I grew up and went to elementary school in Newington (not Newtown, but close enough) Connecticut, also have family and friends who still live there. So this insanity really hits close to home. Just thinking about these kids and their families’ pain – during what’s supposed to be a joyous time of year, no less – makes me ill. It’s at times like these that I hope there’s a hell, and that the murderer is in its lowest level.
The bottom line from a policy perspective: as a society, we are letting this type of thing happen, over and over again, and we’re not even capable of having a reasonable debate (e.g., see this) on the issue. That’s not the sign of a healthy civilization, to put it mildly.
UPDATE: An emotional, heartbroken President Obama says, “As a country we have been through this too many times. We’re going to have to come together to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.”