There have been a lot of videos and photos going around online making an unbelievable claim about the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

One in particular is a 30-minute film, which at this point has been watched more than 8 million times, claiming that the shooting was a hoax and part of a government conspiracy.

First and foremost, I'd like the say I don't support this video, as I think it's incredibly disrespectful and offensive to the people involved who lost their loved ones, and I think it's quite possible to explain all of the supposed 'inconsistencies' in various news reports.

I am also very much a supporter of the right to free speech and expression, and definitely a supporter of not blindly believing everything we see and hear.

I will admit, I watched the entire 30 minute video and at points thought...'Hmm...that IS odd...'

Medical Examiner H. Wayne Carver II
Medical Examiner H. Wayne Carver II (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
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I thought the medical examiner's statement to the media was strange -- but then I remembered he's not a public speaker. Let's be honest, he works mostly with dead people. I don't expect him to speak eloquently and perfectly when surrounded by cameras, police, and the eyes of the nation, after he's just seen 20 6-year-olds slaughtered.

I thought it strange that various news reports claimed different guns were found inside the school than were used to kill the victims-- but I know better than anyone that a lot of those news reports were wrong and what they reported as fact one minute was suddenly incorrect the next.

I also thought the story with the neighbor, Gene Rosen, seemed strange when they broke it down -- but five minutes can seem like an eternity (or a half hour) when you're dealing with a hectic or frightening situation. Add to that, anyone who has witnessed a car accident knows your brain can trick you into believing what you really saw and heard vs. what actually happened.

This video is claiming the whole thing is a conspiracy set up by the government to take away the public's right to bear arms. They say it's a scam to pass new gun control laws.

Regardless of what you think of this video, or the thinking behind it, it's important to be respectful when talking about controversial issues like this. Gun control, parenting, mental health, and bullying are all issues that seem to get people screaming their heads off. Just as passionately as you feel about one side of the issue, there is someone who feels just as passionately about the opposing view.

If you're going to speak about it, you need to be willing to listen as well, especially to things you may not agree with or want to hear.

Blindly believing a 'conspiracy theory' is just as bad as blindly believing the supposed big, bad mainstream media.

Many have found the video offensive, and viewer discretion is advised:

Keep in mind, just about everything in that video offered up as 'fact' has been debunked.

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comment section below!

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