We have lost our hearts. This does not make me proud at all.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (29390)
April 29, 2024 10:08pm CST
Today was very different. I lost a very, very special old friend. We go back more years than I can say. It put me in a mode of sadness all day, I didn't get much accomplished. I was too busy remembering old times, things said and fun stuff we did, and how special this friend really was.
So, I didn't watch the news at noon as per usual. I just played music that reminded me of those times, instead. I flicked it on at about 5 PM, and sat down at the laptop for a bit to check headlines as well.
Buried about 5 articles down?? A mass shooting in Charlotte, N.C. EIGHT officers were shot, and four died. They were investigating a felon who had possession of firearms. Seriously?? A total of 8 law enforcement officials are shot, and it's not on any mainstream news?? You know what's on? Trump. News about smart phone apps. More Trump. Some news on the college protests across our country, which has escalated.
But the shooting? I guess we are now officially hardened to shootings. No one wants to hear about them, but they happen. People don't want to watch the news, because it's sad. It upsets them. It makes them anxious.
They turn on Wheel of Fortune, instead.
After all, that's more important, isn't it, than 8 police officers being shot, 4 being killed, and all the family, friends, and other police affected?
We need, as a country, to wake up, and realize we have a lot of BIG time problems. If more people cared and tried to pull together...even just tried to care...it would make a difference. A big difference? Maybe not. But a difference, however small, is going to help someone.
Violence has been escalating in our country, and in others, for years now. It's so out of hand. I read a lot about people being afraid to go outside of their homes, even in the daytime. They are prisoners in their own homes. They are hiding, and they are scared.
Pretend it isn't so. Pretend those officers didn't die today. Ignore it, and it will go away!
Not.
17 people like this
15 responses
@AmbiePam (85909)
• United States
30 Apr
They were law enforcement, and people are so disrespectful to law enforcement in this day and age. The lack of respect for this is astonishing. Once I heard about it I went online to learn more, and I had to go to three sites before someone had it in the homepage. I’m disgusted. If a cop had shot a criminal, we’d all know it by now.
I’m also very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. I wish I could hug you in person, but please know you are in my prayers. 
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
Thank you, Amber.
Yes, I think we have lost our hearts. They gave their lives for their country, fighting in a war against violence.
Yes, I think we have lost our hearts. They gave their lives for their country, fighting in a war against violence.3 people like this
@kareng (55579)
• United States
30 Apr
Lots of valid points in your post. My husband retired from law enforcement and I am SO glad he is home now and doesn't have to put up with all the bull anymore. You are very correct in the statement that they get NO respect anymore.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. My condolences to you. You are in my thoughts and my prayers are will all of these families that lost a member today or has a family member in the hospital.
Our nation needs a lot of help and prayer. It's very broken in so many ways.
3 people like this
@kareng (55579)
• United States
30 Apr
@MarieCoyle I agree. And these protests on colleges all over the US are very disturbing!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
Thank you so much. Some friends are so close to us, they are truly family. Hard to lose them.
I am not pretending that I have any answers on how to fix our country, or any of the others that are going through bad circumstances, violence, war...the problems have grown so large all over the world, that I don't know if, or how, they can ever truly be fixed.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
@kareng
They keep saying they are ''peacefully protesting'' which may be true. However, they are tying up resources, as we all know. Our city had to cancel an event they had scheduled for a huge 5K race. Sold out hotels, etc. Talk about a bunch of really mad runners! I just don't see what it's going to accomplish at this point. You can state your opinion, but just protesting isn't doing anything.
2 people like this
@annierose (19491)
• Philippines
30 Apr
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend. It is understandable that such a loss would weigh heavily on you and bring back memories of your time together.
Regarding the news of the shooting in Charlotte, it is indeed troubling that such incidents seem to be becoming more frequent. It is disheartening when tragic events like this don't receive the attention they deserve, especially when they involve the loss of lives, including those of law enforcement officers who serve to protect the community.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19491)
• Philippines
30 Apr
@MarieCoyle You are absolutely right! I think, there is really a need to promote a broader understanding and appreciation for the diverse contributions different professions make to society.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
I have friends and a family member in law enforcement. To ignore what they do is so sad. We celebrate athletes, scholars, actors, singers, and entertainers. When entertainers die, it's often a huge deal and everyone mourns. But yet this is ignored? Our priorities are just so messed up.
Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
@annierose
I would like to believe in my heart that a first responder of any type is just as important as a movie star. If the movie star falls over with a heart attack, the first responder is the one who tries to save him. When the football player who makes millions of dollars a year collapses on the field, who rushes out to try to get him to breathe again? The first responder that makes very little money, and isn't there for anything but to save people.
Make it make sense. Please.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
You are right. And people don’t want to hear the news, with the exception of what they choose, and they ignore unpleasantries.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
I honestly think it’s on life support. And someone punched holes in the tubing!
3 people like this
@sallypup (58303)
• Centralia, Washington
30 Apr
@MarieCoyle I know way too much about America these days. There's a house a couple blocks from me, classic Craftsman- stately gray. I like it and now its owner has posted a Trump sign up front. The owner's right. And I'm not going up to that house and telling the person I want to be friends. Too bad.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
@sallypup
I know it's their right to put the signs up. Right now, it's probably not a good idea for anyone at all to put up political signs. They seem to incite hate no matter what side they are for. So many angry people, ready to snap.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Apr
@MarieCoyle Why are we so lenient toward these people? I would rate myself high on a "compassion" scale. But enough is enough.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
I was thinking forever, dear.
I don't know your age, and I'm not asking. I do know you have a young spirit and are a kind man. That's more than enough.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
1 May
It does indeed. The people in their lives who loved them need to know they were appreciated.
@snowy22315 (171116)
• United States
30 Apr
I heard about that from Chicca. I didn't hear anything about it on the news. I guess sadly it is the "new normal."
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
It does not speak well for us if it is! How heartless can we be??
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (13091)
• Italy
30 Apr
Sorry about your loss. 
I'm frustrated by the news as well, I think the main issue is that we feel powerless but really, if we all worked together something could change. Even being kind to a stranger can make a difference, we might never know but we must hold onto faith, trust God and trust we are never alone in our struggles.
I'm frustrated by the news as well, I think the main issue is that we feel powerless but really, if we all worked together something could change. Even being kind to a stranger can make a difference, we might never know but we must hold onto faith, trust God and trust we are never alone in our struggles.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
Big things can be accomplished by taking baby steps!!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (96370)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Apr
Very sorry about your friend
It was on the new here. But you are right. Rump gets too much attention.
It was on the new here. But you are right. Rump gets too much attention.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
It's all sickening, and it makes the US look ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
1 May
It was in the news later as well as our local news.it definitely didn’t get the attention Rump did.
Thank you.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74074)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Apr
So sorry for your loss, Violence has definitely become too much an every day happening, So sorry for the officers and will put their families in my prayers,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
They mattered. Everyone matters.
Way, way too much violence!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (158447)
• United States
30 Apr
First of all, I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend. There are so many shootings; and now I've been reading about a lot of stabbings taking place. Our world is in a turmoil.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
My son said the same thing. He said he now knew exactly what it meant to 'expect the unexpected' and plan for the impossible.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
When I do watch the world wide news and read online, it does seem there are many countries that have violence issues. We aren't alone in that.
@MarieCoyle (29390)
•
30 Apr
I simply cannot condone this attitude. It is not acceptable to me. But yes, they are ''used to it'' which is so wrong in every way.
1 person likes this
