It is sobering to consider the violence in our society after the events in Arizona on Saturday. Unless you were living under a rock, you no doubt heard about the shooting in Tucson that resulted in the death of six people and the wounding of at least 13 others including Arizona Congress member Gabrielle Giffords. The man who did the shooting was captured by bystanders--he appears to be bat shit crazy.
So to our homicide victims for May 2010 in Kansas City. Among them are two brothers left dead in a shopping cart, a man killed in a convenience store, and a man killed by robbers in his own home.
Michael L Rhodes, 20--Sabrina Jones, 19--Rico C Warren, 23--Michael J Tutera, 49--Joseph L Hooker, 18--John L Hooker, 21--Juan C Garcia 16
We live in a world that is often quite difficult and violent. It gives us two tasks: to be careful and to try and make a difference.
Remember the Arizona victims--they include a well regarded Federal judge, a congressional staff member and a talented 9 year old girl, the granddaughter of baseball player and manager Dallas Green--in your prayers, if you are inclined that way. I felt a small connection with the girl--Dallas Green was the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies when they won their World Series championship in 1980--I was living in the Philly metro at that time. It all brings to mind the famous words of John Donne.
No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
5 comments:
T.O.:
VERY well said...and I find the Donne quote especially meaningful at this time.
I also was living in Philly back when Dallas Green was manager.
We probably passed each other and never knew it.
Carry on.
STay safe out there.
Dear The Observer,
My condolences to the families of Michael, Sabrina, Rico, Michael, Joseph and John, and Juan.
All of them died too young.
My condolences also to the unnamed victims of the shooting in Tucson--the ones who are getting no coverage, may have large difficulties in resolving this physically and/or mentally. The ones who may not have been there, but are family and friends.
Thanks for giving us this forum,
Ann T.
Ann T:
Thankfully, more is coming out about the "unknown" victims.
Here is a link to photos of all six that were killed.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/galleries/arizona_shooting_rampage_victims/arizona_shooting_rampage_victims.html
Thanks for coming by--this, along with the Arizona events, has been very sobering.
The Observer
Bob G:
It's almost like "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" sometimes!
Don't tell any of my KC buds, but the Phillies winning the World Series is one of my favorite sports memories.
Saw pictures of the girl--she looked a little like her grand pappy. So much lost potential, like much of the victims in KC.
Thanks for swinging by--stay warm and keep the shiny side up in the snow!
T.O.
Gary Cooper, great flick. Great book.
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