WASHINGTON – Have you been following the massacres in America? They are hard to miss. You have probably read this column. 20 more Americans may have been murdered by mass shootings.
In a country with a mixture of idealists and practical people, there is an urgent need to stop the killings. Even though we have no other option than to gather all of the guns, that’s all we can do. What are the best ways to collect 400 million guns? I find other solutions equally absurd.
National Public Radio’s last week interview featured a wise man who shared a great idea. America is a visual culture, he stated. We should therefore produce graphic images of the destruction caused by bullets at mass murders such as those that were perpetrated on Uvalde (Texas) and Buffalo (New York). However, this is not a true visual culture. Take a look at how much music we listen to. Is there a music culture in the world? This learned man believes that pictures of small children who have been shot and ripped apart by bullets will encourage citizens to do something to stop such crimes. I am skeptical.
Americans are active across the country and already on edge. They have yet to find a way that will stop mass murderers. Although I don’t have the answer, I have one suggestion to deter these murderous maniacs. This must be thrilling for the psychotic loner, who looks for a weapon to incite his neighbors as was recently done in Texas and New York. He will never experience that kind of joy again. His life could be miserable if he’s captured, or if he has been arrested. Imagine how dangerous his life would be if he was in the company killers at a maximum security penitentiary. He will have no escape from it. It will dictate his meals and how he sleeps. His freedom will be gone forever. He could be sentenced to death or executed.
My suggestion is to journalists that they change how they write about mass killers. We should not just say that the suspect will spend life behind bars if convicted. Instead, let’s add what it means. While I have not spent any time in jail, I am able to imagine the experience. Mr. X is going to have to live with the food he has been served. It might not be his favorite. He will fall asleep at a specific time. This will not be his choice. He will wake up at a specific time. This is again his choice. He will go to the yard for exercise at a specific time. This is, I think, his most dangerous hour. There are also the lonely, long hours. Sincerely, Mr. X. I’d prefer an electric chair if offered to me.
To eliminate gun violence we must be more serious about general violence. This will prove difficult as our entire culture is filled with violence. You can see it in the cartoons of children. It is also seen on prime-time TV entertainment. You see it in “roadrage.” It can even be seen in politics. I noticed it during our 2020 primaries. You can find it everywhere and not many commentators care to address it. You want to close Hollywood down? You are going to detumesce Big Apple. Beto O’Rourke to tell the Thought Patrol that he needs to give his public statements.
Violence on the streets may be the most visible manifestation of violence all around. However, no organization has been set up to decrease violence. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers might be noble. But how about Mothers Against Violence in Our Entertainments and Schools? Mothers Against the Walt Disney Company. I suggest reminding people about where mass killers are headed if not executed in action. This will not be fun. It is just a guideline on how to handle one type of violence. There are many other forms of violence.
Ukraine, Glory!
About Post Author
