December 15, 2012
I am full of thoughts today. Lots of things rolling through my head today.
Yesterday, was very happy. I FINALLY finished my Christmas gift list. I finished ordering my last store bought gifts (due to an unexpected surgery recently, I am doing all shopping on line). I have most all of my handmade gifts done. Just a few finishing touches to go. A tweak here, A tweak there.
Christmas music playing. Humming and singing to the point of driving my poor son to distraction.
I did not have the tv on. I did not have the computer on. I did not see the news being posted about the horror faced by so many families in our Nation.
When I first heard about the most recent school shooting, after the original shock, I was like so many others, I am sure. Outraged. Mad. Just angry. How could someone do this? Who would target small children? What kind of person would do such a thing?
This morning, I think I understand. No. I do not condone. No. I do not find excuses or acceptability. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE! IT IS HORRENDOUS! But, I have a better, calmer head today.
I believe in self protection. I do not believe 'gun control laws' are even remotely an answer. Yes, we need to have some sort of screening for each and every gun issued and purchased, but those are not the guns we usually have issue with.
IF someone intends to do harm, they will find a way. The guns used in this terrible tragedy were purchased legally, yes. By someone OTHER THAN the shooter. He had a motive (whatever it was), and he found a way.
This school had some form of security. Maybe it could have been better, maybe it couldn't, but again. If someone intended to do harm, there is always a way.
Remember: "where there is a will, there is a way". It goes for the bad as well as the good, and unfortunately it is true.
My thoughts were more focused this morning on the person, however, rather than the weapons themselves. Like I said before, I truly believe that a person intending harm will find access to a tool regardless of laws. But, I am pondering the why of things today.
There was a man shown on the television screen this morning that said, "evil had visited". That gave me pause. My husband and I were both in the room at the time and I told him, that I did not believe "evil" was present yesterday. He looked at me like I had lost my mind. Then, I explained.
Evil is when a person does a bad deed for some form of gain. Be it money, drugs, worldly possessions, fame, some form of pleasure...I don't think that is the case here. I think this was more of a case of "sickness has visited".
Only a sick person in need of help could have done this type of crime. (and it is a crime regardless of the reason) Only a sick person could feel that an action such as this could make any form of sense. There is no logic. There is no straight cut motive. There was not personal gain. The young man that committed this terrible act was in some from of mental anguish. What, I do not know. It may never be known, but this bears the hallmark of more of a mental break and that of uncontrollable actions brought on by terrible terrible mental pain.
There is no law that will stop this. There is no regulation that will stop this. This country sees more and more violent acts such as this. Other countries see similar. It will continue. I loath to say it, but it will not end.
There are wonderfully lofty ideals that WOULD work IF EVERYONE followed it, but there is never a case where every single person will commit themselves to any one thought, or policy. There will always be a hold out.
Laws to remove all guns? SOMEONE will keep them.
Prayer and Religion? There are too many philosophies of religion. Many times those theories themselves have caused violence. Violence in the name of God or religion in general have been since the beginning of time.
Mental Health? Sure. Great. Needed. Someone will be missed. Someone will have a better control on their outward showing of their disease and will not be found out. It is the nature of the beast. Do YOU want to admit to mental pain or distress? No, I didn't think so.
This is our world. We are faced with violence. We are faced with both evil and illness. All we can do is prepare ourselves to protect ourselves and those around us as well as we can when it hits and try our best to truly HELP those that need help when we see the need. Do not turn your back on the person you pass that is troubled simply because you do not want to intrude. Offer a smile. Ask if they are Okay. Offer to talk. Do something KIND and possibly you can offer the balm that will turn that person from reacting to their pain in violence.
and pray. (to whichever deity or deities you believe in whole heartedly.) but, pray.
