Over the past few days, I've been catching bits and pieces of the news coverage surrounding the Charleston church shooting. I think we can all agree that that it was a senseless tragedy. Because of a dimwitted, racist piece of dog-shit, nine Charleston families are now preparing to bury their loved ones.
Before the smoke had even cleared, the usual suspects stepped onto their political soapboxes and started the predictable banter. The gun control crowd quickly hijacked the situation to push their "evil gun" narrative. These folks always like to blame to gun as if it's capable of pulling it's own trigger. The shooter in this case, Dylann Roof, was responsible for this massacre. Period.
Former Maryland Governor Owe'Malley, in an email to his supporters, said that the NRA blamed the victims for their own deaths. Come on, do you really think that they said that? In the email, he also reiterated that he was "pissed" about inaction by Congress on gun control. He used the opportunity to beat his chest about Maryland's stricter gun control laws in which he played a part. Yeah, those laws are really making a positive difference in places like Baltimore, huh?
As predictable as the gun-grabbers, the race-hustlers quickly sprung into action. Was this a racially motivated crime? Absolutely! But what does that have to do with anyone else? The overwhelming majority of whites are equally outraged and sickened by Roof's actions. That sick bastard doesn't represent anyone except himself. So, it really pisses me off when I hear the race-baiters acting as if Roof's heinous act is representative of whites in general.
I've even heard that Fox News was being blamed for the shooting. I guess there was a subliminal message on The O'Reilly Factor that the rest of us somehow missed?
Moving right along, there is now a big push to have the Confederate flag removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capital. While this flag has been a lightning rod of controversy for a long time, it's now being (at least partly) blamed for the Charleston tragedy. Striking while the iron's hot, it creates an opportune time for the flag's critics to plead their case. The Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, along with the state's two US Senator's, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott (all Republicans) have called for the complete removal of the flag. We'll see if the movement gains traction in the upcoming days.
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On Friday, I listened to the victims families express forgiveness for Roof. I have to admit, it was very touching. It takes a big person to forgive someone in this type of situation, especially so soon after it happened. While I doubt that I could do it, I truly admire their resolve.
In has been reported that Dylann Roof, by slaughtering these nine innocent people, was attempting to start a race war. But after watching the outpouring of support and sympathy for the victims' families by people of all colors, it looks like his actions may have actually had an adverse effect. At least, that's what we can hope for....
kw
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