Thoughts on Today’s Tragedy

I know this doesn’t hold with my usual blog demeanor or tone, but I must express my deepest condolences to those affected by this morning’s events at the Naval Yard in Washington, D.C. The regularity with which this country has seen mass manslaughter is unacceptable; we are constantly in mourning, in regret, and in frustration. We’re losing kindergarteners and officers alike…demographics that suggest this goes farther than the occasional tragedy, since assailants are targeting the least and most powerful simultaneously. This isn’t new information to any of you, of course, but I’m begging any and all of you to advocate for gun education and legislation to protect our citizens and families.

My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and their friends. May those who lost their lives rest in peace, and may the rest of us fight for our continued safety and protection.

For reliable live updates, follow The New York Times and/or NPR.

Stay beautiful, my dear readers. But more importantly, stay strong.

3 responses to “Thoughts on Today’s Tragedy”

lwk2431

September 16, 2013

” I’m begging any and all of you to advocate for gun education and legislation to protect our citizens and families.”

I agree. We need gun and gun safety education back in our schools and we need guns in the hands of good people in schools to protect children.

lwk
free2beinamerica2.wordpress.com

Reply
1. Julie Anna
  
  September 16, 2013
  
  Interesting point. I don’t necessarily agree that we need guns in the hands of good people, but I think it’s important to ensure that those same guns aren’t in the hands of bad ones (via background checks, etc.)
  
  Reply
  1. lwk2431
    
    September 16, 2013
    
    I wrote a post on my blog about a proposal for universal background checks that actually might get the support of gun owners.
    
    Universal Background Checks
    http://free2beinamerica2.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/universal-background-checks/
    
    “ensure that those same guns aren’t in the hands of bad ones”
    
    The truth though is that is very difficult to do. I would support the proposal I gave above, obviously, but I don’t have high expectations that it would keep guns out of the hands of a lot of bad guys. Maybe some, and maybe that would help. If people can smuggle billions of dollars worth of illegal drugs into the U.S. then if there is a market for guns to criminals, then somebody will supply the market for the right price.
    
    George Orwell (author of the book 1984) had it pretty much right when he said:
    
    “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
    
    Unfortunately I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
    
    lwk

Julie Bogen