I have had family members and friends who are alcoholics my entire life. I am no stranger to Al-Anon. 12-Steps in program have saved me more times than I can count. I have said many times that the 12 steps can be applied to anything. Well, I didn’t say this, it’s what you learn by regularly going to the rooms. The gun violence in our schools rests fully at the feet of the GOP in America. They need to undergo a massive moral inventory.
Just seven weeks into 2018, there have been eight shootings at US schools that have resulted in injury or death.
How many US school shootings have there been in 2018 so far?, The Guardian, Lois Beckett
Yes, that's more than one school shooting a week THIS YEAR.
“At least 17 people were killed when a teen opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle at a high school in Parkland, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Fourteen others were wounded, five of whom suffering life-threatening injuries, hospital officials said. Authorities said the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, concealed himself in the crowd fleeing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He was arrested in nearby Coral Springs and later charged with 17 counts of murder.
17 killed in mass shooting at high school in Parkland, Florida., NBC News, Elizabeth Chuck, Alex Johnson, Corky Siemazcko
"You come to the conclusion this is just absolutely pure evil," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott, his hands clutched over his chest.
Scott, a Republican whom the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund gave an "A+" rating, didn't address reporters' questions about how the gunman was able to obtain a semiautomatic rifle.”
Well, rest easy, folks. Rick Scott thinks the shooter is evil and sends his thoughts and prayers to the families.
Here's what fashion boot enthusiast and GOP beltway wunderkind had to say.
Just spoke to Broward School Superintendent. Today is that terrible day you pray never comes.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 14, 2018
In fact, nearly ALL republican elected officials said basically the same thing. But that's not surprising given the outsized influence the National Rifle Association has on the GOP.
But the real influence is in the use of outside spending:
Rubio himself has received more than three million dollars over the course of his horrible career from guns rights groups. Governor Rick Scott made history signing 5 pro-gun bills!
But thank GOD for thoughts and prayers! Nah, as we speak, I’m not thinking about my daughter who is about to catch the bus for middle school. Nah, there aren’t countless moms and dads feeling the EXACT same way I am right now.
I truly thought after Sandy Hook, there would’ve been massive reforms and regulations. Nope! Columbine wasn’t enough, Newtown wasn’t enough, the multiple mass shootings after, just WERE NOT ENOUGH.
So, I’m circling back to the 12-steps. This country needs a MASSIVE, COLLECTIVE moral inventory. Whether ALL OF US demanding inequality be majorly addressed or gun control, AND mental health services available to EVERYONE, REGARDLESS of income or anything else.
Step One says we must ADMIT we have a problem. Clearly we do. The Fourth Step for the unfamiliar, is as follows: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
This step requires self-examination that can be uncomfortable, but honesty is essential in this process. The key is to identify any areas of past regret, embarrassment, guilt or anger.
Yep! I’m going there. If we can AS A COUNTRY can honestly look at our children’s faces today and say we’ve don’t need help as a nation; need to look within ourselves, I’m at a loss.
My daughter just asked me if I think her school is safe and “will a bad person come and hurt people? How do you know, Mom?”
After reassuring her, the truth is, I don’t know.
And THAT is where we are.