From Thousands Oaks, California, to a high school in rural North Carolina, guns violence continues to plague our nation.
Yes, gun violence. And yes, there are layers and layers to the issue, from constitutional to controversial.
Is it about gun control? Is it about mental health? Is it about not having more "good guns" ready to counter-attack the killers looking to commit mass murder?
Jay GreesonI don't know, and neither do you. Sure we all have our opinions, which are shaped on our beliefs, which lead us to jaded perspectives that coincide with those beliefs.
We all need to check those at the doorstep of this national epidemic. It is becoming so commonplace that we are, amazingly, becoming somewhat used to these shootings.
This is not about skin color or income. Nor is it religious or right or left. Bullets, more than anything else in our society, know no -isms and see no demographics.
They kill indiscriminately, and truth be told, we need to be prepared to fight them in the exact same manner.
We need a supergroup - top cops, renowned educators, constitutional experts, psychology wizards, you name it - to sit down and explore everything. And anything.
Every possible solution needs to be vetted. All of them.
Because, when it comes to these mass shootings, there are only two indisputable, undeniable facts:
» There are more than we ever expected;
» And whatever we are currently doing to prevent them is not working at all.
Make your voices heard
OK, many thanks to so many of you who reached out this week after my column about the "Four Blind Mice" of the Hamilton County Commission voting yes on the proposal to reinstate discretionary funds.
I cannot recall a column with as much feedback that was this universal in its perspective. Every single email was in agreement with not having those discretionary accounts/slush funds.
And while I always appreciate your feedback - good and bad - make your voice heard by your elected county commissioners and make sure he or she knows how you stand on the six-figure blank check of taxpayers' money.
Speaking of silly games
The 2018 class of inductees into the Toy Hall of Fame was announced this week.
The class includes the foresight that was the Magic 8-Ball, the game-changer that was pinball - which started the arcade revolution - and the eternal family vacation staple that is the card game Uno.
Yes, if you want to say that Uno getting in while its predecessor "Crazy 8s" is still waiting for its call, well, considering it a magical push for games and toys with an 8.
Also, the arcade heights of the pinball machines glossed over the shadiness in a lot of arenas. According to USA Today, pinball was banned in New York City from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s.
As for the Magic 8 Ball, well, it has morphed more into a decorative office accoutrement more than a children's staple.
In fact, I have one on my desk. His name is Kyle. And when Kyle was asked whether the Magic 8 Ball deserved the Hall of Fame nod, his answer left no doubt:
"Absolutely."
As for some of the misfit toys still waiting for the hall call, well, Tickle Me Elmo was far from tickled by this year's announcement. Chutes and Ladders slid in the voting. Somehow chalk was considered a toy, and the sled and Tic-Tac-Toe are still hoping to slide in.
Saturday stars
We have several this morning.
We'll start with this being Veterans Day weekend. Thank you to everyone who has served. Your sacrifice is why we have the best country on Earth.
Next, to the leadership of the Times Free Press - from the top with president Jeff DeLoach and newsroom editor Alison Gerber - and the folks pulling all the heavy levers and making the magic happen like news editor Meg Scarbrough and presentation editor Matt McClane and chief photographer Robin Rudd and really too many to name on the "21-Veteran Salute" package of stories over the last eight days.
It was a pleasure to be a part of it, and I know I enjoyed every story about all of those in our areas willing to make the biggest sacrifices through the years from World War II to our war on terrorism.
Finally, to David Roddy and the Chattanooga Police Department and Jim Hammond and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, all we can say is kudos for making the visits from President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as smooth as humanly possible.
Yes, there were protests. Yes, there were long lines and road closures. And surely the bigwigs from the Secret Service managed a whole lot of the security.
But for the most part, everything went off without a hitch last Sunday, and in a time when passionate political powder kegs such as a POTUS visit can become national news because of controversy, our local law enforcement teams handled everything perfectly.
Enjoy the weekend, friends.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343.