It’s pointless to argue with the NRA they have one focus and it’s only for the sake of its members. Yes I agree the media is largely to blame, and yes it seems we are protecting everyone except our children. However, the NRA is indeed using this opportunity to advocate for big gun business. They want to put trained government officials WITH GUNS at the entry ways of public schools to protect our children. Yet, they tirelessly speak about their 2nd amendment right and proclaim to their adversaries: “We have a right to protect ourselves FROM the government.” In their December 21, 2012 press conference they make a valid argument about the media’s responsibility for violence, and I do agree; but never do they address the need for a better education system; never do they address the need for better anti-bullying and anti-hate agendas, and never do they talk about tolerance—learning to love each other. All they talk about is fighting back with more guns. As long there are guns in this world there will be fear. Fear causes people to seize up, to think irrationally, and go into protective mode. How can we learn to help each other, and work together to end violence if we are constantly fearful?
“Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous.” ~George Bernard Shaw
The NRA has one answer to everything, more guns. I do not believe this is the association we want to be inspired by for change this day in age. A friend of mine said we need to “think critically” instead of having “knee jerk” reactions to the problem, in regards to people’s outcry for stricter gun control laws. Oh really? Are you saying half the population as having a spastic attitude about this? I’m pretty sure THAT many people aren’t thinking illogically about this. I think the important questions we need to ask can’t be answered with statistics and polls. I think we need to listen to the people. Listen to ideas, gather information and address it all. We have to stop bickering and ask questions:
How does a semi-automatic weapon provide protection?
Why are guns with the capability to take down 26 people by ONE man being manufactured?
How can we teach our kids to stop bullying each other and become more tolerant of one another?
How can we support the mentally ill so we don’t lose them to the deepest darkest places?
How can we lessen the fear we feel for our lives and our loved ones lives?
How can we start holding the media responsible for glorifying killers, and using people’s emotions to sell something?
Obviously these are just a few of the questions, but I think the answers start with us. We have to start taking responsibility for our choices. This is a great country and we do have control. But we have to stop being so one sided about things and start working together. Stop buying those bullshit magazines, turn the channel if news stations even so much as mention a killer’s name. Admittedly, these habits are hard to break; we seem to have a need to fill our lives with things other than actually looking out for one another. We should be holding each other up; encouraging good behavior—not putting the greedy, intolerant, evil, possessive, unfaithful, cruel, spiteful and vengeful on a pedestal. All of which culminate the media.
When you take a step forward, you are bound to disturb something. ~Ghandi
From a personal standpoint, I still can’t believe the audacity of people’s behavior towards each other. I once worked at a place that actually enabled people who bullied their peers. The act of consistently badgering and intimidating others with snarky comments and malicious nit-picking was a very common occurrence in this particular office. This created fear and pointless drama. I became very hateful of these people and I still struggle with forgiveness. Imagine a less sane person, and how/if they have the ability to overcome such hate. What about children? When they are battered in school on a daily basis how does this resonate with them if they don’t have a strong support system at home or even within their school. These are things we need to think about. Will the guy with a gun and a badge help them process these senseless acts of indecency? One thought that got me through the many years of being cut down, and weakened was that these people must really be in pain. What happened to them that they think that kind of behavior is acceptable?
My point is we have to start massive movement and say to people who are being assholes that we aren’t paying attention to them anymore. We are ignoring you now. You don’t get to have your 15 minutes of fame if you hurt people. In the mean time we need to really think about why we need guns. The very existence of guns in this world sways people to choose violence over personal healing. Guns are in my opinion THE easy way out. As long as guns are easily attainable people will turn to them. It’s a vicious circle.
