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there just aren't words. My heart is heavy today.

I'm just... Exhausted. Depressed. Disappointed. Worried. Frustrated. Angry. Sad. Hurt. I don't know what to say anymore. The problems seem insurmountable and the divides so large. I don't know anymore.

I'm just so sad about the star of our country right now. My parents live in the Metroplex and one of the officers who was killed was the husband of my mom's friend and former co-worker. My mom's workplace is a tight knit group and they are all reeling from this news and so heartbroken for their friend and her children. I'm just so tired of so much senseless violence and sad that this is apparently the world my children are having to grow up in.

@MamaG: the tragedy did not go unnoticed. There were a few comments on another thread.

It breaks my heart. I have nothing else to say except everyone involved is in my prayers.

There does appear to be less comments on this topic though.

It's awful. That's my hometown. I've been reading about it all day, but what more is there to say? The fact that we can and should be pro-police as well as anti-police brutality/killing should be so obvious and go without saying, and it's making me so angry that a lot of people don't seem to say it that way.

@Boopers: I am so furious at Dan Patrick. When most of the people involved are taking the high road (mayor, police chief et al), why would he say something so evil like that?? I cannot believe it and feel so hopeless that he will never get voted out of office in this state.

I'm trying to make myself feel better by seeking out stories of support and compassion. There are mostly good people out there but all it takes is a handful of (armed) bad apples to wreak havoc on our society.

It honestly does not surprise me that there are very few comments about this.

@MamaG: I made a comment on the other thread.

@twodoghouse: my condolences to your family and friends. Too many people are hurting right now.

I share the same sentiments as @travellingbee: it's hard to know what to say anymore. What is apparent to me is that there is rampant gun violence. The question is, what is the country going to do about it? And remember Orlando was just 3 weeks ago. Has it already been forgotten?

@2littlepumpkins: what do you mean?

@twodoghouse: I'm so sorry to hear that. One of my BILs lives about 3 blocks away from where the shooting took place and he said him and his neighbors just sat on the roof top of the condo building in schock that night until it was all over.

@hummusgirl: @Boopers: at the start of the shooting the protestors didn't know they weren't the targets. I mean come on, the sniper did this alone. Bullets don't have names on them- people are hit by unintended strays all the time. I am thankful the 7 injured officers will recover and more people weren't hurt or killed.

@hummusgirl: @nana87: I was very dissapppounted in someone close to me who justified the shooting.

It sounded like yesterday they initially thought it was a coordinated group but now it sounds like it was one man. It's so sad and feels hopeless that one crazy person can inflict so much so quickly. War veterans have unique issues that maybe there's just no solution to while war is ongoing.
I was impressed that when chaos erupted with armed police and numerous people open carrying weapons that there were not bystander casaulties and people who were open carrying seemed to understand it was not time to take matters into their own hands. I think that speaks a lot to gun education and something in a country full of guns that needs to be addressed more.

@Boopers: I was agreeing with you...just elaborating on the riduculousness of what Patrick said.

@Boopers: ugh, Dan Patrick is an embarrassment to this state! I guess he forgets Americans have a right to peaceful assembly, and it's just as much of a right as the second amendment he so loves to defend. The protesters were peacefully exercising their rights, the officers were doing their job of protecting citizens, the only person who did something wrong was the shooter. Seems like some people just want to pick and choose which constitutional rights are important

I agree with the feelings expressed here. What a freaking mess we are in. So much hatred, division, violence....

I had an early appointment Friday morning and hadn't heard what happened until overhearing the radio in the nurses station. The office is a very diverse group and everyone was really just speechless about it. At the same time, there was this feeling that it was just another day as if these tragedies are becoming the norm.

There was a ton of activity among my FB friends, however. Lots of conspiracy theories and groups organizing for change and action on the BLM front primarily. My sister and I chatted for a long time last night about it all....

My neighbor growing up is a Dallas PD cop. He's a white guy. We were never buddies so I don't know him really, but I am very friendly with his mom. I'm so relieved for her that he was not there.

So hoping we find a way to a more peaceful co-existence without enduring yet another tragedy upon tragedy....

@2littlepumpkins: so, I can guess why you're saying that, but I don't think it's the case. Honestly, some things are so far outside the bounds of what we expect from a civilized society that it leaves you speechless. There's nothing to debate, nothing to argue, Just stunned silence. I think that's what you're seeing here.

@Madison43: I loved the "we're hiring" thing. He's made an great impression on me as well.

@simplyfelicity: Jesus keeps on being co opted to support almost any position...I'm not against the idea of Jesus, but we've gotta get more specific here! What exact parts of Jesus are going to be useful in this situation? I don't know any Trump supporters who aren't avowed Christians. So as far as racism and xenophobia goes, Christianity is choosing to polarize. On cultural issues, religion has driven a wedge between Christians and the rest of the nation. I'm sure the Orlando shooter felt he has God's approval. I think there is a specific notion of Jesus that would be helpful in this situation, but the Christians I know largely cannot accommodate it. I think it is up to the Christians in this country to change their hearts and hopefully model peaceful non polarizing religion and perhaps by modeling this change, we will see change.

@MamaG: I think the chief has been doing a great job in a difficult and delicate situation, but I don't know how I feel about that particular statement. I don't think I should have to join the police force to expect or encourage reform. People protest because they feel their voices aren't being heard, and I don't think they should have to become a cop in order to get their voices heard. And I'm sure a lot of people who dedicate their time to protesting do also contribute time to building up their communities, which you certainly don't have to be a cop to do.

@Mrs. Sketchbook: @agold: If you choose to judge an entire group by its worst members then you're part of the problem. You can look and find assholes in any group, that's the easiest way to justify hate, because assholes exist.
@MamaG: agreed. I think it was a good message. Not everyone is going to be an officer but it's a good option for some people. I've seen a few wonderful examples in my community and friends communities, both officers and protesters, who have really stepped up and tried to heal the wedge even as things still need to be fixed.