Most shocking events in your lifetime?

[Lenny Rider]

9/11

The killing of Princess Diana and the subsequent paint job covering it up

Sarah Payne's murder and the realisation that society is apparently awash with nonces all living at large.

The Soham Murders, perhaps even more shocking with the Sky interview of Huntley shortly before his arrest.

The treatment of the people of Zimbabwe, both black and white, by their own head of state, and the fact that this country despite fighting other wars elsewhere is just prepared to stand by and watch commonwealth citizens be starved, tortured and murdered.

 

[fly high]

Then, what to do with them, as every bone in my body says a death penalty for such crimes, but .... they are children themselves, that is just not on the agenda at all. But life? Do they grow up into bigger stronger monsters, or do we all change so much from the people we were at their age, that such a penalty is also inappropriate.
.

I think your question was answered when Jon Venables was re-arrested this year, some just can't change. "Published on Wednesday 9 November 2011 14:46

Jon Venables, the killer of Liverpool toddler James Bulger, will stay in prison indefinitely because he cannot be trusted to keep a lid on his dark past, it was reported today."

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

The 2004 Ufton Nervert Rail Crash where Brian Drysdale parked his car on a level crossing in front of an oncoming HST.

Had the Albion had an earlier kick-off that day I could very well have caught that train on my way home, as it was there was utter chaos when I arrived at Reading station and replacement buses were being organised westwards, I had no idea why until I got home..........

Come to think of it, having to make an emergency landing at Geneva Airport in 1993, shortly after take-off, after a bird strike caused the failure of one of the engines on the Airbus I was on runs it pretty close. Circling Lake Geneva for 45 minutes on only one engine whilst the pilot dumped all his fuel into the lake was one of those nail biting periods I really DON'T want to repeat.

 

[HovaGirl]

Many alread mentioned but John Lennon's killing really shocked me. Had never seen my mum so upset before.

Indeed. My Mum woke us up with a phone call around 7.30 am and simply said: "John's been murdered". I knew exactly who she meant and was devasted.

 

[Gritt23]

I think your question was answered when Jon Venables was re-arrested this year, some just can't change. "Published on Wednesday 9 November 2011 14:46

Jon Venables, the killer of Liverpool toddler James Bulger, will stay in prison indefinitely because he cannot be trusted to keep a lid on his dark past, it was reported today."

Where was that "published"?

 

[Hillian1]

The Beslan School massacre.

To this day I cannot get it into my head that people could target children for political reasons. Truly shocking.

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

Living through the 60's, 70's & 80's with the ever present threat of a nuclear holocaust. Watching the "Protect & Survive" Government information programmes as a child. My Dad stocking up the cellar with canned food and water.

 

[bhafc99]

I still can't believe Roxanne's out of X-Factor.

 

[Common as Mook]

I still can't believe Roxanne's out of X-Factor.

 

[HovaGirl]

Years ago, I was parking my car outside our house and just nicked my neighbour's car. He shot out of his house, inspected the damage (I couldn't see any) and demanded I pay for a new bumper which I did. He'd had the car for only a few days and was very proud of it. Two days later, he was killed in a collision when his car split in two from front to back along the seam where two separate cars had been welded together.. He was only in his early 20s and this really shocked me to the core. I still shudder when I think of it.

 

[HovaGirl]

Where was that "published"?

This week. Daily Mail.

 

[bhafc99]

Years ago, I was parking my car outside our house and just nicked my neighbour's car. He shot out of his house…

Theft is theft, no matter how impulsive your decision was.

 

[fly high]

Where was that "published"?

John Venables to remain in prison “indefinitely” - UK - Scotsman.com

don't know why it's only been in a regional paper!

 

[HovaGirl]

John Venables to remain in prison “indefinitely� - UK - Scotsman.com

don't know why it's only been in a regional paper!

James Bulger killer Jon Venables to be kept in prison for his own safety | Mail Online

 

[Durlston]

The Beslan School massacre.

To this day I cannot get it into my head that people could target children for political reasons. Truly shocking.

That was in Russia, September 2004. It's strange what you remember about significant events like that as I got up about 3am, switched on the news to see a tearful gathering in the square held the previous day in Beslan - very sad. We caught an early morning flight to Chorzow in Poland for an England World Cup match in a very intimidating atmosphere. Both sets of fans were hurling lethal bits of metal at each other throughout the game; lunatics.

 

[StillHateBellotti]

For me the Tsunami of 2004 as I was in bed on the second floor of my hotel 100 metres away from the beach in Phucket when it hit! Great Honeymoon that was, real shit your pants couple of hours.

Other than that have to agree with Bradford City fire as footage is truely shocking and Hillsborough.........

Too many to mention.

 

[Gritt23]

James Bulger killer Jon Venables to be kept in prison for his own safety | Mail Online

Oh I see, so he hasn't done something else since the brutual torture and murder, followed by the stash of child porn, to warrant life .... it's about keeping him there for his own safety. Well, it achieves the same result, but I would suggest that it's our childrens safety that should be the reason.

However, I did think he'd done something else to warrant life, from the earlier comments.

 

[Jim D]

The first time I was really shocked was when a bank guard was shot dead during a robbery at the Lloyds Bank branch at the foot of Durrington railway bridge (about 1960). I was about 7 and listening to the breaking story on the radio and hearing that the killer probably drove within 50 yards of our house brought it home that it didn't just happen to other people in other towns. After that it was just a never-ending stream - Kennedy(s), MLK, Vietnam, Ireland........

 

[Barrel of Fun]

The Lockerbie disaster disturbed me for a long time as did the Zebrugge ferry. The ferry, in particular, creeped me out.

On a personal note, losing my friend Gregory Newman (aged 6). He was run down on a motorbike track by his step-brother, I seem to recall. My mother told me he had gone to heaven and I asked if I could visit him.

 

[dannyboy]

Had seen a bike accident, the bike skid so badly that that the rider hit the paver blocks and almost the head matter was out. I wish I cud have taken some pictures of it.

what?!!