Out of respect for the children and teachers murdered this past week, and in memory of all other Americans who have been slaughtered in gun violence, there will be no caption contest this Sunday.
May 29, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse, Robert Reich
I can still remember as if it was yesterday, the shock and horror of the Dunblane school shootings in Scotland in 1996. We haven't had anything like that since. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to live in a country where this can happen week in week out, year after year and to seemingly be helpless to do anything to stop it. My heartfelt sympathies are with everyone affected by these tragedies and who wants to do something effective to stop them.
Imagine. It is beyond disgraceful. It is so embarrassing and so disgusting to be a citizen of this “Democracy” it is so SAD and so disheartening I cannot stop weeping. Only in MY COUNTRY can a child buy an assault weapon before he can buy a beer. Only in MY COUNTRY can that child plaster all of his plans on “social media “ then carry them out. Worse still, only in MY COUNTRY can 19 law enforcement officers stand outside classrooms as little kids desperately telephone for help and refuse to assist them BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF GETTING SHOT.
Anne ; I would be afraid to rush into death too. What a horrible position to be forced into by a wayward child with a lethal weapon! The ones who should be ashamed and blamed are those who will not remove the filibuster and stubbornly support the Death for Profit industry. Those who sell out to the weapons industry are the guilty party. The ones who knowingly profit off of this carnage with no concern for the victims are culpable. The ones who will not push for sane laws banning the purchase of these weapons by anyone not in a regulated militia or military are the perpetrators. It's time to sue the makers of these things for not limiting access to the weapons to authorized regulated personnel. It's time to go after those who take oaths of office to uphold our Constitution and don't actually look at the second amendment for what it clearly says.
I keep thinking of that security guard, I think, in Buffalo who tried to stop that shooter, and those guys in Uvalde left CHILDREN defenseless. What about a good guy with a gun bs?
When a small town police job opens, I doubt that an applicant is expecting and expected to give the ultimate sacrifice in a mass shooting episode. There will be few people joining police forces if this becomes the expected requirement of their job. people are sounding the alarm that police are becoming 'militarized'. I don't know if there is body armor that can protect against these weapons of war, but if things are grim now, we can expect them to get worse as the trend towards 'soft targets' increases with the lax laws and continued availability of these firearms. The ones to blame are the ones who make it LEGAL to casually purchase them without being fully mature and vetted/regulated.
The “small town police force” prevented the Border Patrol from entering the classroom for about 40 minutes. So, even if the small town police force is to scared to act they should in no way impede those that are willing and capable.
Todd ; I was not aware of that situation, and am unsure what the local officers were doing and why. I would think there was a reason for their actions. Again, the whole situation was awful and should never have happened. But people who worry about the militarization of our police forces will see here a justification for that outcome when police are expected to defend against weapons of war in the hands of untrained civilians who have no business owning them, and an evil intent.
When a small town teaching job opens, I doubt that an applicant is expecting and expected to give the ultimate sacrifice in a mass shooting episode. There will be few people joining teaching forces if this becomes the expected requirement of their job.
There are more regulations regarding owning a car, being able to drive, consume alcohol and tobacco products than there are regarding gun ownership. The purpose of a gun is to kill or maim, but there should be no restrictions??!! Just like so many other things in America, the real motivation behind the situation is money.
you are not trained to nor are you in a position that requires you to do everything you can to save people's lives (consider the firefighter's job..they go into deadly situations because it is their job).......incredibly, those police officers, that took an oath to protect others, are exactly those who should have gone into the school...but didn't...and ..those same officers prevented parents from going into the school to try an save their children....the police made an active decision to not go into the school to help the children, teachers and other staff...instead the police stood by for an hour...while the shooter massacred teachers and students...and couldn't even get their information straight at a press conference.....the police made the wrong decision.....that decision cost children and teachers their lives...and those who are elected to office who do not create and enforce strong gun laws are to blame also...the fact that the NRA gives large sums of money to many governors and other elected officials is also to blame for the very real loss of the lives of these beautiful children and their incredible teachers... the reality is, in many states, there are no gun laws against owning a high capacity weapon of war that is capable of inflicting mass death in just seconds...some states do have gun ownership requirements...but we know that high capacity weapons can be bought into another state.....brought into those states that do have regulations regarding ownership of weapons of war....consider Kyle Rittenhouse who crossed state lines, was driven by his MOTHER across state lines, killed two people and injured one "Bystander video captured the critical minutes when Rittenhouse, with a Smith and Wesson AR-style semiautomatic rifle." Kyle walk by a group of police officers who encouraged Kyle to keep on going towards people protesting. Kyle shot and killed Rosenbaum and Huber and wounded Grosskreutz." The US has not implemented strong gun ownership laws...the US should and could do what Australia did in 1996..."The principle features of the NFA, as described in a study on the regulatory reform (Ozanne-Smith et al., 2004, pp. 282–283), were as follows:
Ban on importation, ownership, sale, resale, transfer, possession, manufacture, or use of all self-loading center rifles, all self-loading and pump action shotguns, and all self-loading rimfire rifles (some exemptions allowable to primary producers and clay target shooters)
Compensatory buyback scheme through which firearm owners would be paid the market value for prohibited firearms handed in during a 12-month amnesty
Registration of all firearms as part of integrated shooter licensing scheme
Shooter licensing based on requirement to prove “genuine reason” for owning a firearm, including occupational use, demonstrated membership of an authorized target shooting club, or hunting (with proof of permission from a rural landowner)
Licensing scheme based on five categories of firearms, minimum age of 18 years, and criteria for a “fit and proper person”
New license applicant required to undertake accredited training course in firearm safety
As well as license to own a firearm, separate permit required for each purchase of a firearm subject to a 28-day waiting period
Uniform and strict firearm storage requirements
Firearms sales to be conducted only through licensed firearm dealers and all records of sale to be provided to the police
Sale of ammunition only for firearms for which purchaser is licensed and limitations on quantities purchased within time period. https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/analysis/essays/1996-national-firearms-agreement.html". "After one mass shooting in New Zealand the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, took action..."Fifty-one people were killed and 50 others wounded when a lone gunman opened fire at two mosques in the city, in the country’s worst peacetime shooting. The gunman livestreamed his actions on Facebook. Is it really a surprise that Sen Schumer and Rep McConnell decided not to stay in session to do something...anything...they decided instead to take the two week recess...what a slap in the face to those who have suffered loss in all previous mass shootings in the US...and now a callous response to those suffering from the loss of loved ones...now and across many decades of mass shootings~
Less than a month later, New Zealand’s Parliament voted 119-1 to introduce a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles. In addition to the sweeping reform of gun laws, a special commission is being set up to explore broader issues around accessibility of weapons and the role of social media."
"The rapid response to the Christchurch attack is in stark contrast to that of the United States. America has the highest rate of murder and manslaughter by firearms in the developed world and a high rate of mass shootings, yet even moderate reform of gun laws has been blocked for 25 years. Not even last year’s March for Our Lives (MFOL) demonstration in support of legislation to prevent gun violence – one of the largest protests in American history – could trigger political will for reform." If you would like to learn more about what Australia and New Zealand did you can google that. You can call for your elected officials to make gun ownership reforms...vote for those who support strong gun laws that require on-going training, licensing, storage of firearms in a gun safe...age requirements...and most important of all, call for a ban on ownership of high capacity rifles in all states of the United States.
marjorie johnson ; You are echoing the news media that repeated the story of how long they took to get in there and do something. Nobody in the newspaper industry or the tv / internet news asked questions about who was giving orders and what kinds of policies are in place (if any) to determine the plan of action. The police were most likely under orders to protect the public from going into an active shooter situation. It is not an easy call to deal with. Blaming the small town cops is a 'cop out'! The ones to blame are the 'leaders' of this country and the 'supreme judges' and everyone taking money from the makers of these killing machines! They are the real culpable cowards! The obscenely wealthy weapons merchants of Death are to blame! Recipients of millions of dollars, (like Mitt Romney 19 million dollars) are guilty, guilty guilty cowards!
well obviously we disagree on one point~I have seen the news~ it seems you do not want to place any responsibility on the officers who swore to protect and defend their communities....even in "small" towns..it doesn't matter if a town is small...if a person feels they cannot do the work that a police officer does..they should not be a police officer...so there we are...we disagree with each other....on that point...but we do have common ground.... Yes those elected to public office also have a duty to keep the residents of their state safe...Texas and other states in the US have failed in that duty.......many elected officials take as much cash as they can from whoever will give them the cash, with strings attached, of course, to do the bidding of those who give the $$$...instead of protecting the citizens of their state. I saw the brave Capital Police defend the US capital, some suffering loss of life doing so..others gravely injured......I have great respect for them...they were greatly out numbered they did their very best in a very difficult situation...they did not turn away from their duty to serve and protect....they protected the Congress and the Vice President....during a horrendous attack....they did not stand down....they did everything they could to serve their country and protect our Democracy...we agree on one point..getting $$$ our of elections...getting dark money out of elections...getting corporate money out of elections...keep on stay strong...we do what we can....
marjorie johnson ; we may not disagree as much as you think, I do think it is unfair to expect people who are outgunned and untrained with little protection to just go into a certain death, and am reasonably sure that it is not in their job description to do so. The news media ginned up the idea that the delays they described of the police response somehow laid blame on them. That is patently false and totally unfair. they were in an untenable situation with no training or equipment to answer the threat. Our top 'leadership in this country is to blame for the weapons of war on our streets and now, even our schools.
But the news media is correct. They did ask those questions and couldn't get a clear answer. It doesn't matter if "isn't an easy call". They had a protocol to follow and they had the training in that protocol and did just the opposite. When they sign on to that job, they know the risks. And one of those risks is to risk your life to save innocent children from slaughter. They had 19 officers there—What were they doing?!
Joan DeMartin ; I think the media should have investigated before rushing to judgement of the police. I don't think it's clear that the police had the means to effectively deal with the situation. The corporate owned media wanted to cover the backs of those who allowed these deadly weapons to be easily available. If the police were protected by adequate body armor and weapons they may have been effective. If you had a son or a husband or daughter on the police force you might have another point of view. Get angry at the ones who set the stage for this atrocity and legalized these weapons. No community will be able to hire police if the contract included fighting weapons of war without adequate body armor. There were other tragic mistakes like an unlocked back door to the school. The risks were not forseen by any of those hiring or being hired. Blame those who do not fully read and understand the second amendment. They are the enemies of the children and the public.
You speak about different states laws governing weapons purchases and only one federal law can nullify those bad laws and control who is allowed to purchase, possess and use a weapon and eliminate weapons that are especially designed for war and the last time I checked this American continent is not at war.
They admit they have failed and made the wrong decision not to enter the classroom immediately. They understand it was the wrong decision, period. I’m sure the parents are thinking it’s time to sue those who not only take salaries that are publicly funded but they also take oaths to office to serve and protect. Did they provide the service they are being paid for? Isn’t that considered stealing taking payment for a service that you refused to provide? If Fear is their first response they shouldn’t be getting paid to be “first responders”.
I’m afraid that, between the lines, you are defending those who believe it’s „normal“ to be allowed to have automatic weapons in one’s household. Citizens in civilized countries agree that weapons of war don’t belong in the hands of everyday citizens and especially not in the hands of TEENAGERS!!
The reason for there being easy access to this kind of horrendous weaponry, is as most of us know, that there is a tight connection between legislators, the NRA and the gun industry.
I’m well aware. I’ve read. Maybe y’all should read my entire comments to see I’m not here for defending either side of guns. I’m here trying to remove any emotions to think logically. If the money making business is never going to get rid of these weapons because it is so lucrative as we all know, WE can at least TRY something different! We don’t owe it to each other to try to find another way? We should remain insane trying the same things that don’t work? Maybe have Law enforcement equipped accordingly in school settings, trained accordingly to respond accordingly when they FIRST arrive, or remove kids from a potentially unsafe classroom( as we did with Covid) if legislators won’t remove guns? I’m not sure how additional practices to potentially help a dire situation can be misconstrued as defending the normalization of owning an automatic weapon? If I don’t see removing guns as the sole means to end mass shootings I’m now defending the idea of normalizing having an automatic weapon? This is news to me, interesting.
Liv, I did read all your comments and I agree with you that it’s horrible that all these police officers were already at the school, but didn‘t take action.
Also, I realize that I don’t exactly know where you stand on weapons and gun laws.
However, it does feel like some media outlets are now focusing all the blame on the cops - where some of the blame should go - as opposed to the irresponsible laws regarding guns and gun ownership, where most of the blame must go.
We should all find out, just how much money our respective Senators and other lawmakers in our State are getting from gun lobbies - and how they are voting and speaking on all gun-related issues.
So the MAIN reason for mass shootings ARE, in my view, military-type guns in the hands of regular citizens - and the lack of sensible laws around guns.
Personally, I also think violence in movies and video games „train“ a (young) brain to destroy.
I‘d like to see awards for movies and video games that train and remind the (young) brain to find positive solutions in order to save and protect people and things, not to kill.
Lastly, the general greed, lies, racism, disrespect for nature and overall lack of morality in US society (perfectly embodied by folks like Trump, Marjory and Ted), is creating so much anxiety, frustration, anger and depression, that many of the most vulnerable souls become more prone to feeling devalued, lost and turn to strange groups, to suicide and harming others.
Liv ; I'm afraid that the press has done it's job to deflect the blame from where it belongs. The local police officers were out gunned, with handguns to fight against a weapon that sprays hundreds of rounds every 30 seconds. If suing those hapless police is the best remedy, I am sure we will see that nobody will go into police work. I would bet that going into an untenable situation that guarantees death is not in their contract. They should be provided with tactical training and equipment to face this increasingly common hazard before being accused of not rendering the kind of service that defense of these weapons would require. No pay could attract people to a job that hazardous!
I watched the news videos and saw a lot of cops with AR's running around helter skelter and you speak of only pistols? Perhaps you are watching different videos?
G. Wayne Hild ; I saw a t v news source that mentioned handguns in the hands of 19 police officers in the hallway outside the classroom door. I have not seen every bit of footage on all news sources.
Unfortunately the press has done its job so much so that when the local police are stating THEMSELVES what they did was wrong you’re still able to find an argument? You’re still able to place the blame somewhere instead of acknowledging we all are to blame? I didn’t blame them, they blame themselves obviously as they have stated. Guaranteed death? The children were guaranteed murder! You miss the shots you don’t take that is guaranteed? These children were not worth them even trying? It’s such an uphill battle for guns to be banned but will people stop trying because one side is outnumbered? Is suing the hapless police going to remedy the situation no but you stated it’s time to go after those who take oaths of office to uphold the constitution, the officers are excluded? To the contrary hazardous jobs attract people only because of money, life insurance policies for those hazardous jobs will reflect. There wouldn’t be a military if people weren’t attracted to this. It’s a choice for them. Kids have no choice!!! They are forced to go to school!!! The point is it’s a chosen profession, it’s not every day all day they have this high risk but when you have the risk and children are involved and you can’t even do anything for them? Why would I think they’ll protect me? Kids weren’t even enough?
Liv ; There were no winners there! but just because they were shamed into blaming themselves does not make them ultimately responsible for not having the training and equipment for the preventable unnecessary horror that they faced. The real perps are up in high places and do not want any scrutiny of their part in this tragedy. When we become angry we confuse our minds. The second amendment is very clear ; some just don't read the first part of it. The profit motive blinds them from the truth. If money can be made selling more and more guns, it does not matter how many innocents are killed. Interpretation of laws are skewed towards obscene profit. Just blame some small town people in the police force for being cowards! The media will do that for them, since they own it and share the ill gotten gains from mass shootings of our kids!
It took me a long time to digest this comment Laurie; and I will explain why; you make so many comments it is unreasonable to reply to all of them. “Less is more” my dear.
Rush into Uvalde was what cops were expected to do and the cops in Uvalde failed to do their job. Period.
Anne ; I respect that you have a point of view. Others do too and I have replied to them also. I obviously have mine. The killing of innocent children and teachers is so gruesome it is maddening and painful. I just do not want the people who brought this horror and terror to our country to get away with what they have done for profit. The so called nonprofit NRA has a part in this, and the politicians and judges who are on the gravy train of millions of dollars in donations (bribes), to allow anyone and everyone with the money to buy instant death to aim at anyone they want, should be called out. Because this would not be possible if we had the laws that existed when I was an elementary school child. It is not happening as frequently in most other countries in the world either. There are laws against it. Be well.
Laurie; You are right. I do apologize for my previous remarks on all of your comments . You are so smart; my only point was that you are “preaching to the choir”. I like that you respond to just about anyone… it makes you (you). My best to you and all whom you hold dear, Laurie- Anne M. 🌻
Blaming anyone is a massive cop out, but they’ve accepted their fault in this and we are all to blame and aren’t able to own our part either. We sit here arguing about sides when that doesn’t help the real problem, children were murdered in their classroom. It did not matter which side of the COVID debate you were on, we all took our children out of schools for this. Regardless of republican/democrat, the kids aren’t even dying everyone else was!!!! Did we need laws to change to keep them from school for Covid? We can do things without them being pushed into law also right? What if we refuse to send our kids to an unsafe classroom? School is paid for because your student is physically in the classroom. Why did we stop school for COvID but it’s not even an option when kids are being murdered there? We are so caught up in arguing we think getting rid of the guns is the only option? Think let’s think arguing is preventing us from doing that, filibuster is preventing, try something else!!!! Y’all if we can’t or won’t remove guns can we remove our children like we did for COVId?
Uvalde has a police force specifically for the purpose that they utterly failed at. That alone IS cause for blame.
Aside from that - money, lobbying and politics has petrified the US. We are no longer a sensible, civilized nation. But, rather, regressing to a “Wild West” mentality of might is right. Truth and facts have taken second place to propaganda and conspiracies. How much further can we sink until we finally say enough is enough?
Todd ; the purpose of the police force was blocked by a weapon of war and an assailant who should not have had access to that weapon and was using it against police with hand guns. the war weapon can shoot hundreds of rounds in 30 seconds. a hand gun is useless against an onslaught like that. At the least, they should have had body armor capable of shielding them, if such armor exists. The highest levels of government and our 'supreme' court are on the hook for blame here! they need to study the second amendment for clarity and forget the big bucks they have been taking! And HONOR their oaths of office!!!!
I’m not disagreeing with what you’re saying. (Although the assailant had, if I recall correctly, 30 round clips, whereby he had to reload after discharging the 30 shots).
I’m simply saying that “blame” (responsibility) needs to be rendered on ALL parties responsible in order for positive change to occur. Otherwise we’re left with the status quo and nothing changes.
Liv ; "Blaming anyone is a massive cop out" you say. I still blame the ones responsible for the lax laws allowing these weapons of war to be on the streets in the hands of just anyone. The Citizens United ruling that says money is speech and allows laws to be bought, even if they make our lives more dangerous and take away our voices. The fact that our representatives and Senators and even Judges can take money from the weapons industry and foreigners who are our enemies and want us to destroy ourselves is telling.
Correct Laurie, I also said “we are all to blame”. Maybe it helps you to know I blame myself as well. I still send my 3 children to school everyday when I know children have just been murdered in their classrooms. I was fortunate enough to not know any child that died because of Covid, yet I kept my kids from their education because it was a threat that they might get sick, not murdered!Although here I am still sending them to school and watching everyone complain about how they can’t keep guns out of school but we kept kids out of school without laws changing? If we are worried about children getting murdered we would just quarantine them like we do when we don’t want them to catch Covid......but this is about votes, about guns, about money, about judges and senators. Hide your kids, hide your wives.
Liv ; the real blame goes to the top of our government and the 'supreme' court, and laws like Citizens United that make money speech. and allows interpretation of our laws and Constitution to favor the obscenely wealthy greedheads. People should not have to hide their kids or their lives. This is supposed to be government of , by and for the people (the real flesh and blood humans), not the billionaires from around the world (even foreigners who hate us)!!
Anne, I agree wholeheartedly. When men and women sign up for the military, police or fire departments, or the FBI, CIA, or the like, they know the jobs hold dangers of maiming and death. The only valid response, to my mind, to comments like those we heard from those law enforcement officers is, "you knew the job was dangerous when you took it."
Stephanie Wellemeyer ; Just because a job has danger does not mean the law enforcement person should just walk into a death trap. That would not bring back the murdered innocents, it would just produce more carnage, I ask the question ; Was body armor that was effective available? were the officers suing hand guns against a war weapon that shoots hundreds of rounds in 30 seconds? The facts are not clear, and the media jumped on this to quickly blame law enforcement, not the corrupt politicians who take millions from the NRA.
I understand your point. Perhaps I am overly optimistic, or maybe just naive, but with all the guns and shootings in the US, and PD's buying retired military equipment, it never occurred to me that even a small, rural police department wouldn't have protective gear and something a bit more powerful than handguns. I wonder if their PD, city council, and mayor had ever considered the need for them? As for the NRA, may their bullets and filthy lucre come home to roost. Our forefathers/mothers are surely rolling over in their graves.
Stephanie Wellemeyer ; there may come a time when the folks who profit off the doings of the NRA will realize that they, too could be in peril of what they have unleashed. You are exactly right ;when "their bullets and filthy lucre come home to roost", they will find that they and their loved ones are flesh and blood too!
There is an unspeakable problem when innocent children need to be protected by law enforcement personnel who are likely to be viewers of right wing media, which is allowed to spew its divisive, racist ideas like replacement theory and teachers teaching critical race theory
It's pretty sad and disgraceful when you're getting ready to go to the grocery store and you wonder if the person you see in the parking lot who has a hand gun strapped to their belt is going to use it once they get into the store. Why someone feels the need to even carry a hand gun to a grocery store is so.ething I struggle to understand. And eho knows how many of my fellow customers are carrying concealed weapons. But yet, here we are in the USA.
Our UK government is shocking Anne, and the Scottish one certainly has its faults but one thing I really do not have to worry about is that I am ever likely to get shot. And I live in a stunningly beautiful part of the country (on Loch Fyne opposite Inveraray Castle) and I get free health care free and prescriptions - and a lot of free travel as well. I have a whole heap of things to be thankful for.
Seonaid - Indeed you have it all over the US - I am deeply ashamed of this country and know that we are no longer the greatest country in the world. I grew up in the sixties and seventies and our planet was much healthier before that wretched thing called plastic came along (can anyone tell me why the need for stickers on every single piece of fruit?) so I am seriously considering moving up to Canada since I am eligible for dual citizenship. I am jumping ship as soon as I can.
I totally agree with you about the stickers on fruit and just the amount of packaging generally. The very, very best of luck with jumping ship - although it's a sad thing to have wish someone luck for.
(Pancha Chandra): Robert, you guide us with amazing sensitivity; how I wish more statesmen follow your lead! Those who follow Donald Trump should be given lessons of humility, civics & good governance. Think of those who are killed & maimed by gun violence. Shocking!
Every child matters. A loss of our children is a loss of our future. Trauma is a lifelong social wound for the survivors, parents and the rest of us. There is no peace without justice, there is no justice without peace. May these dear children and their teachers rest in peace.
(Pancha Chandra): We need more ethical leaders to express themselves from the core of their heart & call out those leaders who shamefully follow the N.R.A. (the National Rifle Association). Donald Trump is prominent in his support of the National Rifle Association & should be named & shamed! How many more innocent victims of gun violence, Mr. Trump? Still, you spew your callous philosophy of availability of more lethal guns. You are certainly not a leader of peace, but a callous proponent of sheer brutality! You sully the name of American Presidents by your endorsement of the National Rifle Association. Guns kill and maim innocent people permanently!
Thank you for sharing just how fragile our human assistance is. It’s humbling to breath in deeply the tragedy and the pain, the senseless loss of these little life’s, along with their teachers. Maybe if we hold on a little longer to this horrifying reality we can change this madness. Peace.
Understandable.. I’m afraid we’re becoming complacent. We are a nation who does not grieve. It just so happens to be Memorial Day weekend and we’ve lost so many to the pandemic and drug overdoses including children who’ve shot them selves! I will not give up hope that we will get back to being human again. We NEED TO MOURN!
Thanks to the musicians, the writers, the filmmakers and you ! who with words and love and compassion but also with indignation bring these issues under our attention and do not step back. So important. It means one is not helpless, one can do something, speak up, vote, write about it. So thanks. Ghent Belgium, ex-exchange student in USA with AFS.
I can still remember as if it was yesterday, the shock and horror of the Dunblane school shootings in Scotland in 1996. We haven't had anything like that since. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to live in a country where this can happen week in week out, year after year and to seemingly be helpless to do anything to stop it. My heartfelt sympathies are with everyone affected by these tragedies and who wants to do something effective to stop them.
Imagine. It is beyond disgraceful. It is so embarrassing and so disgusting to be a citizen of this “Democracy” it is so SAD and so disheartening I cannot stop weeping. Only in MY COUNTRY can a child buy an assault weapon before he can buy a beer. Only in MY COUNTRY can that child plaster all of his plans on “social media “ then carry them out. Worse still, only in MY COUNTRY can 19 law enforcement officers stand outside classrooms as little kids desperately telephone for help and refuse to assist them BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF GETTING SHOT.
Anne ; I would be afraid to rush into death too. What a horrible position to be forced into by a wayward child with a lethal weapon! The ones who should be ashamed and blamed are those who will not remove the filibuster and stubbornly support the Death for Profit industry. Those who sell out to the weapons industry are the guilty party. The ones who knowingly profit off of this carnage with no concern for the victims are culpable. The ones who will not push for sane laws banning the purchase of these weapons by anyone not in a regulated militia or military are the perpetrators. It's time to sue the makers of these things for not limiting access to the weapons to authorized regulated personnel. It's time to go after those who take oaths of office to uphold our Constitution and don't actually look at the second amendment for what it clearly says.
There is much blame yo go around. So many things that never should have happened.
BUT, for those that signed up to “serve and protect” to stand by while more children are being murdered is simply unconscionable.
I keep thinking of that security guard, I think, in Buffalo who tried to stop that shooter, and those guys in Uvalde left CHILDREN defenseless. What about a good guy with a gun bs?
When a small town police job opens, I doubt that an applicant is expecting and expected to give the ultimate sacrifice in a mass shooting episode. There will be few people joining police forces if this becomes the expected requirement of their job. people are sounding the alarm that police are becoming 'militarized'. I don't know if there is body armor that can protect against these weapons of war, but if things are grim now, we can expect them to get worse as the trend towards 'soft targets' increases with the lax laws and continued availability of these firearms. The ones to blame are the ones who make it LEGAL to casually purchase them without being fully mature and vetted/regulated.
The “small town police force” prevented the Border Patrol from entering the classroom for about 40 minutes. So, even if the small town police force is to scared to act they should in no way impede those that are willing and capable.
exactly~
Todd ; I was not aware of that situation, and am unsure what the local officers were doing and why. I would think there was a reason for their actions. Again, the whole situation was awful and should never have happened. But people who worry about the militarization of our police forces will see here a justification for that outcome when police are expected to defend against weapons of war in the hands of untrained civilians who have no business owning them, and an evil intent.
When a small town teaching job opens, I doubt that an applicant is expecting and expected to give the ultimate sacrifice in a mass shooting episode. There will be few people joining teaching forces if this becomes the expected requirement of their job.
There are more regulations regarding owning a car, being able to drive, consume alcohol and tobacco products than there are regarding gun ownership. The purpose of a gun is to kill or maim, but there should be no restrictions??!! Just like so many other things in America, the real motivation behind the situation is money.
JennSH from NC ; I agree with you here! well said!
you are not trained to nor are you in a position that requires you to do everything you can to save people's lives (consider the firefighter's job..they go into deadly situations because it is their job).......incredibly, those police officers, that took an oath to protect others, are exactly those who should have gone into the school...but didn't...and ..those same officers prevented parents from going into the school to try an save their children....the police made an active decision to not go into the school to help the children, teachers and other staff...instead the police stood by for an hour...while the shooter massacred teachers and students...and couldn't even get their information straight at a press conference.....the police made the wrong decision.....that decision cost children and teachers their lives...and those who are elected to office who do not create and enforce strong gun laws are to blame also...the fact that the NRA gives large sums of money to many governors and other elected officials is also to blame for the very real loss of the lives of these beautiful children and their incredible teachers... the reality is, in many states, there are no gun laws against owning a high capacity weapon of war that is capable of inflicting mass death in just seconds...some states do have gun ownership requirements...but we know that high capacity weapons can be bought into another state.....brought into those states that do have regulations regarding ownership of weapons of war....consider Kyle Rittenhouse who crossed state lines, was driven by his MOTHER across state lines, killed two people and injured one "Bystander video captured the critical minutes when Rittenhouse, with a Smith and Wesson AR-style semiautomatic rifle." Kyle walk by a group of police officers who encouraged Kyle to keep on going towards people protesting. Kyle shot and killed Rosenbaum and Huber and wounded Grosskreutz." The US has not implemented strong gun ownership laws...the US should and could do what Australia did in 1996..."The principle features of the NFA, as described in a study on the regulatory reform (Ozanne-Smith et al., 2004, pp. 282–283), were as follows:
Ban on importation, ownership, sale, resale, transfer, possession, manufacture, or use of all self-loading center rifles, all self-loading and pump action shotguns, and all self-loading rimfire rifles (some exemptions allowable to primary producers and clay target shooters)
Compensatory buyback scheme through which firearm owners would be paid the market value for prohibited firearms handed in during a 12-month amnesty
Registration of all firearms as part of integrated shooter licensing scheme
Shooter licensing based on requirement to prove “genuine reason” for owning a firearm, including occupational use, demonstrated membership of an authorized target shooting club, or hunting (with proof of permission from a rural landowner)
Licensing scheme based on five categories of firearms, minimum age of 18 years, and criteria for a “fit and proper person”
New license applicant required to undertake accredited training course in firearm safety
As well as license to own a firearm, separate permit required for each purchase of a firearm subject to a 28-day waiting period
Uniform and strict firearm storage requirements
Firearms sales to be conducted only through licensed firearm dealers and all records of sale to be provided to the police
Sale of ammunition only for firearms for which purchaser is licensed and limitations on quantities purchased within time period. https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/analysis/essays/1996-national-firearms-agreement.html". "After one mass shooting in New Zealand the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, took action..."Fifty-one people were killed and 50 others wounded when a lone gunman opened fire at two mosques in the city, in the country’s worst peacetime shooting. The gunman livestreamed his actions on Facebook. Is it really a surprise that Sen Schumer and Rep McConnell decided not to stay in session to do something...anything...they decided instead to take the two week recess...what a slap in the face to those who have suffered loss in all previous mass shootings in the US...and now a callous response to those suffering from the loss of loved ones...now and across many decades of mass shootings~
Less than a month later, New Zealand’s Parliament voted 119-1 to introduce a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles. In addition to the sweeping reform of gun laws, a special commission is being set up to explore broader issues around accessibility of weapons and the role of social media."
"The rapid response to the Christchurch attack is in stark contrast to that of the United States. America has the highest rate of murder and manslaughter by firearms in the developed world and a high rate of mass shootings, yet even moderate reform of gun laws has been blocked for 25 years. Not even last year’s March for Our Lives (MFOL) demonstration in support of legislation to prevent gun violence – one of the largest protests in American history – could trigger political will for reform." If you would like to learn more about what Australia and New Zealand did you can google that. You can call for your elected officials to make gun ownership reforms...vote for those who support strong gun laws that require on-going training, licensing, storage of firearms in a gun safe...age requirements...and most important of all, call for a ban on ownership of high capacity rifles in all states of the United States.
marjorie johnson ; You are echoing the news media that repeated the story of how long they took to get in there and do something. Nobody in the newspaper industry or the tv / internet news asked questions about who was giving orders and what kinds of policies are in place (if any) to determine the plan of action. The police were most likely under orders to protect the public from going into an active shooter situation. It is not an easy call to deal with. Blaming the small town cops is a 'cop out'! The ones to blame are the 'leaders' of this country and the 'supreme judges' and everyone taking money from the makers of these killing machines! They are the real culpable cowards! The obscenely wealthy weapons merchants of Death are to blame! Recipients of millions of dollars, (like Mitt Romney 19 million dollars) are guilty, guilty guilty cowards!
well obviously we disagree on one point~I have seen the news~ it seems you do not want to place any responsibility on the officers who swore to protect and defend their communities....even in "small" towns..it doesn't matter if a town is small...if a person feels they cannot do the work that a police officer does..they should not be a police officer...so there we are...we disagree with each other....on that point...but we do have common ground.... Yes those elected to public office also have a duty to keep the residents of their state safe...Texas and other states in the US have failed in that duty.......many elected officials take as much cash as they can from whoever will give them the cash, with strings attached, of course, to do the bidding of those who give the $$$...instead of protecting the citizens of their state. I saw the brave Capital Police defend the US capital, some suffering loss of life doing so..others gravely injured......I have great respect for them...they were greatly out numbered they did their very best in a very difficult situation...they did not turn away from their duty to serve and protect....they protected the Congress and the Vice President....during a horrendous attack....they did not stand down....they did everything they could to serve their country and protect our Democracy...we agree on one point..getting $$$ our of elections...getting dark money out of elections...getting corporate money out of elections...keep on stay strong...we do what we can....
marjorie johnson ; we may not disagree as much as you think, I do think it is unfair to expect people who are outgunned and untrained with little protection to just go into a certain death, and am reasonably sure that it is not in their job description to do so. The news media ginned up the idea that the delays they described of the police response somehow laid blame on them. That is patently false and totally unfair. they were in an untenable situation with no training or equipment to answer the threat. Our top 'leadership in this country is to blame for the weapons of war on our streets and now, even our schools.
But the news media is correct. They did ask those questions and couldn't get a clear answer. It doesn't matter if "isn't an easy call". They had a protocol to follow and they had the training in that protocol and did just the opposite. When they sign on to that job, they know the risks. And one of those risks is to risk your life to save innocent children from slaughter. They had 19 officers there—What were they doing?!
Joan DeMartin ; I think the media should have investigated before rushing to judgement of the police. I don't think it's clear that the police had the means to effectively deal with the situation. The corporate owned media wanted to cover the backs of those who allowed these deadly weapons to be easily available. If the police were protected by adequate body armor and weapons they may have been effective. If you had a son or a husband or daughter on the police force you might have another point of view. Get angry at the ones who set the stage for this atrocity and legalized these weapons. No community will be able to hire police if the contract included fighting weapons of war without adequate body armor. There were other tragic mistakes like an unlocked back door to the school. The risks were not forseen by any of those hiring or being hired. Blame those who do not fully read and understand the second amendment. They are the enemies of the children and the public.
You speak about different states laws governing weapons purchases and only one federal law can nullify those bad laws and control who is allowed to purchase, possess and use a weapon and eliminate weapons that are especially designed for war and the last time I checked this American continent is not at war.
They admit they have failed and made the wrong decision not to enter the classroom immediately. They understand it was the wrong decision, period. I’m sure the parents are thinking it’s time to sue those who not only take salaries that are publicly funded but they also take oaths to office to serve and protect. Did they provide the service they are being paid for? Isn’t that considered stealing taking payment for a service that you refused to provide? If Fear is their first response they shouldn’t be getting paid to be “first responders”.
Liv, while I see your point, Laurie is right.
I’m afraid that, between the lines, you are defending those who believe it’s „normal“ to be allowed to have automatic weapons in one’s household. Citizens in civilized countries agree that weapons of war don’t belong in the hands of everyday citizens and especially not in the hands of TEENAGERS!!
The reason for there being easy access to this kind of horrendous weaponry, is as most of us know, that there is a tight connection between legislators, the NRA and the gun industry.
Read up on it!
I’m well aware. I’ve read. Maybe y’all should read my entire comments to see I’m not here for defending either side of guns. I’m here trying to remove any emotions to think logically. If the money making business is never going to get rid of these weapons because it is so lucrative as we all know, WE can at least TRY something different! We don’t owe it to each other to try to find another way? We should remain insane trying the same things that don’t work? Maybe have Law enforcement equipped accordingly in school settings, trained accordingly to respond accordingly when they FIRST arrive, or remove kids from a potentially unsafe classroom( as we did with Covid) if legislators won’t remove guns? I’m not sure how additional practices to potentially help a dire situation can be misconstrued as defending the normalization of owning an automatic weapon? If I don’t see removing guns as the sole means to end mass shootings I’m now defending the idea of normalizing having an automatic weapon? This is news to me, interesting.
Liv, I did read all your comments and I agree with you that it’s horrible that all these police officers were already at the school, but didn‘t take action.
Also, I realize that I don’t exactly know where you stand on weapons and gun laws.
However, it does feel like some media outlets are now focusing all the blame on the cops - where some of the blame should go - as opposed to the irresponsible laws regarding guns and gun ownership, where most of the blame must go.
We should all find out, just how much money our respective Senators and other lawmakers in our State are getting from gun lobbies - and how they are voting and speaking on all gun-related issues.
So the MAIN reason for mass shootings ARE, in my view, military-type guns in the hands of regular citizens - and the lack of sensible laws around guns.
Personally, I also think violence in movies and video games „train“ a (young) brain to destroy.
I‘d like to see awards for movies and video games that train and remind the (young) brain to find positive solutions in order to save and protect people and things, not to kill.
Lastly, the general greed, lies, racism, disrespect for nature and overall lack of morality in US society (perfectly embodied by folks like Trump, Marjory and Ted), is creating so much anxiety, frustration, anger and depression, that many of the most vulnerable souls become more prone to feeling devalued, lost and turn to strange groups, to suicide and harming others.
Liv ; I'm afraid that the press has done it's job to deflect the blame from where it belongs. The local police officers were out gunned, with handguns to fight against a weapon that sprays hundreds of rounds every 30 seconds. If suing those hapless police is the best remedy, I am sure we will see that nobody will go into police work. I would bet that going into an untenable situation that guarantees death is not in their contract. They should be provided with tactical training and equipment to face this increasingly common hazard before being accused of not rendering the kind of service that defense of these weapons would require. No pay could attract people to a job that hazardous!
I watched the news videos and saw a lot of cops with AR's running around helter skelter and you speak of only pistols? Perhaps you are watching different videos?
G. Wayne Hild ; I saw a t v news source that mentioned handguns in the hands of 19 police officers in the hallway outside the classroom door. I have not seen every bit of footage on all news sources.
Unfortunately the press has done its job so much so that when the local police are stating THEMSELVES what they did was wrong you’re still able to find an argument? You’re still able to place the blame somewhere instead of acknowledging we all are to blame? I didn’t blame them, they blame themselves obviously as they have stated. Guaranteed death? The children were guaranteed murder! You miss the shots you don’t take that is guaranteed? These children were not worth them even trying? It’s such an uphill battle for guns to be banned but will people stop trying because one side is outnumbered? Is suing the hapless police going to remedy the situation no but you stated it’s time to go after those who take oaths of office to uphold the constitution, the officers are excluded? To the contrary hazardous jobs attract people only because of money, life insurance policies for those hazardous jobs will reflect. There wouldn’t be a military if people weren’t attracted to this. It’s a choice for them. Kids have no choice!!! They are forced to go to school!!! The point is it’s a chosen profession, it’s not every day all day they have this high risk but when you have the risk and children are involved and you can’t even do anything for them? Why would I think they’ll protect me? Kids weren’t even enough?
Liv ; There were no winners there! but just because they were shamed into blaming themselves does not make them ultimately responsible for not having the training and equipment for the preventable unnecessary horror that they faced. The real perps are up in high places and do not want any scrutiny of their part in this tragedy. When we become angry we confuse our minds. The second amendment is very clear ; some just don't read the first part of it. The profit motive blinds them from the truth. If money can be made selling more and more guns, it does not matter how many innocents are killed. Interpretation of laws are skewed towards obscene profit. Just blame some small town people in the police force for being cowards! The media will do that for them, since they own it and share the ill gotten gains from mass shootings of our kids!
It took me a long time to digest this comment Laurie; and I will explain why; you make so many comments it is unreasonable to reply to all of them. “Less is more” my dear.
Rush into Uvalde was what cops were expected to do and the cops in Uvalde failed to do their job. Period.
Anne ; I respect that you have a point of view. Others do too and I have replied to them also. I obviously have mine. The killing of innocent children and teachers is so gruesome it is maddening and painful. I just do not want the people who brought this horror and terror to our country to get away with what they have done for profit. The so called nonprofit NRA has a part in this, and the politicians and judges who are on the gravy train of millions of dollars in donations (bribes), to allow anyone and everyone with the money to buy instant death to aim at anyone they want, should be called out. Because this would not be possible if we had the laws that existed when I was an elementary school child. It is not happening as frequently in most other countries in the world either. There are laws against it. Be well.
Laurie; You are right. I do apologize for my previous remarks on all of your comments . You are so smart; my only point was that you are “preaching to the choir”. I like that you respond to just about anyone… it makes you (you). My best to you and all whom you hold dear, Laurie- Anne M. 🌻
Thank you, Anne! I hope we can all get through these challenging times with our hearts intact. Be well and safe.
Blaming anyone is a massive cop out, but they’ve accepted their fault in this and we are all to blame and aren’t able to own our part either. We sit here arguing about sides when that doesn’t help the real problem, children were murdered in their classroom. It did not matter which side of the COVID debate you were on, we all took our children out of schools for this. Regardless of republican/democrat, the kids aren’t even dying everyone else was!!!! Did we need laws to change to keep them from school for Covid? We can do things without them being pushed into law also right? What if we refuse to send our kids to an unsafe classroom? School is paid for because your student is physically in the classroom. Why did we stop school for COvID but it’s not even an option when kids are being murdered there? We are so caught up in arguing we think getting rid of the guns is the only option? Think let’s think arguing is preventing us from doing that, filibuster is preventing, try something else!!!! Y’all if we can’t or won’t remove guns can we remove our children like we did for COVId?
Uvalde has a police force specifically for the purpose that they utterly failed at. That alone IS cause for blame.
Aside from that - money, lobbying and politics has petrified the US. We are no longer a sensible, civilized nation. But, rather, regressing to a “Wild West” mentality of might is right. Truth and facts have taken second place to propaganda and conspiracies. How much further can we sink until we finally say enough is enough?
Todd ; the purpose of the police force was blocked by a weapon of war and an assailant who should not have had access to that weapon and was using it against police with hand guns. the war weapon can shoot hundreds of rounds in 30 seconds. a hand gun is useless against an onslaught like that. At the least, they should have had body armor capable of shielding them, if such armor exists. The highest levels of government and our 'supreme' court are on the hook for blame here! they need to study the second amendment for clarity and forget the big bucks they have been taking! And HONOR their oaths of office!!!!
I’m not disagreeing with what you’re saying. (Although the assailant had, if I recall correctly, 30 round clips, whereby he had to reload after discharging the 30 shots).
I’m simply saying that “blame” (responsibility) needs to be rendered on ALL parties responsible in order for positive change to occur. Otherwise we’re left with the status quo and nothing changes.
Liv ; "Blaming anyone is a massive cop out" you say. I still blame the ones responsible for the lax laws allowing these weapons of war to be on the streets in the hands of just anyone. The Citizens United ruling that says money is speech and allows laws to be bought, even if they make our lives more dangerous and take away our voices. The fact that our representatives and Senators and even Judges can take money from the weapons industry and foreigners who are our enemies and want us to destroy ourselves is telling.
Correct Laurie, I also said “we are all to blame”. Maybe it helps you to know I blame myself as well. I still send my 3 children to school everyday when I know children have just been murdered in their classrooms. I was fortunate enough to not know any child that died because of Covid, yet I kept my kids from their education because it was a threat that they might get sick, not murdered!Although here I am still sending them to school and watching everyone complain about how they can’t keep guns out of school but we kept kids out of school without laws changing? If we are worried about children getting murdered we would just quarantine them like we do when we don’t want them to catch Covid......but this is about votes, about guns, about money, about judges and senators. Hide your kids, hide your wives.
Liv ; the real blame goes to the top of our government and the 'supreme' court, and laws like Citizens United that make money speech. and allows interpretation of our laws and Constitution to favor the obscenely wealthy greedheads. People should not have to hide their kids or their lives. This is supposed to be government of , by and for the people (the real flesh and blood humans), not the billionaires from around the world (even foreigners who hate us)!!
Only in my chosen country I have to worry about anybodies life every day.
I never put a thought into my nephews and friend's kids going to school in Europe and being killed.
All countries have mental health issues but no mass shootings.
Mad!
Anne, I agree wholeheartedly. When men and women sign up for the military, police or fire departments, or the FBI, CIA, or the like, they know the jobs hold dangers of maiming and death. The only valid response, to my mind, to comments like those we heard from those law enforcement officers is, "you knew the job was dangerous when you took it."
Stephanie Wellemeyer ; Just because a job has danger does not mean the law enforcement person should just walk into a death trap. That would not bring back the murdered innocents, it would just produce more carnage, I ask the question ; Was body armor that was effective available? were the officers suing hand guns against a war weapon that shoots hundreds of rounds in 30 seconds? The facts are not clear, and the media jumped on this to quickly blame law enforcement, not the corrupt politicians who take millions from the NRA.
I understand your point. Perhaps I am overly optimistic, or maybe just naive, but with all the guns and shootings in the US, and PD's buying retired military equipment, it never occurred to me that even a small, rural police department wouldn't have protective gear and something a bit more powerful than handguns. I wonder if their PD, city council, and mayor had ever considered the need for them? As for the NRA, may their bullets and filthy lucre come home to roost. Our forefathers/mothers are surely rolling over in their graves.
Perfectly stated, Stephanie
Stephanie Wellemeyer ; there may come a time when the folks who profit off the doings of the NRA will realize that they, too could be in peril of what they have unleashed. You are exactly right ;when "their bullets and filthy lucre come home to roost", they will find that they and their loved ones are flesh and blood too!
Linda Ford ; Scary too.
We are NOT helpless. We must fight back against the NRA‼️
There is an unspeakable problem when innocent children need to be protected by law enforcement personnel who are likely to be viewers of right wing media, which is allowed to spew its divisive, racist ideas like replacement theory and teachers teaching critical race theory
It's pretty sad and disgraceful when you're getting ready to go to the grocery store and you wonder if the person you see in the parking lot who has a hand gun strapped to their belt is going to use it once they get into the store. Why someone feels the need to even carry a hand gun to a grocery store is so.ething I struggle to understand. And eho knows how many of my fellow customers are carrying concealed weapons. But yet, here we are in the USA.
It's horrible! and heartbreaking. And no amount of letter writing, voting and requesting has gotten elected officials to make changes.
I would emigrate to your country if I had the means to. Count your blessings ♥️
Our UK government is shocking Anne, and the Scottish one certainly has its faults but one thing I really do not have to worry about is that I am ever likely to get shot. And I live in a stunningly beautiful part of the country (on Loch Fyne opposite Inveraray Castle) and I get free health care free and prescriptions - and a lot of free travel as well. I have a whole heap of things to be thankful for.
Seonaid - Indeed you have it all over the US - I am deeply ashamed of this country and know that we are no longer the greatest country in the world. I grew up in the sixties and seventies and our planet was much healthier before that wretched thing called plastic came along (can anyone tell me why the need for stickers on every single piece of fruit?) so I am seriously considering moving up to Canada since I am eligible for dual citizenship. I am jumping ship as soon as I can.
I totally agree with you about the stickers on fruit and just the amount of packaging generally. The very, very best of luck with jumping ship - although it's a sad thing to have wish someone luck for.
Robert...your emotional intellect, is like a steady, flowing, gleaming steam on the most brilliant of days. COMPASSION. Thank you for all that you do.
Oh how I agree Libby!
@ Libby - Sweet prose… beautifully said 🌻
Yes
Keep up your sterling work, Mr Reich ! Cheers, in solidarity, Lorne Walters from Belgium
(Pancha Chandra): Lorne, I totally concur!
(Pancha Chandra): Robert, you guide us with amazing sensitivity; how I wish more statesmen follow your lead! Those who follow Donald Trump should be given lessons of humility, civics & good governance. Think of those who are killed & maimed by gun violence. Shocking!
I feel the same, Dr. Reich.
Another weekend for the caption, Dr. Reich. We all stand together in our grief and sadness.
Every child matters. A loss of our children is a loss of our future. Trauma is a lifelong social wound for the survivors, parents and the rest of us. There is no peace without justice, there is no justice without peace. May these dear children and their teachers rest in peace.
Those children who were able to survive saw what would be war crimes in a war. We basically have war crimes going on every day.
I totally understand, and feel the same way. What is wrong with this country? smh
Charlie, we are all to blame , we need to stand up to the NRA and protest long and hard enough to get the Senate to pay attention!
We understand. Thank you.
Thank you for you vulnerability and sensitivity.
(Pancha Chandra): We need more ethical leaders to express themselves from the core of their heart & call out those leaders who shamefully follow the N.R.A. (the National Rifle Association). Donald Trump is prominent in his support of the National Rifle Association & should be named & shamed! How many more innocent victims of gun violence, Mr. Trump? Still, you spew your callous philosophy of availability of more lethal guns. You are certainly not a leader of peace, but a callous proponent of sheer brutality! You sully the name of American Presidents by your endorsement of the National Rifle Association. Guns kill and maim innocent people permanently!
I don’t know how much more our democracy can take in a country that loves guns more than children.
Completely understandable and appropriate
How sad that your dignified approach is not replicated elsewhere.
Thank you for sharing just how fragile our human assistance is. It’s humbling to breath in deeply the tragedy and the pain, the senseless loss of these little life’s, along with their teachers. Maybe if we hold on a little longer to this horrifying reality we can change this madness. Peace.
Understandable.. I’m afraid we’re becoming complacent. We are a nation who does not grieve. It just so happens to be Memorial Day weekend and we’ve lost so many to the pandemic and drug overdoses including children who’ve shot them selves! I will not give up hope that we will get back to being human again. We NEED TO MOURN!
Thank You Dr Reich
Thanks to the musicians, the writers, the filmmakers and you ! who with words and love and compassion but also with indignation bring these issues under our attention and do not step back. So important. It means one is not helpless, one can do something, speak up, vote, write about it. So thanks. Ghent Belgium, ex-exchange student in USA with AFS.