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My Sadness Is Profound

Today, my sadness is profound, and I am paralyzed Knowing I live in a “civilized” society caring so little To stop gun violence, we only pontificate and analyze, While lives of innocent children aren’t worth a tittle When it comes to choosing between a child and a gun Knowing I live in a “civilized” society caring so little. The very idea that solving this conundrum we shun, For the right to own assault weapons is mind-boggling When it comes to choosing between a child and a gun! Proclaiming you’re pro-life? Your reason is struggling. Admit it, you care more about rights than a child’s life For the right to own assault weapons is mind-boggling! Assault weapons are manufactured for war and strife, These guns are not made for sport or for target practice, Admit it, you care more about rights than a child’s life. Assault weapons aren’t even necessary for the police! [Today, my sadness is profound, and I am paralyzed] These guns are not made for sport or for target practice, To stop gun violence, we only pontificate and analyze? Written May 25, 2022

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Bill Baker

Date: 5/29/2022 10:22:00 AM

As I've said in other comments, I'm against allow regular citizens to have assault weapons. Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/29/2022 10:31:00 AM

Definitely, Bill. I couldn't agree more. We simply have no need of them. Not even avid hunters use them, as far as I know.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/26/2022 8:38:00 AM

The only people who should have assault rifles are the SWAT teams who are going to take out the others who have assault rifles, then we should BREAK them ALL. Thank you for this one Hank.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/26/2022 9:18:00 AM

Thank you, Caren. Yesterday I was totally consumed by the Uvalde shootings. I hope I'll be able to write about something else today. I don't know yet.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 5/25/2022 8:55:00 PM

Nice poem, and very well expressed, I couldn't agree more.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/25/2022 8:57:00 PM

Thanks so much, arthur, for your response to my poem.

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 5/25/2022 7:46:00 PM

Every statement made in your poem is sadly true. There is no logical reason whatsoever for ordinary folk to own a gun.It is asking for trouble. It is a human right to live, not to shoot innocent people and children. Paralysing, Horrifying, Soul destroying and unnecessary Madness.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/25/2022 8:53:00 PM

Thank you so much, Shirley. I feel exactly as you do. And all of those children and two teachers had their inherent right to live taken away from them through no fault of their own...all because a boy could and did buy an AK-15 assault rifle and ammunition and chose to shoot his grandmother and a classroom of kids. So utterly despicable and heartbreaking.

Ann Peck

Date: 5/25/2022 5:21:00 PM

Milton, Thank you for writing that poignant poem. It's all true, and, again, nothing will be done. Perhaps if a senator lost a child by assault weapon...but the gun lobby is too strong to defeat. We look ridiculous to the rest of the free world. And we are. It's going to get worse, I fear.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/25/2022 6:39:00 PM

Yes, I am afraid you are right, Ann. I'd love to think otherwise, but those who have the power to do something are too cowardly to stick their neck out and fight the NRA and the other powerful gun lobbyists. Thank you, Ann.

Robert Trezise Jr.

Date: 5/25/2022 3:00:00 PM

I don't think we can be ambiguous about this subject any longer. the poem is correct.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/25/2022 6:40:00 PM

Thank you, Robert. I think you are right!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/25/2022 2:52:00 PM

I don't know the ins and outs of owning a gun in the US only that its quite easy to obtain one from what I've seen on TV. Are checks even made on people who buy these high powered guns? Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/25/2022 2:56:00 PM

I don't know, Tom. I really don't. I suspect there are some checks if they are obtained through legal gun dealers, but I do know that many are obtained at gun shows and possibly pawn shops where minimal checks are in practice. I need to ask my policeman son about this.

Jenna Logan

Date: 5/25/2022 2:42:00 PM

I feel your angst and share it. Words will not solve the problem. Honestly, I don't know what will because guns are too easily obtained by the hands of madmen.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/25/2022 2:53:00 PM

Yes, they are, Jenna. And, yes, words will not solve the problems, hence my "pontificate and analyze." We can talk 'til the cows come home, but nothing, absolutely nothing can ever justify the killing of nineteen innocent children and two schoolteachers. Whatever is at the root of these senseless killings and others must be stopped. I'm sure you agree with me on this, as would anyone I know. I happen to think, at the root of the problem, is the proliferation of unnecessary assault-style weapons. I love to target practice and I grew up with hunting guns. We MUST do what it takes to rid ourselves of assault-style weapons.