(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
In the wake of the horrific shootings over the weekend in El Paso and Dayton, tempers are beginning to flare on all sides of the debate of what we need to do next. This is a natural path after the shock of this horrible events sinks in.
Someone who was a victim of a politically motivated shooting back in 2017 is Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) who survived an attempt on his life at a Congressional baseball practice session in June two years ago. Scalise’s office released a statement that carries a tad bit more weight than the usual run of the run mill politician talking point because of his unique position of having survived one of these attacks America now suffers through more frequently.
From his office…
“There is a growing sickness in our nation. Our religious and community institutions — the very glue that holds us together — are declining as a central force in American society, while the politicization of every aspect of our lives is on the rise. These shooters turned to hatred and violence, and as a result, dozens of Americans are dead.
“These events should be classified as domestic terrorism, and I’m glad that in the case of El Paso, the FBI is treating it as such. We must better equip our law enforcement agencies to prevent these massacres before they happen. There is clearly a culture of death in America today. Violence is glorified and normalized on our screens every day. Instead of seeking professional help for mental health problems, men are being radicalized in online forums. This must stop.
“In a media culture that encourages viewing people solely through hyper-partisan lenses, and not as neighbors and fellow citizens, dangerous division and hatred of those you disagree with is the outcome. This can often lead to violent consequences, as I have personally experienced.
“These events are tragedies. Reducing them to talking points and name-calling in support of narrow political agendas only further divides our country.
“Jennifer and I pray for the people of El Paso and Dayton. May God help us and heal this great nation.”
The Representative is spot on here about there is a growing sickness in this country. You can ban every assault weapon that man has ever conceived and if the core reason why this is happening is not addressed, you won’t solve this problem.
As this nation buries the bodies of those who lives were taken by heinous evil acts, let us resolve to actually have a discussion about what is going on here. If your view is just passing more laws banning some things than you are putting a band-aid on the gaping wound of the nation’s heart.
As Paul of Tarsus says in the New Testament…
“where sin increased, grace abounds all the more” (Romans 5:20)
Lets actually start trying to solve this from a position that both Rep. Scalise and St. Paul suggest. We might even begin to actually solve this problem that is truly eating away at the soul of our nation.
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