Once more, America will agonize and go through a perfunctory soul searching as a Congresswoman lies in an Arizona hospital fighting for her life, the result of a violent prone society. Once again, a federal investigation will prove that it was the act of a lone deranged gunman and we will have our outrage and horror at this incident smoothed over and forgotten. And in a few weeks, the violent rhetoric and acts will begin again.
Some of us will no longer accept this polite and easy solution and feel the urgent need to point out those who covertly, or overtly were complicit in these reprehensible acts. In the opening declaration of the famous novelist, Emile Zola uses the expression “j”accuse” against those who attempted to cover up the treason charges against the innocent Captain Dreyfus. With a little literary license I will follow his lead. J”accuse Sarah Palin and Sharon Angle for their intemperate comments and the Tea Party member who portrayed their opponents in the crosshairs of a rifle scope. Such comments as “don”t retreat, reload” and “Second Amendment right may be needed” are more than opinions, they are nothing less than calls for violent actions.
J”accuse the harsh and unrelenting attacks of those commenting, who attack elected officials they disagree with, spreading vicious and malicious rumors that poison the body politics.
J”accuse the National Rifle Association that is more interested in its misinterpretation of the Second Amendment than it is of the welfare and lives of fellow citizens. This Amendment mentions “a well-regulated militia” and they are neither well-regulated, nor a militia.
J”accuse the legislators and legal authorities who by denial, refuse to recognize and control the proliferation of guns therefore stopping the weekly shootings in the nightclubs, streets and even churches, that have now become something approximating battlegrounds.
And finally, j”accuse all those who remain silent in the face of onslaught on their very basic rights as citizens to walk the streets of America without threats of bodily harm or death.
America has become a dangerous place because of your silence; but your silence cannot guarantee your safety.
While some citizens swagger and stroll about with guns on their hips exercising their supposed basic rights; the rest of us are denied the most basic right of all ? to live our lives in peace and harmony.
Harold Riley
Clearlake
