formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Writer's Workshop... I'm Bothered...

It’s that time again – Writer’s Workshop time. Kathy over at Mama’s Losin’ It had some good prompts this week and I chose:

Something that bothered me this week…

Note: Feel free to substitute all variations of the word ‘bother’ with the appropriate variations of the word ‘horrify.’

I’ve been following the story of an 8-year-old boy in Arizona who recently killed his father and his father’s friend with a rifle. The crime appears to have been premeditated and it’s possible the boy will be indicted for murder (murder charges can be filed against anyone who has reached the age of eight in Arizona).

I’m bothered by this situation for so many reasons, not the least of which is this child’s age. He's just one year younger than my own daughter. The idea that she, or one of her little friends, could be involved in something so horrible is beyond my comprehension.

I’m bothered by the fact that the little boy has no documented behavioral issues to date, nor do the men he killed. Police and prosecutors are investigating the possibility that he was being abused and the shootings were self-defense (or retaliation).

I’m bothered by the fact that I’m actually hoping he was abused because at least it would explain how a child could do something so seemingly sinister... and hoping a child has been abused, for any reason, is a truly horrible thing.

I’m bothered that this child felt, for reasons yet to be determined, that killing two people was the best solution to whatever problem he was facing.

I’m bothered that he didn’t feel he had anyone to turn to for help or guidance.

I’m bothered that an 8-year-old had access to a gun and ammunition.

I’m bothered that any state has established a law which allows them to file murder charges against 8-year-olds; and that any state determined it might even be necessary to do so.

I’m bothered by the fact that he could be incarcerated for the next ten or twelve years; and that he might possibly deserve (under the law, anyway) to be incarcerated for the next ten or twelve years.

I’m bothered that stories of children killing other children or adults are becoming less shocking because they’re becoming more frequent.

I’m bothered that we live in a society which embraces violence in its entertainment and that many children are exposed to it early on and at alarming levels.

I’m bothered that our Constitutional right to bear arms, or rather the consistently, persistently irresponsible manner in which we administer that right, has resulted in the gun violence we see and hear about every day, and that children are often exposed to it in real life or on the news.

I’m bothered that no matter how this turns out, two people are dead at the hands of a child, and that little boy's life has been irrevocably changed in a way that no child should ever have to face.

I'm bothered. I'm horrified. And I'm just so sad.

35 comments:

B said...

You know what?

I'm bothered too.

A lot.

Heather said...

It's sad how frequent things like this are becoming. And you're right- to a point, we have become less shocked by them. That should both bother AND horrify us.

Guinhyvar said...

Oh, geesh. I have an eight year old son... and I cannot fathom, CANNOT, how this happened. Or rather, sadly, I can. I just don't want to.

I am bothered, too. Deeply. This is just... there are no words for what this is.

I want to go and hug my son now. A lot.

Jane! said...

The whole thing is truly horrible.
I'm bothered that there was a gun available to him.

Mama Wheaton said...

I posted once but it got lost? This is horrifying and well I'm at a loss as to what do to do about it. Though I feel there should be something.

Anonymous said...

Wow I hadn't heard this story (probably because I don't watch the news) - that's really a horrible situation...

Here is the (URL to the) video that you were unable to see!
http://vimeo.com/1211060
Worth the few mintues of watch time and maybe it'll cheer you up ;)

Lee said...

I've stuck my nose into a few rightwing blogs in the US and they are so so possessive of their guns. It is a sobering thought that in 2001 about ten times as many people died from guns as died in the WTC. So where is the "war on guns"?

Claremont First Ward said...

The last line sums up my thoughts, too!

Jenners said...

Thank you for a very thought-provoking and depressing post. I really live in a little bubble and try not to see or read stories like this because it is just too depressing. I know that is burying your head in the sand, but this kind of story is just so sad on so many levels.

Now I feel totally shallow for writing about the lady at the grocery store who bothered me earlier this week. Your post kind of put things in perspective of what is really bothersome.

Melanie Gillispie said...

You're good, my friend. In many ways.

Zuzana said...

Diane, the issue of gun control is a widely discussed subject.
This is an incredible thought provoking post. Children that age should not know of guns. They should not know of death or how to take lives. They should be allowed to be children.
I indeed do not recall such incidences when I was growing up and understand that you are bothered. We all need to be bothered by this.

Anonymous said...

I too, am bothered and alarmed by this story. I heard part of his police interview on the news yesterday. He anwsered their questions so matter-of-factly while describing how he did it, void of emotion. What's happening to our children???

Sometimes Sophia said...

This story is so sad and awful, it gives me chills. It's hard to believe that we, as a people, have failed and left behind so many children; that we condone the random violence that serves as entertainment; that we fight for the right for any potential felon to bear arms. Your comments are thoughtful and relevent. Thanks.

Melissa said...

You know what--- every one of those things bothers me too...it's terrible!!

Los said...

I saw this story earlier this week and did a double-take. I couldn't believe it, and was hoping that it was some sort of false story or spoof ... actually, I'm still hoping this is the case.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

wow, as bothered as i am by this story, i cannot help but feel the power it holds. everything you touched on are things that have become issues and they are ones that need to be addressed immediately and completely. i hope that this will finally be the catalyst that enables something to be done!

Jo-Jo said...

What a horrible situation this is. I saw it on the news and had to tear myself away. It is sad. So sad. Thank you for coming by my blog for a visit. Reading what you wrote here made me put my situation into prospective.

Sandra said...

Amen... and Amen sista!

Amy McMean said...

I'm sad that stuff like this happens and I'm even sadder that society has become numb to this sort of thing happening.

zipbagofbones said...

What a horrible tragedy.

Denise said...

I am bothered too! That was an amazing post you wrote!

Jennie said...

that is horrible ... I know what you mean though about the abused part.... at least that would provide a reason other than he just did it to do it ..... thanks for venting on my blog.... I provide all the structure and nuturing for these kids, but he takes them to Chucky Cheese and he thinks he deserves a figgin award.... sorry, I am on a roll today ...

Unknown said...

This could have been avoided with gun safety, but it's scary that it happened at all. There are so many issues at play that it truly is horrifying.

Live More Now said...

I didn't hear about that. I also refuse to listen to the news. I guess a part of me would rather be in denial about stuff like this going on than dealing with the sadness. That is very very sad, shocking, horrible, all of the things you said. Makes our own problems seem kinda small, huh?

Summer said...

Wow! I hadn't heard about this. I'm in shock! I mean, that is just crazy and sad.

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

That is terribly sad. I just don't even know what to think about situations like this. I wish we had some answers...

Last Place Finisher said...

I've been sorta, kinda following the story too. I didn't realized how bothered I was until I read your post.

Thanks for waking me up.

Maithri said...

An excellent post.

I have never truly understood this "right to bear arms..."

Its this illogical idea that if we banned guns...then people would still illegaly get them and so in order to protect ourselves they should be legalised...

It just seems that they cause so much more harm than good.

How can we try children for murder...? Ascribing adult rationality to 8 yr old minds seems ridiculous doesnt it.

Thanks for this thought provoking post my friend,

I pray we will find answers to all the questions this case poses...

Peace to you,

Maithri

Alison said...

This story even made our news in South Africa. Shocking! As I look out of my office window now I see the eight year old class on their break, busy playing with a ball, or braiding each others hair. That's what childhood should be.

Debbie said...

You nailed this. I am also bothered that this has become so commonplace and accepted that everyone is not outraged. What have we become?

Sera said...

This is a very terrifying story. My husband and I were actually talking about the very fact that he'd never had any behavioral history, etc., and my first thought was that he was being abused. No matter what his reason for doing it, this is so, so sad, and I just can't comprehend it.

Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blog. :)

KatBouska said...

You said it all. I don't know what more I can add. I don't watch the news so that I won't have to think about this stuff anymore. I hate not knowing the answers...and that the answers themselves sometimes are just not good enough.

HLiza said...

This bothered me too. Even though I always tell myself I'm not going to worry about all those bad happenings in this world since I've enough complicated stuffs myself..they do haunt me when I sit still and put on my thinking cap. What world we're living now..

Hey, thanks for coming by. Looks like I love your ramblings here..

Mrs. Realife said...

Absolutely incredible -- I hadn't heard of the story... I'm horrified, disgusted, distraught and any other word to describe 'bothered' --

justsomethoughts... said...

its just sad. you nailed it. from every angle. fantastic post.