As we mourn yet more victims of violence and seek both comfort and some kind of explanation, maybe it’s time to ask a couple basic questions.
If America truly abhors gun violence, why is it by a long stretch the highest in the world for per capita gun ownership? 316 million people and 298 million guns! Handguns, rifles, assault weapons, shotguns.
If America truly wants peace in the world, why is it by a substantial margin the biggest exporter of armaments to practically any country or rebel army with a check book? Weapons of every shape and size, from hand guns to missiles! (One nice thing, though. We keep the white phosphorus, depleted uranium, and cluster bombs for our own use on the battle field.)
I weep for all __ both the victims and the survivors __ because we are all victims.
We are victims of a national madness that has become the new normal. We eat, sleep, dream, breathe violence. Look at TV. Look at movies, books, games. Look at our police.
I wish it were otherwise . . . but there will be no end to the carnage.
Unless we as a people __ individually and collectively __ change.
We can say ‘NO’ to all this violence. You and I.
But we have to say it . . . and mean it!
