05/25/2022
Lynn Murphy Mark
Beyond tragedy
I know that a lot of words will be spoken to address the horror that happened in Uvalde, Texas, yesterday. “Thoughts and prayers” are among the most common of these words. Anymore, they feel empty and meaningless. I saw a drawing of St. Peter at the gate of heaven saying, “They keep sending thoughts and prayers.” while behind him an angel whispers, “And they send us their children too.” while ushering a group of children into heaven.
So far, there is not a lot known about the shooter. He was 18, and in Texas he was of age to purchase a long gun legally. He shot his grandmother first, before going on a rampage at the elementary school. He posted pictures of assault rifles a few days ago. He was from Uvalde, and was in high school there.
What kind of rage festered in him? What were his thoughts as he shot at 7, 8, and 9 year old children? How could children possibly have anything to do with his deranged state of mind?
I’m sure as days pass, authorities will search his home for any clues as to his mental state on May 24, 2022 and the days that let up to the shooting.
Certain politicians will defend the right to bear arms, and their constituents will be grateful to hear them. People will continue to buy firearms that are meant for active combat. People will proudly display gun cabinets full of more weapons than anyone should need. The Ted Cruz’s of this world will say that laws should be passed to arrest people with mental illness who try to buy guns.
The sad truth is, as Michael Moore said last night, “We love our guns more than we love our children.”. I pay attention when he speaks. In my experience, his words carry hard truths that we all need to face. His film “Bowling for Columbine” is as germane today as it was two decades ago. Some people think he is too controversial, or too radical – but that is exactly what we need in order to have the conversation about the right to bear arms.
But I’m still back with the basketball coach who spoke out last night – we are absolutely being held hostage by politicians whose pockets are lined by the gun lobby. Coach Steve Kerr pointed his angry remarks at the senators who refuse to allow HR 8, a Bipartisan background checks act, to even get to the senate. If it does get there, it is destined to be voted down, even though a majority of Americans approve of expanded background checks to be required on all gun sales.
Anymore, my cynical answer for laws and policies that don’t make sense to me is to say, “Follow the money”. In this case, it is the root of all gun evils, in my opinion. When the National Rifle Association has its convention just three days after a mass murder of children, watch who shows up to speak in support of the right to bear arms. This does not cover the right to indiscriminately shoot into groups of innocent people and to claim as many lives as possible. We are at a very dangerous point in our history, falling back on words written in the 1700’s to defend our persistent and deadly gun culture. I believe the authors of the second amendment would agree to rethink the wording, given the deadly capability of today’s weapons.
Meanwhile, in a small town in Texas, a community is gripped by absolute raw grief at the nightmare they are experiencing. No words, or thoughts, or prayers will ever bring back the souls that were lost yesterday.