There are a few things in life that I have come to try to avoid. Among these are cursing; using gratuitous nicknames for groups, such as DemoRats or Libtards; social media fights where there will never be a winner; and using the word hate to describe the actions of others. Not to say that these are hard and fast rules or any type of moral principles that I expect others to follow, I just like to think that it will project myself in a more positive, mature light. .
One of those that I am finding myself reneging on more and more often lately is using the word hate. This is coming about with regards to last week’s school shooting in Parkland Florida and the dialogue that followed.
I hate that this has become such a divisive issue.
I hate that people can’t even wait for details to emerge before they are already using the tragedy to push their political agenda.
I hate when the only idea offered is to “do something.”
I hate that the website felt it was okay to post the article “The NRA donated $10,000 to help train the Parkland shooting suspect to use a rifle,” making a very distorted claim about the NRA’s support of ROTC programs.
I hate that many had no problem in attacking the father of Meadow Pollack for wearing a Trump 2020 shirt after he rushed to the scene of the shooting only to find out that his daughter was one of the victims. Tweet
I hate that so many are calling for a ban on “assault weapons” when they clearly cannot offer a definition of what they consider as an “assault weapon” other than it looks scary. I also hate having to try and explain this over and over again to no avail.
I hate the scapegoating.
Vandalized Billboard along I65 in Louisville Kentucky
I hate those that seek political advantage by bringing up past allegations based on half-truths: “Trump made it easier for the mentally ill to purchase firearms,” “Congress refused to pass legislation keeping guns out the hands those on the terror watch list.”
I hate those that constantly repeated the very distorted claim that there have been 18 school shootings so far this year.
I hate that the President used the shooting to publicly attack the FBI.
Above all else I hate the way that the left and their friends in the media are using the families and the children involved in the shooting to further their agenda only to toss them aside as soon as the next shiny object appears on their radar.
What I long for is a time, that following a tragedy of this magnitude, that we can all come together, at least for a short period, to mourn for the loss of life of so many children while also celebrating the heroes of the day including Coach Aaron Feis and JROTC cadet Peter Wang who both sacrificed their lives in order to save others.
And yes I will continue to send thoughts and prayers to all involved.
markE watkins 