OPINION:
Once again we have witnessed violence in a school (“17 dead in Florida high school shooting,” Web, Feb. 14). There will be the usual calls for, on one end of the political spectrum, a complete gun ban, and on the other, armed teachers and security guards in classrooms.
But the root causes of the increased violence is stronger than any of these proposed solutions, which amount to Band-Aids. Sadly, the violence will continue. Why? Because the causes are found in certain mindsets of violence. They are found, for example, in the lie that after eight weeks life in the womb is not human, doesn’t feel pain or is not worthy of any rights — simply because it is not yet absolutely viable outside of the womb.
A perceived “right” to violence is fostered by the radical individualism that allows a person to give more value to his own wants, feelings and pain than to anyone else’s. It grows when people see and experience violence at the movies, on TV and in games. It grows when our government leaders and servants allow themselves to put party before country and to lie publicly to manipulate citizens. Violence — by individuals, radical groups and political parties — will stop only when the rights of all are equally protected, only when the government stops giving some individuals rights while violating the rights of others.
MICHAEL T. BUTTNER
Bel Air, Md.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.