Words by Leslie Monet
President Donald Trump continues to derail his critics with political jargon in response to an overwhelming amount of national catastrophes since he’s taken office. In the wake of yet another hideous act of terror when a gunman, now identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, a previous violent crime offender, opened fire in a Sutherland, Texas church killing 26 people with about 12-14 being children.
During a press conference in Japan, Trump nonchalantly redirected blame from what is obviously misuse of guns to mental illness stating, “This isn’t a guns situation…” and called the heinous act “a mental health problem at the highest level.” Opposing views from his colleagues are coming to the forefront as members of congress say this is the time to reconsider gun laws.
Former President Barack Obama shared his condolences tweeting “We grieve with all the families in Sutherland Springs harmed by this act of hatred and we’ll stand with the survivors as they recover.” adding “May God also grant all of us the wisdom to ask what concrete steps we can take to reduce the violence and weaponry in our midst.”
Ironically, one of the first tasks of Trump’s administration was to sign a bill that eliminated Obama’s law that would’ve prevented about 75,000 mentally incapacitated people from purchasing guns meanwhile Trump admits to reports providing evidence of the deranged mental capacity of the shooter.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen the direct effects of voting, or lack thereof, when it comes to participating in the presidential election. However, in forefront of Election Day, the people have a less popular opportunity to make an impact in their communities by selecting local leaders who will in turn push against White House bullies to enforce laws that protect them and their families from such acts of hate. Like Brother Love said years ago, “Vote or Die”.
