No Easy Answer

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves”, Shakespeare. I believe no truer words have been spoken in such an eloquent fashion about human behavior. I think these words are very appropriate to explain the challenges we encounter in our nation and worldwide. These words also incorporate what I consider the number one of all natural laws, the law of cause and effect.

There have been recent headline grabbing events, which are essentially ‘effects’ that have subsequently induced (i.e. caused) our nation to ponder and reflect upon the possible ‘causes’ to these events. I think the one event that has had the most impact near-term has been the Newtown shooting.

While the shooter is dead, some (at least I) wonder whether we in someway helped contribute to the outcome.  I believe we did to a small degree by action, inaction and/or both. 

I do not believe arming teachers (or everyone) is the answer as the NRA does because such a position effectively implies that we do not have the mental capacity to solve our problems, that we must instead raise arms.  Near-term maybe so, but long-term, NO; as Mahatma Gandhi stated, "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Arguably, it is a lack of thinking to the possible effects from our societal behavior (such as our infatuation with violence – we need not look far past the TV or other mass media) that has helped lead to a rise in mass shootings.  Lack of mental healthcare is another.  Yes, proliferation of guns does not help, but it is not the guns, but "ourselves." Sadly, I expect such violence to continue because we did not arrive here overnight. I also think increased governmental control and oversight will not change it much, except to reduce our freedoms.  Serious change comes from us deciding to change that of which we value.