Tragedy and consequence

The WSJ took a look at the controversy centered on a Duncan, OK story. They note that “part of the story is what didn’t happen.” The attempt this time is to divert the attention to the tools and not the perps.

“it would almost be a relief if we could blame such a murder on guns.

Then we wouldn’t have to focus on a culture that produces teenagers for whom the prospect of shooting an innocent man in the back on a Friday evening apparently raised not a scintilla of conscience. That is the deeper tragedy, and the real scandal, of too much of American life. ”

“For ‘the Fun of It'” is the topic. Race on this one was there but not at the core. Stand your ground or self defense issues are not at play. Even rivalries, revenge or such motives are not at play, either. It was a drive by shooting by teens who just didn’t think that killing someone was of any consequence.

“That is also an issue of far greater consequence to the future of young black men than the acquittal of George Zimmerman in his awful showdown with Trayvon. If only Mr. Sharpton and his fellow black leaders paid attention to what was missing in the lives of those three teenagers. Maybe President Obama would even care to use it as one of his teachable moments. ”

There is denial – Beckel provided an example by dragging up a gun tragedy that was so inane it could be used to suggest outlawing backyard pools – there is avoidance – anything but a hard look at teens without a moral grounding and what else they are missing. Therein like the tragedy and the consequence.