I guess I'm once again at the anger stage in my septimal grief journey.
Watching the news yesterday, I found myself yelling again.
Yelling at the KC survivors for saying things like "I was so shocked" or "I can't believe this is happening here".
Don't misunderstand, I empathize. I understand their words, and a part of how they must be feeling.
But 48 mass shootings in 45 days means there is no more room for anyone to express shock or surprise at these types of events.
So that my opinion (rant) is not misunderstood, my closing tag of #vote was not meant as a proposed solution, but rather a minimum.
I've waited in vain for sanity to prevail. Writing representatives is not going to do it. And I'm beyond the hope that some motion or bill with reasonable gun control will finally pass. Do you know why? That's easy. Because it won't.
Yes, the ball's in my court. But it's in yours, too. And sitting at the net is an active shooter, looking at both of us.
Hungrily.
@mcfate
Hm, maybe.
I'm unsure how you derived 'hypervigilant anticipation' on my part, but I appreciate you.
It is even more unlikely to promote personal or corporate health when we do nothing more than talk or complain about the situation, hoping that things will change even as the bodies pile up around us.
Watching innocents being slaughtered for the love of money and a misguided sense of 'personal liberty' has indelibly scarred the psyche of our nation.
It is WAY past time for change.
Okay, now you have to tell me some set of concrete actions you'd encourage people to take up to address this in the interest of "promoting personal and/or corporate health".
"Making ourselves extra-anxious" isn't an actual answer. I'm all ears.
When I say "hypervigilant anticipation", I'm referring to being in a state of constant, self-induced anxiety over the possibility that someone's on the verge of gunning you down.
All I've got is "be sure to vote this coming November". You say that's inadequate.
So, what would be better?
@mcfate
Thanks.
From your response, it seems you've somehow inferred that I am claiming to have a solution.
Perhaps my writing is off.
Please tell me where I stated or implied that I possess the solution to this problem and I will happily rephrase.
What I *thought* I was saying is that merely hoping for change is not enough. Talking is not enough. Even voting is not enough, as amply demonstrated by the history of gun violence in America.
All I know is that I'm tired and sad.
Okay, I see.
Complaining about how things are while having no idea how to make them different strikes me as unproductive. It's like people who complain about their own smoking when they have no intention of stopping.
Like I said, I'm voting in November.
I am thankful for your input.
@codeWhisperer
Maybe it's just me, but hypervigilantly anticipating getting shot doesn't seem as though it's likely to help anything, especially one's blood pressure or emotional stability.