It doesn’t even seem like it’s been a year since this terrible tragedy ! Via Mediaite reports : On Saturday, President Barack Obama devoted his weekly address to the nation to remember the massacre of children and school teachers in Newtown, Connecticut, one year ago today. Obama said that the nation “must do more” to prevent future tragedies like what occurred at Newtown. “These tragedies must end,” the president insisted. “More than the tragedy itself, that’s how Newtown will be remembered,” Obama said in his weekly address. “And on this anniversary of a day we will never forget, that’s the example we should continue to follow,” he continued, “because we haven’t yet done enough to make our communities and our country safer.” “We have to do more to keep dangerous people from getting their hands on a gun so easily. We have to do more to heal troubled minds. We have to do everything we can to protect our children from harm and make them feel loved, and valued, and cared for.” “Beneath the sadness, we also felt a sense of resolve – that these tragedies must end, and that to end them, we must change,” Obama concluded. Watch the president’s address below via The White House:
One year ago today, horror struck Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Conn., in such a way that the town, state and nation still struggle to grasp it. The disturbing legacy of the second-deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history is so profound that it cannot hold just one meaning. Nor can it be easily reconciled. Adam Lanza, a mentally ill 20-year-old recluse obsessed with school shootings, gunned down six adult women, 12 girls and eight boys in 11 minutes. Before that, he killed his mother. After the rampage, he killed himself. There was devastation. There was outrage. There was political rancor. There were even conspiracy theories (below). A year later, what has changed? The Sandy Hook Shooting – Fully Exposed On this tragic anniversary, and under the shadow of a Colorado school shooting just yesterday, the debate over guns, mental health, healing, and humanity continues. Whether the U.S. has reformed its gun laws after the Newtown massacre may depend on your point of view. Clearly, America affirms a right to bear arms. President Barack Obama was unable to persuade Congress, as he vowed in Newtown’s aftermath, to take meaningful action regarding gun reform. Obama failed to even expand background checks, though he did strengthen many existing gun laws and take related steps on mental health and school safety. Adam Lanza , 20, suffered mental health problems. Many people, including his victims’ parents, say society needs to better treat these severe problems to prevent another disturbed gunman committing a massacre. In fact, to combat the stigma-loaded phrase of “mental illness,” some wish to change it to something deeper or more organic like “brain health” or “brain illness.” Sandy Hook Shooting: Official Report Lanza was living with his mother, Nancy, 52, who ensured that her son received treatment, but also gave him access to semiautomatic weapons. Before the violence, Lanza had become isolated. His parents divorced in 2009. His father, Peter, remarried and moved to an area not far away. Their only other child, Ryan Lanza , 24, wasn’t living in the mother’s home. Connecticut authorities’ investigation concluded that Lanza “had significant mental health issues that affected his ability to live a normal life and to interact with others.” “What contribution this made to the shootings, if any, is unknown as mental health professionals who saw him did not see anything that would have predicted his behavior.” In any case, families who lost a child in the mass shooting will never be the same. Even a year later, they still struggle to recover from the devastation. Public comments by the families this weekend are unlikely, as several major news outlets, including CNN, agreed not to send reporters to Newtown. The town of 27,000 people decided to raze Sandy Hook Elementary School. A new school will be built on the same site, a symbol of resurrection. Jennifer Hudson and Sandy Hook Chorus – “America the Beautiful”
No one wants to be reminded of that day in the slightest… The City Of Newtown, Connecticut Votes To Demolish Sandy Hook Elementary Via WBUR In a referendum marked by a large turnout and an emphatic result, the people of Newtown, Conn., have voted to demolish Sandy Hook Elementary and build a new school. Sandy Hook was the scene of a mass shooting last December, when 20 children and six staff members were killed. Saturday’s vote asked citizens to decide whether to take nearly $50 million in state money to fund the demolition of Sandy Hook and the planning and construction of a new school on essentially the same site. “The vote was 4,504 yes to 558 no. The registrar of voters said Saturday’s referendum had the highest voter turnout the town has seen since the 2008 presidential election,” reports the News Times. “I thought it was going to pass by at least 80 percent, but it’s more like 90 percent. It’s time to bring our children home,” Selectman James Gaston Sr. tells the Newtown Bee. Since the attack, former students of Sandy Hook Elementary have been attending school in nearby Monroe, Conn. “This was another hurdle overcome,” Board of Education Chair Debbie Leidlein tells the Bee. “Now we’re ready. We’ve got great plans moving forward to bring our families home.” We can only imagine that there are lots of people in Newtown still grieving after their loss. We’re actually a little surprised that this vote didn’t take place a while ago. Image via Adam Hayes Continue reading →
Gene Rosen, a Connecticut good Samaritan who harbored six survivors of the Sandy Hook shooting, has become a target for “Truthers” accusing him of being a liar and/or actor. Yet another element of the Sandy Hook conspiracy , if you believe that sort of thing. How it come to be that an innocent bystander – some say hero – is now being harassed for it? On the morning of the infamous shooting, the Newtown, Conn., resident was feeding his cats when he discovered four terrified children hiding out in his driveway. They told Rosen their teacher was dead, and he listened to their chilling account of the tragedy that was still going on at the nearby Sandy Hook Elementary School. Rosen, 69, was subsequently interviewed by many of the media outlets that descended on the small community, his anguished face flashed across TV screens around the world. The sincerity of that anguish has since come into question by a group of Sandy Hook conspiracy theorists who call themselves “Truthers” and have made his life difficult. These individuals have so far posted Rosen’s personal info online, created fake social media accounts using his name and harassed the Newtown resident via email and phone. “I don’t know what to do,” retired psychologist Rosen told Salon . “There must be some way to morally shame these people, because there were 20 dead children lying there, an eighth of a mile from my window.” “I thought of an expression, that this ‘adds insult to injury,’ but that’s a stupid expression, because this is not an injury, this is an abomination.” Unfortunately for Rosen, it is an abomination that has gained traction. Websites have questioned Rosen’s motives for sharing his story, even suggesting that he made an “audition” tape and accusing him of “pedo under-tones.” A YouTube video suggests Rosen is a actually Screen Actors Guild thespian, and that “The only thing consistent about this clown’s act, is all the fake crying.” “The man has never shed an actual tear in a dozen interviews.” Yet another conspiracy theory blog calls Rosen a “bad crisis actor” who changes his story and focuses on the sound of Adam Lanza ‘s gunshots for political effect. His explanation for being so public about his experience? “I wanted to speak about the bravery of the children, and it kind of helped me work through this,” Rosen told Salon of his decision to give multiple interviews to the media. “I guess I kind of opened myself up to this.”
Students from Sandy Hook Elementary School, many of whom were present on the day of last month’s horrific Newtown shooting , gathered this morning on Good Morning America . With assistance from singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, the 20 children (ages 6-9) sang a cover of “Over the Rainbow,” with the track now available on iTunes and all proceeds benefiting the Newtown Youth Academy, a local nonprofit, and the United Way of Western Connecticut. It’s a moving performance in the name of a tremendous cause. Watch now: Newtown Children Sing “Over the Rainbow”
Mindy McCready is mourning the death of her “life partner,” singer-songwriter David Wilson, who died at home in in Heber Springs, Ark., last night undisclosed causes. The couple had been together for about two years. Wilson was the father of her 9-month-old son, Zayne. Country singer McCready, 37, also has an older son, Zander, with country singer Billy McKnight. ” David was my soulmate ,” McCready said in a statement. “He was a precious gift from God to all of us and, yesterday, he returned home and is now with his mother and father. David loved and was loved.” “Those who knew and loved him will miss him; those who did know know David missed the opportunity to know a truly loving and gifted man.” A rep for McCready says thta that no funeral plans have been made, but that services will likely be held in Arkansas, where the couple resided. Our thoughts are with Mindy and all others close to David.
Shannon Miller is pregnant with her second child. This would exciting enough news for the former Olympian – who won seven Gold Medals in gymnastics – but it’s made all the more incredible because Miller underwent surgery to remove her left ovary and a malignant tumor in January 2011 following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. “I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to do some amazing things in my life, but being a mom is second to none,” Miller wrote on her website. Miller is married to John Falconetti in 2008 and the couple welcomed son John Rocco in 2009. The ex-athlete, who runs a female healthy and fitness company, competed at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. We wish her nothing but the best!
Britney Spears’ breakup with Jason Trawick , her fiance of 13 months, was not as sudden as it might have seemed … if it seemed sudden at all, which it didn’t. If you read much celebrity gossip , you know that Britney split rumors have been off the hook lately, leading us to believe, sadly, that it was only a matter of time. As for what caused the split? Reports suggesting that kids were to blame – she wanted more, he did not – are likely partially true, but there could also be more to it. A lot more to it. Jason Trawick had been highly and increasingly stressed over her mental health and eventually it just wore him down, according to FOX 411. According to an insider: “The breakup has really been in motion awhile. Jason has been very stressed and concerned for Britney and what she might do if he left.” “He is worried about her and really loved her, but it started to take a real toll on him. The burden of taking care instead of a partnerships where she also takes care.” After more than three years together, the couple announced their split mutually on Friday, amid reports that Britney was dumping him from her conservatorship. That care-taking role – Jason being in charge of Britney’s career and life, in many respects – also killed the romance, an expert and a source close to the situation says.
Lady Gaga is always one to spark controversy, but this, even for her, is outrageous. Her explosive fashion choice has many folks questioning its appropriateness. At one point during her show in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, Mother Monster stepped out sporting a bra adorned with two fake plastic assault rifles. Lady Gaga Machine Gun Bra Just one day earlier, V.P. Joe Biden met with Congress and the NRA about how to curb gun violence in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school massacre. Wonder what Kelly Osbourne would have to say about this if she hadn’t quashed her beef with Gaga. Does it send the right message – even if she intends it to? What do you think of Gaga’s machine gun bra? Vote below! Love it! Chill out! Hate it! So tasteless! View Poll »
Rodney Alcala, a.k.a. the Dating Game Killer, was sentenced Monday in NY to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of two women in the 1970s. Already convicted in the 1970s murders of four women and a 12-year-old girl in Southern California, Alcala must now serve even more prison time. Not that it will matter, as he’ll never see the light of day. In fact, Alcala said he wanted to plead guilty to the two New York murder counts so he could get back to California, where he was sentenced to death. In California, where he was convicted of five other killings , he wants to pursue an appeal; he has tangled with authorities in the Golden State for years. After a series of trials and retrials, he eventually was found guilty in 2010 of killing four women and a 12-year-old girl in Southern California in the 1970s.
