"... we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics." [Best of luck with that.]Not that he had to be explicit, since just about everyone else who was so inclined brought it up within a matter of seconds after the news broke. It's Godwin's law for gun control. Predictably "everyone .. so inclined" includes many foreigners from Britain, Europe, Canada and even China.
Speaking of China, those who believe that gun control is "the answer" to preventing these horrific events should keep in mind that killers hell-bent on killing will resort to any means:
A series of uncoordinated mass stabbings, hammer attacks, and cleaver attacks in the People's Republic of China began in March 2010. The spate of attacks left at least 21 dead and some 90 injured. Analysts have blamed mental health problems caused by rapid social change for the rise in these kind of mass murder and murder-suicide incidents.Consider also the deadliest mass murder in a school in U.S. history. With no guns involved:
... 38 elementary school children, two teachers, four other adults and the bomber himself; at least 58 people were injured. Most of the victims were children in the second to sixth grades (7–11 years of age[1]) attending the Bath Consolidated School.
[h/t]
A side note. Obama's tearful address began with:
"We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news, I react not as a president, but as anybody else would as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there's not a parent in America who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do." [With all due repect, the parents of the dead and injured might feel somewhat more overwhelming grief.]
Every time someone brings up "gun control" firmly remind them that a high level of restrictions on gun ownership has been in place in both Canada and the United States starting in the 1930's.
ReplyDeleteAsk them how more of the same is going to work better than it has in the last 80 years?
I don't like guns. I would never own a gun as I don't believe I need one. I do, however, know people who need them - mostly people living in isolated rural areas who must have a source of protection for themselves and for their livestock.
ReplyDeleteThe blame with these sorts of occurrences can't solely be laid at the feet of firearm ownership.
This is one mother's anguished response to the tragedy:
http://thebluereview.org/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother/
People like this mother need help in dealing with problems presented by their children that are, to say the least, overwhelming.
I am the parent of a developmentally disabled child. Thankfully one who is friendly, loving and happy as is inherent in his condition but I know so many others who struggle, on an hourly basis, to care for high needs children with very little support.
It is worse once they leave school as at least while they are in school parents have some form of respite and the assistance provided by other adults involved in caring for their children.
A very real problem is the lack of services available for families living on the edge of crisis in dealing with mental health issues. The problems aren't addressed as these people, and their family's burdens are invisible. Well that is, until tragedy strikes.
There's also this column by Christie Blatchford which makes reference to the novel and movie "We Need to Talk About Kevin".
ReplyDeleteIt's like they have a process they folllow . First show the shock and awe factor. Then get some readily available wannabe Freud from some obscure university wth nothig else to do to name off the latest popular excuses .Then bring up gun laws. Next blame G.W. Bush .Then the root cause - guns of course . Next , blame Stephen Harper because this happened in another country and he killed the long gun registry in Canada and he , of course hates children and wants to kill everybody with F-35's . Then show Obama pausing in his speech , head bowed , top lip over bottom in the classic sad politician pose until the cameras finished clicking ( nice of him ). At least he didn't repeat UHHHM , UHHHM ,UUUHHM over and over like Paul Martin did when he was aked about some soldiers getting killed . He was much more eloquent Next , don't . Repeat don't mention how Obama killed off millions of dollars security funding for schools because , we all know he is above reproach .Next , blame gun laws , repeat for 5 days , End , til next time
ReplyDeleteDid you notice that Saint Obama (He who can do NO wrong) wipes "tears" from the OUTER corner of his eyes?
ReplyDeleteMost humans have tear ducts in their INNER eye (near their noses). Could Saint Obama be faking "wiping tears"?
Maybe he does NOT know how to cry.