Public Safety

In the wake of extreme tragedy in Newton, CT, it is quite difficult to watch the news.  Not for the grief that paralyzes us from such senseless loss, but, rather, the gross misdirection of the main issue.  Public safety, most often spouted in the guise of gun control.

Gun control is merely a band aid.  It prevents nothing, but soothes the minds of the public.  After all, guns do not fire themselves.  A law cannot protect a country's citizens from a person intending to do harm.  Illegal weapons seem to be easily acquired, despite well-meaning laws.

 

I believe we need better measures taken against criminals.  More laws to protect the innocent.  Punishment that suits the crime committed, not just a few years in a cushy jail cell where society educates them in the name of rehabilitation.  Real consequences.  Society should instill a little good, old-fashioned fear of consequences into its citizens.

Why do we as a society glorify the criminal?  The media is the worst culprit of this.  They speak incessantly of the young man who committed this travesty, but little of the school's principal who attempted to defend her school - barehanded - against a madman.  Why aren't we hearing about what an amazing woman she was?  About her ultimate sacrifice?  What of the other school staff members who gave their lives trying to save the children?  I want to hear about their lives.  I want to see them held on the media's pedestal.  What of the childrens' families?  They have made a terrible sacrifice to society.  My heart breaks for these families, completely devastated by one random act of violence.

 

We must stop glorifying evil.  Stop the infamy of Jesse James, Bonny and Clyde, the culprit in the Columbine shootings, and this young man.  We keep evil alive by allowing the media to dictate these details.  We will never understand - or know - the reason for this insanity.  We serve to promote more of this behaviour by giving it our attention.

 

I applaud the adults who lost their lives trying to save these children.  I applaud the families who now have such a heavy burden to bear.  All of you are true heroes.