Maybe we deserve to implode. Perhaps our finest moment was WWII and the few years that followed. Because since then we became drunk with our power and have become the world's biggest bully. We have invaded, propped up dictators, subverted other countries elections, armed insurrections, choked other countries economies, destroyed other nations. We are currently bombing seven nations. We are the world's biggest arms dealer. This country was founded on genocide and slavery. Is it really any wonder that we are the only nation to ever actually use an atomic bomb on another nation? Yes, yes, I know, lives saved and time shortened and all that. Not the point.
Is
it really any wonder that we descended into insanity? Our murderous
tendency had to be eventually turned on ourselves. Escalation is the
name of the game. And so our love of weapons and violence tells us that guns are
the answer to every problem, that the more you take out the more you
win.
I
wrote this last night and then dinner was ready and now I'm trying to
pick up the thread. Where do I start? With thoughts and prayers? Fuck
thoughts and prayers. God isn't going to fix this for us. The only
way this is going to get fixed is by the general population demanding
that the people they vote for pass strict measures on gun ownership
in general and outlawing military grade or military like weapons in
particular. And if they don't then vote for someone who will next
time.
Tweet
from Shaun King...The United States is not #1 in much. Not education,
not healthcare, not economic equality, not much. We're #1 in mass
shootings and mass incarceration. It's not even close. That's where
we lead. This is what we're best at.
And
these mass shootings are increasing. 45 days into this new year, this
is the 18th school shooting and something like the 37th
mass shooting. But according to the Republicans that have had a choke
hold on Congress for the last 7 years, it's never a good time to talk
about gun control no matter how many people die, no matter their age.
They don't want gun control because they get millions from the NRA.
Tweet from Marco Rubio...Just spoke to Broward School Superintendent. Today is that terrible day you pray never comes.
Marco
Rubio has taken over $3 million from the NRA and never votes for gun
control. Fuck Marco Rubio.
Tweet
from Trump...So
many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even
expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and
classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such
instances to authorities, again and again!
Two
months into his term, Trump nullified Obama's background checks for
mental illness for gun purchases. Fuck you Trump.
According
to BuzzFeed, the FBI received a tip about this most recent shooter months
ago and apparently did NOTHING.
Seems
I saw some politician said no one knows how to stop this (couldn't
find it again). Well, other countries know how to stop it. I know how
to stop it. They can start by outlawing and confiscating military
style weapons. They can limit the number of weapons one person can
own. They can get rid of open carry. They can require thorough
background checks on ALL gun purchases. They can require a waiting
period and training before
acquiring the gun they want to purchase. They can require gun owners
purchase insurance. They can classify the NRA as a terrorist organization
or at the very least make it illegal for the NRA to donate money to
political figures.
All
this would be possible if we really cared enough. The first step
though is to get rid of every politician that has ever taken money
from the NRA. Unless that happens then the next best thing is to
outfit yourself and your family with body armor and wear it every day
because Congress will not protect you.
As you know, my husband is a gun-owner and we eat a lot of venison. Here's the thing- I believe he'd agree with everything you said. He is definitely not a member of the NRA. And oh yeah- he doesn't need nor does he own an AK-47.
ReplyDeleteI wonder. I just wonder- if our lawmakers were forced to look at graphic photos of the victims of these guns, would anything change?
I know lots of people who hunt and they eat what they kill as it should be. the problem is not with them.
Deleteand no, I don't think looking at dead strangers will make them do anything. maybe if it was their kids...
DeleteI think, Ms. Moon, they must look at dead, bloody, blasted, faceless, limp forever bodies. Then they would swoon, and later leave with the vapors. No other change.
ReplyDeleteEllen, you are so good at pinpointing your feelings on the matters of state. I get to rambling and can't get my point across. Thank you for your clear headed post.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I dislike it, hunting is huge here in Canada. Guns are legal. But so many of the safeguards you logically stated are in place here. Yes, we still have gun violence occasionally. Others will sometimes find other ways to accomplish their evil deed. But for the most part, my country and so many others are reasonably safe from mass shootings. Reasonably. Those last two remedies on your list would probably go the farthest. The NRA is an evil force in your country. There is no discussion .. no number of times that this happens .. no amount of lives lost that will ever make a difference as long as the NRA has such power. It's so disheartening and so incredibly heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteWell-put, Ellen.
ReplyDeleteEllen, I have never commented here before though I have been following your blog for years. I must tell you that your opinions and analysis of the state of your country are the most clear-headed and well thought-out writings. You should have a newspaper column, you should be the damn PRESIDENT of the US. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with this Canadian who is bewildered by what is going on...
ReplyDeletethanks
DeleteBravo, Ellen! Well said.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
The best summary of solutions I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on, Ellen.
Yes, Ellen. Your ability to concisely hit that nail on the head is unsurpassed. I've said before that more people need to read you and learn from you. I am glad I am one of those who can.
ReplyDeleteYes Mam! Spot on, and yet this is so hard for Republicans to do?? Every GUN no matter what kind must be registered....and I would add to your list No one under age 25 can own a gun, and all Licensed Gun Owners will be held accountable for any crime perpetrated with that gun. Make the gun Owner just as responsible as the shooter this should keep the gun out of the hands of minors and the mentally immature and disturbed.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better. There's something very strange and slightly paranoid in the American psyche. The tendency to see tyranny around every corner, the need to stockpile means of resistance -- it's bizarre. I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. After the Berlin Airlift and the Marshall Plan, we really have not been on the side of the angels. It's a toxic mentality.
ReplyDeleteYour blog post is spot on!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteA British political commentator, Dan Hodges, said, after Sandy Hook, “In retrospect, Sandy Hook marked the end of the U.S. gun-control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.”
ReplyDeleteIf the murder of little children didn't spur our government to take action, nothing will.
I agree, with this caveat, the republican government. we will see what happens when the democrats gain majority. true, they have not been effective in the past but maybe we are reaching a watershed.
Delete