Two Juncos in Linden Tree 2011.
Photo by Sharon.
Since last Saturday the Nation has been in turmoil, grieving over the senseless shootings in Arizona. Since last Saturday the Nation has been mourning the deaths, inspired by the bravery of heroes in our midst, and hoping for the recovery of those wounded.
Some have laid blame at the feet of others who didn't actually shoot the gun. Others have spoken out against the hatred spewed and strewn in the political setting. Some have quickly purchased the same type of gun used in the massacre. And at least one has inflamed the nation's conscience even further.
The shooter, deep in his downward spiral into mental illness, needed medical intervention prior to this event. My layman understanding of schizophrenia is that it often presents itself at the time our children are entering college. It is the nature of the disease. But, even if his illness had been addressed earlier, what exactly would have happened?
Probably nothing of significance. It's been about 20 - 30 years since States began closing Mental Institutions due to budget constraints. The forgotten unseen people in these institutions were put out and became the forgotten homeless we see everyday.
The political environment has become the meanest I've ever experienced. I, myself, have questioned the sanity of the television and radio pundits...on both sides. It is at best mean spirited and at worst calculating madness. Could we as a nation "tone down" our conversations? Quit calling each other traitor? Quit using violent metaphors for solving problems? Maybe.
Could we, as Americans, treat other Americans with respect? Could we, as human beings, treat all other human beings with respect? Difficult to answer. We, as a living species, have always been violent. But, we have had leaders throughout the world, at various times, who showed us peaceful restraint. Nothing comes from violence but violence. Can peace come forth from peace? Let us hope.
The NRA has a death grip on our politicians. Why. Is it the money they give to campaigners? Do we have the "right to bear arms"? If so, why. We had a revolution to separate from Britain. We needed arms to do that. We had a Civil War. We needed arms to do that. We came to this land and stole it from the native peoples who lived here. We needed arms to do that. That is our history. Does it have to be our future? If you feel that it is possible that one day you will need to protect yourself from our government then perhaps you need arms to do that. But, why in the world would you need to carry them around at all times in all places.
The gun used in Arizona on Saturday was not a weapon for hunting deer or other wildlife. It was designed to kill people. That is it's purpose. It's only purpose. It is an automatic, rapid firing weapon that military and law officials need to do their job.
There is no reasonable reason for owning that type of gun. In fact, until 2004 they were outlawed. As were the extended bullet clips.
The issue is complicated, just like so many other issues our country must handle. But, there is no reason to manufacture bullet clips made to hold 30 bullets for public use. No reason. No reason at all. No reason except to kill someone. Many someones. Thirty bullets in a clip are Weapons for Mass Destruction.
