I don’t know why our identities cry in this boxing ring of life.

My heart aches again.

Struggled mightily with the decision.

As to whether this blog-o-thoughts qualifies as a horror story or a bonafide nightmare.

While contemplating my “choices” I hedged, wavered, looked away, thought it couldn’t be so. All those things one thinks when they have completely lost vital components in their life.

Trust. Meaning. Belonging.

So, in the spirit of nourishing one’s soul. I simply “hit” the sad button. That way, there is a little room for movement, I suppose. I hope. At this point I am down trodden.

The real prompt I followed today was a trial of someone’s life. Unfortunately does not even come close to serving the unspeakable moments of horror many involved in the nightmare experienced and even participated in. Some or should I say a majority of the participants participating did so knowingly and some without their consent, their personal permission.

The fifteen minutes of “fame” metaphor does not even come close. I hope.

When we collectively look the other way, that is the horror. That is certainty. Pointing fingers everywhere but ourselves.

Thoughts and prayers are even criticized in moments of a nightmare. So. Why not stop the argument and agree we have all sunken to a new low, a new rock bottom. Whatever or however we adults choose to define it. And remember.

The kids are watching.

The kids are reacting. And a select few sit aside other adults while fighting for their own life. After taking the life or lives of another. The livelihoods. The futures.

Real focus on the optics kinda stuff. Except beneath the surface there is nothing good or usual about projecting, accepting or inducing horror upon another. Or re-defining it- re-jabbing, re-habbing it into a means to an end.

Call of Duty. Of the utmost order.

I really don’t care how you choose to conduct your life—your affairs. That is your business. Not mine. I wish you well and happiness in your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness on this earth.

But. Before we point the weapon, pull the trigger and shoot at another, whether verbally or physically or nowadays picture-ly. We need to really stop and think about what we are doing and allowing to happen in our immediate orbit.

According to the Statista Research Department , September 27, 2022, since 1982 an astonishing 128 mass shootings have been carried out in the United States by male shooters. In contrast, only three (3) mass shootings, (defined by a source as a single attack in public place in which four or more victims were killed) have been carried out by women.

Gun ownership in the U.S. and possession of firearms in the United States is protected by the Second (2nd) Amendment of the Constitution and has been a defining aspect of American civil liberties since the writing of the Bill of Rights. it is estimated that the United States has the highest rate of civilian-owned firearms in the world, and Americans continually poll against handgun restrictions.

However, with high gun ownership comes great responsibility. Those of us who have clocked through a few hours of the imaginary Spider-Man accounts can attest to Spidey’s proclamation “With great power comes, great responsibility” as Spider-Man crime fights his way through the desperation and destruction life throws to him, his family, his day to day activities.

Such a hero, that Spidey……..Oops my apologies, I am here with you again in reality. Our reality. The reality that is really real and is hurting many. Far too many.

When will we wake up? From the horror. The nightmare. This bad dream of pointing the other way and shooting off. A gun, our mouths, an image, likeness whatever.

The United States consistently faces numerous mass shootings each year, particularly in schools.

My gosh. What happened to the good ole’ ACT, SAT, basics skills tests? Have we completely lost our souls and taken competition to a horrific level? If not us, then who? Who and how did this existence become created? Who built this boxing ring of life we now call Identity polling and stoking?

Unless something changes this is the reality. It is no dream. It is a nightmare. We are all responsible for the and as young lives sit waiting for their verdict. For someone, anyone to

Take a stand. Get a clue. Something? Anything?

Per Statista, the five deadliest mass shootings have all occurred since 2007 with the deadliest being the Las Vegas Strip Massacre in 2017, which claimed the lives of 58 people and injured 546 more.

Let that just sit with you and your thoughts for a moment.

Today, a young shooter in Parkland was sentenced to life in prison for taking the lives of fellow classmates and staff. In a shooting rampage of “heinous, atrocious and cruel” intentions. Decisions of and for this person’s life must be based on and between aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

My hope, although the cynic in me has serious doubts, that there were no Hollywood agents allowed in the court room. (Disclaimer I am old enough to remember OJ Simpson and the chase). As the verdict was rendered. You know, intellectual, copy, property rights to a potential blockbuster and all.

The Seven Aggravating factors the jury of peers had to consider were:

1. The defendant previously convicted of a Capital felony.
2. The defendant knowingly created great risk of death to many people.
3. The murder is heinous, atrocious or cruel.
4. The act was is cold, calculated, premeditated.
5. Done to hinder or disrupt a governmental function (schooling)
6. The victims were appointed public officials in performance of their duties (victims included staff)
7. Murders were considered in the course of a burglary (entering school without permission). (Like I said, can we please just go back to the standardized testing?……)

Manifestation. To show something clearly through signs or actions. Violence. Supposed violent crime has many factors: Assault, Robbery, Murder, Manslaughter. And other variations.

Mitigating circumstances include that which have to do with the defendants’s background, childhood, schooling, mental health, therapy, or care.

When “weighing” the options, the jury of peers were bound by law and their duties as jurors to decide whether aggravating factors far outweigh the mitigating circumstances prior to reversing a verdict. Which also included the possibility of a death sentence for this defendant.

Is is best to run to or run away from a train wreck? A situation involving a hide and seek game with justice and/or peace?

In another sad, horror, call it what you may, a young male was put on trial for running to, into a riot from the border of another state into the heartland of America’s milk producing land. This person was also another young male and was hailed a hero in America’s milk heartland for running to a riot, fatally shooting two people, injuring one. This young male was acquitted of all charges and set free.

This young man claimed he acted in self defense. The jurors apparently believed in their verdict and in this young man’s story. Per NPR account: “In two weeks of testimony and evidence—led by a daylong turn on the stand by defendant himself—defense attorneys were able to convince the jury of 12 that the night of August 2020, was filled with deadly peril for the then-17 year old.”

O.k.

The elephant in the room must be addressed.

Why are a majority of the mass shooters male? How has society so failed these individuals that they seek such extreme justice? As citizens of this land we must be ready, willing and able to fight the doubt tooth and nail. Why don’t we do just that. Why do we allow our young, majority males to take the fight upon themselves?

Great question. One of many, many, many that need to be asked.

I look at it as Our Call of Duty. The adult version of Call of Duty. To stop hedging our children’s lives as our means to an end. How in the world did we get to this horror-filled, nightmare.

I wish I knew the answers.