Shootings

04 AUG 2019

No writing-flavored post today. Shootings, multiple shootings, have got me thinking instead of writing. Our country has some growing up to do. Somehow, someway, we need to figure this out.

We can't get rid of the Second Amendment. It's part of our soul. But we can't keep going on like this. 

To my science teacher brain, these shooters remind me of cancer. 

Cancer, at its simplest, no matter what the root cause, is uncontrolled cell growth. Our bodies need cell growth, just like families and countries need to grow, but we can't have uncontrolled growth. It's not healthy. These shooters are trying to grow, to increase their ideologies, their reach, their power, etc., but in ways that are unhealthy and deleterious to America. 

In our bodies we have portions of our immune system that watch out for rogue cells. Every day our body fixes itself, policing our organs and tissues, destroying cells that are pre-cancerous. In America, we have societal norms that, for the most part, control killer urges in our citizens. 

Sometimes our bodies need help getting rid of aggressive cancers that overwhelm or otherwise bypass our immune system. We use HIV/AIDS medicines and immuno-therapy techniques to do that, just like our police and security forces take out these shooters that attack and kill their fellow citizens. 

America has its roots in 'growth'. We left our prior lands so we could enjoy the freedoms we hold dear. 

George Washington, one of our original bad asses.

But by following these desires, we've created a country that is fertile ground for these killings. Sort of like someone eating the foods they enjoy, but these foods increase their cancer risk. What are we to do? Change our 'diet'? In other words, we, as America, need to do something to lower the odds of a citizen becoming a killer. We need to change our societal norms so that these citizens don't decide to kill but instead they decide to prosper and grow in healthy ways. 


Much to ponder... 

My best shot at this dilemma? We need to instill in Americans an increased value for life. Somehow. Tighten societal norms so that Americans will not resort to shooting sprees. Sure, maybe close some loopholes in existing laws, try harder to keep weapons out of the hands of lunatics, but these are treating the how people kill, not the why. How do we stop people from wanting to go on a shooting spree. Why do these people kill?



Pics today are my final thoughts on this topic. I would much rather be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war. We must be able to protect ourselves, but without descending into the madness of shooting sprees.

May your days be good and long upon this Earth.