Every morning I kiss him good morning and say hi, and he's the last thing I kiss before I go to bed.

[Robb]

"...And every night I beg for him to come to me in my dreams so I can see him again, and during the day I just focus on what I need to do to honour him to make change."

Grieving mother wants gun controls

The mother of a British boy shot dead in the Sandy Hook school massacre has spoken of "finding her voice" in the campaign for gun law changes.

Six-year-old Dylan Hockley was one of 20 children and six teachers killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in December.

Every morning his mother Nicole Hockley kisses his urn before focusing on her campaign for tighter restrictions on guns, she told American television station CBS.

She and the families of some other children killed in the shooting will bring their emotional campaign for "common sense laws" to a national level when President Barack Obama travels to Connecticut. It comes a week after the group helped to push through the nation's most restrictive firearms law in the state.

Read More: http://www.independent.ie/world-news/grieving-mother-wants-gun-controls-29180354.html

[HappyMe]

1. So much unrelenting pain.

[Happyhippychick]

2. Goddammit

[lastlib]

68. God Damn the NRA!

And Wayne LaPee-Error! To HELL!!

[rurallib]

3. I can't imagine what a mess we would be if our grandson

was taken from us. Especially in such a senseless way.

[Robb]

11. And dozens of fresh families are destroyed weekly.

This is what resonated for me, how utterly destroyed I'd be as a parent.

Then to see these families screwing up their courage and pushing into the limelight to try to help other families? I mean, I wonder. Could I do that? Could I ever look past the grief I'd feel we're my child taken from me, and think about other peoples' kids?

And we have the gall to not stop everything we're doing and give these parents our full attention whenever they speak?

[BrotherIvan]

22. +++++

[lastlib]

30. Bravo!! Bravo!!

If you want to see massive, unmitigated gall, look no further than the NRA and its bullet-head allies who would sacrifice our children so they can fellate their gun barrels every night....

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

[Moostache]

59. I just wish there were more gun accidents for THOSE people.

And far, far fewer for the innocent.

Just thinking about the pain of those parents and the smugness of navel lint like Wayne LaPierre makes me tremble with anger.

What I want to know is WHY the fuck can we have "democrats" that can vote for things like cuts to Social Security or blank checks for war or against health care for all (things that should be utterly anathema to them) and yet on the other side, they remain in 100% compliance and lockstep to the tune of their paymasters.

As much as I hate the Republican talking points and agenda items, I am always stunned by the way they keep on winning issue after issue through nothing more than attrition. Please God, let THIS be the one time that they fail and that they find the courage to buck the NRA.

[lapislzi]

44. My dear rurallib, I respectfully ask that you DO imagine.

Every one of us has a duty to imagine the unimaginable. Unless, as David Wheeler so eloquently stated, if we cannot look in the mirror and say, "this will never happen in my community, to me, to my neighbors," then nothing will change, and someday it WILL happen to you or someone close to you.

It wasn't me, until it was.

Imagine it.

[rurallib]

76. I do - everyday

[AngryOldDem]

73. Understood. But that is exactly what one of the dads said we must do.

That's what he meant when he said to look yourself in the mirror and honestly answer the question of whether or not we are doing enough to control guns.

[Hoyt]

4. NRA should add her story to their so-called gun training. Require it before purchasing a gun.

[randome]

21. Like warnings on cigarette packages.

[LittleBlue]

5. Awful

[warrior1]

6. a mother's grief

felt by a nation.

[tblue]

25. How can we possibly ignore it?????

It's the worst thing in the world. She is exactly who we should listen to. Not the paranoid brutes with itchy trigger fingers.

[Sharpie]

63. Folks with heavily invested emotions...

... are less likely to come up with a rational and reasonable response on any issue.

[Robb]

64. It requires a psychopath NOT to be affected by her story.

Shall we leave the policymaking to the psychopaths?

[Kingofalldems]

65. That's what Rush says.

[Robb]

78. Whoops.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=302832&sub=trans

[Kingofalldems]

79. Yeah baby!

[99Forever]

67. Gun culture people don't have a clue ...

... what rational or reasonable even mean.

Gun culture is a mental illness.

[marions ghost]

7. "Sandy Hook Promise"

The families, who have come together to form campaign group Sandy Hook Promise, are urging senators to vote to expand background checks for gun purchases, strengthen laws against gun trafficking and ban ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds. During their lobbying the families have carried photos of their children so politicians can "see what's gone and remember this isn't just about political parties, this isn't just about careers, this is about people and this is about making change to save people".

[IdaBriggs]

8. DAMMIT! The TEARS!!!

His smile -- My God, I don't even know him, and he is *my* son.

Or he could be. I will support his woman and her fight.

[BeyondGeography]

9. Overwhelmingly sad

What a beautiful child; what an awful burden for all of these parents. It would be nice if the legislative sausage factory could produce a measure of solace for them and improve the country a little bit in the process. Is it so much to ask?

[Robb]

10. It may be.

We'll know soon.

[ramapo]

12. Should be required watching

I saw the 60 minutes segment last night with the Sandy Hook parents. It was wrenching to watch.

The closing comments were how even the background check is in serious doubt of passing the House/Senate.


By only comment is that we are governed by a majority of scumbags. Low life pond scum more interested in catering to the religious fervor that somehow equates owning guns without limits to freedom from tyranny. This religion overrides any concern for human life.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

18. "the religious fervor that somehow equates owning guns without limits to freedom from tyranny"

Don't forget the other part of the GOP that equates having "feelings" with weakness. Then there is the part that gets off on making Liberals upset. And another part that laughs at jokes where the punch line is death to a Liberal or a minority or a foreigner or even a woman. They would see this OP and attack the mother and claim the kid was a delinquent.

[freshwest]

34. Well said, we've already seen it with Nugent sneering about Obama talking about children at the SOTU

Their consciences are seared, they will never come back to humanity.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

36. They were the ones who went from "Family Values" and "Focus on the Family",...

...and "Think of the Children" to seeing a first grade class turn into a meat grinder and saying it shouldn't matter if it means Billy Bob can't sleep with a well oiled Bushmaster.

[freshwest]

37. Their 'family values' schtick was always very narrow. Their individual family was the only one that

ever mattered, and extension of the forever greedy ME and MINE. Any other family they could profit off, dispose of to get more for ME and MINE, they were all for it.

I've seen these 'family values' where they shine brightest in the country. It's their clan and blood relations and nothing they do to others is illegal to them if they get ahead. NOTHING.

Okay, a bit off there, but it's the same mentality and it's impossible to break because they benefit from it. If it's not THEIR kids, just forget about it and let god sort 'em out...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

38. Their idea of "family values" meant "home schooling" too....

They wanted the GOVERNMENT to pay them to teach their kids at home. The reason they didn't want their kids in public education was because they didn't want the races to mix and they wanted their authoritarian religion included.

[freshwest]

39. It's an entire generation brought up without any moderating voice of community. Divide and rule.

[defacto7]

40. This disease infiltrated my family as well

One of my brothers has raised his family as home schooled separated from society and armed to the teeth. Their issues don't include racism but an extremist view of religion, Armageddon and an iron curtain to separate their family from the "ravages" of a liberal society that might corrupt them with evil. They have become some of the most evil, psychologically bent and self obsessed people I know. Very sad.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

45. I've known people like that in the South....

It's like visiting the cast from "The Hills Have Eyes" minus the cannibalism.

Even then,...you get the idea that would be a possibility....

[AngryOldDem]

74. You mean the religion that is the NRA?

And politicians who want to hold on to their power even though it may mean more innocents getting killed? All because some in this country have to have their damn guns?

Right now on my local news they're running a clip of Obama and his remarks to Newtown after the shootings. "We will not walk away."

[gblady]

13. My heart just breaks.....

watching that segment was very difficult....both my caregiving client and I were wiping away the tears....

then the fury and disbelief that NOTHING may be done about it...what is wrong with our country?

Every congress person should have to watch that before voting.

[llmart]

14. So sad.

I can't imagine how this mother gets herself out of bed each morning to face another day without her baby. I do not think I could go on if that happened to my children, even now that they're adults.

I also can't imagine why we even have something like the NRA and Guns America (or whatever the hell their name is) in our society.

[demwing]

15. I lost my 9 year old son to cancer

his death lasted months, it was horrible, painful, and I am a broken man as a result.

Yet I consider myself fortunate...

I had a chance to tell my son goodbye. I had the chance to acclimate myself to the coming change. My son had the chance to speak his final words in my ear. When my son died, he was smiling.

He was not taken from me in the course of one afternoon, he was not ripped apart by some deranged psychotic. He was not hiding in fear of his life, terrified and alone, watching his friends and teacher die around him. He was surrounded by love.

I consider my son fortunate as well.

My heart has already been broken, but breaks once again for the Sandy Hook parents. Any society that allows such horrors to happen under the cover of "maintaining our constitutional rights" is a society that doesn't deserve to exist. Any society that would chooses gun rights over the life of a single child is a society that is already dead.

[progressoid]

17. ...I can't imagine...

[BrotherIvan]

23. I am so sorry for your loss

But I know how precious those final moments are, and I totally agree that it's so shameful to think that was stolen from these parents as well. To think your child died in fear and pain is unspeakable.

[Robb]

24. Oh my.

[Frustratedlady]

33. What a touching story about your son's death

I'm sure this horrible Sandy Hook shooting brought all that pain to the surface for you, even though our pain is never truly gone with the loss of a child. But, to be able to look back on the positives of his leaving has to be a plus for you...if there are any pluses that can be found.

My heart goes out to all parents involved with losing their children and staff during Sandy Hook, but also to all parents who have lost children before their time, no matter where they might be

.

[demwing]

35. If there was anything positive involved in my family's loss, the "time to adjust" was it

I can't begin to fathom how crushing it would be to go through what those parents and families went through.

[SunSeeker]

46. OMG. Your post is going to haunt me for a long time.

It just ripped my heart out. I have a 9 year old son. I couldn't imagine anything worse than that happening. But you're right. At least he did not die in terror watching his friends and teacher get slaughtered.

[Number23]

53. You are a remarkable human being.

Your son was so fortunate to have you. And you, him.

[RudynJack]

54. Unimaginable.

I'm so so sorry.

[mokawanis]

60. I'm sorry, demwing

No parent should have to endure what you went through. I'm just glad to know you were there by his side, giving him your love and helping him through it.

[Logical]

62. I am so sorry. What a horrible thing for you to go through. n-t

[go west young man]

75. My heart goes out to you and your obviously cool son.

To have such an understanding and honest dad he must of been a super cool kid. The collective consciousness (mother universe) has him now as one day it has all of us.

[joeybee12]

16. This is heartbreaking...knr

[Junkdrawer]

19. The American Public is with you. Unfortunately, moneyed interests are not.

And in our "Plutocracy with a Democratic Face&quot tm), you're likely only to get lip service.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

20. Brutal.

There's never been a news story that's hit me as deep as Sandy Hook. Never.

Being a dad plays a big part of it.

[abelenkpe]

26. K&R

Heartbreaking! Little guy looks so much like my eight year old son. I cant imagine her grief. It's sad that we haven't already done more to prevent gun violence.

[LeftishBrit]

27. Made me cry. No words, really.

[midnight]

28. More peace and less fast and furious.... Notice the surge of violence since these guns were lost....

[Arugula Latte]

29. I feel sick that these nice people came to this twisted, insane country

full of gun nuts and their precious little boy met this end.

[SunSeeker]

31. He reminds me of my 9-year-old. He could be anybody's kid.

[lastlib]

32. I am sending his picture to my Congress-thing,

and asking her to post it on her desk, and to ask herself daily what she is doing to stop this carnage. It won't do any good; she's a bought-and-paid-for NRA/Tea Party stooge. But maybe it'll give her a momentary twinge of guilt when she accepts their campaign blood-money/bribes.

[benld74]

41. MADD began slowly as well,,

I predict this will gather steam and keep moving forward. NRA, be very afraid.

[spanone]

42. shame, shame, shame on congress

and fuck them

k&r...

[defacto7]

43. ...

[Robb]

47. "Gun Rightists" conspicuously absent here.

Wonder why?

[Rex]

56. Ya...what is up with that?

Should be an extra 5 to 15 people posting in here. Hmmm...

[aikoaiko]

77. Because there is no need to respond.

This parent's grief is real and the death of her son is unacceptable. Just as all the individual cases are from the Sand Hook massacre.

The criminal use of guns and the tragedies that result, however, can't support a piece of flawed legislation like the AWB and background checks wouldn't impact this type of massacre at all. That's why the legislation is failing or having trouble moving forward.

I support a compromise background check law and think it will pass.

It may be true that most of the proposed gun control measures have overall support from the population, but gun control is a little bit like electoral politics. You have to win it state by state and that won't happen.

[kimbutgar]

48. Thank god more people watch sixty minutes than fox

I was tearing up last night watching this. I just could not imagine losing a child to this senseless violence. We can't allow the NRA and extreme right wing to win on this.

[WinkyDink]

49. "every night I beg for him to come to me in my dreams so I can see him again...." NO. WORDS.

[riqster]

50. Nothing hurts like losing a child.

She has the right of it, and expressed it far more eloquently than I ever could.

[riverbendviewgal]

51. americans are going to turn out just like the phillipino people

That the HBO new show Vice shows this week. They love their guns too and believe it is their right. Watch it.

[Robb]

52. "I just kept looking. I kept looking."

"It started to be fewer and fewer parents in the room. And they asked everyone who was left to come into a back room."

[Number23]

55. Well, you just ruined my morning

But I'm glad that you did. Those people are remarkable examples of humanity at its finest. The dignity with which they hold themselves should be an example to everyone. The love for their children shines.

That woman at about the 7 minute mark just about did me in though when she said "it feels as if this just happened a moment ago and yet, it's been YEARS since I've seen my son." God bless them all.

[Curmudgeoness]

57. Watching these parents on 60 Minutes last night

was one of the hardest things I have ever watched on TV. I wish them success with their campaign...and comfort for their pain.

[bottomofthehill]

58. She is a true American hero

I wish her every success so she can hopefully feel that some good comes from her tragic loss

[mokawanis]

61. I think of this woman, and then I consider people like LaPierre

I'm moved by her story and filled with admiration for her. In awe of her strength and her commitment to her son.

Then I think of dirtballs like Wayne LaPierre and I'm filled with a contempt that borders on hatred.

[cvoogt]

66. so so so so so sad.

No words, just tears, and feeling helpless.

[Go Vols]

69. I wish my dead son back

but it never happens.

[eridani]

71. So full of life and potential!

My keyboard is wet, but my resolve to do something about this is strengthened.

[AngryOldDem]

72. And the answer to this tragedy is more. damn. guns.

The pain these parents are feeling is unfathomable.

We owe it to them -- and to their children -- to find some answer to this madness, other than adding to the arsenal.

It's been shown time and again that the public wants more stringent gun control, but the fucking NRA is still in charge of setting policy.

As one dad said -- you think it can't happen to you, you think it can't happen to your child, UNTIL IT DOES.

And yet, we want even more guns.

[smirkymonkey]

80. This is just so absolutely heartbreaking.

Why does the gun lobby need to add insult to injury. It is really so cruel. I just don't understand it. My heart breaks for those poor children and their families.