*Sighs, shakes head* That poor boy. He was only being honest with himself and the world. He didn't deserve to die for that.
I actually feel kind of sorry for the shooter, too. I say that because somewhere along the line, someone probably taught him to hate that much. Somebody probably taught him that that poor dead kid was a threat to him, even if they never interacted. Someone taught him that people with different beliefs/sexual affiliations/appearances deserved to die (or at the very least, DIDN'T teach him to NOT think that way). That's sad. The passing on of that belief is what's so scary - and that these kids are listening to it.
Do I think he should be punished? Absolutely. What he did was beyond evil, and truly tragic. I just wish there were a way to punish the people who taught him to think that way, too.
I completely stand behind my daughter if she realizes when she's older (she's not even 2 yet) that she's bi, or gay, or feels she should have been male, or whatever (I'm bi myself, but even if I weren't I couldn't condemn her for something like that). But in a sad sort of way, I hope she doesn't. In a way, I hope she's "normal" so she (hopefully) won't have to deal with children like that. It scares me to death to think that there might be something about her that would make someone hate - and maybe kill - her for no good reason. It almost makes me want to home school her (WITHOUT the religious bent, thank you very much), so I could protect her, as best I could, from raving lunatics like the shooter and his ilk.
*Wipes eyes* That poor kid didn't deserve to die. He should've been commended for being brave enough, and strong enough, to be honest about himself in today's world. It's a great shame this happened, especially because a lot of kids will be too afraid to follow his example.
:'(
