I received the following email this morning in response to yesterday's blog post. It's not Friday yet but, given the subject matter, I thought it would be a good follow up to discuss. The original was extremely long and well thought out but I have carefully edited down to save space while trying to keep the original message intact.
I've only recently started reading your blog. I enjoy it but today feel the need to comment. I'm writing in response to your post regarding the Colorado incident. It appears you espouse the idea that had there been an armed citizen in that theater, tragedy could have been averted... I have to vehemently disagree. The sheer fact that the gunman had legally purchased firearms in his possession should indicate how erroneous that train of reasoning truly is at its core... What bothers me is that, as a creative person that concerns himself with artistic pursuits, you fail to see the true issue is not one of defense but one of the need for defense... I don't own a gun nor do I see how owning one will do anything but escalate a dire situation I may find myself in... I agree with you that our police personnel are truly heroes but I wonder why you don't agree with letting them do their jobs. Why do we need guns for protection when we have security systems and police response?... Yes the events in Colorado are horrible, but should they constitute a rallying cry to self-deputize the citizenry? I urge you to consider both your personal stance and the public forum in which you discuss it. You have an opportunity as a writer to help to influence those who read your work... I hope this gives you something to consider.
I appreciate this person's point of view. Her argument is a valid one based on what she believes to be accurate information from her life experience. Her standpoint on gun ownership is just as valid as opinion as mine is, whether I agree with it or not.
This whole issue has been such a hot button over the last five days that nearly everyone is talking about it in some form or another. It occurred to me during a discussion with my wife last night about why I want her to carry a gun as we make changes in our life that while this horrific tragedy has spawned a lot of debate, it also has an underlying issue that I think bears discussing. When you brush away the gravel and dirt, there's also the issue of the will to act lying beneath as well.
What do I mean by the "will to act?" Simply, the capacity for violence. It would have done no more good to have everyone in that Aurora theater armed if no one had the nerve to draw their weapon and use it. While discussing this event with a friend, it was pointed out that the perpetrator weighs approximately 180lbs and, even in full body armor, a direct hit from a .40 or .45 caliber slug would put him on his ass. I agree with the logic, but then again, somebody has got to have the nerve to shoot the bastard to begin with. Since this whole event centers around a Batman movie, take a second and recall the scene in Batman Begins where Liam Neeson's Rha's Al Ghoul is explaining to Bruce Wayne that his parents' death was actually his father's fault for not being willing to act to save his family.
I rattle on a lot, both on this blog and unfortunately in life as well, about the rampant pussification of this society. We've become far too concerned with everyone's feelings to focus on reality. There is a simple truth to be had in all of this and I haven't heard it put better than in a blog on RangerUp.com that I read last night. To paraphrase:
Most people in this world are sheep.
Sheep fear the sheepdog for he keeps them in line.
The sheepdog reminds them of the wolf with his teeth and muscle and
capacity for violence.
The sheep would rather the sheepdog dye his fur white, pull his teeth, and start saying Baa.
Until the wolf comes.
Then all those sheep try to hide behind one solitary sheepdog.
How many of us out there are truly sheep and how many are sheepdogs? How many men do you know that don't just talk a good game but are actually physically and psychologically capable of protecting their families should shit and fan become acquainted? I know a lot of good people in this world I also realize that it's very easy to cull them into two groups, and honestly that saddens me.
The will to act vs. the will to be a victim.
Sheep or sheepdog.
Thomas or Bruce Wayne?
You know, the Norse tradition tells that the Valkyrie descended to take those that fell in battle to a place of honor in Valhalla. Not the winners. Not the losers. Just those with the courage to act.
In his heart of hearts, every person knows their true nature. What's yours?
It's not about gun control and all that crap, not really. It's about a gut check, pass or fail.
In response to my reader, thank you for your thoughts. I respectfully disagree.
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