When is it time to finally act?
We’ve reached a tipping point in America.
Our children are not receiving the necessary moral lessons and values they need to grow up in a loving and caring society.
We are no longer living in a caring country. How can we say we are when all kids see are movies and TV shows littered with sex and violence. We’ve abandoned teachers, cops and clergy.
You’re given points for killing in video games — and yet politicians are quick to condemn yet another school shooting.
My heart went out yesterday to all the worried parents I saw on TV rushing to Santa Fe High School in Texas, praying their child wasn’t among the dead or wounded.
It has got to be one of the most horrible images anyone can see. But after I heard one of the young female students being interviewed say she wasn’t surprised by the brutal violence, I paused.
She’s right.
Those jumping in front of the camera to use some lame excuse as to what is happening to our families, homes and communities must take a harder look.
No adult could see this odd behavior from the alleged shooter and report it to authorities? Maybe someone could have helped this troubled boy who wore a trench coat.
I know we will hear all kinds of media interviews about stronger gun control laws, while other powerful voices will claim that stronger gun laws have nothing to do with what happened yesterday.
But it’s time to stop the talking and act.
I remember when I was mayor, one day just after a near-fatal teen gang shooting in Boston. A black minister friend and Boston Police Department chaplain and I drove to the house of the boy who did the shooting to talk to his parents. No father was in the house, but the mother was a caring and concerned lady who needed our city’s help. And that’s what we did. We offered assistance.
We all got help from neighbors growing up. But this was not what happened in Texas. But it might be a possible solution to a more safe and caring America.
Young children need moral guidance more than they need political advice.
I hope yesterday was a wake-up call. America can’t continue down this destructive path.
We need fewer Hollywood stars, self-serving politicians and rap artists and more youth athletic coaches and church and community volunteers.
Let’s keep kids away from gangs, drugs and destructive behavior. That’s how I grew up.