I wasn’t going to address the terrible tragedy that took place in Aurora, Colorado last Friday. I’m sure everyone has seen and read enough about this heinous crime than we care to. I don’t watch a lot of television, but I can pretty much guarantee that reporters, interviewers, and journalists along the likes of Anderson Cooper, Piers Morgan, the Today Show crowd, and the whole lot of them over at Fox News are keeping everyone up to speed with minute by minute updates and interviews. In fact, I bet you can’t even turn on the tv without being bombarded with gun control debates, the suspect’s bio, and his picture playing over and over again, how sorry everyone is that this happened and what we can do to prevent it from happening in the future. I’m not saying this horrific event isn’t worth reporting. I’m not even saying that we shouldn’t investigate into the mind of this obviously disturbed and some would say “terrorist” of an individual. I am saying that in light of this senseless act, the media shit storm that follows really irks me. It all becomes sensationalized and political. So much so that I feel we often tend to forget that precious lives were lost and we focus more on how the suspect ‘appeared’ to look in court, who’s representing him, what their angle of defense will be, and how ‘movie-like’ his booby-trapped apartment is.
Should there be stricter gun control laws? Is it constitutional? Would an increase in laws make an impact in the reduction of these types of crimes? What about the mental health crisis we have here in the US? How can we help these people? More drugs? How about the justification of the violent and disturbing video games/movies our youth are continually exposed to?
Is it me or do you find it difficult to comprehend the fact that this:
MAY be more publicly acceptable in our society than this:
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel the problem is much much deeper than more laws and more drugs. The problem might lie in the continuation of war and hate and violence that seems to have taken hold of our country and our world. Even so, my love, prayers and thoughts go out to all the victims and their families. May they have light in this moment of darkness and may we work together to make our world a safe and peaceful place.
Mommy OM 
I find it interesting that despite your criticism of others, you are using this tragedy to address your own agenda instead if placing your focus on the victims. I am a wholehearted bfing advocate, but despise this post.
I’m sorry you feel that way. All I wanted to convey is the importance of focusing on and working towards a more peaceful and loving world.
Julie…..I didn’t find anything wrong with this post. I felt that Mommy OM was simply trying to put some things in perspective and show the extreme difference between what is socially acceptable and what is not. What if she had put a picture of a gay marriage, two women kissing, someone minding their own business yet smoking a cigarette (gasp!), a child getting it’s diaper changed in the middle of a busy restaurant, etc, etc…..would she have been “addressing her own agenda” then? Would that have made you feel better? It was a simple example and I think, Mommy OM, that you made some very good points about addressing the mental health issues in this country. There are millions of people out there who watch violent movies and don’t walk into a crowded theater and start shooting….it takes a special kind of troubled mind to decide that is what he/she needs to do in light of watching a movie. Violent movies are part of a multimillion dollar industry….they’re not going away….so why not address the problem within the problem and push for better mental health care centers and more resources for, not only the troubled, but those around them who might notice something? And yes, yes….let’s have stricter gun control, because last time I checked….criminals were so good at following the rules!! Julie…..she was MAKING A POINT….on HER blog….in the way SHE chose to make it. Lighten up!
Thank you, Kristin. ♥
~Lisa
Lisa you could have stolen words from my mouth here. I live in the same county as where this awful tragedy took place, and may be the only person who could serve on a jury, as I refuse to sit and watch what the media wants me to see. The focus is all wrong and it angers me. People died, and one mans actions caused it. And now it’s political? And I won’t get started on things that are/aren’t socially acceptable… Thank you for posting this!
Sylvia, I can’t even imagine the chaos going on around you right now. Being so close, I am very thankful that you are safe and I pray for all those whose lives are forever changed. ♥ Lisa
it is much deeper than more laws and more drugs! I believe it does start at home……….family structure and everything else has broken down in this society, that nothing is “normal” anymore! There is a “hopelessness” out there, that I even see in my own sons……..its heartbreaking! I believe we need to get back to what is really important………GOD and the family structure! Yes, not everything can be solved with these two things, but I believe we would be off to a good start!
A very good start indeed! Thank you! ~Lisa
I do find it difficult to comprehend that violence is more acceptable in our society than love. Love doesn’t sell advertising spots.. Love doesn’t feed our insatiable craving for anxiety and drama. I live in Tucson where 6 innocents were killed when a gunman targeted our Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. I had never before experienced a media frenzy and I feel for the people of Aurora. When tragedy hits home, you don’t have to watch the news to know what’s happening because it’s your friends and neighbors that are suffering. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have felt compelled to comment if I hadn’t read the first negative comment. This is a very thoughful post, Mommy OM and from everything of yours I’ve read, you agenda is love. That’s focusing on what’s important.
Karen,
I want to thank you for your thoughtful comment. I was not even going to address the shooting because I do not like to focus on the negative, but I felt compelled to try and spread the message of love, nurture, and peace. Thank you for reading. Much love. ~ Lisa