The absolute evil that occurred in Aurora, Colo., at the hands of a yet-to-be-understood murderer deserves absolutely no place among conversation that includes anything but utter shame and disgust at the degradation of our culture.
Unsuspecting, innocent victims were just catching a movie with friends and family when they were swept into a web of planned death.
While the 24-hour news cycle searches for tidbits, exclusives and unique angles of coverage, take a moment to process this tragedy without the prism of politics attempting to bend the facts as they're passed through.
It is currently illegal to murder. Did that stop this pathetic young man from killing? No.
Evil is of no partisan nature. It is colorblind and oblivious to gender, economic standing or any partiality. Evil only looks for those on which to prey, exploit and destroy.
Another law, another analysis, another study won't bring us any closer to eliminating acts of true wickedness.
Moving to address societal ills demands a standard of conduct that's accepted, respected and rewarded. Yet, as if on cue, our nation turns first toward new laws and regulations to deal with acts that are already criminal as we search for reason and solutions.
News flash: No government, at any level - regardless of budget, power or strength - can sow the seeds of decency, goodness and hope into the hearts of men and women.
Our nation reflects the seeds we've allowed to grow, the seeds we've watered and fed. It's time to yank evil and all its species of societal weeds out by the roots that are choking the life from our youth, destroying our families and diluting actual truth to thin, powerless philosophy.
It begins with each of us. It must begin now.