Possibly it was more about insanity than motive. Still, it calls to question some important things. Permit me the use of point form to keep this brief.
1/ This is a tragedy. It would be whoever was/were the victim/s, whoever was the perpetrator, and whatever the "reasoning" behind it.
2/ Politicians are going to make a lot of speeches and try and get mileage out of this. There's a risk that we'll ask God to bless America a thousand times and forget to really address the issues as so often happens. Yes, I am really that cynical about our "leaders." They've earned it!
3/ Let's care about/pray for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords without canonizing her. That's the fast track to missing the point. A part of the point is that six other people are already in the morgue leaving behind grieving loved ones.
4/ The venom that has been spouted in this country in recent times has the citizenry roiling. The hateful rhetoric and public callousness (Palin, Angle, Limbaugh, Beck, O'Reilly -- dear God how I despise even writing their names -- and many others) has us reaching for extremist answers. America is a country that often turns to emotions to solve problems of logic.
5/ This latest horror may have nothing to do with point 4. Understood. But if we don't like what we saw in Arizona, we'd better address point 4 or there is going to be a lot more violence. You only have to be a casual reader of history to know that. (It is worth noting that Arizona is a state that has been very much a scene of extremism in recent times, led, as it is, by racist governor Jan Brewer. No doubt Brewer will find her sensitive side for the media on this one.)
6/ It is far too easy to get guns in America. Period.
7/ We ALL have a personal responsibility to look for compassionate solutions to the things that divide us. To be dogged in our beliefs but kind in our actions. To avoid jumping to quick conclusions. To be willing to listen to and consider opposing views. To filter out the rhetorical and political nonsense that everyone from Obama to your local school board will fall back on time and time again to get their way. We are blessed with intelligence and reason. If we are too lazy to exercise them properly then we deserve the fate that befalls us.
But judging by the reactions to the shooting in Arizona, nobody in their right mind really wants that.
Take care,
Adrian
IF YOU FOUND THIS BLOG POST INTERESTING you might also like to take a look at SHARRON ANGLE & ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION -- GETTING OUT THE FEAR VOTE and GAY SUICIDES -- IS ANYONE GETTING THIS?
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