I believe many of us are attempting to make sense of the inconceivable rampage of a young man that targeted his local elementary school and young, innocent children. After several days of personal reflection as a father and grandfather I’ve come to the conclusion that I can never comprehend that kind of rage.
I do feel that our nation has drifted away from the proud traditions and values that made our nation great. Some insist this trend of violence can be corrected with additional gun control laws, others that it is a mental health issue, or a parenting issue, the result of broken homes, lack of religious faith, violent video games and films – I believe I’ve explored them all. I personally believe it is many issues that have culminated in a society that is less tolerant of one another and far less capable of respectfully disagreeing with our fellow citizens in a civil fashion. The more “connected” we are electronically; it would appear we have lost the skill of real human connection or the consequences of our words and actions.
We live in an age of instant news, instant communications, and instant analysis by the talking heads that often know less about the subject than the average rational American citizen. We live in an age of politics where both sides of the aisles publicly discuss opposing viewpoints with increased venom and disrespect, speaking of voting as “revenge” and view their political opposition as enemies. That failure of leadership on all levels, either by accident or design, has led to a greatly divided citizenry. That indeed is a very poor example for the youth of today and in my opinion very dangerous for a civil society.
I fear unless we have true statesmen leading this nation for the good of our nation which includes our President, our Congress, our State and local governments, our religious and community leaders that the downward spiral we are witnessing within our society will only accelerate.
I invite your thoughts and comments on this very complex subject.
Respectfully,
Roger “Bear” Young
Detoxing your kids from violent media by Dr. Keith Ablow
Guns, Mental Illness and Newtown by David Kopel
Harvard Gun Violence Study – Posted 23 Dec 2012
Conn. town in mourning inundated with gifts, money – Seattle Times – 23 Dec 12
Roger,
Well put. We are all frustrated. There are many issue but the politicians jumping on the band wagon of more and news stronger laws will accomplish nothing. The perpetrator of this heinous act violated numerous laws. Laws only impact the honest citizen the criminal factor could care less about any laws no matter how many are in place.
You spoke of leadership -- Clearly we need that in these times. Many of our National and State “Leaders” have had legal issues themselves. We indeed have a bunch of crooks running the nation. We need real leaders of integrity that put the country first and foremost. Not agendas, Not Party affiliation, or toeing the party line.
We need to return Values, Faith, Morals, Personal Responsibility, and such into our education system and family life. The current system has removed any sense of values and substituted it with an Anything Goes philosophy and Personal Responsibility does not exist. Its always someones else’s fault.
I fear these things will continue for the foreseeable future, and may well get worse. In the mean time our leaders (Politicians) will use these tragic events to grandstand and make points with various special interest groups. Ultimately the current leadership will accomplish nothing of any real significance. At best they will pass new and stronger gun laws that only impact honest law abiding citizens. Serious National Discussion is a pipe dream with those idiots in office today. They can’t even agree on a budget. All they know how to do is Grandstand and take advantage of tragedy. That starts at the White House and goes all the way down to the Congress and Lowly Bureaucrats.
I do not believe there is one magic solution. I do believe people need to come together in a balanced respectful way putting agendas and special interest to the side and address all the aspects of these kinds of issues. This country is so divided today that is impossible to accomplish. So here we sit.
Tukashila Bless these innocent children and adults taken away from us and this country. Welcome them into the next world where they are free of harm and threat.
Chuck
Bear and Chuck,
I don’t know what I can add. I wish I had a simple answer but there is none. I agree with all you have said and I hope we will not accept another partisan political program that only divides us further and fails to protect our children.
Thus far the authorities have not found any formal diagnosis of mental problems or any record of medications for the very troubled young man.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/18/police-find-no-evidence-connecticut-gunman-was-on-medication/
One now has to wonder if he ever received any professional help…
Additional information, if true, is coming to light regarding a possible motive:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/18/fear-being-committed-may-have-caused-connecticut-madman-to-snap/
I’m having a hard time understanding how a disturbed son was apparently not diagnosed, nor evidence of professional treatment for mental illness, and now was reportedly going to be committed -- yet the mother introduced him to firearms? What a tragedy…
The Seattle Times story above is very heartwarming and shows what a generous and compassionate nation America is.
Too often the focus is on a few very troubled citizens while the bulk of America is extremely compassionate and caring for our fellow citizens and the world.