Local Holiday

Today is the 24th of July, here in Utah that is Statehood day, or the day the pioneers entered Salt Lake valley… I forget which, I think the latter.  Anyhow, there are parades, fireworks, activities in the park, and this year (at least here in Washington City) a 30% chance of rain.  The clouds are pretty, and the thunder is awe inspiring, but the breakfast in the park could get soggy if the rain starts.

The local scout fundraiser is to put flags up in front of supporters homes on all major holidays.  It feels good to look up and down the street and see all of the U.S. flags.

Monday, monday

I was awakened rather pleasantly this morning, my wife leaned over and gave me a quick kiss at the corner of my eye.  She said to me that she was going to get up, but that I should rest, so I thanked her, smiled, and rolled over.  The next I knew, my 15 year old came bursting into the bedroom to put away something that was part of his chore.  I can’t, and don’t fault him for that,  or even the exuberance that he put into it, and he is autistic so excitement while doing his chore is to be encouraged.  He did, however, turn off my ceiling fan.

I live in the desert southwest, and it heats up quickly this time of year.  The “environmentally friendly, economic” thermostat has not been right since the last power outage, and despite our best efforts sets itself to 85 degrees every morning.  On top of this, I am on oxygen, and the condenser that feeds my air hose can double as a space heater.  The point is, as my son turned off the ceiling fan, and shut my door, I found myself trying to sleep in a hotbox that would get no AC respite.

I got up.

Sometimes, despite the best effort and intentions of those around you, a person has to rise up and change the world themselves.  Even if it is only a little.

Welcome to my mind.

Ok, to be frank, I will only be posting those thoughts safe for human consumption.  I think lots of things, however, and so I should be able to keep this up.

 

A couple of days ago, a freak, in a premeditated outburst, walked into a midnight premier of the new Batman movie and killed some people.  What he did is horrible, and has caused pain and grief to not just  those who were there, but to the friends and family of those people.  12 people were reported killed, I have not been following the news to see if any others have since died, but there were enough people injured , even to the point where they required ICU treatment, that such further losses are a distinct possibility.  One of those shot dead was a six year old girl.  I’m not going to get into the wisdom of dragging your 6 year old out in the middle of the night to satisfy your geek-out, the fact is, she was there and this killer mowed her down in an indiscriminate manner.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Aurora, CO, and to the families of those people that were affected by this tragedy.

Having said all of this,  I am quite upset by those who, in a knee-jerk manner are demanding that firearms be banned.  This was a premeditated act by a crazed loner.  He was bright enough to study neuroscience.  He made IEDs.  He would have been able to enact this act of terrorism with or without guns.  To see the guns as the villain here is to excuse the true nefarious nature of this event.  This is the most loud cry, there will undoubtedly be others.  There will be those who blame the movie, the theater, heck even the school that he dropped out from, but in the end, he alone bears responsibility for his choice.