There’s a number out there in Daydreaming on the Porch
- May 31, 2022, 12:50 p.m.
- |
- Public
Lots of swirling emotions and fighting off feeling depressed by all the bad news in the world. The Texas shooting has preoccupied me as I try futilely to understand how such a monstrous event can happen. It’s like the country has learned no lessons from the past.
I wrote this comment about an entry by fellow diarist, gypsy spirit, who lives far away in New Zealand. So many of us all over the world are trying to comprehend, at least in some small but significant way, the enormity of what occurred last week.
Here’s is what I said, edited and with some additional comments. Almost a week later, my anger and shock are still fresh. And I read and I read about it, to the point where I know it’s not healthy to do this, but yet… “What?” “How?” “How?” “Why?”
We here in the US live in a country mired in gun violence and a gun ownership mentality based in large part on the fear that infects a large percent of our population. I can’t even imagine touching something as evil as a gun, let alone use one. The people who manufacture those assault style weapons bear responsibility as well as the murderers who use them in mass shootings.
I wish I had more answers, but I am ashamed to live in a country with a gun and violence mentality such as ours. The rest of the world must consider us barbaric when they see innocent children slaughtered like that gunman did in Texas. It happens with much greater frequency than any other place in the world. And it keeps happening. Hundreds of mass shootings a year in this country.
I am afraid that not much will change until there is a change in the hearts and minds of those who support purchase and ownership of such horrible weapons. I really think this country is regressing in an evolutionary sense in that it can produce such evil-minded individuals. Of course this country was built on guns and violence. We’ve become a toxic culture.
I urge you if you have some time to watch at least the beginning of this video podcast by Michael Moore. I know there are many who dislike him intensely for his “in your face” views, but if you listen to him, you realize that he is a passionate and highly intelligent truth teller. He tells us things we don’t want to hear, and I am referring the entire political spectrum. He doesn’t fling propaganda. He tells it like it is. He’s been trying for more than 20 years to bring some sense and action for change on the gun issue.
This piece is provocatively titled, “I know there’s a number.”
https://www.michaelmoore.com/p/i-know-theres-a-number?s=r
Despite everything, I’m trying to focus on the good, and my photography helps immeasurably in keeping my spirits up. On days when I might not feel like noticing the beauty around me, the camera insists that I do so, and I am the better for it.
Last updated May 31, 2022
Jinn ⋅ May 31, 2022
It’s been shocking and very sad about the shooting of those children. Huge mistakes were made from the start where that dangerous damaged boy existed and no one recognized how sick he was or took steps to help him, by the gun shops that sold an 18 year old assault weapons , ammo and body armor ( and never notified anyone) , by the school that did not have a security system so he walked in , by the police chief who told his officers to stand down because the children were probably already dead; (and they were not) but that was not communicated. Thank God for the wife of a border patrol agent who called him and he went in anyway and stopped the shooter. Mistake, after mistake , after mistake. Gun laws can be tightened to stop this without making Conservatives think we are abolishing the second amendment . We just have to make Congress do it . Right now they are owned by too many Conservative donors.
Deleted user ⋅ May 31, 2022
Will be back to read dear friend. I just posted an entry...finally. Will start preparing dinner. Will be back later today. Ciao!
Kristi1971 ⋅ June 01, 2022
Thanks for sharing that. He echoed so many of the thoughts running through my head this week.
Oswego Kristi1971 ⋅ June 01, 2022
That’s exactly the way I felt. And he put everything in context.
Deleted user ⋅ June 09, 2022 (edited June 09, 2022)
Edited
I have run out of words to comment on these brutal shootings over and over again. We follow the daily news on the local channels and multiple international TV channels once a day in the early evening. We also read columns and news online and we still get our daily 'paper' newspaper in the letterbox.
Wars, shootings, discrimination, racism, …….
What has become of humanity? What about our planet? It is disgusting when I realize that there is so much evil and aggression among people.
I like to read history and going back to the Greek world from around 600 BC. The world population was still very small. The Greek Empire was one of the most progressive areas and philosophers, scientists etc. tried to invent the best society, and yet!! They nailed people to the cross for the slightest offence. Guns did not exist, but other materials were found to kill people such as boiling oil, poison, knives and axes, the pyre, torture…
Thinking about all this how are you supposed to describe the human species? good, bad, mostly bad and sometimes good or vice versa?
No one will really be able to change this world unless some enormous disaster hit the world.
Minorities are now being shaken up, but unfortunately the vast majority remain indifferent and very egocentric.
What helps me not to end up in a chronic depression is my, our, family and close friends. In a certain way soul mates. People who carry the morals of long ago, including respect for others and for what this planet gives us. People who are interested in many things with whom it is nice to spend time with. As you say, spending time in nature is also something that calms our minds and being busy with a hobby, taking pictures, etc. those are the things that give us peace of mind.
So I hope you are able to enjoy your walks very much.
Take good care dear friend.
Deleted user ⋅ June 09, 2022
Oh and thanks for the link to the podcast of Michael Moore. I used to listen to his interviews very often so, I’m glad you mention him, and I have also sent the link to a couple of my nieces who also like him.
Oswego Deleted user ⋅ June 10, 2022
This one was extremely powerful and moving!