Another shooting

[jesmu84]

California elementary school.

I'd say "thoughts and prayers" are in order, but I think we've tried that after the last few shootings and it doesn't appear to have had much of an effect

[tower912]

Unlikely this is going to be the one to actually create change.   

[mu_hilltopper]

Unlikely this is going to be the one to actually create change.   

We're going to need to get to at least 150-200 dead from one guy before that's not true.

Who am I kidding .. 250, at least.

[MU82]

Could have done just as much damage with a knife or a ball-peen hammer or a Duncan yo-yo.

That'll be the stance of the NRA. And, of course, Banny.

[rocket surgeon]

California elementary school.

I'd say "thoughts and prayers" are in order, but I think we've tried that after the last few shootings and it doesn't appear to have had much of an effect

thoughts and prayers are always appropriate if you are sincere.  if one believes that it is their own "thoughts and prayers" or in combination with others is going to absolutely stop everything bad from happening, they should find another outlet.  "thoughts and prayers" is not only an appropriate response to a tragic development, but it should be a unifying message, again, if they truly believe. 

    today, the  "thoughts and prayers phrase seems to be taking on a more political tone and some are using it as a way to protest something.  it's like the 2 year old not getting what he wants from santa claus, so he says "F" the man cuz he never comes thru.

     thoughts and prayers are (in my mind) a prayer for those involved to have peace and strength to help them get through the "ordeal".  prayers aren't like morse code being sent to God's command and control. all the incoming "thoughts and prayers" don't go thru God and then He decides which ones to honor or not.  this ain't a sigfried and roy show going on here.   believers are meant to be God personified here on earth.  it is through our thoughts and actions onto our fellow man that God wishes for us to carry out-"thy will" /His will, not ours.   

   now just because things may or may not work out to the betterment for all every time, do we just chit-can the phrase or for those who truly mean it?  the thoughts?  or is it for some, their way to take a passive/aggressively position.  if the latter is the case, then i believe they are missing the point.  we can review many many instances of tragedy or atrocies that have occurred time after time after...  yet continue to occur-terrorism of any kind, vehicle accidents, drug over doses, crime in general...do we abandon our thoughts and prayers because people in syria or north korea continue to get slaughtered?  not me.  it's just one way we can keep our spirituality alive, wishing/praying for those involved to be strong and maybe even seek out peace through the Lord.  one can never go wrong with a few thoughts and prayers throughout the day

[real chili 83]

In before the lock.

[jesmu84]

James 2:17

[Vander Blue Man Group]

thoughts and prayers are always appropriate if you are sincere.  if one believes that it is their own "thoughts and prayers" or in combination with others is going to absolutely stop everything bad from happening, they should find another outlet.  "thoughts and prayers" is not only an appropriate response to a tragic development, but it should be a unifying message, again, if they truly believe. 

    today, the  "thoughts and prayers phrase seems to be taking on a more political tone and some are using it as a way to protest something.  it's like the 2 year old not getting what he wants from santa claus, so he says "F" the man cuz he never comes thru.

     thoughts and prayers are (in my mind) a prayer for those involved to have peace and strength to help them get through the "ordeal".  prayers aren't like morse code being sent to God's command and control. all the incoming "thoughts and prayers" don't go thru God and then He decides which ones to honor or not.  this ain't a sigfried and roy show going on here.   believers are meant to be God personified here on earth.  it is through our thoughts and actions onto our fellow man that God wishes for us to carry out-"thy will" /His will, not ours.   

   now just because things may or may not work out to the betterment for all every time, do we just chit-can the phrase or for those who truly mean it?  the thoughts?  or is it for some, their way to take a passive/aggressively position.  if the latter is the case, then i believe they are missing the point.  we can review many many instances of tragedy or atrocies that have occurred time after time after...  yet continue to occur-terrorism of any kind, vehicle accidents, drug over doses, crime in general...do we abandon our thoughts and prayers because people in syria or north korea continue to get slaughtered?  not me.  it's just one way we can keep our spirituality alive, wishing/praying for those involved to be strong and maybe even seek out peace through the Lord.  one can never go wrong with a few thoughts and prayers throughout the day

Do you get why some may be a little tired of politicians sending thoughts and prayers but never taking any substantive actions that may prevent some of these deaths?

[muwarrior69]

If he was not out on bail this would have never happened.

[brewcity77]

Do you get why some may be a little tired of politicians sending thoughts and prayers but never taking any substantive actions that may prevent some of these deaths?

That's what happens when you are financially beholden to a domestic terrorism organization.

[naginiF]

Do you get why some may be a little tired of politicians sending thoughts and prayers but never taking any substantive actions that may prevent some of these deaths?

If there were a mystery virus killing 5+ people at the same frequency, with local/federal governments refused to acknowledge there was an issue and/or refuse to do anything to help, the citizens would either force them to act or find a solution (and almost every aspect of our lives would immediately change).**

It's been said here before....we either don't care about the deaths/don't want change or are not angry enough to force change. 

**not my original analogy but i can't remember where it was from

[jesmu84]

If there were a mystery virus killing 5+ people at the same frequency, with local/federal governments refused to acknowledge there was an issue and/or refuse to do anything to help, the citizens would either force them to act or find a solution (and almost every aspect of our lives would immediately change).**

It's been said here before....we either don't care about the deaths/don't want change or are not angry enough to force change. 

**not my original analogy but i can't remember where it was from

Not to mention if we didn't allow the CDC or NIH to study the virus

[rocket surgeon]

Do you get why some may be a little tired of politicians sending thoughts and prayers but never taking any substantive actions that may prevent some of these deaths?

yes, but i was trying to leave politics out of it and focus just on why "thoughts and prayers" is always appropriate if one sincerely means it and tries to live them.  i am a firm believer in prayer.  if one has to tell everyone, they aren't going to say that anymore and those who do are phonies or whatever, that is not in their place to state that as they do not know what is in their heart(s).  i understand the point-then why aren't they doing anything, etc etc-that is still not a reason for anyone else to judge another person on.  it is a separate issue 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

yes, but i was trying to leave politics out of it and focus just on why "thoughts and prayers" is always appropriate if one sincerely means it and tries to live them.  i am a firm believer in prayer.  if one has to tell everyone, they aren't going to say that anymore and those who do are phonies or whatever, that is not in their place to state that as they do not know what is in their heart(s).  i understand the point-then why aren't they doing anything, etc etc-that is still not a reason for anyone else to judge another person on.  it is a separate issue

I don't think most people have an issue with most sending thoughts and prayers when something like this happens, whether it be just the general public, entertainers, etc. 

But at this point when it comes via Twitter from those in politics that refuse to do anything at all about these issues it feels completely disingenuous.   

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

James 2:17

Another of my favorite bible verses

[Jockey]

If there were a mystery virus killing 5+ people at the same frequency, with local/federal governments refused to acknowledge there was an issue and/or refuse to do anything to help, the citizens would either force them to act or find a solution (and almost every aspect of our lives would immediately change).**

It's been said here before....we either don't care about the deaths/don't want change or are not angry enough to force change. 

**not my original analogy but i can't remember where it was from

This did happen. In the 80s with AIDS. Reagan refused to acknowledge it or even mention the name - until someone he knew died.

It was only when the gay community and Libs got out into the streets that anything was done.

We need mass demonstrations weekly throughout the country. We need Lib candidates making gun control their #1 concern.

Despite the NRAs delight, most people favor something being done.

[brewcity77]

I don't think most people have an issue with most sending thoughts and prayers when something like this happens, whether it be just the general public, entertainers, etc.

Count me in the minority that finds sending thoughts and prayers to be offensive. Anyone that thinks prayer works to stop mass shootings, newsflash, they are still happening on a weekly basis, so your thoughts and prayers aren't doing anything. And anyone that sends thoughts and prayers without taking action to implement change it just a hypocrite.

Anyone that professes to live their faith understands that God helps those that help themselves. Thoughts and prayers without conscious follow-through is just a hollow excuse for inaction.

[mu-rara]

Do Something  Do Anything

Yeah, that always works.

[tower912]

Do Something  Do Anything

Yeah, that always works.

Good call.   Do nothing but pray is going gangbusters right now. 

[Pakuni]

Do Something  Do Anything

Yeah, that always works.

It has a far higher rate of success than doing nothing.

[rocket surgeon]

Count me in the minority that finds sending thoughts and prayers to be offensive. Anyone that thinks prayer works to stop mass shootings, newsflash, they are still happening on a weekly basis, so your thoughts and prayers aren't doing anything. And anyone that sends thoughts and prayers without taking action to implement change it just a hypocrite.

Anyone that professes to live their faith understands that God helps those that help themselves. Thoughts and prayers without conscious follow-through is just a hollow excuse for inaction.

ok, but what are they supposed to say?  sucks for them?

  yes it is a platitude, but we don't know everything that goes on in conversations in washington.  yes, i realize they are always very quick to tell you everything you want to hear.  but if the pols don't say anything, then they get criticized for that too.  unless someone can come up with another appropriate phrase, it's better than ahhh, blah blah blah blah, umm, what? 

   many of them are trying to do something, but at the same time they are walking a fine line between their "puppet masters" and the 2nd amendment.  yes, politics suck.  the reason i believe it's got even sucky'er is all about $$$=power

[MU82]

Say nothing unless you have something worthwhile to say.

Hiding behind "thoughts and prayers" is cowardly.

[rocket surgeon]

Say nothing unless you have something worthwhile to say.

Hiding behind "thoughts and prayers" is cowardly.

easy for you to say.  if this were about anything else, this wouldn't be an issue.  tragic car accident?  would it be ok to say thoughts and prayers?  or because one isn't "doing anything" to stop them, it's hypocritical?   when an acquaintance passes on, i always try to avoid saying "thoughts and prayers" because it does sound recycled and/or disingenuous, kind of like "at the end of the day, etc etc

    today-everything is under a microscope.  if it's sunny, it's not sunny enough. 

[Jockey]

Count me in the minority that finds sending thoughts and prayers to be offensive. Anyone that thinks prayer works to stop mass shootings, newsflash, they are still happening on a weekly basis, so your thoughts and prayers aren't doing anything. And anyone that sends thoughts and prayers without taking action to implement change it just a hypocrite.

Anyone that professes to live their faith understands that God helps those that help themselves. Thoughts and prayers without conscious follow-through is just a hollow excuse for inaction.

Completely agree. "Thought & prayers" is a handy excuse to make it seem like one cares while doing nothing to remedy the problem.

Caring requires action.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think sending thoughts and prayers is perfectly acceptable.

I think only sending thoughts and prayers when you have the power and privilege to help make meaningful change to ensure that less thoughts and prayers are needed in the future is unacceptable.

Check the signature. This is one of those topics where we need a little more courage and wisdom and a little less serenity.