Culture of violence to blame for shootings

The Daily Herald's call for a commission to find ways to improve the safety of our children in school may miss the key issues. We do not have a culture of gun violence so much as we have a culture of violence. Schools, public entertainment venues, and churches have one thing in common. They are poorly protected collections of soft targets to someone intent on violence.

In this country, the weapons of mass killers have included guns, bombs, car bombs, cars as assault weapons and aircraft. There are other choices available. If a deranged, vengeful or terrorist killer wants to kill, it is very difficult to stop access to the weapons. It is feasible to significantly harden the target, as may be shown by most federal office buildings and court houses.

The only workable longterm solution is to change the culture. We glamorize violence and afford its perpetrators great fame.

We preach that whatever feels good is right and those who oppose us deserve no consideration. We do everything we can to avoid inflicting failure on tender sensibilities, thus guaranteeing our next generation cannot deal with disagreement, disappointment and rejection.

These normal parts of life become triggers to initiate irrational behavior. Restoring tolerance, morality, and a sense of community will be the work of generations but, until we start that effort, all the discussions and actions will be as band aides on a gaping wound.

Mark Bailey

Round Lake Beach