Under these circumstances I can't help but think of all the plans and dreams that have been destroyed in Connecticut over the weekend. I also can't help but think this is not the way things should be.
I am not used to guns and find the desire to own them mystifying. I come from a country where the police are not routinely armed and where the owning of guns is the exception rather than the rule. With a few exceptions I do not see my old home descending into anarchy. It strikes me as odd that I now see police officers at football games, pacing the boundary of cricket matches and directing traffic, with a gun on their hip. I cannot see the link between guns and safety.
I hope that somewhere the political leaders in the USA find the strength to really do something about the types of gun that people can own and the ease with which they can be obtained.
If nothing else it may help some families see their dreams and plans come to life.
With all else that is happening we need to remember that there is also beauty in the world.
"We do not get to choose the times we live in - we only get to choose how we use the time we are given"
You can find more images from around the world at Our World Tuesday.
Cool reflections! I wish our country was more like yours. I do not feel the need to own a gun. It actually scares me to even think of one in the house. Have a great week ahead, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT reflection!!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to know what to say. I find it very disturbing when I see police with guns even though I know they have been well trained in the usage of such weapons. I have never understood the gun laws in the USA which have not been tightened up despite other mass killings. Let us hope that Obama with the backing of the people can achieve some kind of restriction on the sale of these instruments of death.
ReplyDeleteI, too, wish our country was more like yours -- it was at one time, but that was many years ago. One can only ask -- when/where does it stop??? Wonderful post for the day, Stewart! May your and your family have a wonderful week and a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this timely post, Stewart. The gun laws are madness in this country; they reflect the fantasy that one day you may have to defend yourself, your freedom, against a government army. So of course you'll need assault weapons...
ReplyDeleteGood post Stewart. Hope is all we have, little else.
ReplyDeleteI live in a state (Texas) where gun ownership is normal. I support the right to bear arms but cannot understand why anyone needs to own semi-automatic weapons. They should be banned.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazingly detailed reflection. Good find!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that a weapons ban is a good choice for our nation. I think they will still get into the hands of those determined have them. There is a much bigger problem that needs to be addressed.
A very honest and heart felt reflection.
ReplyDeleteThats a beautiful dome Stewart ... set against that perfect blue sky its even better.
ReplyDeleteThe danger is when a society buys into the gun mythology of history,as the US has.Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate your pictorial and personal reflections. About the current tragedy: it is mind boggling to think of guns that can rain down hundreds of bullets in as many seconds. Military style weapons available to the general public seems irrational, especially since some owners are not diagnosed but unstable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for expressing your thoughts - and I agree!
ReplyDeleteMany of us in the US agree with your conclusions. I just hope our leaders can figure out what to do sooner rather than later. I wish we were more like England.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe anybody in this country needs to have the kind of guns that the mother had.
Of course the lack of funding and accessibility to mental health care is another issue playing into this tragedy.
I too was unable to post anything other than a kind of memoriam post.
I won't have any birds tomorrow either, but I wouldn't have those even if it had been a good week. Because we haven't been anywhere at all...so busy getting organized and cleaning I've barely even snapped a picture for the past two weeks.
But I'll be back.
Great reflection shot Stewart! I am really hoping Obama will be the one who can make that change. Enjoy your festive season!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent shot ~ able to see the beauty in the world despite the tragedies ~
ReplyDelete(A Creative Harbor) ~ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^
A great reflection, both in text and picture. Please have a good Tuesday.
ReplyDeletedaily athens photo
Great post Stewart; very well said! I very much hope some stop can be put to the madness. Beautiful reflection.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the gun culture either. In fact, I'd say that guns just make society more unsafe and violent!
I think that the majority of Americans agree with you. Even members of the NRA(National Rifle Association, one of the big culprits in our gun culture) would prefer more sensible gun regulation. The problem is that our government is being held hostage by a handful of radicals who won't allow good legislation to get through congress. I too pray that Obama will be able to get something passed that would at least point us in the right direction. The banning of assault weapons and the requirement of background checks would be a start, but one of the biggest issues is we have no mental health support systems anymore. It is shameful in a country as rich as ours that we can't take care of our own. We also are failing in other area's that nurture anger and violance ... our jobs legislation is also hung up in congress. People out of work, losing their homes,families failing because they can't function without financial help ... all of these things and many other issues contribute to the environment that caused Connecticut(and too many other mass murders) to happen. This is a truly simplistic version and only begins to scratch the surface of what is happening in America. It is devastating and stressful to stand by and watch, but even the best among us can't seem to find the solutions. I Pray that we are able to find our way out of this abyss ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ FRom The Sol
Your capture is beautiful, just my type of image.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts mirror mine, and those of many, many people here. Thank your for caring. I think if I lost my little baby in such horrific way my life would be over.
As an italian, I never understood the fascination with weapons and violence.
One day people here, hopefully soon, will realize the difference between liberty an license.
I, too, am mystified by the idea that anyone would want to own a gun. There are lessons for all of us to learn from this devastating massacre, no matter where we live. And, as you say recognizing that there is still beauty around us is a healing strategy that is very important. Loved your reflections!
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