Paralyzed Girl, 5, Confronts Shooter

[deadparrot]

BOSTON - Five-year-old Kai Leigh Harriott sat in the front of the courtroom in her wheelchair and looked directly at the man who had just pleaded guilty Thursday to firing the shot that paralyzed her.

At first, she broke down, crying harder than she ever had since the night nearly three years ago when Anthony Warren, after an argument he and his brother had with her neighbors, fired three rounds at the three-family house where she was sitting outside on the porch.

After a sip of water and some consoling from her mother, Kai spoke.

"What you done to me was wrong," she said to the man seated just 10 feet away. "But I still forgive him."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060414/ap_on_re_us/girl_paralyzed

[DS1]

1. I'd never forgive him

[Redstone]

3. OR whoever made it so easy for him to get a gun.

Hey, right to keep and bear arms and shoot little kids, right? It's the American Way!

Redstone

[DS1]

6. Simple is as simple does

[aikoaiko]

9. this occured in a state with some of the strictest gun control.

He was either a illegal gun owner in a state with hefty penalties or he jumped through hoops to get it.

[slackmaster]

21. Dude pleaded guilty to SIX assault and weapons charges

The man is obviously a career violent criminal. In all likelihood he has a lengthy record and is prohibited from owning a firearm anywhere in the USA, yet some here come to the paradoxical conclusion that the state of Massachusetts' "weak" gun laws are responsible for this tragic outcome for the girl.

[seabeyond]

13. good for the girl. forgiving him will leave her free inside.

forgiving him, has nothing to do with him. all to do with her. she will be the healthier for it. more power to her. a gift to self

[SpiralHawk]

14. gigadittoes, seabeyond

Via forgiveness we set foot on the path of power and wisdom. With forgiveness the bittereness and suppressions that wither the soul are lifted.

[seabeyond]

15. beautifully said n/t

[Asgaya Dihi]

19. Well said

I had reason for a lot of anger when I was a kid, and it did me no good at all. Just eats at you. Finally learned to let it go and use it to stop things from happening to others, and now it's a positive a times.

Forgiving him has little to do with him, it's for her and she's a wise young lady to be able to do that.

[NVMojo]

2. Bless the child!

:cry:

[pacalo]

4. I admire both Kai & her mother for being able to forgive the creep.

Her mother is raising her with a true Christian heart. Kai will have enough challenges in life without having to deal with thoughts of hate & vengeance.

[Pastiche423]

10. I read nothing in the article

about christians. It does not take someone being a christian to have a true and good heart.

It is good that her mother has taught her forgiveness. It will help her deal w/what life lays ahead. Moreover, confronting the man that put her in her chair will help in her emotional healing.

I wish I could have confronted mine.

[pacalo]

12. There was no literal reference to the word "Christian".

Try to remember this is a diverse board with diverse opinions. That's what being a Democrat is all about.

I am a Christian who believes in God. I recognized that Kai & her mother are following Jesus' teachings, which was the point to my calling them "true Christians".

Sorry that you have emotional scars from whatever happened to you. :(

[Pastiche423]

16. You do not know her mother is raising her with a true Christian heart

There is no mention of religion in the article at all. And christians do not have a corner on forgiveness.

[pacalo]

17. Good grief, get a grip.

I didn't claim that she proclaimed to be a Christian -- I thought it was quite obvious that I meant her principles were like that of a Christian.

If you have issues with Christianity, don't take it out on me. I'm stating my opinion -- I don't speak for you or anyone else. Lose the chip on your shoulder.

[Pastiche423]

18. Your opinion has nothing to do w/the article

You interjected christianity into the discussion when none was present.

An agnostic or atheist can have compassion and forgiveness, just like any human being can. No one has to be a christian to have principles.

I have no chip, but apparently, you do.

[pacalo]

20. Sounds like you need to start your own discussion with a top post

in the religion forum. You're way off topic from the original point of this thread.

I know your type -- your deep-seated personal anger is causing you to look for an argument.

Bye now.

[Pastiche423]

22. You have it backward

It was YOU that 1st interjected christianity into the thread, not me.

[Kailassa]

27. I understand where you are coming from.

It never occurs to some that the Xtian habit of claiming all good attributes as being Xtian could be an insult to the rest of the world.

I've never understood the belief that laws and threats and promises are necessary in order to make people care about each other. Some people just naturally care, and want to live in accord with their own conscience.

[wicket]

24. You are correct:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/04/15/a_childs_message_of_grace_amazes_her_city/

At their home in Roxbury yesterday, Kai Leigh's mother, Tonya David, said the phone had not stopped ringing. Dignitaries, community leaders, television reporters, and neighbors wanted to know more. CNN ran the story with the words ''Amazing Grace" across the screen.
David didn't quite understand what all the fuss was about.

''We live in a world today that seems to want people to be bitter, angry," David said. ''But I don't want bitterness and anger in my life, and I don't want that for Kai Leigh. We are Christians. I tried very hard from the depths of my soul to hate Anthony, but it wouldn't come out."

[pacalo]

25. Thanks so much, wicket!

:yourock:

[wicket]

28. No problem!

Right back at ya :yourock:

:D

[wicket]

23. They are Christians:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/04/15/a_childs_message_of_grace_amazes_her_city/

At their home in Roxbury yesterday, Kai Leigh's mother, Tonya David, said the phone had not stopped ringing. Dignitaries, community leaders, television reporters, and neighbors wanted to know more. CNN ran the story with the words ''Amazing Grace" across the screen.
David didn't quite understand what all the fuss was about.

''We live in a world today that seems to want people to be bitter, angry," David said. ''But I don't want bitterness and anger in my life, and I don't want that for Kai Leigh. We are Christians. I tried very hard from the depths of my soul to hate Anthony, but it wouldn't come out."

[Pastiche423]

29. That is not the article in the OP

The article in the OP does not mention anything at all about religion, xtianity or the man in the sky.

NOT ONE WORD.

So, the poster I originally responded to, had no facts to base her claim on.

Interjecting xtianity into a thread, repeatedly, and w/o facts, is the same as pushing it down someone's throat.

[cboy4]

5. I hate these stories involving kids.

:cry:

[billbuckhead]

7. It's just collateral damage for the gun crowd and their corporate friends

[carolinalady]

8. That is terrible for the child. First because it happened, but most

of all because the grown-ups made her say that. I hope for her sake that she is ok with that when she gets old enough to actually form her own opinion about it.

[Shine]

11. Wow, that's really beautiful. What a wise soul....

:loveya:

[cynatnite]

26. Perfect message for fake christians on a religious holiday

I admire this girl's spirit and courage. Her mother is an admirable woman.

Forgiveness is a great closure to such a tragedy.