“Sure. It likely was a sick, twisted “two-fer” for him.”
I agree on that one. He was probably thinking it was a double bonus.
Honestly, I can’t even turn on the television. I’m relying on the internet to get my news, and can only read little bits at a time. This makes me so sad, to think of all those innocent people just having fun and dancing in a nightclub being gunned down. Probably most of the victims were pretty young, in the prime of their lives.
After waking up to the news in Orlando, I also saw on the local news in LA that a suspect from Indiana had been arrested after being found with an arsenal of weapons in his car including five pounds of tannerite-type powder, assault weapons, long rifles, clips loaded and taped together and a camouflage outfit along with a security badge. The suspect told authorities that he was there for the Los Angeles Pride festival - being held today and expected to draw approximately 400K people. As a result, enhanced security and tactical units had been deployed.
I assumed this news would keep people away in fear, so I texted a couple of friends and we went to the parade in a show of solidarity and support. If we let these violent acts of hate create such fear that we curb where I go or when, they win. I will not live in fear.
busdriver, of the six or so whose names have been released so far, one was 20, two were 22, one was 23, and two were in their 30s. So, yes. Kids having fun. If my son had happened to be in Orlando, instead of Los Angeles (where he is now) or Miami (where he was last fall), he quite easily could have been there. I can’t stop thinking about that, to be honest.
In fact, he was planning to spend some time at Pride in L.A. today, but was so devastated by what’s happened that he ended up staying away.
Oh Donna : (
Speaking of which, a terribly sad story about a mother who hasn’t been able to reach her son or find out what happened to him. Just one of many, I’m sure.
So sorry that your son has to feel such sadness and worry because of this, Donna. I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about it either.
And for very one person who uses the Quran as a justification for terrorism, there are thousands, if not millions, who do not.
I have a Muslim friend at work and i worry for her safety. She says she’s not afraid but she’s very very angry about her faith being highjacked. And that so many Americans believe that this kind of thing is what Islam teaches.
Donna, I feel for you and your son. Young folks have enough to deal with without dealing with hate crimes and terrorism. Now, add in that some folks have sexuality and gender issues. That is a lot to deal with for anyone. I also feel for the Muslim community that is normal, I am sure they are sick of this too. I also hate that some in this country will use events like this to engender more hate against others. That upsets me. It is raining here. I am not going to Lake Eola to support anything. Good night for TV.
@DonnaL I feel a little bad about my post after seeing yours. Your son’s (and your) feelings are perfectly justified. I get it. I’m just a little stubborn about such things sometimes and felt I needed to go.
The phone rang a few minutes ago. It was my mother. She’d been watching the news, heard about the arrest in LA, and she knows me, so I think she just wanted to hear my voice and make sure I was home and safe. I did not tell her I’d been to the parade. No use worrying her.
As I mentioned upthread, I am scheduled to march with my entire family (DH, DS#1 and his wife, DS#2 and his girlfriend) in the San Francisco Gay Pride parade in 2 weeks. I am taking pause, and not yet ready to change any plans, but I’d be a liar if I didn’t say I have gone from “heck yes let’s walk with the company float” to " let me give this some more thought." I have always been for equality and safety for all, but I now get what it feels like to not feel safe. I don’t like feeling afraid. But I get how it must feel to to some members of the LBGT community.
“I also hate that some in this country will use events like this to engender more hate against others. That upsets me”
Is it really so awful to hate Islamic terrorists? To hate ISIS, and their supporters? I guess if I was a good Christian, I wouldn’t hate…I would find a way to love everyone, but I can’t. And people who do this, and support and entice others to do violence like this–I despise them.
Just read this regarding waiving of HIPAA privacy protections:
What do you think of this? I know that as a parent, I’d want to know about my child’s condition down to the last lab result. But perhaps not every victim would want his medical information known to his “family.”
http://www.wbtv.com/story/32201642/shots-fired-at-orlando-nightclub-multiple-casualties-reported
Thank you. Truly. I always say there are two sets of victims in these attacks: those directly affected, and whoever shares the attacker’s race/gender/ethinicity/religion. The former suffer most during, and the latter recieve the brunt of the fallout.
Ugh, I deal with HIPAA all the time because of my mentally ill son. Thankfully, he has signed release forms most of the time. But one time when he went in the hospital, he said he didn’t want his parents to know anything. That was a long few days. I really think exceptions should be made in some cases.
@jym626, I totally get that. After the Paris attacks, I read that many people deliberately went to outdoor cafes and to some outdoor support vigils. I remember thinking, “Good for them not letting terrorists scare them from living their lives. But…I don’t know if I could do that so soon after that. I don’t know if I’m brave enough…”
I think either 1) going to a vigil/parade in solidarity or 2) not going because you’re too devastated or fear being yet another victim of anti LGBT violence – are both valid.
On the special report on CBS news tonight, Scott Pelley interviewed a young man who was at the club last night. It was a heartrending interview. Such a well-spoken young man who described the terror with tears streaming down his face. I just wanted to give him a hug. He is going to be scarred by this for a very long time, even though he was not one of the 100+ who were shot.
@Nrdsb4 They didn’t say if the relaxed HIPPA laws allowed for all info be released , but HIPPA prevents healthcare facilities to even identify if a person is a patient there. They may have just been able to allow loved ones to know the status of their loved ones without releasing all medical info. I’m not sure, but I’m glad that someone considered the impact on families desperately searching for their loved ones.
Thanks, @LasMa and @Nrdsb4 . I hope in 2 weeks I’ll feel less fearful. But (A) my whole family will be there. That’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. (B) The parade has particular significance this year because it is being held on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage and the 3rd anniversary of the striking down of DOMA. It will likely have a huge turnout-- especially now. I fear that some wingnut might find that tempting. Please, not on my birthday.