Virginia attack demonstrates misguided divide

Everyone involved in politics — including the media — needs to take some of the responsibility for the attack Wednesday on lawmakers in Washington, DC.

It does not matter that Republican lawmakers were the target of this latest madman. It could have just as easily been Democratic lawmakers who were targeted.

The political rancor and discourse perforating across this land of ours has reached not only disgusting lows, but now dangerous lows. How could the disagreements among us politically lead any person — sane or not — to try to kill multiple people, including lawmakers.

Some (Associated Press) are blaming President Donald Trump for much of the discourse in our land, but really, it existed far before Trump arrived and the rancor and downright hate spewed by some, has been aimed at the president, not coming from him. That is not to let the President off the hook. He must take responsibility for many of his actions and words and and it is he who must work to soften the rhetoric and lower the emotions across this land.

Now, that cannot be done unless people stop worrying about Nov. 8, 2016. The presidential election is over and nothing is going to change the outcome. No matter all this talk about Russian interference in the election, the outcome will not be changed. And, for the record, there has not been one piece of proof there was any collusion between the Trump supporters and the Russians and many have said the Russians tried to hack into the Republican computers as well, but were not successful.

This “not my president” and calls for resistance — most by prominent Democrats — are as much to blame for Wednesday’s shooting as the man who pulled the trigger. Where would this nation be if we “resisted” every president who came into office, even those who won by a wide margin? Where would we be if every president was given no chance to succeed, or even have his views or the views of his supports heard? How long can we hold together if lawmakers say they won’t follow federal laws because of Trump, as many California lawmakers are doing? Not very well off. We are not sure this country can heal and get back to paying respect to those who are elected to make decisions. Every man and woman in political office must be able to serve without fear and without intimidation. No man and woman who serves in office should be so disrespected as we have seen displayed all across this nation today. No man or woman in office should not have to dodge bullets fired by a person who cannot see both sides of an issue.

We are a melting pot, not just of ethnicities, but of ideas and thoughts. Everyone should have a right to be heard.

This madness must stop and we call on everyone to look inside themselves and ask: Are we being decent human beings?

Editorials in The Porterville Recorder are the opinion of the editorial board which consists of Publisher Rick Elkins and the managing editor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily of The Recorder.