At solemn times like this, the conventional wisdom is that this is not the time to talk about gun control and the role of guns in our society. Rather, it is a time for prayer and reflection and sympathy. By debating the issue now, the common theme is, we are not showing proper respect for the victims and their loved ones.
But history shows that when we get past this initial stage of sorrow, the debate just moves forward along predictable, intransigent political lines. And nothing gets done. With all due respect, that's simply not acceptable.
According to a list compiled by the Telegraph UK, this is the 29th mass shooting in the United States since Columbine in 1999. Isn't it time that our politicians on both sides of the aisle say enough? Isn't it time for them to end their fear of the NRA and have the courage to do something? Isn't it time for them to follow the lead of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who said this morning on WOR radio:
"You know, soothing words are nice, but maybe it’s time that the two people who want to be President of the United States stand up and tell us what they are going to do about it, because this is obviously a problem across the country," continuing, "I mean, there are so many murders with guns
every day, it’s just got to stop. And instead of the two people – President
Obama and Governor Romney – talking in broad things about they want to make the
world a better place, okay, tell us how. And this is a real problem. No matter
where you stand on the Second Amendment, no matter where you stand on guns, we
have a right to hear from both of them concretely, not just in generalities –
specifically what are they going to do about guns."
Isn't it time?
No comments:
Post a Comment