Speak To Power for The Innocent

This time last Thursday those who would become innocent victims of murder, before noon the next day, were in the midst of their final days.

They were killed; it is widely reported, by ammunition spewed from the gun held by one young man.  The dead were twenty children and six educators plus the perpetrators mother. 

              

This morning my TV news feed seemed pleased to report Governor Christie (NJ) has proclaimed there must be a national discussion on the issue of gun control.

No, no, no!  Not discussion!  That invites the sludge of political dialogue, thus continuing unbridled attacks against innocent people.   It is time for ACTION.

Our elected leaders know enough (from a multitude of perspectives) to develop and present for vote legislation to seriously roadblock these ever-occurring incidences of mass murder.

 You or I should never need a gun strapped to our waist, arm, leg, and hip, whatever to feel secure!  And, not one person should require a gun in his or her desk to protect themselves and their surroundings from gun toting mayhem.

Being an active member of the United Methodist Women, one dire fact is painfully lodged in my heart and soul.  In Newtown, Connecticut, only women and children were murdered in that after-breakfast shooting rampage in the elementary school.

And one might reasonably consider the person who wielded the gun, eventually even killing himself, to be of an age closer to ‘youth’ than adult. 

You see, embedded in the succinct PURPOSE of United Methodist Women is our ministry to “speak to power” to obtain justice for women, children and youth who suffer, who lack the necessities for a secure life of well-being, food, shelter, clothing, education, employment, health, and life, itself.  

You Too Can Speak To Power.  Every people-servicing organization, every individual man and woman in this nation must ‘speak to power’ to effect immediate change in gun control laws.  Petition on behalf of those in our nation who need you to use your voice to be heard by the powerful and influential to make a life saving difference for everyone.  Can you get to work on this?

Contact your local, state and national officials.  (Letter writing is therapeutic and a high volume may make a significant impact, but since the tragedy of 911, I understand unrequested letters are held for security inspection – thus, seriously delayed in getting to the intended person.)  Consider making telephone calls or sending emails to each of your elected officials, over and over.  Be incessant!  Ask your representatives to work and vote for new, changed or amended laws that disable the proven detrimental freedom we now have to hold weapons of mass destructions for personal use.   Yes, flood your officials, their staff and offices with your desires regarding gun control and what must take effect in the memory of the dear 6 and 7 year olds taken from us; in the memory of the dedicated educators who died protecting so many other 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 year old children. 

Get involved with your own personal ACTION to help circumvent the strong possibility of stagnating, politically focused discussions on the subject of gun control.

In this annual season of renewing and valuing all that love and faith means to us, my joy seems to be irreparably challenged.

My sympathy and prayers are constant for the families, friends, neighbors, and all who mourn for those we lost on Friday, December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.