Though these are caricatures, everyone has some such picture of the family and society in mind when they talk about family decline and the loss of innocence.

ECONOMIST: The silence of the lambs | The

The stronger theme is of loss of innocence.

ECONOMIST: Double vision

"On behalf of Nancy's mother and siblings, we reach out to the community of Newtown and express our heartfelt sorrow for the loss of innocence that has affected so many, " said the family statement, which was read by Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Sheriff Michael Downing.

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