More Questions Than Answers

So here it is, three days until Christmas, and I've been feeling a little like Charlie Brown in the classic Peanuts animated holiday special. With the snow on the ground and cold temperatures outside, I've been keenly aware of the approaching holiday season, but it's taken me a while to get into the holiday mood.

I think it's partly because the month began on a sour note for most of us in the community. People in Central Minnesota and my hometown are still feeling the after effects of the shocking and senseless murder of a police officer, one that as of now has no suspect and no resolution. For me, my mind went back to the school shooting at my high school in 2003, one of those things that you think will never happen to your community until it does. Everyone I talked to in town the weekend after Officer Decker's death felt like they had been punched in the stomach, even if they didn't know the officer or his family. It's still going to take more time for this community to heal, although the outpouring of support from police officers from across the state and the country during his funeral service was encouraging.

This was soon followed by another tragedy, this time the school shooting in Connecticut. Another senseless act of violence that leaves so many people asking "why?" This also reminded me of the shooting this past summer in Colorado during a showing of the newest Batman movie, as well as the fact that one of my former grade school teachers was repeatedly stabbed and killed by one of her sons this summer.

I don't know any of the answers or solutions to these seemingly increasing acts of savage violence. I know that violence is at times glorified on TV, in movies and video games, among other things. However, I do think that perhaps we need to take a closer look at this, as well as maybe even requiring a psychological background evaluation before a person can buy a firearm. I mean, I have played some of the more violent video games like the Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil series, but I have no aspirations to go out on a shooting rampage afterwards, because I can seperate make-believe from reality.

Well, I didn't mean to write a downer of an article so close to the holidays, but I felt I had to get this off my chest. Next week I'll have my annual review of the best rock albums I've listened to of 2012. Until then, have a safe and happy holiday week with your friends and family, full of lots of positive lasting memories!