I want to start by saying I don't plan on using this blog strictly as a forum for my political opinions on current events. It just happens that at the timing of this blogs creation, I've felt the need to comment on something I observed last night and the thoughts that followed.
While left at home alone with full control of the remote I flipped to CNN for the first time in a very long time and caught a few segments of Piers Morgan. Like many people, I found myself caught up in the ongoing coverage of a tragedy of unspeakable proportions.
My heart goes out to anyone affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. There is no way to comprehend the pain in that community, let alone the pain the families who lost beautiful young children, are feeling.
But with every American tragedy comes the ongoing barrage of media coverage, like what I watched. The topic at hand currently is one of gun control and the discussion is not only heated, but appears to have no end. With Americans on each end of the spectrum there is no middle ground which means hours of coverage and conversation on news outlets that need to fill 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Watching Piers argue with gun lobbyist Larry Pratt was heartbreaking. As a proud Canadian, and a Liberal who floats around the Democratic line, I was at a loss. To argue that more guns would make this situation better, to think that teachers with guns could have fixed what happened, and to claim that the American founding fathers wanted that version of America is something I not only disagree with but I find completely cringe worthy. It scares me to know that this isn't just something being sold to the American people, but they're buying it.
I can't say I know what the American Founding Fathers were thinking - but when these amendments were written guns took a minute to load. Each shot. The Gun Control laws being spoken about now are in regards to assault rifles, the one used here discharges at a rate of 45 shots a minute. The amendments were from a different time and there were different threats. To continue to argue this as a reason to arm every citizen is an outdated and tired argument that I would love to see retired.
But that's not enough. Yes, I believe in gun control and I think America would benefit greatly from this legislation but its only a step. The problems in America are so much deeper - its a matter of social structure, and one that gets completely ignored.
Hours of television coverage focus on pumping fear into the environment. They talk for endless hours about this situation, and how it compares to other situations like it. Which was worse, which killed more, who had better and bigger weapons. Why are you at risk, why this could happen to you, why no one is safe. When there is no looming threat of your neighbour they expand the border and then its terrorists who hate your freedom or illegal immigrants who want your job. Its a barrage of fear that they breath in like air, so easily they don't even notice it anymore. And how do you change that? Where do you even start? There are no answers, but asking questions about the information you get and how its being presented to you is something I think everyone should do.
I am thankful. Everyday. I live in a place where I know there is evil and I know there is good. I know that sometimes evil wins and in those moments its hard to see beyond it. Yet everyday, in small and huge ways, I see the triumph of mankind and the good that surrounds me. Even when it seems impossible, I urge you to try the same.
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