What will be the political response
to the worst mass shooting in the history of America? There are many
possibilities in the middle of a contentious presidential campaign. Trump will inevitably call for a clamp down
on Muslim communities, notwithstanding that the shooter was an American citizen
who hated gays. Clinton will point to
Trump’s anti Muslim rhetoric as a contributing factor. Gun rights advocates will
point to the ready access to assault type weapons. The NRA will call for arming nightclub
personnel. The Gay community will call
for more protection in places where they socialize.
In this election year many
Americans do not feel safe or secure in their homes, in sending their children
to school, in the malls and movie theaters or at work. Whether a shooting is triggered by mental illness,
hate, or radicalization, the result is the same. The fear is the same. The access to automatic weapons is the same.
Here is hoping that the debate that
will follow this horrendous act will be all inclusive of all the above issues
and will seek a rational debate, not more finger pointing and divisiveness.
Certainly there are common sense solutions on which all Americans can agree. Responsible elected officials and candidates
will seek responsible answers.
No comments:
Post a Comment