[Breaking news tonight; heartbreaking news]
[The reporter knelt before the 10 year old boy and held up his mike:
“What was going through your mind when you saw your friends shot and killed?”
The boy hesitated, then stammered out, “I guess I thought I might die.”]
The Anchor
This is the story of a man named Les
Who discovers the world
Is a bubbling mess, crude and cruel—
Governed by sycophants, run by a fool,
Eager for gold, never heard of the rule.
Got himself a job speaking the news,
Mostly the bad stuff, mostly the blues—
Went down to Texas when the shooting was done,
To talk to the parents who had lost a loved one,
A child that is, intolerable grief, unstoppable tears,
Anguish and heartbreak, mass consumption and fears—
What happened in Texas is like oil for our ears.
That’s Uvalde, Texas at Robb Elementary where
The Anchor presides with his well-coiffed hair;
Twenty-one dead but he opens with flair,
Talking to survivors: “I pretended to be dead,
Smeared some blood on my face and my head,
From those lying around me,” the little girl said—
[Next we’ll hear from an off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy,
Whose little girl didn’t make it out:
Thoughts and prayers, thoughts and prayers!]
Talking to the parents of their little girl lost,
Grief-stricken people who can’t reckon the cost:
What would you say is sustaining you now?
[Close-up of the father; wait for the “how”]
“Nothing; we aren’t doing well;
It feels like we’re in the last circle of Hell.”
So many stories of heartbreak and loss
Soul-crushing stories, like Christ on the cross,
And all I can say as I wrap this report
Is a heartfelt “God Bless,” my hopeful support.
[Anchors Away]
Anchors away
Uvalde, Texas; Robb Elementary
Tributes pouring in
Outrage at the response
The shooter locked himself in a classroom and carried out the unthinkable—
Crushing heartache
But we begin with Tom Llamas
Thank you for pushing for those answers Tom—I.e. for your apparent outrage and anger
“Why?” He yelled and waved his hand
Twelve missing minutes, an hour to kill.
Now the stories of survival from some of those inside Robb Elementary, heartbreak for those who didn’t make it.
Lester: the roving anchor (a symbol of hope)
Tonight as This small Texas town remembers 21 lives stolen…
We’re learning more about the nightmare that unfolded inside RE as the killer unleashed his rampage on the children and teachers celebrating their last week of school.
Today I spoke with 10 year old Menalla Chavez and her dad; the stories are horrifying.
We were watching a movie….
And there is more unbearable news as we hear from the family of the 4th grade teacher who was killed. Her husband died of a heart attack two days later.
[Thoughts and prayers; thoughts and prayers]
10 year old child who smeared blood on her self while students and friends were being killed around her. You were very brave.
A dead girl’s parents present outside.
I spoke with her parents Kimberly and Felix!
“Our beautiful baby girl “. [show clip of her hitting a home run]
[Show closeup of the father’s face] picture of Lexie getting the good citizen award, and her mother adds, she was on the honor roll: we take her out for ice cream.
We told her we loved her and that we would pick her up after school.
She must have been very excited that day getting all those awards.
So how long after you left before things happen?
Off duty sheriff’s deputy when he heard about the shooting. Question: Did you have any idea that your daughter might be involved?
Is this something you thought about, worried about ? [closeup of the mother’s face, barely holding it together for the famous anchor. Mother: Of course it just keeps happening in this country and nobody does anything about it. [Weeping copious tears, on camera]
Tonight the emotions are overwhelming; what is sustaining you right now?
Nothing. We’re not doing well. Felix and Kimberly.
So many stories of heartbreak and loss, soul crushing, and all you’re left to say is “god bless.”
Thank you Lester
Now
From Texas to Nowhere, after a short break:
Actor Kevin Spacey once again accused of sexual misconduct.
Spacey denies allegations.
IMAGE: If only…
