Thursday, 4:30 PM
Readers react online to Lincoln-Sudbury stabbing
As crisis counselors offered their services at Lincoln-Subury Regional High school today, on-line readers reacted with shock to the stabbing Friday.
The stabbing generated a debate about weapons in school and about special needs children, and led to memorial postings on facebook.com.
"This is a terrible tragedy and puts all athletic events college applications and everything else in perspective.....to all those who knew and loved james i feel for you..i don't even know what else to say....'' Will Kussin, Concord-Carlisle High Schol, wrote on facebook.com.
"For the most part, nothing much happens in this upscale town,'' writes one poster on Democratic Underground. "When tragedy or violence happens, people interviewed on television tend to all say the same thing: "I can't believe it", "How could it happen HERE". etc. The truth is, that it CAN happen anywhere ---- even "here".''
Adds another: "I went to LS and graduated in 88.. Hard to believe anyone would ever bring a knife into that school..''
On another site, Publicola writes: "Didn't someone claim that gun free schools were safer? That no one would be seriously hurt if we'd just make sure those vile implements were illegal to possess on school grounds? Well I again beg to differ.''
A student from neighboring Concord writes on her online journal: "We found out during D block, and by E block, the entire school knew. Apparently, the kid who did the stabbing had Asperger's Syndrome, and was on medication, which I'm sure had an affect. Also, by personal experience, working with a kid at camp who HAS Asperger's, they need to know what is going to happen and are huge on planning and just pretty much knowing- perhaps the killing was planned, but I guess we'll never know for sure. The boy could have been getting teased and may have had a knife on him for his own protection.''
Also on facebook, a student from Lincoln-Sudury High School writes:
"It finally snowed last night and i wonder if james was as happy as i was. i wonder if he went outside and watched it fall down on him as i did and just enjoyed one of the simplest pleasures of life. may god's love be with you james. ''
Another Lincoln-Sudbury student wrote:
"Yesterday was a horrible tragedy. No one knew it was coming. I remember coming up the stairs near the libary and going into east house and then coming out and seeing a boy near the bathroom lying on the ground making odd noices i didnt think anything of it because I thought he was just playing around and joking so I walked away. know that I know it was real I feel bad I didnt do anything like call for help. I watched a boy die right in front of me. I did not know James but I wish I did. I feel for his family and there loss I know it feels to loose someone you love to violence like what happened yesterday. Yesterday was a lesson learned. Even if you do not like a person or think they are wierd cus they act differnet or dress different we should treat everyone the same. R.I.P JAMES♥''
