As the bible says, "We know not the day nor the hour..." I feel that way about brutal acts of terrorism. Where are we and our children safe? Certainly not at outdoor events in large cities. Unfortunately, there are fourteen sets of parents who can attest to that. And a set of sixteen more parents and families who wait bedside as their children receive moderate to intensive care. Outcomes tragically uncertain.
Why is there so much hatred and fanaticism in the world? Why is it so easy to make bombs and IED's in order to cost the maximum number lives and maim so many others? Why are illegal weapons and illegal drugs so readily available? Terror attacks are hardly the way to convert people to an ideology. Terrorism creates more hatred, not conversions. Do terrorists really believe they can convert the masses to their ideology and kill all those who refuse to convert to their radicalism? And thus rule the world.
This is very disturbed thinking for a group, who now due to poor political decisions, has the ability to make nuclear weapons and billions of dollars to get whatever weaponry they desire. I hope and pray we will see some turn around in these capabilities with a new United States administration in 2025. I pray for change and safety for all our children and us as parents.
I also hope we will see significant changes in the ability to have long term care for the truly chronically and dangerously mentally ill. Instead of continued inpatient care, many of the mentally ill live on the streets where the public is subject to their dangerous delusions and hallucinations. Go to any news site and read the horror stories of innocent victims falling prey to a dangerously mentally ill person's violence. This problem needs drastic and immediate solutions.
Finally, the gangs of teens who get illegal weapons and shoot up entire neighborhoods in pursuit of some rival teen. Again innocent victims fall prey to this gunfire. People are afraid to leave their homes. The only solution I see here is no bail and stiffer penalties for crimes committed with an illegal weapon or a weapon used illegally. Our streets and our schools need to be safe from those whose lack of values pose a danger to all of us.
Behind all these examples are mostly young people who have lost their lives through no fault of their own. And behind all those who have succumbed to violence are parents, siblings and families who hope for justice for their child and loved one. But, no amount of punishment or money can ever bring back a deceased child.
Prevention is the only solution. We need federal law enforcement to devote much more effort and resources to the true terrorists of this world. We need an overhaul of our mental health care and facilities to provide inpatient long term care. We need to support law enforcement in its efforts to stem the tide of violence. We need effective district attorneys and judges who will impose bail and stiff sentences to make crime not worth the effort. Now, there are simply no deterrents. We need an effective closed borders that do not invite dangerous criminals and drugs into our country to cause more heartbreak.
The dangerously mentally ill, drug dealers, gangs of teens and dangerous illegal immigrants have become US domestic terrorists. They hold the law abiding business owners and everyday citizens hostage to their crimes and evil. The world seems upside down and inside out because of progressive "soft on crime" policies. And terrorists are successful because federal authorities have taken their eyes off the ball from real individuals who are actual threats.
I mourn because behind every statistic of a victim of violence are parents, families and friends who no longer have a child and loved one. Things need to change. Citizens have a right to feel safe going about their daily business and seeking education and entertainment. Enough of official incompetence and corruption. Hiring, promotions and added official responsibilities need to be merit based. No more lies, evasions and cover-ups in the greatest nation in the world. Politicians need to be held accountable for solutions to the problems we face.
I look forward to competence, change and lives saved in 2025. Peace and blessings to all in the New Year.
"I have confidence in your strength; you are my refuge, O God." Psalm 57: 3
Love, Rosemarie
