Out of the Mouths of Babes - With important update!

It seems that when something tragic happens, we humans need to have answers. We ask "why?" and look for someone or something to blame.

Today Lorrie Goldstein ponders the reactions to the recent fatal school shooting of 15-year-old Jordan Manners. Blame runs the gambit from sleazy politicians to wimpy laws and wimpy judges who just send the offenders back out on the street, and kids who see no deterrent to using guns to solve their problems.

Politicians like Dalton McGuinty and David Miller hold up gun "bans" and blocking the gun flow from the U.S. as the panacea, yet kids are quite capable of making their own.

Moira MacDonald seems to be blaming all us whiteys for not caring enough, but I can tell you that seeing the grief of Jordan's family and friends in news reports just tore my heart out. I am a mother. I can relate. His graduation photo depicts a beautiful, sweet boy. Please don't tell me I felt worse about Jane Creba's murder just because she happened to be white and was shopping instead of at an inner-city school.

Jordan's friend, 14-year-old Clyde Adu has the wisdom lacking in many adults. At the BBQ held yesterday in honour of the slain teen he remarked:

"I'm just sad," Adu said. "We shouldn't put anger in our hearts."

So let's just feel sad. Then let's work together on this multi-layered problem.

For the sake of the children.

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Update: One Charged; One Sought in School Shooting.

Globe - Teen charged in Toronto school shooting.

Monday Update: Second suspect turns himself in - Globe. Both were 'friends' of the victim.