Comments on: Knoxville Tragedy Redeemed By Heroism

By: SplendidOne

SplendidOne — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:03:33 +0000

I admire the heroism of all of those folks.

Let us not forget to take every opportunity to remind others that they stopped the gunman without needing firearms in order to do so and, probably because it didn’t take firearms, we have a live gunman who can undergo due process, from which we may eventually better understand what drove him to kill.

By: snagger

snagger — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:22:28 +0000

First and foremost…My Condolences to the Families of all those involved in this most tragic incident. Thank You for reminding us what Life is truly about. Another sad day for America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave……Peace to ALL.

By: raven333

raven333 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:22:41 +0000

There were three other people who ran towards Adkisson, too, and tackled him. That’s impressive. BTW, the headline on the local newspaper is now about services offered for the victims of the shooting in all the other churches in town–churches which probably would not have had good words for the UU church previously.

By: J.Irons

J.Irons — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:10:55 +0000

A very thoughtful comment. Thank you.

By: Albatross

Albatross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:37:52 +0000

I’ve been a UU for nearly twenty years, but I’ve never been as proud to be a UU as I am to share a faith with people like Mr. McKendry. I have held for some time now that progressivism is a philosophy of courage, while conservatism is a philosophy of fear: beliefs that the weekend’s tragic shootings have only reinforced.

It is at times like these that we are all called upon to respond with courage.

Many people have commented on the fact that Right Wing books by Limbaugh and Hannity were found in the shooter’s home. Much more distressing than that fact is that those books are considered “mainstream.” Twenty years ago when a crazed shooter went on a rampage, one found mimeographed tracts by extremist authors - nowadays the same philosophies receive ISBN numbers and book tours.

By: dmac

dmac — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:09:10 +0000

this is funny

1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. Liberal Quakers (94%)
3. Unitarian Universalism (90%)
4. Secular Humanism (86%)
5. New Age (85%)
6. Mahayana Buddhism (84%)
7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (82%)
8. Theravada Buddhism (82%)
9. Taoism (71%)
10. Reform Judaism (71%)
11. Orthodox Quaker (65%)
12. Jainism (64%)
13. Sikhism (61%)
14. Scientology (60%)
15. New Thought (55%)
16. Bahá’í Faith (52%)
17. Hinduism (48%)
18. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (48%)
19. Nontheist (38%)
20. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (37%)
21. Seventh Day Adventist (30%)
22. Jehovah’s Witness (27%)
23. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (27%)
24. Islam (24%)
25. Orthodox Judaism (24%)
26. Eastern Orthodox (15%)
27. Roman Catholic (15%)

By: Ian Welsh

Ian Welsh — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:46:26 +0000

100% neo pagan
98% Mahayana Buddhist
95% UU
92% Therevada

was a bit suprised by the neo-pagan, but not by the buddhism or UU

By: Elliott

Elliott — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:11:36 +0000

you like to ring doorbells?

By: dmac

dmac — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:09:48 +0000

did you click that you like white shirts or bicycles? maybe that was it.

By: DWBartoo

DWBartoo — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:09:15 +0000

I understand your perspective.

Yet McKendry deserves to be recognized and appreciated, and while it IS difficult to conceive of a politician who would have sufficient class and courage to do justice to McKendry’s selfless act, it would not hurt for them to sincerely try, quietly, and with dignity to NOT behave as if the moment were about themselves.

A dose of humility and human appreciation might be of use to all politicians.

But mostly, I made the comment because I suspect very few polticians could actually ‘get’ the example which McKendry has provided us, understanding its implications and honestly examing the circumstances and those ‘personalities’ which and who may have contributed to this devastating assault upon society, conscience and truth.

I realize you are on the ‘front line’, as it were, RevDeb and I can only say how much I appreciate all that you clearly do, on a daily basis, to make the realization of a better world not only possible but probable.

David