some deaths more important than others

[vinteuil]

The killings in Connecticut were horrible.

I am, however, as often in these cases, left with a sense of puzzlement as to the levels of attention we accord to various deaths.

Twenty eight people died in the Connecticut killings.

Some thirty six people die on the roads in the UK each week.

More than a thousand people were killed by the weather in the Philippines last week (typhoon Bopha).

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

children killed by a nutter, closer to us than the Philippines, all in one tragic act not a dribble of accidents etc etc ..one might also recall the horrendous number of infants per hour dying of dehydration across the globe ... it is a relevant comment but ...

even so the Connecticut killings made me weep ... and the others did not; we might distinguish between being concerned and being touched?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Some thirty six people die on the roads in the UK each week.

Quite so. Rarely do these reach the attention of the media. Yet when there is a railway incident, there is a sudden interest from the press.

[salymap]

children killed by a nutter, closer to us than the Philippines, all in one tragic act not a dribble of accidents etc etc ..one might also recall the horrendous number of infants per hour dying of dehydration across the globe ... it is a relevant comment but ...

even so the Connecticut killings made me weep ... and the others did not; we might distinguish between being concerned and being touched?

I agree Calum, nearly every death is 'important' to someone and a great loss to afew but the shock value of the horrific killing of 20 small children is overwhelming. Sadly children die all the timefrom a variety of causes but there is the thought that, perhaps this could have been prevented somehow.

[remdataram]

The killings in Connecticut were horrible.

I am, however, as often in these cases, left with a sense of puzzlement as to the levels of attention we accord to various deaths.

Twenty eight people died in the Connecticut killings.

Some thirty six people die on the roads in the UK each week.

More than a thousand people were killed by the weather in the Philippines last week (typhoon Bopha).

I very much concur that all deaths are tragic, particularly among children.

I believe that our Press, and the BBC in particular, are obsessed with America. Anything that happens in America is reported here in great detail - it must be a reflection of the 'Special Relationship' that we have dreamed up over the years. In return for behaving like a poodle obsessed the Americans have very generously deployed nuclear weapons all over the UK - so they may 'defend' themselves, if required.

It is hard to believe that we are part of the EC and still have a Commonwealth; our media are usually hostile to the EC and virtually ignore the Commonwealth.

'Vinteuil' quite rightly highlights the fact that over a thousand died in the Philippines last week with barely a mention in our media; and that's before we look at the deaths in Afghanistan, Africa and elsewhere (not to mention Haiti).

It is right to be horrified by any tragedy, we need to ensure that we remain equally horrified - irrespective of circumstance, race or creed. If these children had been Chinese the coverage would have been minimal.

[scottycelt]

All the other cases you mention presumably are/were accidental, though in the case of road and rail deaths, and even those caused by the weather, a certain percentage might have been in some way preventable (with the benefit of hindsight).

The Connecticut deaths are of a wholly different order and genuinely shocking. These demonstrate the depths to which human behaviour is capable of sinking and the grief and misery caused in the wake of such appalling evil.

By his choice of military garb and weaponry the killer knew exactly what he was doing and deliberately chose the most innocent and vulnerable in society as the random target of his murderous rampage. He also murdered his own mother.

There is simply no comparison between such evil and horrifying acts and tragic, accidental events.

[Serial_Apologist]

I very much concur that all deaths are tragic, particularly among children.

I believe that our Press, and the BBC in particular, are obsessed with America. Anything that happens in America is reported here in great detail - it must be a reflection of the 'Special Relationship' that we have dreamed up over the years. In return for behaving like a poodle obsessed the Americans have very generously deployed nuclear weapons all over the UK - so they may 'defend' themselves, if required.

It is hard to believe that we are part of the EC and still have a Commonwealth; our media are usually hostile to the EC and virtually ignore the Commonwealth.

'Vinteuil' quite rightly highlights the fact that over a thousand died in the Philippines last week with barely a mention in our media; and that's before we look at the deaths in Afghanistan, Africa and elsewhere (not to mention Haiti).

It is right to be horrified by any tragedy, we need to ensure that we remain equally horrified - irrespective of circumstance, race or creed. If these children had been Chinese the coverage would have been minimal.

There was a recent similar case in China - I've already forgotten the details: were there any?

[Resurrection Man]

The truth of the matter is that those deaths on the road are not 'news' since they happen everyday. At least that is how the media spin it.

[vinteuil]

There is simply no comparison between such evil and horrifying acts and tragic, accidental events.

If, as a parent, your child dies, it is equally awful whether it be through the meaningless act of a deranged person, a car accident, or a typhoon.

Each parent deserves equal compassion - regardless of the means by which their child was taken from them.

[amateur51]

The truth of the matter is that those deaths on the road are not 'news' since they happen everyday. At least that is how the media spin it.

Unfortunate choice of word

[amateur51]

If, as a parent, your child dies, it is equally awful whether it be through the meaningless act of a deranged person, a car accident, or a typhoon.

Each parent deserves equal compassion - regardless of the means by which their child was taken from them.

[amateur51]

I very much concur that all deaths are tragic, particularly among children.

I believe that our Press, and the BBC in particular, are obsessed with America. Anything that happens in America is reported here in great detail - it must be a reflection of the 'Special Relationship' that we have dreamed up over the years. In return for behaving like a poodle obsessed the Americans have very generously deployed nuclear weapons all over the UK - so they may 'defend' themselves, if required.

It is hard to believe that we are part of the EC and still have a Commonwealth; our media are usually hostile to the EC and virtually ignore the Commonwealth.

'Vinteuil' quite rightly highlights the fact that over a thousand died in the Philippines last week with barely a mention in our media; and that's before we look at the deaths in Afghanistan, Africa and elsewhere (not to mention Haiti).

It is right to be horrified by any tragedy, we need to ensure that we remain equally horrified - irrespective of circumstance, race or creed. If these children had been Chinese the coverage would have been minimal.

Sadly I have to agree with you, remdataram

[Roehre]

I very much concur that all deaths are tragic, particularly among children.

I believe that our Press, and the BBC in particular, are obsessed with America. Anything that happens in America is reported here in great detail - it must be a reflection of the 'Special Relationship' that we have dreamed up over the years. In return for behaving like a poodle obsessed the Americans have very generously deployed nuclear weapons all over the UK - so they may 'defend' themselves, if required.

It is hard to believe that we are part of the EC and still have a Commonwealth; our media are usually hostile to the EC and virtually ignore the Commonwealth.

'Vinteuil' quite rightly highlights the fact that over a thousand died in the Philippines last week with barely a mention in our media; and that's before we look at the deaths in Afghanistan, Africa and elsewhere (not to mention Haiti).

It is right to be horrified by any tragedy, we need to ensure that we remain equally horrified - irrespective of circumstance, race or creed. If these children had been Chinese the coverage would have been minimal.

..or German, A similar case in 2010 disappeared from the headlines of British news (BBC, ITV and papers) within 24 hours.

[teamsaint]

All the other cases you mention presumably are/were accidental, though in the case of road and rail deaths, and even those caused by the weather, a certain percentage might have been in some way preventable (with the benefit of hindsight).

The Connecticut deaths are of a wholly different order and genuinely shocking. These demonstrate the depths to which human behaviour is capable of sinking and the grief and misery caused in the wake of such appalling evil.

By his choice of military garb and weaponry the killer knew exactly what he was doing and deliberately chose the most innocent and vulnerable in society as the random target of his murderous rampage. He also murdered his own mother.

There is simply no comparison between such evil and horrifying acts and tragic, accidental events.

It certainly seems true that the media take extra interest where this is demonstrated. I think that there is an agenda to consistently show our "bad " or "evil" side...the good side of human nature the one that dominates 99.99% of the time isn't news.
FWIW, I think that the people who have control of the media like to justify their own bad or manipulative behaviour by highlighting it in others.

[Dave2002]

..or German, A similar case in 2010 disappeared from the headlines of British news (BBC, ITV and papers) within 24 hours.

I suspect that larger numbers of children are dying daily in Syria. One does nevertheless feel that some deaths are cruel and needless, and brought about by people we would reasonably describe as wicked or deranged. Most rational people probably believe that deaths by the acts of tyrants and crazy people could/should have been avoidable, though sadly they recur all too frequently.