Grouse Hollow Journal for December 20,
2012 by Greg Koelker
I apologize to readers, but it is hard
to start something about the outdoors or holidays when mostly I can't
get the tragic school shooting in Connecticut last week off of my
mind. When I heard about it, I felt like I had been punched in the
stomach, and I can't even begin to imagine what those parents,
grandparents, siblings, classmates, teachers, friends, cousins,
neighbors, clergy, police, EMT's, funeral directors, everyone in that
community must be going through. I do know that the effects don't
end in Connecticut. Mass
shootings wherever affect each of us, our state, our nation, our
world. Some will demand gun control, others more school security,
still others more mental health screening, or more police. One
psychologist on the radio said that there are thousands of potential
killers among us who fit the profile discovered by study of mass
murderers. But – fortunately – they are “false positives”
who lack whatever it is that is missing to actually take action. I
have heard one idea in all the media noise since that makes sense to
me. Commentator David Brooks on the PBS Newshour said on Friday
night that media should not show the murderer's picture or tell their
name – ever. Take away the fifteen minutes of fame idea. The
perpetrator is dead, but without the idea of becoming famous or
infamous, perhaps some potential killers would not do it. Who knows?
What
can we do? During this golden season, remember those families and
that community and each other. Celebrate this time to give those who
are going through this first hand something to look forward to.
Until
next time, turn off the news and hug your kids and grandkids even
more than you do. Enjoy the season.
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