Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, Oregon

Massacre of the Week (continued)

It seems the latest Massacre of the Week (see a previous article about Ferguson) has finally awakened people to the grim trend of mass murder.

A picture of President Obama, cheeks puffed in frustration as he watches news reports of the shootings at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, is featured prominently in the news. In a sound bite he said that these massacres are becoming “routine” as well as our reaction them; we’ve become “numb” to the horror.

The issue of gun control is raised once again. Another train of thought focuses on the mental health of the perpetrators.

Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson said we must find a way to identify these perpetrators before they strike. Dr. Carson seems to be a fairly lucid and reasonable person. I agree with him that the problem isn’t one of gun control but one of awareness, noticing signs and symptoms of an unbalanced mind before it runs amok.

Perhaps these massacres are a symptom of an unbalanced society? What is wrong with the way we’re living together that drives people to such desperate measures? To me, it seems a lot of the perpetrators have decided to commit suicide and take as many lives with them as possible in the process.

The scenario, which we’ve just seen played out for the umpteenth time in Roseburg, would have been quite different if one or more responsible people in that classroom had weapons and the ability to use them. Perhaps everyone would have died in an horrific gun battle, as no one really knows what will happen when bullets start flying but at least they would have had a fighting chance.

Take guns away from everyone and there will be NO CHANCE! Crazy people, criminals, evil people, etc., will get guns no matter what we do to try to stop them. Then we will be the lambs awaiting slaughter.

The wolves at the door would like that very much.

Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, Oregon