Mass shootings are absolutely mind numbing. It's just impossible to understand.
How can some coward blow away another human being let alone 17 young people.
The gun issue always comes to the fore after a major shooting and then quickly loses steam as a discussion topic.
I can't imagine the horror that went on in that school. My heart goes out to all those who've had losses.
However, I think there's much more that has to happen along with major gun legislation.
There are too many major divisions in North American society. There are major religious differences that separate people and cause friction. There are many Christian denominations and some of them fight openly. They don't like each other.
There are racial divisions. Dozens of divisions which bring about all kinds of racial prejudice. Various groups are discriminated against.
There are major economic divisions. These divisions are becoming wider and wider. The poor and middle class have been exploited.
What's the matter with good old unity where we work together for the good of all?
Frustration grows up within marginalized groups. Marginalized groups feel that they are discriminated against.
At some time people have to mix with others and get to know them. There's too much pressure from smaller groups who want their specific agenda pushed forward whether others want it or not.
So there are many reasons for anger. First, I would like to see major gun legislation but after that we have to change some basic parts of society. We have to work together for some common good. There are many different ways to live together rather than fight each other. Get to know the other guys. Some of the differences would seem very small and not worthwhile thinking about.
I agree with you, Red.
ReplyDeleteThe American makeup is very complex. The Northern European majority and it's traditional customs and mix of Christian religions is becoming reduced to a minority and this scares those whites that were always the entitled. They fear loss to "The Other", and so they are not inclined to share. But change happens, and refusal to embrace it will lead to desperation, and then violence. I sure hope we as a nation can ride this out.
Everybody can see this change coming. It shouldn't alarm but it does because people have not made the effort to get to know one another.
DeleteIt was with much sadness that I woke to the news of yet another mass shooting in the US. I, like you, can't fathom how someone could do this.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that 20 years ago after a mass shooting that stunned us all Australia made the hard decision to take a national approach to gun reform.
Your Australian politicians were able to deal with the problem effectively.
DeleteI think part of it is that American culture never taught us to hate violence and guns. Most Republicans love guns, but the unlike other things that can cause harm (cars, beer/wine, knifes), a gun has no other function but to kill.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone does wrong, we are quick for bloodthirst. I heard many calling for the kid to be shot in the head. How can we be a peaceful society if we resort to the same level especially considering that the kid will no longer pose a threat to anyone behind bars for the rest of his life.
It's going to take a lot of young guys like you to make a difference. You are not afraid of differences and know that differences have a lot to offer.
DeleteIt boils down to someone believing that their rights are more important than lives. It's the American dream. They are forever believing they'll be rich and want lower taxes some day.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can tell them that their dream is irrational.
DeleteGreat post! The more united we stand, the less problems we'll have.
ReplyDeleteIt's so simple isn't it.
DeleteSad it was allowed to happen, the kid was openly crazy
ReplyDeleteEnough wrong things happen at the same time and then there's a catastrophe.
DeleteI absolutely agree that we should be thinking more about what unites us than divides us, and we should all learn to respect differences, even when we don't agree with them.
ReplyDeleteOnce a difference is met in a rational manner we learn much to make us better people.
DeleteHi Red, Well said! I was just telling the Micro Manager this morning that I'm sick of the 24 hour news cycle in the USA. It seems like everything is just getting worse. We desperately need a leader, or leaders, who will start focusing on how to bring us together rather than tear us apart. I hope the 2018 elections will give us some new and hopeful leadership.
ReplyDeleteI hope there is a major change and then that a third party will show up.
DeleteI agree with you, too, Red. Part of the problem is that our populations are growing ever more dense because of population pressures, and that always makes things worse. Nobody ever talks about that, it seems. :-(
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't like to live in a dense population but a dense population works in many parts of the world. In your case there is going to be a change in the balance. White people will become a minority. I got used to living as a minority for two years. It was great.
DeleteI find it ironic in a nation that favours a wild west mentality of armed to the teeth, there's little appreciation for the fact that typically in the history of the West, towns had gun ordinances that required you to turn in your guns when you came to town, and made use of men like the Earps, the Mastersons, and Bill Hicock to enforce those rules. And it wasn't complained about.
ReplyDeleteThis happens with such regularity in America that "thoughts and prayers" seems to be the default of those in the pockets of the gun lobby.
It's sad that money has been allowed to control the agenda.
DeleteOf course you are right Red but the following expression springs to mind - closing the door after the horse has bolted.
ReplyDeleteBut these guys are going to have to go out and catch the horse again or it won't look very pretty.
DeleteRed, I think you have hit upon the most complete analysis I've seen in the aftermath of a mass shooting. As important as it is to control and reduce the arms that are out there, it's also important to break down those artificial divisions. We are all people.
ReplyDeleteThe divisions work both ways. they cause the problems and they will be the solution to the problem
DeleteSure, you're correct, as noted in the comments above. But how do you do that when both parties, the left and the right, are headed to divorce court, both willingly, neither willing to listen to the other. We're due for a change, for sure. And we're going to get it. It's just not the one people are imagining when they say 'we have to compromise and talk'. That ain't going to happen, or it would have by now. I think this country will be far different in, say, 40 or so years, long after I'm gone. And it won't be one country.
ReplyDeleteI hope your prediction doesn't come true. The U.S. has been and still is a dominant and influential country. A division would bring on a major disaster.
DeleteI agree, why do people have to concentrate on the negative instead of the positive. People are all different and should be respected, you don't have to agree with everything but what's wrong with agreeing to disagree. It's sad when you can't even have a simple conversation.
ReplyDeleteIf that coach who died protecting kids would have had a gun then some lives could have been saved. If the FBI had listened, if the school had listened to what the kids said about the shooter...they said something but were ignored.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, I don't know what can be done...build walls around the schools with one way in and an armed guard...but at a place north of us there was a guard and he was shot (Red Lake MN).
I agree with you so much. Of course, it's the guns. But there's also that background of anger, rancor and frustration that seems to be poisoning our culture more and more these days. Everyone needs to just cool it; and realize we can disagree but still get along with one another, respect other values, and reach out to those who feel disenfranchised.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Red. Our divisions have become even wider with our current administration. It's a very sad state of affairs here.
ReplyDelete