It’s Saturday morning here in New Zealand and we are waking up to the fact that our little corner of the world is no longer immune to terrorism and terrorist attacks.
As one, we reeled at the unfolding news yesterday and asked the question – how can this be. Yes, we had foolishly convinced ourselves that as we are so far away from what happens in the rest of the world, terrorists wouldn’t invade our peaceful and peace-loving country.
We commend the quick action of the police in arresting four people within hours of the shootings and we mourn for those forty-nine worshippers who lost their lives.
Today, as flags hang at half-mast on all public buildings in New Zealand, we realise that we are no longer protected by our distance from the rest of the world.
This is such sad news. The world is crying for all of you good folks in New Zealand.
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Thank you so much, Darlene. Yes, we fooled ourselves into thinking it couldn’t happen – now we know better.
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Where there is peace and harmony, the shock of such unreasonable hatred is profound.
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Yes, Dor. As I said we foolishly thought we were immune. But nowhere and nobody is. A lesson now learned the hard way.
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Oh, Judith, I have been thinking of you all day and wanted to send you a message and then I found this post. We have come to expect this in the US but never dreamed it would hit your remote part of the world. You and your New Zealanders are strong and will stand up for what is right. America is with you and understands. Sending love, peace and hope to you! And hugs!
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Thank you JoNell for the comment, the support and the hugs. We do need hugs at this dreadful time.
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We are reeling with you.
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Thank you Anne. The calls and messages from friends and family around the world make us know that you are mourning with us.
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I am so sad, I cannot find any words.
“New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the Christchurch mosque shooting, saying there is “no place” in the country for such acts of violence.”
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And as your Prime Minister also said there’s no place for such acts in your country either. In fact, there should be no place in our world where such acts become almost commonplace, thank you Uta for your comment.
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J > Surely, It’s for the very reason that NZ seemed immune, that the despicable perpatrator chose to commit the crime there.
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Judith, we are so saddened by the tragic event in your wonderful country. My wife and I visited the South Island, including Christchurch, some years ago and were enchanted by your country and its people. We here in America know all too well the emotional toll of gun violence. My small town of Roseburg, Oregon was the site of a mass shooting at our local community college a few years ago. And it seems almost daily there is news of a church, a school, a business, a musical concert, being attacked by a gunman intent on murder. But what we must never do is accept this as normal. I don’t know what the answer is here in America, where gun ownership is a part of our culture. But we must never, ever give in to this kind of hatred and the violence it spawns. Our hearts go out to you and all New Zealanders during this time of sorrow, and I truly hope that your prime minister is right when she says that the gun laws in your country “will change.” If only we in America could come to our senses on this issue!
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Judith, you’ve been on my mind ever since I heard this sad news. I, too, feel protected by distance; this small, rural community seems “below the radar” somehow…but none of us are truly immune. I’m so sorry you’re going through this!
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