tagged w/ From the Community
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Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Roman Catholic Church when he announced he would step down on Feb. 28, saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to run the church. We're taking a closer look at this story with the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Pope Benedict stepping down, cites poor health
Submitted by letsliveinpeace
On Monday morning, in an announcement read to cardinals in Latin, the universal language of the church, the 85-year-old said:
"Well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St Peter ...
"As from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours (1900 GMT) the See of Rome, the See of St. Peter will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is."
The senior cardinal of the Vatican will take over the duties of pope until church cardinals choose his successor. The last pope to resign was Celestine V in 1294 after reigning for only five months.
Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Roman Catholic Church when he announced he would step... more
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rluz
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3 months ago
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Former Navy SEAL sniper and "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle was killed along with another man Saturday on a Texas gun range. A 25-year-old former Marine has been charged in the murders. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Noted Sniper Shot Dead At Texas Gun Range
Submitted by coolplanet
Chris Kyle, who had more than 160 confirmed kills as a sniper serving four tours in Iraq, and his friend Chad Littlefield were shot and killed. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh allegedly turned his gun on his two mentors who were trying to help him. Reports reveal that Routh, 25, may have been recovering from post traumatic stress disorder.
"Apparently Mr. Kyle works with people that are suffering from some issues that have been in the military and this shooter is possibly one of those people, that he had taken out to the range to mentor, to visit with, to help him, you know, that's all I can tell you," said Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant.
Erath County Sheriff's spokesman Jason Upshaw said investigators have recovered the alleged murder weapon.
"Right now it appears that he used a semi-automatic handgun," Upshaw said.
Kyle helped found FITCO Cares, an organization that provides at-home fitness equipment for emotionally and physically wounded veterans.
"We have lost more than we can replace. Chris was a patriot, a great father, and a true supporter of this country and its ideals. This is a tragedy for all of us. I send my deepest prayers and thoughts to his wife and two children," Scott McEwen, co-author of "American Sniper," said in a statement to ABC News.
Routh was arrested at his home and is being held on $3 million bail in the Erath County Jail.
Former Navy SEAL sniper and "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle was killed... more
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rluz
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3 months ago
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A father who lost his young son in the Newtown massacre was heckled at a meeting in Hartford, Conn., when he participated in a discussion on gun control. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Father of Newtown victim heckled at hearing
Submitted by letsliveinpeace
While holding a photo of his 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, Neil Heslin asked for changes to the state's approach to assault-style weapons at the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group. During his heartfelt plea to Connecticut lawmakers for changes, gun enthusiasts shouted "The Second Amendment!" to the Newtown father.
"There are a lot of things that should be changed to prevent what happened," said Heslin, who said he grew up using guns and was undisturbed by the interruption of his testimony.
"That wasn't just a killing, it was a massacre," said Heslin, who recalled dropping off his son at Sandy Hook Elementary school shortly before Lanza opened fire. "I just hope some good can come out of this."
A father who lost his young son in the Newtown massacre was heckled at a meeting in... more
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rluz
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4 months ago
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President Obama said that he and his guests regulary go skeet shooting at Camp David and that gun control advocates should listen more to understand why so many Americans are cautious of government limits on firearms. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Obama admits he goes out shooting "all the time"
Submitted by Dagum
In an interview by the New Republic, the president revealed that "up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time."
"Not the girls, but oftentimes guests of mine go up there. And I have a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations. And I think those who dismiss that out of hand make a big mistake."
Obama suggested the divide over gun reform could be traced to the split between rural and urban areas and said he hoped to "bridge those gaps" in his push to prevent gun violence.
“Part of being able to move this forward is understanding the reality of guns in urban areas are very different from the realities of guns in rural areas,” said Obama. “And if you grew up and your dad gave you a hunting rifle when you were ten, and you went out and spent the day with him and your uncles, and that became part of your family's traditions, you can see why you'd be pretty protective of that."
President Obama said that he and his guests regulary go skeet shooting at Camp... more
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rluz
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4 months ago
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According to an analysis from Bloomberg, under President Obama, government spending has grown at a slower rate than it did under any president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Under Obama, Government Spending Has Grown More Slowly Than Under Any President Since Eisenhower
Submitted by letsliveinpeace
Federal outlays over the past three years grew at their slowest pace, which was six decades ago when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. The slowdown in government spending has helped bring down the budget deficit, especially when measured against the size of the economy.
Expenditures as a share of the economy sank last year to 22.8 percent, their lowest level since 2008, according to Congressional Budget Office data. That’s down from 24.1 percent in 2011 and a 64-year high of 25.2 percent in 2009, when Obama pushed through an $831 billion stimulus package.
Spending grew just 0.6 percent from 2009 to 2012, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from government reports.
According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, spending is expected to fall 1.3 percent in fiscal 2013.
According to an analysis from Bloomberg, under President Obama, government... more
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rluz
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4 months ago
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NASA regularly takes photos of the Earth at night. You can see where the densest populations are based on where the lights are the brightest. But in the past few years, lighting on oil rigs and natural gas flares caused by fracking have created a huge cluster of lights over rural North Dakota. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from our community site:
What Wastes Enough Energy to Power 2.5 Million Cars and Can be Seen From Space?
Submitted by pjacobs51
Via NPR:
What we have here is an immense and startlingly new oil and gas field — nighttime evidence of an oil boom created by a technology called fracking. Those lights are rigs, hundreds of them, lit at night, or fiery flares of natural gas. One hundred fifty oil companies, big ones, little ones, wildcatters, have flooded this region, drilling up to eight new wells every day on what is called the Bakken formation. Altogether, they are now producing 660,000 barrels a day — double the output two years ago — so that in no time at all, North Dakota is now the second-largest oil producing state in America. Only Texas produces more, and those lights are a sign that this region is now on fire ... to a disturbing degree.
NASA regularly takes photos of the Earth at night. You can see where the densest... more
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Officials in Japan have announced plans to build world's largest wind farm off the coast of Fukushima. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Japan to replace nuclear plant with world's largest wind farm
Submitted by pjacobs51
In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese government decreased dependence from nuclear power and has moved toward other renewable energy resources. Japans plans to eventually shut down all of its nuclear plants and replace them with wind and solar plants.
Fukushima prefecture has stated its goal of becoming 100 percent energy self-sufficient by the year 2040. In addition to the wind farm, plans are also being drawn up for the biggest solar farm in the country.
The wind farm will be paid for using money currently being collected via a feed-in tariff scheme for wind projects set up by the government – it became effective July 1, 2012. Thus far, its inception has boosted energy produced by such plants, the Japan Wind Power Association says, by 8.2 percent already.
The wind farm would feature 143 wind turbines on floating platforms anchored to the sea floor. Construction of the huge wind farm is expected to be complete by 2020.
Officials in Japan have announced plans to build world's largest wind farm off... more
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rluz
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4 months ago
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Wal-Mart's CEO has promised that the discount retailer will hire at least 100,000 veterans over the course of the next five years. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from our community site.
Wal-Mart Pledges to Hire 100,000-Plus Veterans
Submitted by FreeSpiritMuse
Bill Simon, the president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., says his company is trying to make a dent in the number of unemployed veterans in America. Honorably discharged servicemembers who left the military in the past 12 months will be eligible to participate. The hiring spree will begin on Memorial Day weekend and continue through the next five years.
First Lady Michelle Obama gave her support in a formal statement published by TIME Magazine:
“We all believe that no one who serves our country should have to fight for a job once they return home. ... Wal-Mart is setting a groundbreaking example for the private sector to follow.”
But our commenters were less impressed.
Wal-Mart's CEO has promised that the discount retailer will hire at least... more
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This morning, President Obama signed a series of executive orders to curb gun violence one month after the tragedy in Newtown that left 20 school children and 6 adults dead. We're taking a closer look at this breaking story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Here Are Obama's 23 Executive Actions on Gun Violence
Submitted by letsliveinpeace
The president unveiled a $500 million package put forth by Vice President Joe Biden's task force that include universal background checks for anyone looking to buy a gun and bans on military-style assault weapons, as well as a 10-round cap on gun magazines. President Obama signed 23 executive actions that include:
Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.
Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system.
Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.
President Barack Obama intends to nominate B. Todd Jones as his choice to be the next leader of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This morning, President Obama signed a series of executive orders to curb gun... more
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rluz
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A scientific poll of experts reveals that the oceans may rise by more than three feet before the end of the century. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community.
Sea-level rise could be way, way worse than we already thought
Submitted by mrpuma2u
These new estimates are worse than expected based on past data. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimated that sea levels would rise by about 23 inches before the end of century. But ice sheets are melting at unprecedented rates, and scientists are saying a three-foot increase in the ocean would be "catastrophic" to global populations in coastal areas.
Professor Jonathan Bamber of Bristol University told The Independent:
"The impacts of sea-level rise of this magnitude are potentially severe, implying a conceivable risk of the forced displacement of up to 187 million people within this century."
A scientific poll of experts reveals that the oceans may rise by more than... more
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2012 marked the warmest year and second most extreme year on record that included droughts, wildfires, hurricanes and storms. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
NOAA: 2012 was warmest year on record for contiguous U.S.
Submitted by JanforGore
The U.S. Climate Extremes Index indiciated that 2012 was warmest year on record consisting of a record warm spring, second warmest summer, fourth warmest winter and a warmer-than-average autumn.
Also, 2012 has seen 11 disasters that have reached the $1 billion threshold in losses, including Sandy, Isaac, and tornado outbreaks experienced in the Great Plains, Texas and Southeast/Ohio Valley.
Every state in the contiguous U.S. had an above-average annual temperature for 2012. Nineteen states had a record warm year and an additional 26 states had one of their 10 warmest.
The season’s temperature was 5.2°F above average, making it easily the warmest spring on record, surpassing the previous record by 2.0°F.
2012 marked the warmest year and second most extreme year on record that... more
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rluz
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4 months ago
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According to a new world health report, Americans are getting sicker and dying younger than those in other similar countries. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Why Americans are dying earlier than their international peers / Perfect example of Capitalism's Horror!
Submitted by kennymotown
The National Research Council released its report, titled "U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health," that reviewed 16 "peer countries," including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Americans ranked last among these nations in infant mortality, homicide rates, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, drug abuse, obesity and diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and disabilities.
As of 2011, 27 countries had higher life expectancies at birth than the United States.
"The tragedy is not that the United States is losing a contest with other countries," the report states, "but that Americans are dying and suffering from illness and injury at rates that are demonstrably unnecessary," said Dr. Steven Woolf, chair of the department of family medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, who chaired the panel.
However, America has higher cancer survival rates, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and lower smoking prevalence rates than many of its peer countries.
According to a new world health report, Americans are getting sicker and dying... more
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rluz
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4 months ago
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The House, Senate and President Barack Obama have finally settled on a deal to avert the fiscal cliff – for now. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
House Passes 'Fiscal Cliff' Bill; Now to President
Submitted by letsliveinpeace
By a vote of 257-167 the House voted on HR 8, the Tax Relief Extension Act to send the measure to President Obama for his signature. The legislation keeps the Bush era tax cuts for individuals making less than $400,000 and couples making less that $450,000. The new tax package and Obama's health care law will produce significant tax increases for many high-income families.
"GOP leadership was split. While House Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) and 2012 vice presidential nominee and Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (Wis.) voted yes, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) voted no…Ryan’s vote is noteworthy because another major 2016 presidential contender, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), was one of just eight senators to vote no early Tuesday morning, as did another potential presidential candidate, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)."
The House, Senate and President Barack Obama have finally settled on a deal to avert... more
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rluz
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5 months ago
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The National Rifle Association broke its silence on last week's shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 26 children and staff dead. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Raw: Anti-gun Protests Interrupt NRA Event
Submitted by letsliveinpeace
During the NRA's first conference since the Newtown tragedy, CEO Wayne LaPierre was interrupted by two protesters. While speaking, a man stood up with a sign reading "NRA killing our kids" in front of LaPierre's podium.
He was escorted out while screaming, "we should not arm teachers ... we've got to stop the violence ... we've got to stop the killing in our schools, stop the killing in our streets, the NRA is killing our children."
LaPierre said Friday that "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."
"Would you rather have your 911 call bring a good guy with a gun from a mile away or from a minute away?"
LaPierre blamed video games, movies and music videos for exposing children to a violent culture. He announced that former Rep. Asa Hutchison, R-Ark., will lead an NRA program that will develop a model security plan for schools that relies on armed volunteers.
The National Rifle Association broke its silence on last week's shooting... more
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rluz
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5 months ago
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After President Obama's endorsement of gun restrictions in the wake of the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., prices for handgun magazines are increasing and semi-automatic rifles are sold out at many Wal-Mart stores. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Semi-Automatic Rifles Selling Fast at Walmart
Submitted by coolplanet
Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, said its stores will continue to sell guns, including rifles like the one used at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Even though Wal-Mart doesn't sell guns online, its website shows five kinds of semi-automatic rifles already out of stock in five states.
"We remain dedicated to the safe and responsible sale of firearms in areas of the country where they are sold," David Tovar, a spokesman for Wal-Mart, said yesterday.
On the contrary, Dick's Sporting Goods has already suspended sales of similiar guns.
After President Obama's endorsement of gun restrictions in the wake of the... more
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5 months ago
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As the fiscal cliff talks wear on, some are saying Obama is ready to accept cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and other social programs in order to keep taxes lower for the wealthy. We're taking a closer look at this story from our community. Check it out and add your two cents:
Wealthiest Kissed, Weakest Kicked: Obama's Ugly 'New Deal' Offers to Cut Social Security
Submitted by wbradleyjr1
CommonDreams.org aggregated reports from several news sites that suggest that many wealthy people will continue to enjoy the Bush tax cuts while America's most vulnerable citizens will see their benefits slashed.
Ronald Reagan himself once said that politicians shouldn't cut Social Security, because it is funded by the taxpayers and doesn't contribute to the deficit. But Congressional members from both parties are suggesting a change to the amount of Social Security benefits people receive by converting the cost-of-living calculation to a chained CPI. Critics say that's not a chance to Social Security - it's a cut.
Via the Center for Economic and Policy Research:
"Over time, changing to the Chained CPI would result in significant cuts to Social Security benefits: a cut of roughly 3 percent after 10 years, about 6 percent after 20 years, and close to 9 percent after 30 years. In addition, lower-income retirees would lose much larger proportions of their income than wealthy ones."
As the fiscal cliff talks wear on, some are saying Obama is ready to accept cuts to... more
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After honoring the 20 children and six adults killed Friday, President Obama met privately with families of the victims who performed acts of extreme bravery to protect the children placed in their care. The community pays tribute to the heroes of Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Heroic teachers made the ultimate sacrifice for kids
Submitted by Radical_Centrist
The brave teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School risked everything to save the lives of innocent children from gunfire. Two of the teachers — Victoria Leigh Soto, 27, and Anne Marie Murphy, 52 —turned themselves into human shields to protect their young students when their classrooms were invaded.
Principal Dawn Hochsprung, 47, died after lunging at shooter Adam Lanza. The beloved principal cared deeply for her students and frequently updated the Newtown community through her personal Twitter account.
"She was really nice and very fun, but she was also very much a tough lady in the right sense of the word," friend Tom Prunty told CNN. "She was the kind of person you’d want to be educating your kids."
The other brave staff members who risked their lives for 12 girls and eight boys and saved many were Mary Sherlach, Rachel Davino and Lauren Rousseau.
After honoring the 20 children and six adults killed Friday, President Obama met... more
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rluz
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5 months ago
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Last week, Costa Rica became the first Latin American country to ban all types of hunting - including hunting for sport. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from our community site. Check it out and add your two cents:
Costa Rica Bans Hunting For Sport
Submitted by circlesquared
This was the first proposal that came to Congress by popular initiative. Two years ago, nearly 200,000 Costa Ricans signed a petition to ban hunting for sport. Twenty-five percent of the country is already set aside as national parks or reserves, but "hunting tours" for tourists threatened the biodiverse ecosystem. Under the new law, anyone caught hunting will be subject to up to four months in prison or a $3,000 fine. There will be smaller penalities for people caught poaching wild animals or keeping them as pets.
Last week, Costa Rica became the first Latin American country to ban all... more
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Are we running out of water? The National Geographic focuses on the global water crisis hitting the world's rivers. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:
8 mighty rivers run dry due to overuse
Submitted by JanforGore
The National Geographic is working to restore some of the water in the Colorado River, one of the most used and contested waterways on Earth. The river provides water for 30 million people, and because it's heavily tapped for agriculture, industry, and municipal uses, it rarely reaches its delta and the Gulf of California.
Along with the Colorado River, the Aral sea shrank rapidly and has been reduced to a handful of small lakes. Millions of fish died, coastlines receded, and those few people who remained were plagued by toxic dust storms and the residue of industrial agriculture and weapons testing in the area.
New York Times writer Steven Solomon stated the Indus River is "dribbling to a meager end . . . Its once-fertile delta of rice paddies and fisheries has shriveled up."
In recent years, Teesta River tapped for irrigation and Murray River faces serious environmental threats such as polluted runoff.
Are we running out of water? The National Geographic focuses on the global... more
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rluz
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A shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday killing nearly 30 people, including many children. The community shares their thoughts to the victims of the Newtown tragedy.
Shooting at Elementary School
Submitted by Progresshiv
Authorities responded to a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown early Friday morning. According to the Associated Press, police reported 27 deaths, including 18 innocent children and others wounded. The shooter was killed and two guns were recovered, the AP reported.
Stephen Delgiadice said his 8-year-old daughter heard two big bangs and teachers told her to get in a corner. His daughter was fine.
"It's alarming, especially in Newtown, Connecticut, which we always thought was the safest place in America," he said.
The superintendent's office said the district had locked down schools in Newtown, about 60 miles northeast of New York City. Schools in neighboring towns also were locked down as a precaution.
The investigation is still underway.
President Obama was briefed on the shootings at 10:30 a.m. by John Brennan, his homeland security adviser. The president delivered an emotional speech to the nation:
"Each time I learn the news I react not as a president, but as anyone else would -- as a parent. And that was especially true today," Obama said. "I know there's not a parent in America who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do."
"They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own," Obama said of the children who were killed, tearing up. "Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping children fulfill their dreams."
A shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday killing nearly 30 people,... more
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