I'm thinking about purchasing a gun. That's how bad things have gotten. The last trigger I pulled was in Vietnam, and even during the war, my particular M16 was mainly used for target practice. Basically, I profile as an anti-gun, pro-vaccine old school liberal. But I'm also a realist. Times have changed. Buffalo is the latest example.
I've always stood on the side that supports social justice, licensed weapons, and 'educating up' those who have not signed on to common sense. Perhaps I've been naive. Look around. Our approach to advancing equality and civilized behavior hasn't proved particularly effective. Racism and antisemitism are on the rise. So is gun violence. Buffalo is the latest example.
Hot heads have acquired more and more weapons while us non-violent types stand around attempting to pass watered down, compromised legislation to shape and restrict militarization of the Commons. More than 81 million American adults own 393 million firearms. Of all the civilian firearms, in all the world, American civilians own about one-third. I'm betting very few of them belong to anyone from my side of the political divide. None of my friends own anything more powerful than a cellphone. Yes to gun restrictions. But do you really expect citizen militia to pay attention to them? How about crazy eighteen-year-olds packing assault weapons and wearing body armor? Buffalo is the latest example.
Politicians, government employees, poll watchers, teachers who dare to provide facts about our country's checkered past, citizens standing up for better angels, and just plan us, people going about our lives. We represent families, careers, homes, futures, that have been put on the line, today, right now, by bellicose, gun totting, intimidating cultists, by copycat lone wolfs with access to a nation-wide candy store of weaponry, acting in solidarity with other mass murderers to spread hate. Buffalo is the latest example.
According to reports, the Buffalo killer wrote that he got his white nationalist ideology “mostly from the internet.” The governor of New York lambasted social media for malevolently influencing hate crime perpetrators such as this kid who drove to the supermarket with a list, a to-do list, of carnage and mayhem. Social media can become accomplices, she told the press. "Not legally, but morally." Feel reassured? Feel like the government has a handle on violence? Is capable of keeping you and your family safe?
I'm fully aware that weaponizing the left is an awful idea. I can visualize shootouts in the streets. Sporadic battles unraveling society, demoralizing responsible citizens, causing even more uncertainty in what passes for the status quo.
But, I'm wondering, does the time come when ineffective laws, hypocritical politicians, cumulative violence, racist rampages, bring us to our senses? And if not, does this carnival of bedlam provoke a more instinctual response?
Let’s be organized, ethical, responsible, and savvy. We all understand why. Buffalo is only the latest example.
We will not be replaced -- by infantile wannabes.
Charles E. Kraus in the author of Baffled Again .. and Again, a collection of essays.
