I apologize to anyone who turned to this column today to get away from the awful news on the front page.
Normally, that’s what I’m supposed to do here: Give folks a break from the serious stuff. I’m basically the paper’s equivalent of a court jester.
But I don’t feel much like being a court jester today. And I’m pretty sure you don’t feel like reading court jester material. As I type this, horrific news reports from the scene of Friday’s school shooting are playing on the TV near my desk. Even if I wanted to play the court jester today I don’t think I would be able to do so. I don’t feel like being funny right now.
What’s funny about a supposed advanced civilization unable to protect its children?
In the past, I’ve been one of those folks who has said in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, such as the one that occurred on Friday, that it is the wrong time to talk about gun control. But lately I’ve begun to rethink that position. It seems to me that if we can’t talk about gun control after a tragedy like Friday’s school shooting, then when can we?
Look, I’m not smart enough to know how much gun control is enough. I also understand that many folks will say that the problem is not that we don’t have sufficient gun laws in this country, it’s that we don’t enforce the laws we have.
That may be true, I don’t know. But if there are existing gun laws that could have prevented Friday’s shooting, but weren’t enforced, then let’s talk about those laws and figure out how to enforce them. If there are other laws that aren’t in place that would have prevented the shooting, let’s talk about those.
I understand that most gun owners in this country are responsible, law-abiding people who take their right to own weapons seriously. So let’s talk about those people and how we can protect their rights while still protecting our children.
The point is, if we can’t talk about gun control after what happened on Friday, then I’m not sure we ever will. And, when I say “talk” about gun control I mean just that. Simple saying, “No to all guns” or “No to all gun control” is not talking.
Talking about gun control means admitting that it might be OK for folks to have access to certain weapons while at the same time admitting that it might be OK to deny other folks access to certain weapons.
As I write this, it’s unclear what types of guns or how many were involved in Friday’s shooting. It’s also unclear if the suspect in the shooting acted alone or if he had help. It’s unclear what prompted the shooting. Those questions obviously need to be addressed.
It’s reasonable, also, to examine the way we treat mental illness in this country. Was there a failure in the system that allowed the suspect in yesterday’s shooting to go undetected. Was there treatment available for the suspect that could have prevented him from carrying out yesterday’s shooting?
If so, we need to talk about that.
Look, for the past several weeks our politicians and the big-time media folks have been yammering pretty much nonstop about the so called “fiscal cliff.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we could take all of the energy that has been put into trying to solve it and use that energy to do something important. To do something that we all agree we need to do.
Protect our children.
Local News
Mike Pound: It’s time to talk about gun laws
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VIDEO: Restore Joplin designer stepping up to help Moore tornado victims
The designer of the Restore Joplin T-shirts who helped raise nearly a quarter-million dollars for Joplin in the wake of the 2011 tornado has put together a similar design to raise money for residents of Moore, Okla.
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Carl Junction officials weigh cost of proposed skate park
The public facilities and planning committee of Carl Junction met Tuesday to discuss plans for a proposed skate park near the site of the old public works barn on Water Street. The committee reviewed a design from American Ramp Co. of Joplin to get what committee chairman Tim Smith said was a “rough idea of layout and cost” for the project.
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Mike Pound: Bernie’s in Avilla a classic tavern
I have a fondness for taverns. When I think of a tavern, I think of a small place with a simple bar, a pool table or two, a jukebox and a kitchen.
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Jasper County approves renovation, building plans
Work is expected to start within two weeks on a project to renovate a county owned building near the courthouse for the Jasper County sheriff’s office.
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Federal, state leaders salute Joplin’s recovery
A deadly May twister may have punched a hole in Joplin and Duquesne two years ago, but the resolve to repair it will help other communities stand strong when they face similar disasters. That was the message of state and national diginitaries to a crowd of about 2,500 who observed the second anniversary of Joplin’s devastating May 22, 2011, storm during a ceremony Wednesday in Cunningham Park.
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Banner from Joplin to be sent to Moore residents
A giant vinyl banner adorned with heartfelt messages from Joplin tornado survivors to the residents of Moore, Okla., became a centerpiece of Wednesday’s observance of the two-year anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
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Hired hand won’t face death penalty in Vernon County murder case
The state has agreed not to seek the death penalty against Jeremy L. Maples in the murder of Belinda J. Beisly, but prosecutors have yet to take the option off the table for the victim’s husband, Bob T. Beisly II.
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Families in Moore, Joplin linked by disasters
Zach Woodcock knew the storms were going to be bad on May 22, 2011, so turning on the Weather Channel was a natural. What he saw filled him with fear. The Moore resident’s family lived in Joplin, Mo.
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Community gearing up for two-year anniversary ceremony this afternoon
With the playground full of children, it could be any other day at Joplin’s Cunningham Park, but the white tents popping up and neat rows of white chairs lined up nearby indicate something more is happening today.
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SMB sets up fund for Moore, Okla., storm victims
Southwest Missouri Bank has set up an account so area residents can donate to storm victims in Moore, Okla., which was hit by an EF-5 tornado on May 20.
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VIDEO: Restore Joplin designer stepping up to help Moore tornado victims
