Sir, – Amending gun law is unlikely to change the frequency of gun attacks on schools and other places where people congregate, but teaching children empathy, from baby-infants onward, would. If every child was taught to “look out for” the child nearest to them at all times – to cherish them – this would make a big difference.
Do to others as you would like them to do to you – that’s empathy. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Sadly the US is brimming with violence on so many fronts.
Following his tears in Connecticut, Barack Obama will sit down with his military advisers and choose the next victims from his adviser’s kill list as he has done for several years now. It will likely lead to the slaughter of innocent children by drone attack in some far off place. The UK-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism reports that, between 2004 and June 2012, at least 357 drone strikes have occurred in Pakistan alone (more than 300 under the Obama administration), with at least 2,464 people killed, including at least 168 children.
The horrific violent act in Sandy Hook should be seen in the wider context of a violent militaristic culture that also informs America’s penchant for perpetual war that causes so much suffering to innocents around the world.
As well as addressing its home-grown violence, any “meaningful action” by the US government must include Obama immediately ceasing drone attacks and seriously reviewing its aggressive foreign policy. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – It seems that any moron can buy a gun in the US – but if he pulls out a cigarette instead, he’d better watch out! – Yours, etc,