The holiday season is upon us. Shopping carts are full with both purchase and layaway items. You remember layaway, don’t you?
Thanksgiving gave us time to spend with family and friends. Some of us ate too much and watched way too much football. Little kids were treated to watching Charlie Brown and Snoopy on television.
College students are back in school now but the Christmas break is in sight. Elementary, middle and high school students are trying their best to sit still for an entire day. Their teachers are providing instruction each day despite the Yuletide spirit being in the air.
All of us are familiar with all or parts of the aforementioned scenarios because that is the America we know. Yet there is a disturbing part of America that has reared its ugly head and is making an attempt to steal our joy.
A few weeks ago, a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, claimed the lives of three people, including a law enforcement officer. Presidential candidates on both sides weighed in with their thoughts. Bernie Sanders, Independent Senator from Vermont running as a Democrat said, “I strongly support Planned Parenthood and the work it’s doing. I hope people realize that bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences.” Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said, “Praying for the loved ones of those killed, those injured and first responders who bravely got the situation under control in Colorado Springs.”
Unfortunately, some of us have such strong and, yes, unreasonable positions on issues that we resort to violence. The families of those killed and wounded did not have a happy Thanksgiving. Instead, they were traumatized and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy.
Some would opine that the gun issue and the abortion issue triggered this shooting. I believe it did. For some years now gun control and abortion have become everyone’s hot-button issues. If you want a heated exchange, just start talking about either of these issues and you will surely get one.
