I have no words to describe the horror that took place in Connecticut yesterday - 20 small children and 6 adults gunned down in Sandy Hook Elementary School by a deranged and obviously mentally ill man. For awhile the media reported that the perpetrator of this heinous act was a man named Ryan Lanza. It ultimately turned out that the shooter was Ryan's brother Adam. So for a brief time Ryan, who lost his mother yesterday, was wrongfully accused. I feel for Ryan as well, as he is also a victim.
The theme of the play, and now the soon-to-be-released movie, on everyone's lips these days is Les Miserables. It is the story of Jean Valjean, who, though not entirely innocent (he stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister's children), was branded and despised as a former offender and parolee. It is the story of the suffering of many, many people in those terrible times.
Can any good come of this senseless tragedy? Can Ryan, like Jean Valjean, go on to be a kind, dignified, respected, benefactor to society? Can we finally pass gun control laws that require more stringent background searches and ban automatic and assault weapons? Can we renew our faith in humanity and restore our schools to places of safe haven?
Or are we forever to be Les Miserables?
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