If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
Why do we want to keep politics out of the District Attorney's Office? If politics creeps into cases, the prosecution of the cases will inevitably be harmed. District Attorneys must follow the evidence and follow the law vigorously yet fairly.
Although rarely included in the public discourse regarding health reform, stories like James Holmes' reflect the ways in which our faltering health care system is even more problematic when it comes to mental health.
Last night, no question about guns was asked during the debate and a huge opportunity was missed to move forward this vitally important national conversation. But we, and the families, know that the conversation has only just begun.
Stricter gun laws simply aren't the answer, which is why increased gun regulations nationally and at the state level aren't likely to be seen in light of recent tragedies.
The right to bear arms should be preserved, but in the context of stricter gun laws that enable law enforcement to control and track weapons, and to provide adequate disincentive for the abuse of firearms.
As the American people continue to be sickened by the now-regular public ritual of mass shootings there is simply no excuse for the leaders of either major political party to pretend there is some insurmountable partisan or ideological divide that prevents us from coming together to find solutions.
In America, we value our safety and security, but I know I don't feel safe with these weapons being bought so easily and I'm sure I am not the only one who feels this way.
Sure, when tragedies of all kinds occur we all privately wonder about the race of both the assailant and the victims. My question though, is: why feed that beast? We need to remind ourselves that race does not matter, nor should it.
The fact is that the NYPD's frank admission makes the case for gun control even stronger. What happened in New York City is an example of the mayhem that ensues when guns are used in any situation.
The real freedom we need is the freedom to be able to walk around without the fear of our fellow citizens shooting us by design or accident.
As a proud graduate of the University of Colorado-Boulder, I am appalled by the state law that allows students to keep and carry weapons in some campus housing.
It is not that God is gone from the public arena; the problem is the God that is in the public arena. In short, the problem is how we talk about and construct God.
Why do people hate? When does hurt turn to rage and then to violence? How can we stop intolerance and encourage love? And, finally, how can we stop the perpetrators before they act out?
Purely psychological answers are not enough to promote long-term recovery in communities after hate crimes. The media needs to talk about the role of education, advocacy and activism as ways that communities can heal after traumatic events that involve hate.
In the case of guns, the vocal minority is holding the rest of us hostage. They've scared us into submission. We need to open up the floor and hear from everyone, not just the powerful lobbying groups whose job it is to keep the guns firing. We need you.
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