More Than A Gun

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

My heart is shattered today at the news of the pure evil demonstrated last night in Las Vegas.

My prayers and deepest sympathies are with our hurting nation right now, and especially the victims and their loved ones.

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I’ve been hard pressed to peel myself away from the news to write this post.

The level of atrocity and horror that is belching across our television airwaves today is enough to make you want to build a bunker and not come out until the second coming.

There was one thing I was not expecting today though: and that’s what I found when I scanned social media today.

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Honestly, I have been so sickened at the response by much of the public – and much of my Facebook newsfeed.

Instead of calls for prayer and compassion for the victims of the shooting, there is outcry for gun control reform.

Instead of numbers and addresses for blood banks to donate the vital lifeline so desperately needed in Vegas right now, there are email addresses and phone numbers to “flood” our congressmen and women about gun control.

Instead of comforting bible verses or religious images, there are political cartoons, using the pain and tragedy of others to parody and promote their stance on gun violence.

Instead of sorrow, and compassion, and empathy, there’s rage and outcry and defiance.

And it is disgusting.

Now is the time when we need to be uniting, offering compassion, seeking peace and offering prayer and support.

The behavior on display today by much of the public is nothing short of a disgrace.

Almost as bad as our athletes kneeling during the national anthem.


I wonder what those athletes, protesting police brutality, would have to say to the plain clothes, off-duty police officers who stuck around and risked their lives at the concert, directing people to safety, shielding people with their bodies, and willing putting themselves in harm’s way, all for the protection of strangers.

I wonder what they would have to say to those first responders who – in ten minutes – blasted down the hotel door of a known gunman with automatic rifles and went in, coming face to face with almost a certain death, to save others.

I don’t want to get into anything political. Not today. Not ever, really. So I’m going to just let you come to your own conclusions on that.

But in response to the uproar of gun control opportunists, selfishly using this tragedy for their own political agenda, I have just two things to say.

First: shame on you. Have you no heart? Really.

Secondly:

Guns are not the problem.

There, I said it.

It’s not the guns: It’s the person pulling the trigger.

It’s mental illness.

As a survivor of anorexia – a mental illness – I will be the first to tell you, that mental illness is the absolute culprit behind the destruction. – Be it inflicted on others, or in my case, on oneself.

It doesn’t matter if the weapon is a gun, a box cutter, rented trucks, homemade bombs, anthrax, or food– the weapon does not commit the crime: the person does.

Just ask 78 pound, anorexic me. I was using food – or rather, the lack there of — as my weapon to destroy my own life.

It was the mental illness. And I had to go to inpatient treatment to literally kick the demons out of my life.

A man who would calculatedly open fire on a helpless, innocent crowd of people from a perfectly located hotel room, 32 floors up and two football fields away is mentally ill.

And as a result, there are thousands of people who are left in the carnage, both physically and mentally.

And I agree: rapid fire, automatic weapons – like machine guns – should never be in the hands of anyone, other than the members of our armed forces and law enforcement officers.

But it is a pretty naive view to think that gun laws will keep guns out of the hands of bad guys.

It’s a tough issue. And what about other weapons? What do we do about mentally unstable or brainwashed people seeking to acquire fertilizer or other ingredients to make homemade bombs, or renting a truck to drive through a crowd? What are we to do then?

What price are we willing to pay in loss of freedom and privacy to reduce threats at the hands of mentally unfit people?

How far do we go as a society? It is a messy and complicated issue.

But right now, in the wake of this ghastly episode, our focus should be on one another. On the hurting. On the healing. On the hope.

Not on furthering one’s political agenda.

I was going to close in my own prayer for this nation, but I was so moved by President Trump’s remarks today, that I’m going to let his words take us out tonight.

And regardless of your opinion on our brazen leader, I invite you to read his sincere words with an open heart.


“In times such as these, I knew we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness. The answers do not come easy. But we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope.

Melania and I are praying for every American who has been hurt, wounded or lost the ones they loved so dearly in this terrible, terrible attack. We pray for the entire nation to find unity and peace, and we pray for the day when evil is banished and the innocent are safe from hatred and from fear.

May God bless the souls of the lives that are lost, may God give us the grace of healing, and may God provide the grieving families with strength to carry on. Thank you. God bless America.”

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BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

498 thoughts on “More Than A Gun”

  3. Don’t get me wrong, we do need better gun control however it can only go so far before ethical people are unable to carry and can’t defend themselves or others. The biggest problem is mental health. It is part of our lack of social skills but also monetary issues as well.

    We need better mental health programs. The lack of empathy on this act of violence in trying to force the gun control is another symptom of our social dysfunction. If gun control was really that big of an issue people wouldn’t wait around for another tragedy to write better gun laws.

    It’s again, another social barrier but when we have better gun control it still won’t be enough. It’s not an effective method to combat evil. It’ll help but it’ll only prevent gun violence to a certain extent. Criminals will find a way even if they have to build their own guns in which I believe what this guy did.

    Bottom line though we need better mental health services. We need to stop fighting one another and start finding ways to work together.

    Liked by 4 people

  5. Why can’t we call for gun control and be empathetic? Of course I feel utterly disgusted with the senseless events in Las Vegas and heartbroken for all the victims. And because of that, I want something to change. If we put more precautions in place between citizens and guns, I think it would prevent some of these tragedies.

    And I also want to say I own two handguns for more context.
    And I think that mental health is also part of the problem but it’s not the only aspect here that needs to be addressed.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hi Marissa, thank you so much for joining the dialogue and sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate it. It’s such a complicated issue, and I’m grateful to hear all different perspectives and opinions. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Thanks for this. I too am just concerned about those harmed by this madman. I can only hope that those that are still in hospitals achieve a speedy recovery. You can’t prevent someone with the means and motivation to do others harm–you can’t. To anyone who is arguing for more gun control I have one word: “Chicago”. Gun control does not work. It only prevents law abiding citizens from getting guns to defend themselves or hunt. Criminals will get them, use them, and harm others with them.

    The NFL really screwed itself. This kneeling thing during the Anthem is disgusting. As a 20-year veteran of the Army, it is insulting, to say the least. Well, they are only hurting themselves. They will lose this one.

    Congrats on the book! Like I promised – I’m buying a copy–Great work! All the best with book sales. Take care, Dave

    Liked by 3 people

  8. An after thought. based on 1 Corinthians 8: 12-13:
    What would our communities be like if we were less concerned with being patriotic, and right and more concerned with the wholeness of those with whom we live? What would you and I be willing to give up so that our neighbours might live lives marked by wholeness and freedom from fear? A good Christian should answer “my guns” he does not need an automatic he has Christ. Christ said “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” That means not shooting or threatening to shoot your neighbour.and respecting his rights to free speech and peaceful protest.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. I ran across a very interesting article by a researcher who studied 33,000 gun related deaths. I copied and pasted it wholesale into my post tonight; something I’ve never done before, although I often comment on articles I link to. I hope you find it interesting if you have a chance to read it.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. http://timelines.latimes.com/deadliest-shooting-rampages/

    It feels like my whole life has been marked with gun violence – in fact, it has. The year Sandy Hook happened, my state bought millions and millions dollars worth of guns and made number one on the top ten list. We spent millions arming ourselves rather than putting those millions to use fixing our broken mental health system. But this is only a symptom of the truth – we trust in guns more than God, in Egypt’s chariots more than God’s strength. We are going to have to choose – God or guns; one of these things really can’t save us no matter how much we might want it to.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. I posted that very thing, guns aren’t the problem, and I called the problem Sin, and a lack of morality within our country. I was shunned so fast I couldn’t believe it. While I also stated we need to take time to grieve, to allow the families to have that time, and we needed to offer love and not spew hate. The response to the blog I posted on this was not well received, and the feedback on FACEBOOK was horrible. I hope you have better luck then I do reaching those about love first. Good to see you again.

    Liked by 5 people

    2. I agree with you and Caralyn. For some additional information on defining the issue, I have an article I posted this evening and another on Monday. Tonight’s is a reprint of a complete article by a researcher and Monday’s references a 2015 study showing gun deaths decreasing. A sad state of affairs, but something that needs careful framing for discussion. Maybe the data in both will be helpful to you.

      Liked by 2 people

  18. A really sad event, innocent people killed, the man had cameras outside his hotel room for gods sakes. I’m with you, my support for the people affected, guns are a massive problem though and how easy people can get hold of them. Sheer madness.

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  19. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. Wholeheartedly agreeing with this post. The whole thing. Full stop. I love it!! A voice of reason! Guns are tools, that’s it, period. They can save lives and prevent crimes and protect people. They’re the great equalizer. This jerk could have just as easily mowed the crowd down with a 2-ton vehicle, and the damage could have been just as bad. I cannot stand it when people politicize tragedies like this, as if guns are sentient beings that decide to kill people on their own. No. A very deranged person did this, and THAT is the sickness of society 💓💓💓. Prayers for healing for all of the innocent involved and their families. That’s where everyone’s hearts should be 💞💞💞💞

    Liked by 4 people

  20. Great post. It’s not a gun problem but a heart problem (and mental problem).
    Well written and thought provoking.
    Wonder why we’re not hearing much about the attack on the Tennessee church?
    Because he is a Sudanese man?

    Liked by 1 person

  21. OMG YES YOU!! Mentall illlness is TOTALLY what we need to start to work on here. Gun “control” has gone around and around the merry-go-round for so long, and look what it has done. Now, I am in favor of maybe getting rid of those converters that change a “regular” gun into a a higher power weapon like this guy used. BUT the root if the problems with so much of our domestic tragedies in this country, is MENTAL ILLNESS!! Sometime these people snap and then have this delusional scheme materialize in their head. People talk about the “stigma” of mental illness and the lack of those willing to admit they have it. There is so much public awareness for physical ailments, and how to prevent this/that down the road. If we could open up better awareness of mental illness, imagine what could be done. The other part is insurance for treatment. Nobody can afford it because its not recognized for coverage so while it does get diagnosed, anybody who looks into treatment has to face $$$ costs of meds, or facility stays etc. and it goes on. Obama TRIED to open dialogue about it after Sandy Hook, but then it got swept in favor of gun control. Look how much “control” we’ve achieved. If we could help the minds of many, perhaps many others wouldn’t be gunned down in public. Yes the Tennessee attack happened over the weekend but took a major back seat with Vegas. God Bless you and love with all my hugs! xoxoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Miguelito, thank you so much for your thoughtful response and for your support. It’s such a complicated situation and I pray for a healing and positive solution. Thanks for offering this powerful food for thought. Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 2 people

  24. We cannot have change without responsibility. Every time I picked up a gun or assault rifle I knew, it could be my last day on Earth for myself or someone else. I don’t feel that with the public. The same, that our American culture just generally lacks personal accountability but worships the desires of men over their God. Sure, the President is kind of responsible for being more conflicting in his rhetoric and not as, eloquent. It may create media sound bytes but doesn’t create dialogue for change.

    You say it’s not political because you don’t want to offend. Maybe. And maybe, that’s the problem.
    Coming to terms with an America that took and took from Natives until there was none of us left. The second amendment was created to create militias out of common men. To fight against natives, Mexicans and slaves and then the British.

    Without history, we are both blind to the truths real or imagined that divide our nation. Grow. Learn. Then call for hope. There are too many good people like you that are just a little in the dark on the issues of race, class, and the real issues that divide this country.

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      3. Yeah. I don’t know what it’s like to have, everything. Never did. That’s why when things go wrong at the bottom. Those are my people now. I’m glad you don’t know that. That feeling that God forgot about you. The top down philosophy that you tend to use is what I contend with its what I’ve heard so much in the church. That, goodness is granted and blessed to the higher classes. The wealth, the opportunity, and every blessing is up there. With your people.

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      4. And your argument is word for word from a Fox news anchor. That’s plagiarism. So, thank you also. For everything.

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      6. Haha. Yeah every network broadcasts on the internet. For years. So, there’s that. Here’s the similarity at 3:38 on Daily Show with Trevor Noah discussing the Fox News segment that is questionably just like what you said. Oh, maybe they stole from you! No. Probably not. https://youtu.be/nV5fXPVeZoQ

        Look, I don’t care if you don’t give credit. These journalists have jobs. Work hard. Even, at Fox. Your platform, is what struggles when you take without crediting work.

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      9. Ok no worries 🙂 disagreeing is definitely okay. I totally respect your opinion and am grateful to hear your thoughts and perspective. It allows me an opportunity to learn and find common ground 🙂 hope you’re having a nice weekend. Hugs and love xox

        Liked by 1 person

      10. It’s just strange that you went to college for this. You should know better about plagiarism. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a television or your dad says it. This is real, people get sued. I don’t agree with your lazy attitude toward taking other’s work as yours and it didn’t create anything among your followers except for you to remain as a victim. Maybe, that was your intent. Its not mine. I merely brought it up because we were friends and if you were my friend and I saw you doing this. I’d want you to say something. Maybe your other followers are fine with plagiarism. But, ignorance is no excuse.

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      12. Really? You’re whole argument said by someone else. You didn’t know? That’s pretty scary. You have a responsibility to your followers to say things that are yours. Not someone else’s. To give credit and not take credit for other’s work. All this praise you received actually belongs to the Fox commentator. You flatly denied any wrongdoing. That’s great. Great work. I support original work.

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      13. Kenzie. Friend. We go way back. I am utterly confused at your pointed remarks. Which, you are entitled to, and I respect. I just don’t quite understand. I’m telling you that these were and are my original thoughts. I do not know what you’re talking about. I don’t watch Fox. I have never lied to you or given you any reason not to trust me. So if you chose to believe that I somehow plagiarized, then that is your prerogative. I’m just frankly hurt that, after everything we’ve been though as friends together, you would think me a liar, when I have never been anything but 100% open, honest and vulnerable with you. Honestly, it’s like, really hurtful and I thought that the two years we’ve been friends would have given me a leg to stand on in your eyes. And maybe I’m getting the wrong “tone” here, because after all, this is written word, and I can’t hear your tone of voice – I’ve definitely fallen prey to that unfortunate misunderstanding based on an incorrect tone in the past. Honestly, I haven’t watched the YouTube clip you sent, because my Internet bandwidth is terrible and I can’t stream video because I’m using my phone as a hotspot, but the next time I go to the coffee shop I’ll give it a watch, but honestly, I’m in the dark as to what the heck you’re referring to. Apparently something on Fox that sounds like my position? Anyways, I’ve said my piece. Those were my original thoughts, and if you chose to believe otherwise, then there’s nothing I can do about that. But I want you to know I still consider you a good friend and will continue to keep you in my prayers, where you’ve been for the last two years. Hugs xo

        Liked by 1 person

      14. The verbatim is so similar. You said your dad told it to you. Maybe, he heard it there in their morning show. It’s something serious. It gets people kicked out of programs in college. You have a good thing going here don’t lose it over copyrighted material.

        If no one reads then we all say the same thing. Over and over. Obama used this word, Echo Chamber. When someone has a good interview, says one clever thing and that gains popularity more than the issue. People, are more aware of a nothing burger than Robert Mueller. For instance. The same with the protest in the NFL. Not cops but the ones that use minorities as punching bags. Short story, I did aggressive rollerblading. I would get up at 0430 and practice for 3 hours before school. One day, two cops pulled me over. Beat me, handcuffed me, and dropped me off at my mom’s for curfew. I was 13. I haven’t saw my mom in two years.

        Yes, we all have opinions. Yes, some are more true but, truth has been exchanged for popular opinion. Which is dangerous.
        It is popular opinion, that cops are awesome and so is the Confederate flag. Yeah. No.

        Did you know. Mike Pence’s Chief of Staff called for a purge in 2018 like, the violent movie? There’s a recording. Sobering. I was in Cheyenne, Wyoming at a Starbucks during the election. A half a dozen young white men bragged about yelling profanity at minorities at the voting booth. That was their idea of voter suppression.

        This is OUR America. It sure doesn’t feel like ours. You are entitled to your opinion. We won’t meet in the middle. There is no middle. I’m not white. Being Native, even God hates us. That’s what our church has told us in the Doctrine of Discovery and it still stands today. It was used as a basis for the Dakota Pipeline.

        I know all these things to be true. I’m a minority I don’t have the luxury you have to pretend and get things wrong. Vacations. Party. Shake it.

        Two years huh? I read everyday for two years about my people’s struggle and the shared struggle of everyone that’s not white. Only, to read this in your blog. So, two years knowing a very rare minority did not change your mind much. Either.

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      15. So all those kneelers in the NFL out there, they need to recognize, when they are kneeling during the anthem, they’re kneeling, and we’re supposed to be honoring law enforcement, law enforcement that’s trying to save lives, not take lives.
        Jesse Watters

        The Five broadcast opens with your posted prayer by President Trump.

        Here’s a link to the transcript. Let’s learn from this. I did.

        http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2017/10/02/john-rich-performed-on-las-vegas-stage-shortly-before-attack.html

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  25. Well said, every word of it, well said. Our prayers and thoughts should be for the victims and first responders.
    Please keep up your good work your God given talent to call a spade a spade and your ministry here on word press.
    Blessings
    Pastor Lester

    Liked by 2 people

  26. In your latest post I saw that you had said you received a wide range of responses, so I came back to read what was being said.
    It is the absence of clear moral truths in society that creates these monsters. The prevalence of guns is a symptom of our distrust and hatred for one another. Primitive cultures with spears and arrows did not stockpile hundreds of weapons per household. As a nation, we had better start reaching out to our neighbors, encouraging the fatherless, holding our teachers, councilmen, governors and Congress accountable. Not by carrying pitchforks and torches, but by engaging one on one or by ballot. I said before that waving a wand and disposing of every firearm will not solve anything; baseball bats and uHaul trucks will be the next weapon. There are demon-possessed people who are/were susceptible because they lived without compassion, love, or a moral center.
    We all have become separate and harassed when even a concert becomes an evil person’s killing field. But look around: everyone you and I frown upon because of ideas you or I do not agree with; angry gestures we see while driving; and the spewing of negativity across social media all contribute to this reality we are now facing. As a society we have to re-engage with one another, reestablish community, and put GOD/ LOVE back in the center of our lives. And for those of us who follow Jesus, we need to hold tighter to one another.
    I apologize for going on so….

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I can’t understand why so many people are calling for gun reform.
    It’s not the weapon’s fault.
    Just like it’s not the cocaine’s fault nor is it the meth or vodka’s fault. Whenever there is a mass shooting people act like it’s a crisis that needs national reform.

    It’s not, It’s one person. Like the old saying about going back in time to kill Hitler. There would have just been another one.
    If we make a time machine we should go back and make sure Hitler got into art school.
    All we can do as a society is be kind to one another. If the man in front of you can’t pay for his coffee because his card was declined- offer to pay.

    At the very least you brightened his day. And maybe your kindness will be the tipping point that causes him to not lash out at his boss then come back and shoot up his workplace.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. While I have reservations about our leader I do believe in your sentiments about the role of mental health in this and many other tragedies. I pray for the stigmas, which separate those in need of care, to end. I pray for wisdom of policy makers and those in power to consider and uphold safety regarding our gun laws. My father is a hunter and because of his abilities we were able to eat venison, pheasant and quail despite living in poverty. I’m a vegetarian now, haha, but am so grateful for the provision we had growing up because of his hunting, gardening and fishing. He belongs to a hunting co-op now and still grows most of his own produce. I support these gifts of self-sufficiency, and yet my dad often hunts with a bow. Not sure where the need for more substantial weapons fit but my heart and mind remain open to understanding. Saw a powerful speaker at church last night who encouraged all of us to pray and be willing to stand in the gaps between our own experiences and that of others who may be different from us; to stand in those gaps with love. I stand with you as sister in our recovery from a terrible illness. Jesus taught us to love ourselves and each other and that to me feels like the simplest answer to all the complex questions. I will continue to pray and choose love. Thanks for sharing your brave encouragement.

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  29. Good for you for speaking your heart… missed your post originally, but was sorry to hear in your most recent post that it caused such back lash. I was even more saddened that the comments were made so personal. You have an amazing heart…and what you are doing here with your site is such a beautiful thing. The world needs more people like you, that reach out with their caring hearts. So God Bess you for it. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Thanks for sharing, this is an important point; mental illness is the core problem it’s true. although we can’t ‘cure’ or get rid of all mental illness in this lifetime, so perhaps tighter gun control is also necessary for public protection too?
    I’m from the UK and it is kind of hard for us to understand the American view on guns, particularly the ready availability of very violent guns made for combat, we simply don’t see them on our streets. The sad truth is that America has a level of gun crime that no other country in the world experiences. Mass shootings just don’t happen like that in my country. Ever. And if something more can maybe be done to prevent that kind of tragedy – why wouldn’t you try? It’s genuinely hard for us Europeans to understand how a president can say he’s ‘praying for Las Vegas’ whilst defending and extending the laws that enable mass shootings to happen. I hope that isn’t too forward to say, my intention is not to offend, just to share the common view where I live, an outside perspective. Nonetheless I also thought you made some good points in the piece & am sorry some people have been ‘so strong’ in expressing their views. I am also praying for Las Vegas and for your country this week following this sad news x

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  31. I read this post after reading today’s. Be strong and courageous, friend. You are truly entitled to your opinion, which was shared compassionately amd intelligently. It is a sad snapshot of where we are as a country that a simple expression such as this would draw vitriole, hatred and vulgarity…you must be doing something right! 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  33. This attitude is why people are angry, and outraged. This attitude of “don’t touch my guns” is why there will continue to be more and more guns in our country, and as a result, more and more mass shootings. Why do people need to be able to own assault weapons that can kill lots of people in a small amount of time? Why do you feel like that is necessary?

    Why do you think America is the only nation in the world that has this problem? It makes me heartbroken and sick. And you are obviously much more concerned with people kneeling or not kneeling for the national anthem.

    I have an almost three-year-old, and one on the way. I am at the point where I feel almost scared to take my child(ren) in public because guns are so prevalent and mass shootings continue to happen. What do you think should be done about that? And don’t say “a heart change” or “better mental health care” because the likelihood of either of those things happening is quite slim.

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  34. OK – so I read it, as I said I would. I will respectfully say that I do disagree with you, on most every point. However, I do think it’s disgusting that others have attacked you personally. There is no room for that.

    As for where is the heart? I think that’s the point. Hearts are breaking and bursting, and wondering when this will end. Those calling for stricter gun policies aren’t doing it because they have an agenda, nor are they selfish and opportunistic. They are tired of the death, and tired of what looks like people unwilling to even try to stop it.

    I hear you. Guns are not the problem. It’s a heart issue, it’s a mental illness issue. Again, I think that’s the point. Why give someone with such evil in their hearts, or such mental illness, an easy way to access a gun? A gun that will make killing easier, faster, and in larger quantities. It’s not about taking guns away from everyone. It’s not about ending the 2nd amendment. It’s about making sure the right people have access, and it’s not so easy for the people with wrong intentions to get their hands on the weapons.

    As for the athletes kneeling. We all have our opinions, we all like to air our opinions, and we all have our own sphere of influence. Their sphere just happens to be bigger than most of ours. Should we begrudge them because they are expressing their opinions, just like anyone of us would do? And, it’s not about them being against police. They’re not. They just want us to pay attention to the tragedies that are happening. Too often, they get explained away or we bury our heads in the sand. Police brutality is a real thing, but that doesn’t mean (nor do the protesters believe) that every police officer is responsible. They just want those that are responsible to be held accountable – which, we can see too often, isn’t happening. I’m a veteran. I served, and continue to work in a way that protects our country. I support them 100%. It’s not about the flag, nor the anthem. It’s about us turning a blind eye to a horrible reality.

    Sorry, I know you don’t like to discuss politics. I hope this just shows that we can disagree, and I don’t think any less of you nor do I begrudge you of your opinion. I do also hope that you do pray on these things, think on these things, from a different perspective. Maybe it’ll change your mind, maybe it won’t, but do give it some more thought.

    Thanks for being you.

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    1. Hi again, Russell, thank you for taking the time to read it and respond. It really means a lot. You bring up such great points – and I definitely agree with your stance on the 2nd amendment. And seriously, thank you for joining the dialogue. I love healthy, respectful conversation, because you’re right – it’s a beautiful thing when we can come together and share our perspectives and life experiences that form our beliefs and opinions. That’s where true healing and understanding can take place. I have definitely learned a lot have been given some powerful food for thought. Thank you so much for your service to our country. You put your life on the line, and risked everything so that we could enjoy the freedom to converse and hold our own beliefs, and that is something I will forever be grateful for! hope you have a great weekend, friend. big big hugs xox

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Hi. Writing this with the advantage of several days passing – which I have found gives a better chance for sanity to be established.

    What hasn’t changed since the time of the massacre is the absolute tragedy of the crime. We’re still mourning as a nation.

    I’m reminded of Fred Rogers’ words when he recalled what his mother said about tragedies – “Look for the helpers. There are always helpers.” And amen, there sure were. The stories coming from those who were there, whose loved ones died or were themselves wounded are heroic.

    I don’t care much about the debate or politics of gun control. It will work itself out. People like to talk about doing what’s worked in other countries. Fine, except this is not other countries, this is America. I have friends who NEED guns (rural with a 2-3 hour delay for police to show up under any circumstances for instance) and I do agree with you that guns are not the problem. Except – they (the media) *suspect* Stephen Paddock may have used slide stock modification to his assault rifle(s) along with high capacity magazines. Certainly the sustained and rapid gunfire we heard in the cell-phone videos was that of an automatic weapon. And on banning the modification to assault rifles, both parties, the NRA, EVERYONE agrees. I think we should have a day-long party to celebrate Americans agreeing on anything.

    I was 13 in 1966 (I think I’m your mother’s generation) when Charles Whitman planted himself atop a tower in Texas and began picking off people on the street. The similarities are chilling. If he had the same mods as Paddock had, the body count would likewise have gone up. But my point is there is NOTHING NEW about shooting spree massacres.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Texas_tower_shooting

    People get tribal about this stuff because they are loathe to do nothing. I believe one of the strongest ways to combat these massacres is see something/say something. Paddock had ten suitcases of killing material in his room. If it ever gets leaked, there will be hotel footage of his trips up the elevator with yet more. It’s not nosy to say something, it’s responsible.

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    1. Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. I love that: look for the helper. Yes, there were! That was the ray of hope in all the tragedy, were the selfless acts of heroism by people in attendance, helping, and driving victims to hospitals. They were the helpers. And their giving spirit was beautiful amidst the horrific nightmare. Gosh, that sounds absolutely horrifying about the University of Texas. I was unfamiliar with the event, but will have to look into it. How incredibly frightening. Thanks again for your thoughtful response. Hugs and love xox

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  36. …re-read your post and remember then – the ‘muslims’ purporting to be Terrorists – are just… mentally ill.

    Not everyone believes in God. We can all believe in kindness… For EVERYONE.

    I send love again. Especially on this post.

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  37. I have a quick peek at your blog from time to time and since you liked one of my posts again today I had another peek. I saw the post where you wrote how much crap you received for this one so I just had to go and see what it was all about.

    I cannot say that I am surprised. That kind of posts always attracts all kind of lowlife that feel they have to demonstrate their ignorance and intolerance.

    Just ignore them and delete their keyboard diarrhea. I loved your post! You are so spot on. If we ever meet, unlikely since I live in France but nevermind that, I’ll give you a hug.

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  38. I had originally ignored this post on purpose because what you were going to say is what I had expected you to say Carolyn. It’s the kind of statements from people who are still blinded in some way by the devil. More in a moment. No I’m not upset with you or the words you had to say. I can understand why certain people were “outraged” by your comments and I can understand why you made them. With that said, it does not make it right for them to attack you like that. By the way, I’ve read your latest post. After what I’m about to say next, watch the angry comments attacking me because like you it comes with the territory as a blogger/YouTuber. As with the event that happened in Las Vegas. It didn’t happen. No one died and even if I’m wrong then the attack was setup in part because of gun control. Yes the American government including Trump is involved.

    The devil and his Antichrist Movement, aka Illuminati is about one thing: a one world government to be run by the Antichrist as prophesied in the bible. Whether people reading this want to believe me or not about this incident being real or not, the devil’s Illuminati use incidents like these to promote an agenda. Gun control is part of the agenda. Carolyn this is why you received a lot of messages about gun control. See what people must understand is you have two types of attacks: false flag & a hoax. A hoax is a “staged attack” with fake blood, fake injuries, fake dead bodies, and even crisis actors to look real to play on people’s emotions. The actors can’t act, can’t cry, usually tell outlandish stories which if you pay close attention, contradict what’s being reported. Also the media always wants to interview the witnesses b4 the cops. There’s propaganda like gun control & usually it’s a distraction: from harsh laws being ‘secretly passed”. A false flag is a real attack, like 9/11, but the reasoning for it is a lie. For example, Bin Laden and the Taliban wasn’t responsible for 9/11, Satan and his Illuminati were. What I mean it was an inside job involving the C.I.A. and other government officials like Bush Jr. & Cheney just to go to war. The result of 9/11 was new airport regulations & the Patriot Act which under the Patriot Act, a person can be held prisoner, possibly tortured, & lose their possessions for being “suspected” not convicted of being a terrorist. That’s a dangerous law which is in effect now. Note: all terrorists groups like I.S.I.S. (Israeli Secret Intelligence Service), drug cartels , the mafia, and even street gangs are all connected to the Illuminati, strange but true. So any war or attack, the devil’s Illuminati is behind the scenes controlling and manipulating both sides and they own the media.

    I said all of that to setup what “didn’t” happen on Sunday in Vegas. There was no attack. They are using this to create harsh laws, push for gun control, increase surveillance, and even using drones on civilians or those they think are a threat which is not good. The gun control is not for terrorists or criminals, but law abiding citizens. People wake up, they are playing on our emotions. Don’t look at the world through your eyes, but ask Jesus Christ to show you the world through his eyes. Before people go crazy think about this: where’s the evidence? He fired several hundred rounds. Why are there no shell casings? Any gun that’s fired the shell casings disperse out of any gun. The only “bullets” I’ve seen are the bullets in the hotel room by the gun near the “fake” dead body. Two problems with that: (1) the gun & bullets are nowhere near the window where he allegedly shot & (2) there are way too few bullets in the room. If he fired several hundred, there should be several hundred casings. Also there people there who said “those are not real gunshots someone’s taken over the PA system”. Where’s the bullet holes? Where’s the dead bodies? Why haven’t there been a complete list of the dead released? What about zero funerals being reported? Also how can a man sneak pass through security & cameras with a couple of hundred pounds of guns and bullets and break through a possible hurricane proof type window with just a hammer? I made a video which explain or least raise questions: https://youtu.be/6OCmXPfzqZU

    Note: YouTube has removed more than a few vids that claim the attack was a hoax. Then you have a fake facebook account: Heather Gooze, check her out which she only started posting September 29, 2017 in….Vegas. Strange huh? Most of the posts are centered around the hoax. People, I’ll say this once and I’ll say it 1,000 times the media tell lies. They are to present a story as true. It may have truth in it, but usually is full of lies. Please stop buying the “lone gunman theory”. They’ve been doing this for how long? John Wilkes booth killing Lincoln, Lee Harvey Oswald killing JFK, or James Earl Ray killing MLK. They didn’t act alone. They had help. Even if you want to believe the incident happened, it’s more than one person involved. I’ve been long winded, but I’m about to close. As for the Anthem protest: to those opposed: does kneeling interrupt or stop the anthem? No! so just ignore it. The more you ignore it, the sooner it stops. To those for the anthem protest: has kneeling worked? No! and it won’t work. My people have to turn our hearts back to the God of Israel, as a nation, and then only then will the discrimination end: protests, voting, none of that will work. I thank all who read this and I’ll leave you with a prayer: “O Holy One of Israel, Son of the Most High God, I pray thee open the eyes of those blinded by Satan. Remove the wool from those who are believing the devil’s lies. I pray thee Lord Jesus expose the Antichrist Movement to the world as a whole especially Christ followers. I thank you for listening. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen”.

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  39. I agree with your overall point. Our first response should be to the PEOPLE who are hurting, not the ISSUES we innately focus on as a part of our paradigm. But we are beings of perspective and only the truth of God can truly free our minds to see the correct one in this life. I do hope there is a moderate response in terms of changing how measures are formed. I am a gun owner and the process I went through was far from thorough to determine my risk in owning a gun.

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  41. Good morning! I am coming to this late, but I would still like to weigh in here. I do agree with you that now is the time for prayer and compassion. It ALWAYS is. However, I am going to respectfully disagree with you about the appropriate time of discussing gun laws, etc. I think this is the time for us to at least examine what we stand for as a society. I am a Catholic, and I take very seriously our call to respect life from the moment of conception to natural death. And so, when tragedies like this happen, I pause. I ask myself, “How does this reflect what I know to be true?”

    People kill people AND guns kill people. We will never stop killing each other, with or without guns. But laws are supposed to reflect our values. So, if we value life, then we need our laws to reflect that, even as we falter tragically to live up to that law. Think of law as a codification of values for society.

    It is one thing to own a gun for the sport of hunting, or of necessity to feed your family. It is an entirely different thing to own a cache of guns and gun paraphernalia that clearly shows an intent to take a human life. Automatic weapons and paraphernalia to make a semi-automatic into an automatic fall under the category of intent to kill, imo.

    I don’t know that Paddock was mentally ill. He may have simply been overcome by evil. Evil exists in this world. We see it everyday. Just as we see beauty everyday.

    It is our job as Christians to clear away the rubble of evil and expose the beauty. Codifying into law the things that horrify us (murder, stealing, etc) is a way for us to say, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

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    1. Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. You bring up so many great points here that I am going to be mulling over all day. I agree – those things definitely have that intent, and that is not okay. I love this response. Thank you friend for joining the conversation. Hugs and love xox

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  42. You’re welcome! And thank you for your post! One of the things that I love/hate about ideas I disagree with is that they force me to clarify my own thinking. Sometimes I find I agree with the general public and sometimes I do not. There is no one right response to many things.

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  44. Now, first of all, CareBear, if I may (taking from the name your mother uses), you try so hard to make a difference. That’s good. We all end up in tears. That’s how it’s meant to be, I suppose. Stretch us to our max. We’d be so put out if we just didn’t get that last inch our last long jump, and that was that. We die with that memory. I love to shoot guns. I mean, who doesn’t? Them glass bottles or aluminum cans have no chance when I’m at my best. But still, it’s just a war of words. I’m actually starting to feel pity, and I never though I would for someone so ruthless as you. But I’m just gonna say it like this. When I was borne, my father put his hands under me and blessed me to be Mormon. Now, it really probably was so that I WOULDN’T be, see, we never like being told what to do. But I was not crossing the street one time in New York City when my companion jerked, and quickly pulsed that we HAD TO CROSS THE STREET. Why? I said. WHY?? I don’t FEEL like crossing the streets. The answer: Worse that rabid werewolf Amazonian cannibal hunters–there were Jay Dubs ahead. I said, WHAT? I still didn’t know what a pub was. How was I supposed to know what a Jay Dub was! There was restaurants called Big Juds. Was it like…but then I saw people in dark clothes…(and…maybe they had knives…??) I crossed the street with my worried associate. Nope. They was a Jay Dubs. A DIFFERENT religion than the one I was wearing on my chest but not on my heart. Just clothes. Names. Religions. But, like I said before, difference of ideology, then war. One of your readers asked, Then what? I don’t think he even knows what war is. Now, with Las Vegas he’s looking at it. Don’t know as that he’s smart enough to tell what he’s looking.

    So, Good Job, CareBear. You made a lot of people mad. I read your next post before I read this one. Good for you. Now you’re living. Time to pull out some old bottles and start shooting them. We don’t want to put new wine in old bottles, you know?

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  47. Love, Love, Love!! Hey quick question, I see that tags you use when you post, what category do you put them under? (Sorry for the off topic question) 🙂

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  48. You are absolutely right… evil people will always find a weapon and of course there are bad cops that everyone wants to point to but there are also bad doctors, lawyers, school teachers, there are bad people in all profession because there are PEOPLE in all professions. They need to worry more about their souls than disarming everyone else. It is has reached this level because people have turned away from God and hate has taken them over just as Jesus said, “because iniquity (sin and lawlessness ) abounds,the love of many shall wax (grow) cold” and we see his words being fulfilled every day. Never back down on your beliefs.

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