and I hope he does well. Sad

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:30 pm

That is shocking. I read about this about an hour ago and just saw your post. I'm sad to hear your nephew was badly hurt and I'm glad he's going to be ok. I'll keep you guys in my thoughts.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:32 pm

I have calmed down considerably. I am planning to go to the memorial service for the slain students when it is announced and offer whatever condolences I can to the families of those that weren't as fortunate as mine. I really don't want this to turn into a political discussion on the screwed-up state of the world, gun control, etc, so I'm going to ask a mod to lock this now. I was just really upset this morning.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

My thoughts and prayers for your nephew, sir.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11857 Location: UK

I'm very happy to hear your nephew is going to be alright, my heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives Crying or Very sad

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:52 pm

Reprob8 wrote:

I'm going to ask a mod to lock this now.

Done. But I think we can all agree that we appreciate your sharing this sad news with us, and that we are unanimous in sending our best wishes to your entire family.

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