Yet again we are treated to the wanton slaughter of innocents. This time a deranged young white man infiltrated an AME congregation in Charleston, SC and showed the world that we are still an experiment in democracy. Tenuous at best. Tender in the least.
I think of the tragedy as a balloon payment on the debt we all shoulder in maintaining a free nation. Thomas Jefferson said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." We should add the runny red stuff of innocent citizenry too. Isn't theirs as precious as any other?
I would rather process it that way rather than blather on about too many guns, too many bigots, too many gunshow loopholes, too many Kardashians, too many GOP hopefuls...
I
ignore 99% of gun rhetoric and only pay attention when it looks like the
knee-jerks are gaining traction. And the slaughter of innocents is better than a new set of Pirellis.
However, I'm a bit of a pragmatist. Guns
are here, I am armed and likely to stay that way regardless of legislation. I am "out" with my gun fearing friends and have won many over by explaining that it always comes down to the issue of fear. If you have NO
experience then you SHOULD be afraid. Be very afraid.
I tell them that fear is a base reaction to the unknown and as such can only be quelled by enlightenment. Then I take
them shooting. Afterward, their fears relieved, many have gone on to lead happy and fulfilling lives. Some have even purchased their own weapons.
The same thing goes for WHATEVER it is you
fear; blacks, queers, neo-Nazis, pitbulls, fried foods, gluten, spiders or naked horny elves. Get
to know that which you fear and the fear will diminish.
Except for them elves. Better
hide your pitbull.
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