This morning I woke to the news that a man walked into a building full of unsuspecting strangers and gunned them down in cold blood, stealing their lives and robbing them of the opportunity of achieving their goals or even saying goodbye to the people they loved. Again. It’s sad that I can’t even remember off hand how many times this has happened in this country.
Just in my own small personal world, the difference for me of learning the news today was that it was a Sunday and I was at home. Instead of being at work and immediately shifting into breaking news mode, forcing myself to postpone personal feelings to cover the story, I had the “luxury” of sitting at home with my family to watch the news and actually process it.
By late morning we knew it was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Once again, our nation is heartbroken and our sense of security has been rocked. While our government and law enforcement officers have made 9/11-style attacks less likely, unfortunately, “lone wolf” attacks like the one in Orlando, Charleston, Newtown and so many others, are much more difficult to predict and prevent. The sad truth is, attacks like these will most likely continue. I hope and pray they end in my lifetime, or at least in that of my son, but the realist in me doubts it. It’s devastating. But when was the last time our world became less hurt? Less hateful?
Each one of us has our own political beliefs and ideologies. But these are never going to stop a psychopath filled with hate and bent on killing from doing something like this. Before the victims have even been identified, one side is saying if the President doesn’t utter the words “radical Islamic terrorism” during his first comments on the tragedy, then he should just step down. Really? Because I’m pretty sure that’s not going to help the men and women who died in that club take one more breath.
Meanwhile, another side doesn’t wait a beat to call for stricter gun control. Again, really? Because I’m pretty sure a U.S. citizen who worked the same security job for nearly 10 years would have had little trouble securing a gun, no matter how strict those laws are.
And there will be days, months, and years ahead to express your opinion. We’ll learn more information about the gunman that will shore up arguments on both sides. Do what you need to do to make yourselves feel like you’re going to prevent this hell again. We all need that. But not today. Today is a day for mourning. These were sons and daughters. Brothers and sisters. Moms and Dads. Someone lost them. Quit making this about yourself and your politics. And if you’re more concerned about changing someone’s opinion than grieving, then please shut up and let the rest of us have some time.
