Arizona Tragedy: The Blame

In the wake of the devastating shooting in Arizona the finger pointing has begun. Some wish to put the blame on Sarah Palin and the extreme right wing group the Tea Party. Although I do believe they are part of the problem leading up to things like this, the blame must be shared.

This is one country. We treat each other like enemies. Why? Because we have different political opinions? We spend way too much time fighting, arguing, and pointing fingers at each other, pointing out all of the differences. It is time to realize that we are all Americans. We all want what is best for our future, our future, all of us. We have far more in common that we do differences. We must remember that. We must find a way to teach tolerance with our voices and in our actions. All of the negativity heard every day cannot have a positive mental outcome for the community at large. Anger breeds anger. Anger has always proven to be destructive.

Argue intelligently and intellectually. Remember at the beginning of every discussion that we are related through citizenship and commonality. Remember at the end of the discussion that we are still friends with a common goal of good for the country. The future belongs to all of our children.

With all that said, we must realize that the shooter here was mentally unstable. Maybe he was easily guided by the in your face talk shows and news casts these days, but he is responsible for his own actions. I am not sure what if anything could have been done to prevent this. There does seem to have been some major warning signs. But that is past now. Let us remember the past and look to the future. Maybe with kinder, gentler words we can live in a kinder, gentler place.

My sympathies go out for the innocent victims of this tragedy and to those who will have to live with its outcome forever.

Better Panic