Explosive News Shocks AM~Erica

So anyway...

Last night, at the end of a usual local 6:00 newscast, breaking news was happening right before our eyes. The station we were watching is right down the street from something so shocking in our area...and so sad.

The channel we were on was rocked (only slightly) by what was an apparent explosion somewhere close by. They sent news chopper helicopters to see what could be found out...and it wasn't hard to find.

Billowing black & gray smoke was rising above one area of the historic & famous Country Club Plaza. It is the oldest shopping area in the U.S. & contains most of the fountains of KC that puts only second to Rome in the number of fountains in the world. See? You learned a little something today...you're welcome.

Historic Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri

The famous JC Nichols fountain...one of the many fountains in & around the Plaza

Billowing smoke over the Plaza, seen from afar

One thing about the Plaza is that it is generally very upscale (or was in the past...it has slightly lessened in that status within the last few years). It still contains very upscale shopping, but is certainly known for the number of upper-scale eateries. It's kind of a big deal. This is the area of the famous Plaza Lights around the holiday time, and it also well known for the horse drawn carriage rides you can take around, like the one that HUBBY & I TOOK ON ONE OF OUR DATES.

Famous Plaza Lights of Kansas City

There are a lot of apartment areas on the outskirts of this historic landmark, but within it lies many, many businesses of all sorts. Mostly shopping & eating...but there are a few offices, salons & such that cater to a higher tax bracket.

So, around 6:30ish...the news team went live to what was going on somewhere on the Plaza. An explosion would be near unheard of around there...but the video being shown was horrifying & breathtaking all at once.

Not only was the thick, black, cottony-looking smoke rising so high up into the atmosphere...the bright orange glow from underneath was even more frightening. Eventually, it looked like gates to hell were opened, and the rise of the inferno-like flames was terrifying!

The anchors couldn't tell by the chopper angle as to where it might be actually coming from, but they kept repeating over & over that it looked like it was around the area of a longtime eating establishment, J.J.'s.

As the video feed from the chopper could draw a bit more nigh & get a better angle...it was, indeed, J.J.'s.

Even more heart breaking, even though this may not have been prevented, there were warning signs to at least have folks clear the area hours before this tragic event...

I'm going to tell you this story first. Seems unrelated, but stay with me...
A couple of weeks ago, my parents were telling me about smelling gas at their house, or outside. Be proud of me...or don't...that I fought off jumping on the fart/old fart jokes! It took a lot for me to do it, too...but I digress...
Apparently there was a natural gas leak somewhere in the neighborhood, and when they called the gas company, they were told it could take up to 6 months to fix...but...since it appeared to be a 95% leakage...someone would be out within a week.
Is that some of the craziest stuff you've ever heard? Well...turns out the leak was under the tree in my folks' front yard. They live in a cul de sac, and I cannot imagine what might have happened to those 6 houses that sit right around that circle if anything had ignited. I shudder to think about it.

There's a reason I covered tree & it's digestive issues...folks around the Plaza, and in that area, were smelling natural gas thru the day. To a worrisome level to some...but no evacuation. So everyone carried on about their business...

Reports came out that a car hit a restaurant, but there's no way a fire that big would have been caused by a car...unless it's Hollywood. But then it was said that it hit a nearby gas line. OK...makes more sense...but...

All of a sudden it came out that there was, indeed, an explosion. Construction had been happening across the street for 5 years...so there had been a lot of construction right there...like a backhoe was noticed.

What is known is that there was a gas leak. Someone had hit it underground...possibly. Not sure why it exploded, but we could see people stupid enough...and heard witnesses talking about...the person(s) smoking in the area! Are You Kidding Me?

I am NOT saying that it was the smoker(s) that caused this. Just take note. However...a historic building & a longtime running & establishment, favorited & frequented by many, was gone. IS gone. Gone.

Gas was smelled around 1:00 PM...no one was evacuated until sometime after 5:00...but...apparently that info wasn't given quickly enough...the explosion happened around 6:00 PM.

Now then...I'm not the biggest of conspiracy theorists...but I do wonder sometimes...
There were a couple of interviews done with random witnesses that really made the hubby & I wonder...
The first guy that struck us was a dude who was on the highway...saw smoke...and decided to make his way over to the site to watch a building burn. Uh...someone needs to keep that footage of that guy...he didn't have anything to do with this one, but he's someone who has done something or getting ready to. That was horribly bizarre.
The next guy that caused us to pay attention was a guy in his mid-20's to early 30's. He was interviewed & he said that he was an employee at J.J.'s, but had the day off/ he lived close by/ heard an explosion and "knew it was J.J.'s". Say what??? He also just happened to know that there wouldn't be very many people in the eatery at that moment. It was very weird. Keep that interview & his face! It may come in handy...

Now then, they also interviewed one of the co-owners of J.J.'s. I realize we probably didn't see the whole interview, but he didn't seem very overcome with emotion...but talked about how he & his family are resilient & would get thru this. It was so strange...

OK...now that we are past that line of thinking...Mayor Sly James made a point in a dull press conference that we are in the "People Phase". This is more concerned about finding everyone & making sure people are OK & taken care of. That right where it needs to be.

As it turns out, last night, there were very few people in the restaurant (just as the employee had pointed out, btw). They figured there were maybe 11-13 folks injured & getting medical attention. It was reported that there were 3 unaccounted for. In that time, they found 2 of those folks & got them some medical attention. They were still missing one.

Unbelievable to see the pictures of where this place once stood. And, now that the smoldering is quieted, cadaver dogs did find the remains of someone. It may be the person unaccounted for. Oh-so-sad.

A giant hole has been left in our metro area. A hole in KC; a hole on the Plaza; a whole in our hearts.

All that is left of JJ's

We need to pray & send comfort to these families of the injured, the family of the body found, the rescuers that fought very hard to keep things under control, and for the the restaurant owners & employees. I cannot imagine what it might have been like to have been in that area. The video & images are amazing, breathtaking, absolutely horrendous.

The reports of all the people in the area who smelled the gas, who felt the explosion, who saw the building, who ran to help, and who were evacuated from their homes or would not be allowed in their homes after work...we need to pray for them, too.

What. A. Shock.

But we should be thankful that it was not any busier...at 6:00 on any given evening. Still tragic.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

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AM~Erica Trying to Give Direction to Solution

So anyway...

The TRAGEDY IN CONNECTICUT is still fresh in our minds, as well as the shootings in Topeka. And it seems there's no slowing down the jumping to a solution of sorts to slow or stop all of this.

I was going to wait to give my take on all of this & really open up my thoughts & where I'm coming from, but it appears the time is now.

So...*deep breath in, deep breath out* here we go:

Off we go on more POLITICAL TANGENTS, even with the elections being over. It hasn't slowed up. It's frustrating. And, as usual, both "sides" are sounding as insane as ever.

With the fiscal cliff looming (Solution: FLAT TAXES by percentage of what you make. Too easy? Whatever, just do it & get over it.), there are still people mudslinging from all directions.

Here's the dealio, y'all...the focus on gun control is not the answer...solely. Like it or not, there needs to be a major tightening. And even if you don't like to hear it, mental health issues need to be on the background checks for gun purchases, at least a reference from a doctor/phycologist/counselor, and a number of guns cap needs to be set. It's not a matter of taking them away, there is an issue of "control". Yet many just want to carry around pistol...or automatic weapons, like we are back in the old west. You know, settle an argument at high noon with a dual because you felt threatened. If you are not part of law enforcement or in the military...there is absolutely NO reason for a civilian to carry a gun unless it's in the woods because you are hunting for food...NOT GAME! The conceal & carry is a sham, in my opinion. I didn't say take them away. There's those who want to have them at home to defend their household & property from trespassers, but just note that you can still be shot, wounded, deablilitateyd, or killed by the trespasser who may have a gun. Your own gun would have done you no good. Will it keep the guns out of the hands of the "bad guys"? No. But keeping an actual registration of guns in the possession of persons will be a major start. You don't have to agree with me...but there is actual common sense here.

The biggest problem is the insurance & healthcare thing. Obamney-Care (that's right, it's still based off of Romney's stuff) is not the answer. Do we need all to be covered? Absolutely! But not at such a high of price. There is absolutely no reason anyone should be charged $20 to take 2 Tylenol while getting hospital care. It's about price gauging, for sure. Make it illegal to charge so much for use of equipment & things. Bring the price down so healthcare is affordable. Oh...and make it OK for people to get the prescriptions they need & make it OK to see the right specialists without the hinderance of insurance barriers. Trust me...it's happened to us. And marketing prescription drugs publicly is not OK, and should be taken away from them. Why? It's up to health professionals, not the everyday WebMD checker, to tell if they need it. Cut out that marketing & hopefully that will help with "big name" prescription costs going down. No one should ever have to pay $400 for any medication! When drug stores can offer $4 prescriptions, that should set a precedent.

It is so very wrong for people who need a particular attention given to them, but can't because insurance won't pay for it, and then one cannot afford to pay for it out of their own pocket. It's a disgusting vicious cycles that has to be broken! Oh...and taxing people who can't afford healthcare isn't the answer either.

These two issues are completely tied in together. It's both/and...not either/or. (see about my PURPLE POLITICS)

I, personally, am against the possession of civilian guns. That's my thinking. But...I wasn't brought up with them, either. No defending "my side" will make me want to jump into that mold of defending my 2nd amendment right when I've never had to deal with it...and been just fine. And the segway is that if I did want to get one, I truly hope I was turned down. Why? Because I have mental health issues.

If you remember when I've talked about my DEPRESSION ISSUES, I also said that I had been suicidal. I tried to overdose, and it didn't work. Luckily. However, those issues are never truly gone for me...I can easily slide back into those deep, dark areas. And I have brought up that I imagine another way of doing it, but I cannot make that work, which is a good thing. I can imagine the barrel of gun at my temple & can feel the cold metal against the right side of my head. If there was a gun in our house, I might find a way to use it. So the possession of this weapon is off limits!

That being said, I know there might be some kind of violation of privacy, blah-blah, if health records were a part of this background check to purchase a gun. I know of more than one person who either owns a gun or would like to that have mental health issues & are on medication. If this is the case...a weapon of destruction should not be in your possession...or under the same roof where they reside. Friends & relatives should know what your issue is & know that showing you where they stash their firearms or lending one (or more) to you is a serious lack of good judgement.

You know what all of that leads to? Murderous rampages. When someone who is in serious need of psychological help uses a firearm to take out many, and you turn around and defend them having a gun...guess what you look like. (Note: at the same time, whining & pouting because someone does have a firearm is just as crazy...because it is in the constitution.)

I have seen a couple of posts from people who have shared painstaking stories of loved ones who were lost to mental health issues to the point that they were no longer the same person. Good people, but who ended up with a twisted view on life for whatever reason. It's sad & horrible.

We have to realize that, if these people who need mental help, they can still use any means necessary to get their "point across"...they will find a bat or club, knives or axes, even create a bomb.

Along with some of these psychological triggers is the incidental glamorization of the assailants in these tragedies. If every name & face of these killers are all over the news & media, they got what they wanted...notoriety. Remembered for something big. The more we talk about their names & cover every inch of their lives...they have made a name for themselves...just as they had hoped to do - you know, like the last guy who did it. If we focus on the victims, it is no longer about the killer. We don't glamorize them anymore. But we get this sick curiosity about them & try to get into their minds. Why do we even want to be there when we see the outcome?

Morgan Freeman was credited with pointing out the media for being the big issue of a lot of these tragedies by sharing the name & face of the assailant over & over & over &...
As it turns out, Morgan Freeman didn't say it. But the words still ring true...to a point. The media is another large portion of the issue. Don't give anything personal away about any murderer. They seek & crave that kind of attention in these cases. And then we still cover their trials & every moment leading up to what's coming to them.

The glamorization of "reality" television with the people we make celebrity for outlandish behaviors & our lack of talking openly & honestly about mental health issues contribute greatly to this.

Gun control, healthcare, and media have jaded us as a people. Keeps us divided because we are focussing on the wrong things at the wrong times.

I've also heard that it's because God isn't allowed in our schools anymore. There is still prayer happening, mostly silently by teachers for their students & their days, and by students about to take a test. There is still gathering at flagpoles & Fellowship of Christian Athlete clubs that still meet & pray...in schools. We have worked SO hard to not offend, that we have been forced to be the defensive. And it forces us to hand out participation trophies & not make anyone work for anything. Just show up & you get recognized.
Where are our priorities, people? What are we really wanting & really fighting for?

President Obama, once again, delivered a beautiful speech at the inter-faith service for the fallen children & faculty in Newtown. Again, he spoke from being a parent. He was truly emotional...and I know. My hubby had to deliver A HARD SERMON this weekend & had the same tone. You get emotional, but know you have to keep it together in that moment. And when the president said that changes need to be made...everyone jumped to conclusions as to what he might mean. You know what he meant? He meant that CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE! That's it. That was not the time or place to spell it out. Did he elude to it? Yes...but guess what? It was a lot of what I pointed out here. It's more than gun control, folks...it's mental health issues, too. Don't just hear part of it...hear the whole of it. Much like scripture...take the whole thing instead of dissecting it into just pieces you want to get out of it.

I apologize for covering this so soon...but I'm sick of people's focus on just a couple of things while others deeply mourn.

I mourn. As a parent, as a human, as an American...I mourn.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Saddened & Disheartened by Tragedy & Reactions

So anyway...

Friday is generally a social media free day for my hubby & I. It's his day off & we want to spend it together. Being out & about yesterday (a Friday), we were completely oblivious to the horrendous & vile situation that was happening...

Imagine our shock as we got home, settled in & discovered that there was yet another shooting. I mean, how many do there need to be? My answer is, "Absolutely none!" But that's not how things have been happening in the last few months. But this one was even worse. This one involved children...a lot of children...

Watching the news as moment-by-moment updates were coming in surrounding the situation at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, we just sat there stunned & shaken. We were speechless as tears filled our eyes & streamed down our cheeks as live feeds were being shown from the scene outside the school.

As parents watching this madness & sadness, my heart was breaking & aching for the families, the school, the entire community & the nation while all of this was unfolding...the helplessness of the parents there. The children who survived were being carried by their parents, or escorted in blankets or coats while being clutched & coddled. I can't even imagine.

Then there were the reports of the numbers lost: last I heard, there were 27...and 20 of them were children. Just wow...20 kids under the age of 10 were taken from their families for no good reason. Right before (and during) the holidays. I cannot even imagine what emotions this will drone up in these families & in that community, as well as extended communities.

A huge, senseless tragedy happened yesterday. All we wanted was to get our own children home from school to just hug them...a lot. We had to step away from the house, and Teen Girl beat us home. As soon as we got back to the house, we headed directly to her room, and just hugged her. My emotions got the best of me & I just cried while holding her. She was weirded out, but understood. They did talk about it a bit at their own school, but the understanding really wasn't there. And then we decided not to leave the house again until after Lil Guy got home & we could just make sure he was safe with us. We got him off the bus & hugged him so big. He didn't understand what was going on at all.

That was 2 of our kiddos home...Teen Boy was at a tournament...in another state. Of all days for him to be hundreds of miles away...it had to be now. *sigh* And he wasn't due home until anywhere from 2:30-4:00 AM the next morning. That's already a hard thing for a parent to have your kid in another far away place from you...but this was not the time (as it turned out) to have him so far. And we wouldn't see him for a long time (for us).

We get to love on our kiddos, we get to tell them we love them & how proud we are of them. 20 families of lost children won't be able to do that. They did not get to tuck their children into bed last night, they didn't have them in their beds to wake up today; the children did not get to come home to count their presents under the tree & speak loudly at dinner about their countdown to Christmas and what Santa is going to bring them.

We sit at home, only being able to witness the aftermath, trying to rationalize the why. What did yet another young adult male have brewing within him to feel the need to leave such a trail of bloodshed...and even more horrifyingly, in a kindergarten classroom? I can't imagine what his brother is going thru right now; he lost his parents & brother in an evil mess, all while being mistaken to be the assailant. I really...just...can't...even...imagine...

As hubby & I ran more errands yesterday afternoon, and after making sure our kiddos (well, 2 of them) were home & safe, we ran into a "staff member" at Lil Guy's school. I asked her about what was being brought up at our own school. She really hadn't been there much that day, but we discussed the fact that the would-be-killer would have been buzzed into the school...his mother worked there, so why would the staff ever question why he might be there. Even if she wasn't there that day, he may have come to pick something up for her or anything. Why would they have suspected he came in fully armed? They wouldn't have. And even with everyone being screened somehow before entering our own school's building, they would never have questioned a family member. Why would they?

I trust Lil Guy's school. I trust the high school of my other 2. This is a freak, senseless & horrible tragedy. I think about the little ones lost, as well as the principal & teachers. Hearing the sorts of heroics that came out of this mass shooting from teachers & other children is amazing to hear...and also so difficult...they never should have been forced into that situation. All those precious & innocent children witnessing such horror. Parents wouldn't even let them watch movies with this kind of plot so they would not have to deal with that in their young minds...and yet they had to live it.

And, as the same response from much of social media, after the movie theatre & mall tragedies, gun control posts immediately started going up; both on the "take them all away, " to "don't take my gun" posts. People, we lost innocent children & innocent lives yesterday, last week, and this past summer. There are people in deep mourning. Even though there was a gunman that took their lives, we need to focus our thoughts & prayers on those mourning. How dare any of you put up such disgusting political posts during this time. Tact & timing, people. Learn them. If that's where your brain went, and your typing & clicking fingers took over, you need to look into your hearts. How dehumanizing to throw that out there.

In the same light, President Obama made an incredible speech about this. He beautifully & emotionally delivered words so eloquently from the heart of a parent. If you were disgusted by anything he had to say, again, look into your hearts.

Our political thoughts should not be clouding our prayers & thoughts in this unspeakable outcome. Do I have thoughts about it? Yes I do. But, as a parent who's heart breaks for the families & the community in Connecticut, I pray diligently for your own healing. The emotional scars are deep, and may compassion come out of this situation as we all deal with this horrendous tragedy over this time of year. Or any time of year.

Put your nasty posts & political thoughts away, folks. Join hands & pray...this could have happened anywhere. Even your own community, your own school, to your own child. How's that for a wake up? Changes need to be made, folks...and not where you are encouraging the focus to be, either.

People, we need to stop, take pause, and pray/send positive energies & strengths to that place. And I would love to post my hubby's sermon sometime tomorrow for more beautiful words from a frustrated human who is a parent, and a pastor.

And...if you haven't already...hug your children, kiss them on the cheek &/or head, tell them you love them...and just love more & hate less overall. It's detrimental at this point...

As always...stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica