And the friends and families of the victims there. Looks like a similar attack was foiled in Santa Monica. Be safe, everyone.
One of the victims who is injured but alive is a personal friend of William and I. He is a fitness coach named José who William has known since both of them were in their 20's.
My thoughts are with you and William, and my best to José for a swift and complete recovery. What a terrible tragedy.
Thank you. Watching all of this happen in the U.S., knowing that this is only part of a larger picture, is like watching someone you love whither in a hospital bed. It's full of contradictions. It makes me think thoughts and have wishes that I know are wrong and have bad outcomes, but there I am thinking them all the same.
The shooter apparently called 911 before the incident and pledged alliance to ISIS. Then today, someone was arrested carrying weapons, ammo, and explosives in his way to a Pride Parade in LA. Had to be planned. Two different threats on the LGBT community in one day? Can't be a coincidence.
When I woke up and saw the headlines, I thought two things instantly: Florida? Muslim? In all seriousness, it's very depressing. It's also a big eye opener for us gays in the more "safe" countries. We always hear of gays being wronged in third world countries, but this might be the biggest attack on the LGBT community in a very long time. It says a lot about our culture when this stuff happens.
Awful news to wake up to today. Now I'm hoping people won't continue the violence by targeting Muslims. This is an opportunity to show support and solidarity with the LGBT community; anti-LGBT sentiment is still alive among all groups of Americans and leads to a lot of negative outcomes, including placement in foster care and homelessness among LGBT youth. Instead of pretending this is an ISIS thing or a Muslim thing, I hope people realize this is an "all of us" thing and this country as a whole needs to get better at supporting the LGBT community.
I have the article from CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/ The final tally is 50 killed, 53 wounded. According to the article the shooter already had a bias against homosexuals before the event, and that night, with an assault rifle and handgun he had legally purchased a week ago, he acted on his hate. I'm tired, guys, I'm so tired. I don't want to sound arrogant or anything, but I'm sick of the pain, I'm sick of all this hate, I'm sick of people being so fucking stupid, and not asking why? Why do this, why cause pain? What purpose will this ever serve? How, how do people not use their eyes, we are all human. To kill another is to kill a son, a daughter, your fellow human with a life path of their own. I'm tired. Goddammit, these tragedies shouldn't happen. My prayers are with the victims.
I feel the exact same way. What's worse, you see all these people saying, "now, see, this is why we need a Muslim ban." And that's the worst attitude to have. Because there were Muslims in Orlando donating their food, water, blood, and time to support those injured. They aren't all extremists. Most of them are just as horrified by it as we are. Hell, the shooter's parents were even upset. It's not the religion, it's the person. It's the laws that allowed him, a man suspected of terrorism and interviewed by the FBI twice, to legally buy two guns without anyone batting an eye. It's all so fucked up, man. I've been angry about it all day.
Our friend did not survive. He passed about an hour ago. His full name is José Luis D. Conde. He was my friend and he is dead because of the beliefs of another.
Three things. 1. The extremists are few and loud. The moderates are many and quiet. 2. People are emotional creatures, and don't use their brains when these kinds of things happen. 3. In fairness to the rest of the United States, Florida's gun laws and castle doctrine are completely ludicrous. I know this is going to weigh on my mind for the rest of the week, probably for the rest of the month. This kind of horror will not be forgotten for a long time. I'm sorry Wreybies. I'll say five extra prayers for you.
I'm truly sorry to hear this @Wreybies. My best to you and William at this difficult time. Take care, friend.
Hey guys, how about we remember the victims in this thread. Another thread can go to the Debate Room for people to discuss who's to blame and what's to be done. For this thread, let's just think about the innocent people whose lives were cut short.
My deepest condolences sympathies are with @Wreybies and anyone else affected by this senseless tragedy.
It's a natural human reaction to want to discuss and try to make sense of it. Just not feeling up to debating it myself, and I'd like to remember tge victims. No need for apologies.
