Very bad news - just reported on Twitter - ABC just reported that the Reverend Pinckney & his

[NRaleighLiberal]

ABC just reported that the Reverend Pinckney & his sister were two of the victims of the #CharlestonShooting

not substantiated yet, just came in on Twitter

Another source on Twitter

Reverend Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of Emmanuel AME Church & his sister have been shot. ~reliable source #chsnews #CharlestonShooting

[Le Taz Hot]

1. I take it Reverend Pinckney was the pastor

at the church?

[Person 2713]

2. And also a state senator (D)

[Le Taz Hot]

7. Thank you.

Left coaster here.

[herding cats]

11. And a vocal AA advocate

He was a very good man and he's going to leave a huge absence in his wake.

[calimary]

21. Welcome to DU, Person 2713.

Glad you're here. You're not merely a number to us!

Unfortunately, at moments like this, all we can do here is grit our teeth at more terrible news. Fortunately, we have each other, here, to share the upset and bewilderment. It's actually therapeutic.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. seems to be, yes. said "shot" and "victims", not killed, at this point - fog of news.

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. just on local news - 9 dead total, including State Senator/Rev. Pinckney and his sister.

[Duppers]

12. Oh NO!

Why? And when will this stop!

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. names of the dead - State Senator/minister and his sister - but I agree - going to modify the OP

title. thanks.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. Forgive me. It all breaks my heart no matter who was killed. I didn't mean to sound insensitive.

It's terrible.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. No, I really appreciate it - trying to collect info, and can get clumsy with wording.

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. I'm going to delete that post... but I have to say... I'm tired, I'm weary, I'm heartbroken.

Last week I met someone who turned on whatever switch it took to make me see the light about the death penalty.

Tonight I'm going to bed and I don't know if I'll sleep because I'll be rethinking my full and complete support for the Second Amendment.

[Aerows]

22. Thanks to both of you for not getting ugly

and deleted posts that were said wrong in the heat of the thread.

Would that everyone follow your example, cherokeeprogressive, instead of digging their heels in when they off-the-cuff say something that reflected on themselves in a way that wasn't who they are. I've done it.

I don't think a one of us on DU hasn't been changed by the experience. We learn to see things through more wise and kind eyes - that has been my experience.

[madokie]

40. Hey bro'

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." -Aristotle:

I think this kinda suggest that what you're going through is a mark of a good person.
Take care

[jtuck004]

13. So this was a political assassination as well as a hate crime? Were they trying to affect the

balance of power, or to start a race war, ala mcveigh?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

14. You guys realize this just became a historic event. Right?

I hope the funeral doesn't turn into a circus.

[jaysunb]

15. Circus ??? really ?? n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

16. Yup. I picture political types fighing over who can be a pallbearer.

[Aerows]

19. Can we just

let the bodies get a chill first before turning it into a political debate?

[herding cats]

26. How very compassionate of you.

No regard for those for whom this event impacts on a personal level. It's all about who might play political games with the dead.

I know you don't realize this, because you're thinking you're a cynic, I get that, but your words are very similar to those the racist will be saying tomorrow. I'm not calling you a racist. I don't think that was your intention here, but I am saying you should listen to yourself and consider what's coming out of your mouth/keyboard on a slightly deeper level than you are.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

29. How many ways do I need to say I hope it doesn't happen that way?

[herding cats]

33. That doesn't negate your words, your horrific timing or the tone.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be ugly to you here which I realize is difficult to convey on the internet. I'm just trying to make you aware of how your words feel to people effected by this tragedy. People will expect Democratic party members to be very respectful. This was a hate crime committed against a Democratic party member after all. It's a given, not cynical, to assume someone had better stand the hell up and represent one of ours so callously murdered. That's not a circus, that's respect. Which had damn well better be given in this case!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

36. You are reading WAY more into that than was there.

[herding cats]

39. Fine.

I tried to explain it to you, but you aren't receptive. I don't waste my time on things like this on the internet.

[Person 2713]

43. But you are thinking it ! Guessing who you are thinking about or you can come out and name

the names otherwise, I have to go with my guess
or stay cool like some media that make a statement like that and then give each other a wink and a nod
Then if called on it they can say what me ? inappropriate? Hey I never said the names and said I hope it doesn't happen
Oh and I do hope you do not beat your wife tonight
See how that kind of hope sounds?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

46. Oh yeah,...what was I thinking? Local politicians would never be attracted to network TV cameras.

[Aerows]

18. Nine fucking human beings

Wives, Fathers, Husbands, Children and friends were gunned down, and you are distilling this into an opportunity for a photoshoot?

Jeez. Let the bodies get cold before turning it into a "historic event" and a goddamn political opportunity.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. Read my post again. I'm not turning it into a political opportunity and I'm hoping they don't.....

But I've become cynical over the years over politicians.

And yes, this IS a historic event right up there with Birmingham.

I hope some good comes out of it.

[Aerows]

27. I read it a few times

and it isn't worthy of you, Spitfire of ATJ.

You've made some great posts and have said a lot of compelling things on DU.

Unfortunately, this fucking well wasn't one of them.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

32. I believe this event is up there with Birmingham....

And I know there are people that are already in bull sessions figuring out how to exploit it.

[Aerows]

34. There is time for that tomorrow.

Tonight?

[herding cats]

35. I hope Democrats line up around the block to give respect

They should. They should be so thick they're tripping over each other to pay their respects. If they give a damn they'd better show up enforce and show it. Devote some time to the cause, because people are dying here.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

38. Republicans should too as a sign of solidarity.

[CBGLuthier]

28. If this is the last stupid, ill-thought out, ugly comment about this I hear

I will be surprised but congrats on being the first.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

30. You honestly believe politicians aren't opportunistic?

[Person 2713]

44. Name names already , come on . Your racially implied BS is old and obvious

[Spitfire of ATJ]

45. This is getting absurd.

[Aerows]

17. Horrible.

Just horrible.

What can we do to stop this epidemic of good people getting gunned down?

[malaise]

20. This is madness

The minute I heard AME church I knew this was a hate crime.
Meanwhile Jeb Bush has canceled his trip to Charleston later today.

[calimary]

23. He's probably not someone they'd be clamoring to see at a time like this anyway.

He's certainly the last person I would want to see at a time like this.

[malaise]

25. Agreed

Interesting that we know who was killed but CNN doesn't - Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Seriously this is an historic church

[Tipperary]

31. This is just awful.

I fear for our country. What have we become?

[Cali_Democrat]

37. What we've always been

A country that brought blacks over from Africa and treated them like shit for centuries.

[Cha]

41. ..