Politicians are fanning the flames of hate
We can not legislate human behavior. The failed experiment of Prohibition clearly proves that. As a society, we have embraced a culture of gun violence. From pistols to assault weapons, the common thread is guns, but, we are too lazy or too stupid to collect or control them. So the killing of innocent school children and others goes on … and on … and on.
I do not know how to change this culture except for not owning a firearm myself, and leaving the possession of rifles and shotguns to ranchers for protection against predators, and other weapons for police to keep the peace, and for active duty military who stand on our walls while we sleep.
But I do know that politicians and others who advocate WAR instead of PEACE are only fanning the flames of hate and killing. Statements like, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”
Don Bryan, Boulder
Where is the outrage for everyone else?
The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a terrible and disturbing event. His social and political positions are no justification for that violent act. The public outcry suggests that this was a heinous attack on free speech, democracy and the American way of life. It was. But rhetoric from his many followers suggests that this was somehow more egregious than the violence we see almost daily around our country.
So far this year, 19 people have died in school shootings (CNN). From 2000 through 2024, 462 people died in a total of 574 school shootings. Sixteen of these were classified as mass shootings with 4 or more victims (Wikipedia). Most were children. These killings are an assault on our children and our entire educational system. An educated public is critical for our democracy to function. In June, Minnesota Representative Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered. This was an attack on one of the core foundations of our democracy, our right to representative government of our choosing. In 2019, 23 people died at a Walmart store in Texas. Our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, proposes that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights granted by our Creator. Was that attack not a direct assault on this founding principle of our country? You could fill this page with the names of innocent victims of gun violence. Their deaths are all an assault on America.
Charlie Kirk’s views on gun rights are well known. His death is tragic and inexcusable. So are all the others. I do not wish in any way to demean the pain and grief that his family and friends feel, but where is the outrage for all the other innocent victims — all collateral damage in defense of the Second Amendment?
Steven Guinard, Niwot
I fear that unity is futile under Trump
Recently, we heard Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s meaningful, heartfelt speech mourning the loss of Charlie Kirk. Any loss of life enabled by the proliferation of firearms is even more tragic. I appreciate and welcome Gov. Cox’s emphasis on forgiveness, empathy and bipartisan effort toward mutual understanding and non-violence.
But when the president of the United States proclaims “we just have to beat the hell” out of “radical left lunatics,” is it any wonder why political violence metastasizes? Can Republicans see that this evil Trump mantra is having a detrimental effect on young minds? The president of the U.S. incited an attack on our Capitol, which resulted in death, injury and destruction, and then pardoned the rioters. What effect has that had on which path young minds choose?
Governor Cox is so right: “It doesn’t have to be like this.” Republicans must finally stand up against the raging insanity of Trump, Miller, et al. I fear any hope for the unity we desire is futile until Republicans can show the courage to disagree with Donald Trump.
Karen Staley, Longmont