This week my heart is heavy with thoughts of the many lives of students and teachers, massacred in Uvalde, Texas. You all know me. I don’t weigh in much on events on a national level. I focus primarily on what is happening in my own community, which keeps me beyond busy all the time. I don’t weigh in because I am worried about offending one group or another, one person or another. But it’s time to speak up with my personal opinion, which is just that, MY personal opinion.
I know it doesn’t mean anything at all, but my thoughts and prayers go out to each and every family that has been impacted by this horrific mass shooting. It doesn’t mean anything because it cannot turn back time to save these families, these children, this community.
I’m going to start by saying, I’m not against guns. I have guns. I don’t want anyone to have their guns taken away without reason. But, I must question why my kid has to endure active shooter drills in school. Why does my kid have to prepare for the “just in case” scenario? Why does my kid have to feel unsafe in any learning environment? Why do our teachers have to put their lives on the line every time they walk into school? Why does the United States have to allow this type of weapon to be legal? Why not put a longer wait period on purchasing a gun? Why not make the legal age to buy this type of gun 21? Why must so many people die a senseless death, because we refuse to take action?
Why?
I am thankful to Jacqueline for her article that shares so much information about mass shootings, and specifically mass shootings in schools. I am thankful to Bill Thibedeau and Roxy Goss for their letters to the editor. I am thankful for the news stations, newspapers and websites across the country for their coverage of this (and all) events.
I welcome your thoughtful letters, comments and ideas on how to support this latest community through this tragedy. I’ll be out all weekend hosting News & Brews events to gather information on what is important to YOU, in YOUR community newspaper. Watch The Mountain-Ear Facebook or my personal page for info on locations and times.
And, if you have any story idea about any topic, pitch it to us. If you have an event that needs covered, send it in. A music promotion or school sports story we missed? We are here for you! And don’t forget to submit your original poetry, artwork, photos, business promotions and more by June 3 for our summer “It’s Your Turn” edition.
The Mountain-Ear is YOUR community newspaper, covering all of the news you love in the entire Peak to Peak region, since 1977. As always my door is open (in Nederland and Black Hawk), my phone is on and my email gets checked regularly. Contact me at info@themountainear.com or call 303-810-5409.
