We all witnessed it again, a tragedy beyond what any reasonable person could comprehend or ever imagine being true; Simply a nightmare for the 26 families who lost members of their family to the lunacy of a young adult who probably had mental issues. There was no age discrimination as a majority of the casualties, in the Newport, Connecticut, elementary school, were between the ages of 6 and 7 years old. Their lives were prematurely cut short and if not for the bravery of their teacher’s, scores more would have died. Unfortunately, for many the reality has become the premature end of unrealized dreams as the parents can now only imagine what their potential aspirations could have been. This tragedy has even brought the President of the United States to tears, as he addressed a Nation of the horror and promised changes to come. On Sunday morning the rhetoric and discussion centered on gun control, mental health issues, and the senseless need of making available to the public, semi-automatic weapons that only have the potential for carnage. These types of weapons are even too powerful for the avid gamesmen, yet are readily available to the average citizen as a means of protecting their constitutional rights, to bear arms and protect themselves. As a Canadian listening to the contradicting Pros and Cons for the right to bear arms, I was flabbergasted to hear the suggestion, that our teachers should have the right to carry a concealed weapon in class. How about if that teacher is having a bad day and goes ballistic? Would this actually act as a deterrent? Personally I don’t think it is a reasonable solution but then again how can one read the mind of a potential madman? I listened to one of the fathers who lost a six year old child whose first words to the public were words of forgiveness toward the family from which the responsible individual came from. With emotions running high, it is only reasonable to think of revenge and hatred but what this man was able to do with his courage and willingness to forgive was truly an act of bravery. Rather than dwell in pity and sorrow, he has taken the bull by the horns to help his community heal and conquer this evil. Since it has taken place so close to Christmas, the pain becomes even more devastating, as we look on and only imagine.  It is important to hug your children everyday as well as your loved ones because the reality of  our lives is that life is short and precious. Consequently, as humans we don’t come to this realization until something horrific occurs  and then we try to change so that it doesn’t ever happen again. Nevertheless it seems we are always too late to smell the roses.

Sincerely, Philip Magnoli- My friends call me Don Filippo –The FX Specialist –www.donfilippo.ca