Newtown, CT: The Blame Game

It's Not All About Gun Control

Personal Opinion Heartbreaking does not even begin to describe the pain associated with the tragedy and unimaginable horror that struck the New England town of Newtown, CT weeks ago. Contrary to much of what has been written, however, it is not the result of guns, poor parenting, vicious lyrics, violent video games, or sadistic movies fueled by an entertainment industry. It is the result of any or all of the aforementioned. For every psychiatrist or behavioral psychologist who may dispute this claim, there is a psychiatrist or behavioral psychologist who will undoubtedly support it. The finger pointing in the hours and days following this horrific event is inexcusable. Everyone is quick to blame but slow to take responsibility. The bottom …

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Have You Reviewed with Your Children What to Do in 'Danger' Scenarios? Should You?

After the Newtown, CT, massacre, schools have reviewed their safety procedures. Now should parents follow up with more coaching?

  After the deadly elementary school attack in Newtown, CT, that rocked the nation, some parents said their kids remained oblivious to the attack—and the danger.  Most teens and children are wrapped up in their own worlds. One mom of a middle-schooler told Patch that instead of being worried about how the Newtown deaths would affect her daughter, she was more concerned that the girl was not aware enough of what took place. And there is only so much the schools can do. So this mom said she would would spin out a scenario of danger and ask the daughter to think through how she might best respond.  If you are a parent, are you doing the same kind of 'coaching' with your kids? Should parents be following up and expanding on the schools' safety…

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A Hug Delivered to Newtown

Teacher John Romano, who grew up in Swampscott, fulfilled a student's wish on Sunday by giving a hug in Newtown, CT. Here is John's account.

Teacher John Romano, who grew up in Swampscott, fulfilled a student's wish on Sunday by giving a hug in Newtown, CT. Here is John's account from his blog, http://paleolithicromano.wordpress.com/. I am sitting on a couch in what was once my childhood bedroom now turned office/den in my parent’s house.  I hadn’t planned on doing this yet, but I feel as if I don’t the gravity of today may finally hit me….and I will break apart.   So here I sit, please bare with me as I get this out, because I have never written a post like this. First I need to thank the people who helped me before I forget because I know I will get lost in writing this… To the receivers of the hug… Donna DeMarco, Marsha Moskowitz, Eileen Byrnes, Rhonda Cullens, Lillian …

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VIDEO: Krafts to Donate $25K to Newtown; Patriots Remember Victims

Patriots President Jonathan Kraft told media Sunday The Kraft Group and his family will be donating $25,000 to those affected by the Newtown tragedy. On Sunday, the Patriots honored the 26 victims of the school shooting with a special moment of silence.

New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft told 98.5 The Sports Hub Sunday the Kraft family and Kraft Group will be donating $25,000 to help those affected by last Friday’s shooting in Newtown, Conn. that took the lives of 26, people, including 20 elementary school children. “Your heart just sinks and you get nauseous and you never would expect anything like that would ever happen [in Newtown] … it’s just horrible,” Jonathan Kraft said. … “Our family [and] the Kraft Group donated some money and we encourage other people who are in a position to do that to do it.” Friday’s tragedy hit close to the Kraft family because of a box company they own in Newtown with a factory less than two miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School. “We’ve run a …

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Ray DePaula

1:47 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012

Thank you Kraft family.   more ›

Candlelight Vigil Reflects on Compassion and Change

More than 100 people gathered by the gazebo at Linscott Park in Swampscott Saturday.

Vigil To Mourn Shooting Victims Tonight

The vigil will take place at 5 p.m at Linscott Park, one hour before the holiday parade.

  Residents have scheduled a vigil tonight at 5 at Linscott Park to coincide with a nationwide vigil. The gathering is to mourn the Connecticut shooting tragedy and end gun violence. The vigil, one hour before the town's holiday parade, is open to the Swampscott community and anyone who wants to join. Vigil organizer Cindy Hellmann said she was thinking of doing something to remember the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy and their families when she got an email from the group, moveon.org. The email told of a national vigil at 5 p.m., so Cindy registered the Swampscott gathering with the nonprofit, public policy advocacy group. http://www.moveon.org/event/events/attendees/index.html?id=-24511708-cAt%3DDux&event_id=136623    To …

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