American normal

Guns

Americans are prone to gun violence to an unparalleled level in democratic societies, a demonstrable and tragic fact. Violence leading to the death of two in the town of Butler, Pennsylvania is what occurs in far too many U.S. communities daily, if not seemingly hourly. It is too often a final moment for victims who are in the wrong place at the wrong time, whether they knew the shooter in advance or not. Gun violence is probably our most common cultural icon which other people identify as ‘Mer’can.

Yet the use of a gun last night involved a presidential candidate. In what universe does that make sense?

Passions are skyhigh right now about the country’s future. Guns have no appropriate role in that, except in the hands of the Secret Service. None, absolutely none.

Donald Trump is not my preferred candidate but I cannot countenance violence against him or anyone else. It is heinous that anyone shoots any candidate or office holder—period. Yet I fear last night will open the door to more of the same on the grounds of equity or fairness or retribution or whatever ludicrous justification one trots out as justification.

What kind of society are we now?

Thank you for reading this column. I expect and welcome any feedback.

Be well and be safe. The latter will be harder as the days progress, I fear. FIN