You don’t have to be a psychic to predict two things when it comes to gun violence and legislation. One, that there will most definitely be another mass shooting. (And at the rate things are going this year, it’ll happen sooner rather than later.) Two, the Republicans will say, “Now is the time for prayers, not legislation.” Which is exactly the response Tennessee’s governor, Bill Lee, had in the wake of the school shooting at a Nashville Christian school.
Although I guess he did at least say, “There will be a time to talk about the legislation and budget proposals we’ve brought forward this year. And clearly there’s more work to do.”
But then, of course, he blamed it on evil, saying, “But on this day after the tragedy, I want to speak to that which rises above all else. The battle is not against flesh and blood, it’s not against people. The struggle is against evil itself.”
Well…sure. Gunning down innocent, unsuspecting, unarmed people, particularly children, is about as evil —and cowardly— as it gets. But refusing to accept the part you play in allowing it to continue to happen isn’t a virtue either.
Continuing to defer and pass the buck to some unspecified future date, refusing to address the lack of mental health care in this country, and combining that with easy access for just about anybody to purchase military assault weapons is pretty fucking evil, too.
Again, banning such weapons isn’t going to end gun violence or these types of situations altogether. But it’d be a step, at least. Instituting some common sense requirements would help, too, including mandatory background checks, age limits for purchasing and owning guns, and safety and training requirements.
But that’s just too common-sensical for Republicans. Not to mention it infringes, they claim, on their second amendment rights.
What about the Declaration of Independence? You know, that little document this country is founded on? Particularly the part about “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
What about all those who elevate the second amendment over the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that our country was founded on? The ones who are enabling the weekly massacre of innocent people? How are we as a country supposed to pursue happiness, and hope for a free life, when we’re constantly mourning needless tragedies, young lives aborted way too soon, and families and loved ones whose lives are shattered and will never be the same again?
All because gun legislation needs to be moved to the back burner. Again. Because God forbid we address that and try to make some kind of change.
Insanity. Doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. To paraphrase Albert Einstein.
Though, again, because of the abysmal mental healthcare situation in the States, I guess what else can you expect except madness?
Which is why it’s so important to demand action.
Dear Republicans.
The time for praying has passed. Shit and get off the pot. Address gun legislation NOW!
How many more people have to die before you finally admit there’s a problem? Yes. A flesh and blood evil one. You.