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I Will Not Be Silenced

I will not be silenced, we have no right to kill the innocents The Seventh Commandment says, “You shall not murder!” I am saying we have no right to these instruments of murder, for assault-style weapons are manufactured solely for killing. When we go deer hunting, do we take an assault weapon? I think not! We take the appropriate gun made for hunting. Why do we take pride in owning a weapon used in mayhem? Do we get a perverse pleasure out of its power, possibly? Is it, perhaps, a manly thing? I doubt many women own one. Today, somewhere in the U.S.A., a child will shoot a friend, probably unintentionally, but the friend will be lost forever, and, the child will be devastated by what he/she has done. [According to Vox, Australia confiscated 650,000 guns. As a result, murder and suicide rates “plummeted.”] From what I can tell, the rest of the world is stunned by our indifference to gun control. They simply do not understand. I, too, am flabbergasted that we are unwilling to stand up, for our children’s sake, while school shootings proliferate. It grieves me that I gave most of my life to the ministry, and most lobbying for these guns call themselves Christians! I believe Jesus is weeping today.
written May 26, 2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 6/2/2022 4:21:00 AM
I have no words better than these, so thank you for this one Hank.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2022 9:33:00 AM
Thank you, Caren. I simply have to speak out on this national tavesty.
Date: 5/29/2022 10:15:00 AM
I agree with your reasoning, Milt. Though I think the second amendment is good, I think assault weapons are for war only. We need better gun control laws, but that alone will not stop killing. IMHO Bill
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/29/2022 10:19:00 AM
To me, Bill, the logic is clear, although I do try to understand the other points of view. Logic tells me, no guns--no killing by guns. Of course, I am familiar with the comeback, but the simple fact remains you can't kill with a gun if you don't have a gun to kill with. Hope you're having a good weekend, my friend.
Date: 5/27/2022 10:38:00 PM
again, very well said Milton, when will we love our children more than we value ideologies, and yes the rest of the world does not get it.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/28/2022 10:16:00 AM
I don't have the answers, arthur. I am so frustrated by all of this.
Date: 5/27/2022 2:07:00 PM
Brazil is a country full of contradictions. A poor and miserable parcel, exploited to the last drop of blood. Another portion is wealthy, mostly white, Caucasian. I was lucky to have dual nationality (I'm Italian, too). But anyway it is a beautiful, picturesque place, a true tropical paradise. I know Uruguay very well, a wonderful land, polite and hospitable people.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/27/2022 2:25:00 PM
Thanks, Marco. I really appreciate your thoughts on your country. Oh, I'd still love to visit there.
Date: 5/27/2022 12:55:00 PM
You are right. I look with almost incredulity at the ease with which anyone can acquire weapons in the US, some of which are extremely lethal. Here in Brazil you can even buy weapons, but you will soon give up, due to the bureaucracy required, medical and psychological certificates, authorizations, fees, training, monitoring, etc...
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/27/2022 1:25:00 PM
Very interesting, Marco. Did I tell you my friend and I had a trip planned to Brazil when COVID hit and we couldn't get into or out of the country? We were flying to the Amazon basin, then on to Rio, then to Uruguay. It was to be my first trip to South America but, alas, we didn't get to do it. Doubt I'll ever make it there now. My friend Shane was an exchange student in Brazil while in high school.
Date: 5/26/2022 1:26:00 PM
your pain and your rage are brilliantly on display here, milton. i don't know how anyone can feel any other way after the attack on those 4th graders and their teachers. incomprehensible!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/26/2022 1:54:00 PM
Thank you so much for your understanding and your thoughtful comment, Ilene. I appreciate it so much.
Date: 5/26/2022 10:14:00 AM
Jesus weeps for the sins of men every day. He gave His life so that we could live, and we repeat the sin of Cain. You make a strong defense, Milt.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/26/2022 10:52:00 AM
Thank you so much, Jenna. I'm trying my best (but its a struggle) to move on. As one who started teaching at second grade level, whenever there is an elementary school shooting, I am just devastated, ripped to the core.

Book: Shattered Sighs