We’re responsible for change
Thousands upon thousands die from gun violence every year. The streets are awash with assault weapons that are not designed for hunting or close range protection but for the battlefield.
Some of the angriest of our citizens now have the notion that there’s nothing left to do except declare war on law enforcement or the government.
Only we can stop the savagery taking place in our streets, and the rest of the world watches as we make no effort to change that. A nation that has accomplished so much keeps tearing itself apart, subculture by subculture. What use is empathy when everyone is out for themselves and hates the different ones.
If we wish to regain respect, for and within our society, we can’t demand it. Respect is given freely to those who earn it with behavior. If our various partisans refuse to respect others, then they’ll receive no respect in return. If we wish to act like an angry mob, then our expectations should remain low.
If we wish to change this repugnant trajectory, we’ll need to recall a few words uttered by Lincoln and listen to the “better angels of our nature.”
John Kunellis
Diamondhead
This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "We’re responsible for change."