I interrupt your regularly scheduled programming this morning to take a moment to reflect on the loss experienced this week.
First, the passing of my Aunt Pat. Aunt Pat died peacefully at her home. Just moments before, she had been laughing with her friend on the phone. Despite losing her sight years ago and a number of health problems, Aunt Pat was always in good spirits. She will be in our family’s memories forever.
And secondly, the horror that happened in Orlando this weekend is in so many of our thoughts. The loss of so many lives is heartbreaking, and the fact that a single person could hurt so many at once is infuriating. What will it take for this to finally end?
Allison says
Gun control
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Word.
cassandra says
Exactly!
Randy says
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Aunt.
Yesterday was a very sad day for all and so senseless.
Heather R says
So Sorry for your loss 🙁 I pray for peace and they we can all learn to love one another. #PrayForOrlando
Ali says
I’m not “pro-guns” but I don’t believe that gun control is the answer. It has to start with valuing human life. How we get there is clearly not an easy answer….but how is it acceptable that people/groups of people think they can do what they want and end the lives of others? How do we get back to a level of common decency?
Laurie says
…well to start, by implementing better gun regulations so that people who don’t value human life have a harder time destroying it. A common level of decency first an foremost should include NRA executives not profiting of off the deaths of school children, or movie goers, or community college/university students, or church goers, or club goers by holding rallies in the towns that have been traumatized, disseminating propaganda that the world is out to get them and taking up arms is their only protection. Returning to a level of common decency means we have to recognize that thoughts and prayers don’t save lives, regulation does. We will never be able to control what people value. We can’t force smokers to value their lungs, so we regulate tobacco. We can’t force drunks to value their livers, so we regulate alcohol. We can’t force industries to value our planet, so we regulate carbon emissions. But we can’t regulate guns, because we literally can’t even study guns as a public health and safety hazard while our congress is in the pocket of the NRA. So many congressmen work in service of the NRA that our government couldn’t pass the Federal budget until it included a mandate that the CDC couldn’t investigate guns as a public safety hazard, (the same way they studied car deaths in the past and therefore regulated the inclusion of seat belts in all motor vehicles as a life saving measure) or the NRA would revoke their donor status when these politicians were up for reelection. When a contagion emerges, we don’t say “I don’t think treatment is the answer, I think we have to devote all of our resources to studying the prevention of contagions in the future that we have no way of predicting.” We devote plenty of resources to prevention, but we immediately devote resources to triage and controlling the spread of the epidemic. Gun violence is an epidemic, and right now we are treating it with thoughts and prayers.
Laura says
Very well said.
Steph says
Well said!!!
abby says
Just watched a documentary, Under the Gun. Eye opening. We could start with common sense gun laws. There is a lot I didn’t know before watching this movie. The NRA has successfully done many things that hinders solving the gun violence epidemic.
India says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your aunt. I can’t imagine how challenging that must be. All the loss in Orlando breaks my heart too.
Aimee B. says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your aunt. (((hugs)))
The tragedy in Orlando grieves my heart. So senseless. My heart goes out to everyone affected. I’m not sure how many more mass shootings we have to have before people realize the importance of gun control and stricter laws. It wouldn’t be a 100% cure all, but I do believe it would help.
Stacey says
Even if a law went into effect today to place greater control on the sale of guns, or even the manufacture of guns, people who wanted to get them would still be able to get them. The only thing stricter gun laws do is prevent law-abiding citizens from getting them, plain and simple. People still manage to get their hands on illegal drugs day in and day out, even though numerous laws have been enacted in an attempt to “control” them. And besides, the Orlando shooter was somehow able to obtain a concealed carry pistol permit – how you ask? I haven’t the slightest clue, seeing as though his shady activities caused him to undergo investigation with the FBI more than once. What good did those gun laws do in preventing him from getting a permit to own a pistol, and then a conceal carry?? I’m not trying to pass judgement on anyone here – what happened in Orlando is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to each and every person affected by that one man’s terrible decisions. However, the fact of the matter is that guns are not the sole problem here – what was happening in that man’s mind is the problem. Why some people have the desire to hurt innocent bystanders is beyond me, but I think that is what we ultimately need to understand. Something inside him told him it was OK to hurt those people, and I’m sure he could’ve accomplished that even without having had access to a gun.
Tori says
No, guns aren’t the only issue. But drastically restricting access to them is the easiest piece of this puzzle. I am Australian, and our own country is held up as the world example of how you successfully restrict gun access. Post a massacre here in 1996 our laws were changed, and there has not been one single event on that scale since then in Australia.
lynn @ the actor's diet says
It’s a heart breaking time. So sorry about your aunt.
Ellen says
My sympathy on the loss of your Aunt Pat. I am always amazed at mans inhumanity to man and the never ending hate man is capable of showing to another. WHY??
Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes says
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you and you’re family are able to be with each other during this time.
Mary Vibert says
Lovely words from you, Kath. I am a reader and fan from Canada. The fact is- we have MUCH stricter gun control here and WAY less gun violence- period.
Sam @ Barrister's Beet says
I’m so sorry to hear about your Aunt. Also, if you’re interested, check out the documentary “Guns in America” – I think it was on CNN. Sickening.
JEN says
Kath, so sorry about your aunt. Is she your mom or dad’s sister? Cute picture of the two of you together, by the way.
KathEats says
My dads half sister
Laura says
I’m an American living in Canada and I’m appalled by what’s happening in my home country. No, laws won’t change people’s hearts, but with this epidemic happening, we have to try anything we can. America has the least amount of gun control and the biggest problem with gun violence (in the developed Western world). Obvious connection there.
If you believe there need to be tighter gun laws, call your senators and tell them you want that. Both VA senators are expected to vote yes on closing the terrorist loophole, etc. (I’m from VA)
Educate yourselves on the issues and take action. That is the only way things change.