Another Bloody Tragedy

Another one? Already? Another one is happening? Already? How can this be so?

But alas, it's happening. Again. This time, it's at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon.

Just outside Portland, Troutdale has typically been known as a quiet and peaceful suburb. But today, that's no longer the case. Today, Troutdale became the latest in a string of armed battles on what was supposed to be civilian territory. Today, Troutdale became another notorious gun violence statistic.



It probably won't be long before we see the usual tweets of condolence from the usual politicians. It probably won't be long before the usual suspects in the "mainstream media" start bloviating on whether the shooter "had enough dates" and/or video games. And it probably won't be long before the NRA tries to "redefine" this latest "unfortunate accident".

In Troutdale, the shooter killed a student before killing oneself. And when the first flurry of media reports surfaced, parents throughout Greater Portland were scrambling to figure out whether it was their kids' school. For some unfortunate parents, it was.

Less than 48 hours ago, Metro Police Officers Alyn Beck & Igor Soldo were murdered. Shortly after they shot these officers dead at CiCi's Pizza in the Northeast Las Vegas Valley, Jerad & Amanda Miller moved to the nearby Walmart, where they shot Joseph Robert Wilcox dead before killing themselves.

Jerad Miller had felony convictions on his record. He had also made it clear for some time that he wanted "the start of the revolution". Yet somehow, he was able to obtain firearms anyway. All he had to do was rant on Facebook.

Governor Brian Sandoval (R-NRA), Senator Dean Heller (R-NRA), Rep. Joe Heck, and other G-O-TEA politicians have boasted about being "what stood in the way" of better gun safety laws. Just as the NRA has allowed the likes of Open Carry Texas to call the shots at its headquarters, far too many politicians have allowed the NRA to call the shots on Capitol Hill and in state capitols across the nation (including ours).

It's only a matter of time before someone else who obtained military grade weapons under suspicious circumstances opens fire in another public place and leaves a bloody trail behind. It's only a matter of time before the next tragedy occurs.

How many more of these must occur? What else must happen before our elected "leaders" stop being cowards and start taking action? When will we finally reach the day when we wake up without experiencing yet another bloody tragedy?

Yes, All Women...

Throughout 2012 and into 2013, House Republicans led the fight against a comprehensive Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). They continually made excuses as to why they refused to take up the VAWA that passed the Senate in a big bipartisan vote in 2012. But finally in February 2013, House Republican "leaders" relented and VAWA became law (again).

However, that final vote wasn't without controversy. Earlier that month, Heritage Action (yes, that Heritage) announced it would lobby against VAWA renewal. And not only that, but it would negatively score House members who voted for VAWA. That's why most House Republicans ultimately voted against VAWA renewal last year.

What was truly disturbing about Heritage Action's campaign against VAWA was that it was couched in the language of the "Men's Rights Movement". The "Men's Rights Movement" has resorted to false claims and extreme rhetoric to decry laws aimed at protecting vulnerable women from abuse, rape, stalking, and "deadbeat dads".



Elliot Rodger had grown attached to the "Men's Rights Movement". He even posted on "men's rights" online message boards about the "revolution" he wanted to start. Last Friday, he acted on his wishes when he killed 6 other people and himself in Isla Vista.

We've said it before, and we must say it again. Words have consequences. Words have meaning. Rape culture, slut shaming, "man-o-sphere", and other forms of misogyny threaten more than just "blurred lines".



Another shooting occurred in Stockton last Saturday when 3 women turned down 3 men asking them for sex. One of them allegedly opened fire, and the women took shelter at a nearby restaurant to call police.

Meanwhile, a prominent "pick up artist" site predicted more Isla Vista massacres and Stockton incidents if women don't have sex with men like Elliot Rodger. This and other misogynistic responses to these recent violent acts of misogyny have prompted feminist activists to respond with #YesAllWomen. It's easy for so many of us to dismiss what we see as "boys being boys"... Until we see real girls hurt.

Yes, all women deserve respect. Yes, all women should have a chance to live lives free of violence. Yes, all women are still at risk when we fail to acknowledge the consequences of trying to shame and/or force them into submission. And yes, we need to take these risks and acts of misogyny seriously, especially in light of recent events.

Into the Wrong Hands

It happened again. This time, it was Isla Vista, California, which is home to UC Santa Barbara. Seven people are now dead, including the suspected shooter, Elliot Rodger.



Once again, we saw the brutal reality of gun violence. Even though Elliot Rodger had obtained his semiautomatic pistols legally, friends & family had seen evidence showing that Rodger was preparing to commit a very heinous crime. Even local police ran into the warning signs (but seemed to miss them).

Make no mistake. These weapons are designed to kill. And when these weapons fall into the wrong hands, tragedy ensues.

Earlier this month, the NRA made a splash over its own "rebranding" campaign, complete with a brand new online TV network. Try as it might, but the NRA can't "rebrand" reality away. Over the weekend, Richard Martinez made that point very clear. He should know, as his son was one of the victims of the Isla Vista massacre.



Once again, we've seen the recipe for disaster executed. Someone didn't receive the treatment and care he needed. Instead, he was able to access deadly firearms. And we're once more witnessing the results of allowing lethal weapons to fall into the wrong hands.

Already, "TEA" fueled media pundits are trying to deflect blame onto someone else. "It's the feminazis' fault! It's the homosexuals' fault! It's a false flag government conspiracy!"

But of course, these "TEA" powered media personalities will never blame those who boast about being "what stood in the way" between this nation and better gun safety laws. Because of course, free-dumb isn't free. And it's best for us not to worry our little heads over dangerous weapons falling into the wrong hands.

So Much Bloodshed in Just One Day

What a day this has been. This morning, we awoke to the horrific news of yet another Las Vegas Strip shooting. This time, it occurred just outside Drai's Nightclub at Bally's. One victim was shot dead, and two more were wounded.



Unfortunately, that wasn't all. This morning, Las Vegas Metro Police were also investigating a shooting at an apartment complex in East Las Vegas. Two people died in that shooting.

And then, there was today's horrific Sparks Middle School Shooting. The assailant shot a teacher dead, wounded two students, and then shot himself dead.



And now, we know Michael Landsberry was the 8th grade math teacher who was shot dead today in Sparks. He was a Marine Corps veteran who also coached the school's soccer team. He attempted to take the gun from the shooter this morning... Yet while he failed to do that, he posthumously succeeded in preventing an even greater tragedy.

Sadly, this is becoming increasingly common throughout America. Mass shootings regularly pop up in news reports. And they keep claiming more innocent lives. And that's in addition to the other incidents of gun violence that don't attract as much media attention.

This is the sad reality we're living in. We've seen so much bloodshed in just one day. There's something wrong with this. What will we do about it?

(Still) Something Evil in Our Society

Last month, she had to say it. Really, someone had to. Dr. Janis Orlowski had witnessed the carnage of the Navy Yard Shooting, and she couldn't stay silent on what was obvious to her.



And here we are again. Yes, there's been another one. And this time, it's very close to home.

This morning, a student opened fire at Sparks Middle School. He shot dead a teacher who spotted him with the gun, then shot two other victims. He later shot himself dead.



Of course, everyone is sending thoughts and prayers to the community. And of course, that's always much appreciated.

But you know what will also be much appreciated? Action. And by action, I mean action on gun violence.

How many more of these must we endure? How many more people must die? How many more families must mourn?

Fortunately for everyone else at Sparks Middle School, a teacher was willing to lay down his own life to save other lives. But really, should it be acceptable that teachers now have to think of the dangers associated with their career? When did it become acceptable for our schools to resemble battlefields?

Today, we mourn another tragedy. But once again, we must remind ourselves and others that it doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to ignore that "something evil in our society".