Thoughts and Prayers…
After most, if not all, of the mass shootings and other acts of violence against America's citizens. Religious leaders, governors, members of Congress, and other state and federal representatives typically convey to the victims' families that they are in their "thoughts and prayers."
Although I understand the sentiment, thoughts, and prayers are not the answer. We are!
To change our situation, we can start by electing and supporting representatives who concern themselves not just with their party affiliation, but with what is in the best interest of all of America's citizens. Those astute enough to recognize that it is not more access to guns that is vital to a civilized society, but well-designed laws to ensure responsible gun ownership.
Night after night, Fox News talking heads spoon-feed their listeners (primarily white, male, Republican, Evangelical Christians) their dose of the party line: LGBTQ marginalization with an extra sprinkling of Transgender discrimination, Critical Race Theory hostility, anti-abortion rhetoric, stolen election lies, QAnon conspiracies, and the dose du jour, the "great replacement" conspiracy theory.
Add congressional representatives who introduce and pass legislation to promote those concepts and use Fox News to pat themselves on the back and pander to their base voters, Republican-controlled statehouses that pass laws to make gun ownership easier and abortion access more difficult. And a Supreme Court recently stacked to support it all. You'll end up with a divided country on the brink of disaster. Today, that's America!
Wonder why people are so angry? They are angry because it benefits the political war chests of power-seeking politicians, bolsters the celebrity status and pockets of social media influencers, and pours billions of advertising dollars into Fox and other right-wing news sites to keep them angry!
Many of the people who claim to be angry don't know why. Yet, would never accept that the media, radical religious leaders, and their political representatives have manipulated them to believe they are. As a result, most, when pressed, find it difficult to elaborate on the issues they claim they're angry about!
Instead, they simply regurgitate the party line, tell you how blind or stupid you are for not understanding, say they will pray for you, and continue to support policies that erode our rights and put our safety at risk.
On May 14, 2022, a white, 18-year-old gunman carried out a racist attack at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing ten people. Thoughts and prayers.
The next day, across the country, a Chinese immigrant killed one and wounded five at a Taiwanese church in Laguna Woods, California. Thoughts and prayers.
On May 24, 2022, ten days after the Buffalo shooting, another 18-year-old gunman shot his grandmother and killed nineteen children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Again. Thoughts and prayers!
Sandy Hook. Thoughts and prayers.
Parkland. Thoughts and prayers.
The list is so long that one wonders: Are our thoughts and prayers vaults filled beyond capacity? Have we become desensitized to the violence?
A positive first step in the right direction is House of Representatives 8. (HR 8). Current federal law does not require unlicensed gun sellers operating online, or at gun shows to conduct background checks before selling someone a firearm. HR 8 would close that loophole.
HR 8 establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). The bill passed in the House of Representatives when 8 Republicans joined 232 Democrats in voting for it in February 2019. However, it languished in the Senate.
Specifically, the bill prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. However, the prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
HR8 also passed with bi-partisan support when the House reintroduced it in March 2021. But again, it has yet to find its way to a Senate vote.
Why? Because Senate Republicans are afraid of their base and want to hold on to power!
But is the right to own a firearm more important than our safety? Than our children's safety?
Now we have something to be angry about!
Angry enough to contact our representatives and demand they pass HR 8!
Angry enough to vote them out of office if they don't!
But are we? Are we angry enough?
Well, at least think about it!
And while you ponder, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Be safe out there!
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