Sometimes I try to avoid the news, when it's painful.I noticed yesterday that there was a lot all over Facebook about the recent shootings.
My life is stressful enough right now. My son is no longer living here. I'm not going to discuss it publicly, because he has a right to his privacy. It's a very stressful situation though. He has a lot of maturing to do.
I was talking to a friend yesterday about the situation in this country right now with the tragic killings in Dallas and the killings of the two black men last week. We could both agree that there is a sense of hopelessness in America and that something has to be done.
My friend is at the opposite end of the political spectrum from me, but there are things we CAN agree on. I try to focus on the areas of agreement, not disagreement. I don't like getting into shouting matches with people.
I will admit my opinions cannot be unbiased. My brother works for a company that sells equipment to police departments all over South Carolina. He has many friends who are policemen and policewomen. I have a first cousin whose son is a police detective. I have a friend who is a retired police chief.
Does that mean I think it's okay for police officers to abuse their power and target folks due to race, or for any other reason? Of course not. That needs to STOP. I am horrified to see innocent people gunned down by police officers - or anyone else, for that matter. ALL lives matter.
However, the disrespect of police officers also needs to stop. Violence against police officers needs to stop. Parents need to teach their children not to argue with police officers. Police officers are doing a dangerous, often thankless job, and are under terrible stress.
We also need to stop blaming guns. A gun harms nobody. Mental illness is the root cause of all these shootings. Why isn't the president calling for an end to the way we treat mental illness? Why isn't anyone focusing on the REAL CAUSE of these killings?!?
When I was a kid there were no mass shootings. Mentally ill people were usually locked up in metal hospitals. There was a lot of abuse in those places and some were horrific. I don't want a return to that. However, we need better ways to help people get treatment and we NEED facilities where people can be held so they cannot hurt anyone.
Crazy people DO NOT CARE about gun laws. The answer is not more gun laws. The answer is better mental healthcare. Gun laws in Chicago are very strict AND the murder rate is very high. Why doesn't anyone call for more mental health facilities to be built?
I also think the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is to send in a good guy with a gun.
If ONE armed guard had been in that nightclub in Orlando recently, there would not be fifty grieving families.
I'm getting off my soapbox now...
