In order to stop something like this, you have to do a number of things.

You have to see what’s happening.

You have to register what’s happening.

In all likelihood, after seeing and understanding, you will likely need to ask yourself if what you think you’re seeing is really happening. You may do this several times.

You then need to determine that something must be done.

You need to realize that someone has to figure out what that is.

You need to realize that the person that has to figure out what to do and how to do it is you.

Then you need to figure out what it is that you’re going to try first.

Whatever it is will not likely be sufficient in this scenario. And then you need to figure out why.

You need to then figure out that you need to tap into that same rage buried deep in your soul this guy has grabbed with both hands; heaping hands full.

And then you need to continue.

But most likely, by the time that you got to this point, it was too late for the child.

I see no need to preface your blog posts with warnings.

It is not a choice anyone wants.

that’s really all i had in mind…..

the world doesn’t have to shape itself around my sensitivities. . it would be a bizarre place if that happened! however, in this case, maybe because i’m an editor and because i read fast, i had way more content than i could manage within 2 seconds. i guess on your blog i come to be nurtured, and would have had some context with the words the other commenter mentioned (above). by those words i’d have thought, you know, maybe i will read this [potentially upsetting thing] when i can handle it, not first thing in the morning, unguarded.

the child’s suffering is over. that is the important thing.

thanks for listening

kcd

As for the content, in my opinion, write about the subjects you want to write about. As you suggest, it’s the responsibility of your readers to take care of themselves.

I saw this on the news yesterday, and I wanted to cry as well. But if the man was as crazed as he sounds, the first people on the scene may have been physically unable to stop them. Sure, 2-4 strapping young teenagers in good shape could have made a difference – but what about elderly people, frail people, pregnant women, etc.? I don’t know exactly who was first on the scene, but I doubt that I would have been able to effectively intervene if I had been. (Mind you, if a few other adults who could had been there, I could have helped – but I would not have been useful as the only or first person into the fray.)

That poor, poor baby.

(And perhaps, for sensitive readers, just a quick line such as “(Sad news story, and my thoughts on it, follow)” at the top of the entry? That way, readers can skip away if they don’t want to see such. Although someone on a no-news diet would logically dodge as soon as they saw it was a quote from a news source, someone just trying to avoid the bad stuff might find it easier with a warning. I’m not saying you should, but if you decide to do something in the future, that might be a way to put up a warning with minimal invasiveness to the rest of the post.)

When I post, I assume the readers will use discernment with regard to their own interests, capabilities, etc. I think the safest thing to do is to be alert and at the first sign of something that is upsetting, stop reading. Or, since once the information is comprehended it can’t be undone, I trust that readers will use their own coping methods in dealing with it. I am reluctant to accommodate this kind of request from readers; that opens a door to trying to please and/or protect innumerable people. Still, I’ll give your suggestion some thought.

Not to defend anyone’s actions – it made me sick too – but I just want to provide a possible antidote to your “Why?”

i know it/they happen, but i have to protect myself from reading about them. i am not in denial. i meditate every day about things like this, to end the suffering of the innocent, and i am very specific when i meditate about it.

thank you for listening.

kcd