March for Our Lives

Why do the NRA, gun advocates, and many Republicans have to insult, dismiss and denigrate the students involved in the March for Our Lives movement? 

We all know you disagree with their views on gun violence and gun control. That is a valid, although I think wrong, opinion. Simply stating those opinions and beliefs along with your reasons, facts, statistics, talking points, etc. should be a sufficient response. Argue on the issues, not the age of your opponents. 

Instead, you hurl insults at teenagers. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school students have been accused of being crisis actors, being coached by the media and radical Democrats. They were criticized for smiling during some photos and TV appearances. Of course, they are too young to have any idea what they are talking about. 

NRA spokesman Colion Noir said  “No one would know your names” if a student gunman hadn’t stormed into their school and killed three staff members and 14 students. I would guess they would readily trade their newfound and unasked for fame in exchange for their 17 fallen friends. 

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said: "How about kids instead of looking to someone else to solve their problem, do something about it, maybe taking CPR classes or trying to deal with situations that when there is a violent shooter that you can actually respond to that,". Yes, CPR training will definitely stop gun violence. Maybe as a deterrent, they could post signs at schools informing shooters that the students know CPR.

On Fox News Sunday, when Newt Gingrich was asked a question about the March for Our Lives demonstrations. He replied: "who paid for it?". Another attack on the sincerity of the young demonstrators. The NRA and many Republicans are saying that the march was funded by radical and violent Democrats. They offer no credible evidence to support those claims.

You know, it is just possible that the young people involved in the March for Our Lives movement are actually intelligent, articulate, well informed, capable, and sincere. Their agenda is to save young lives. The NRA and those they fund are interested in selling guns, making profits and retaining their elected office. 

It was young people who fueled the civil rights movement and the opposition to the Vietnam war back in the 50's, 60's and early 70's. They were dismissed then as too young and uninformed. Maybe the youth of 2018 can bring about real change in America's gun violence problem. We adults certainly haven't done very well over the past few decades.   

Those earlier movements took years to finally see results. Will the Marjory Stoneman Douglas students remain involved and invested in their cause? Will those who support them stay interested? Will they be able to break the NRA's stranglehold on our elected officials? Will the electorate vote against NRA supported candidates in the 2018 elections? Will the Parkland shooting be the tipping point? 

It will be months and years before we know the outcome. This could all be just another temporary period of outrage and demands. The usual thoughts and prayers followed by mostly inaction. It could also be the beginning of an enduring movement that brings about real change. There have already been some legislative changes in Florida and at the federal level.

Regardless, let's stop making personal attacks against the young folks. The Stoneman Douglas students and Parkland residents just went through a horrific event. They lost friends, classmates, relatives, and teachers. That is real. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt that their outrage and objectives are sincere. Disagree with them if you are so inclined, but act like an adult should when you do.

wjh