DEVOS CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON SCHOOL SHOOTINGS: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Thursday said that Congress should hold hearings on school shootings, following the mass shooting at a Florida high school this week. "Congress needs to be holding hearings on these issues. And we've seen lots of discussion about this every time we've had another incident," DeVos said during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. "We've seen, you know, lots of finger pointing back and forth. But we need to have a conversation at the level where lawmakers can actually impact the future, because going back to and putting myself in the seat of one of those families impacted, you know, one of these shootings is one too many. And we have got to have an honest conversation, and Congress has to lead on this. It's their job."- But there was no immediate sign on Thursday that lawmakers planned to take DeVos up on the request. Neither the House or Senate education committees has a hearing scheduled to address the issue. A spokesman for Republicans on the House education committee led by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said in a statement: "We agree with everyone that children must be safe in school, and this committee will remain actively engaged with its members to explore these issues. Per committee rules, hearings are announced seven days in advance and if there is to be committee action, an announcement will be made in due course."-Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, said in a statement that she was "very glad that Secretary DeVos has requested Congressional hearings on this issue and I wholeheartedly agree. I look forward to working with Chairman Alexander and other members of our committee overseeing education to invite Secretary DeVos and other witnesses to a hearing in our committee to push this conversation forward and move toward action."- DeVos elaborated on her thoughts about the shooting in an email to department staff on Thursday, saying she'd like to see an "earnest conversation" about why tragedies like the school shooting in Florida keep happening. DeVos said it's time to "focus on finding solutions that will truly work. We need to examine our approaches to mental health, to engage law enforcement and support students, educators and school building leaders." Her message to staff didn't mention gun safety. Read more.
Finally, the Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is stepping up and participating constructively to the national education system. The news is riddled with theories and stories which were at an all time high over Friday and the beginning of the weekend. Although, unfortunately, if history serves us correctly (and terribly for this matter), the news cycle will move onto the next 'big story'.
What about the thousands of children (high school kids) who are left with varying degrees of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)? What we expect to see is that legislation will be enacted by certain states in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. But why not all states? Is the NRA (National Rifle Association) that influential to our elected members of Congress? Are the votes (influence) of the NRA more important than the votes of the American citizens? These are questions which we as a nation have struggled with for decades with no progress moving forward. Why?
State Action?
Here is a video of a short interview with Senator ... from Colorado offering his opinion which seems to be the normal trajectory after such tragedies:
Why Not Federal Action?
Why? That is the remaining question. I think that the Education Secretary is onto a good path of logic by calling for a Senate hearing on the matter. Why? To answer this question, we have to understand what is entailed during a 'Senate Hearing'. During such a hearing, committee members made up of bipartisan members are able to ask and answer questions while offering opinions - which are representative of their constituents. Did you know that you can watch hearings on YouTube? Here are a couple of links to hearings below:
U.S. House -- Energy and Commerce Committee - GOP
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
U.S. House Armed Services Committee
U.S. House on Science, Space, and Technology
U.S. House Judiciary Committee - GOP
U.S. House Appropriations Committee
U.S. House Judiciary Committee
U.S. House -- Energy and Commerce Committee - Democrats
U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce
The committees listed above provide a good starting point for listening/watching our government in action. Just take a moment and watch a few moments of any of the videos above. I would be surprised if your view has not change -- even to a small extent. Further, what surprises me is that the enormous amount of information that is provided to each politician. After obtaining the large amount of information, each elected politician will vote to appease his/her constituents back home.
Now that you are aware of the possibility of watching hearings on YouTube, the obvious benefit of calling such a hearing regarding gun control should be apparent. Hearing positions of our respective elected representatives gives us an idea as to how we can participate in democracy (by voting) in upcoming elections. If you do not like what you hear -- your elected representative does not represent you well -- then it is time to 'vote them out' of office. Simple as that.
Guns?
What to do about Guns? Guns are a problem. But guns are only part of the problem. With respect to the Assault Rifle -- AR15 -- I would argue that only military members need high caliber weapons. We should have centers (maybe on military bases) for people (civilians) to go and shoot these weapons under supervision. The major purpose of these weapons is to cause a large amount of destruction -- which is aligned with the military mission.
I will admit that my father did purchase an AR15 around 35 years ago. He taught us how to shoot the weapon - correctly. He also taught us the purpose for such a weapon. Respect for weapons was instilled in us. No messing around. I took these lessons and qualified for "expert" in the military afterwards. I have had no use to shoot that rifle in the last 25 years since I have left the military.
Ultimately, the solution to prevent such tragedies will entail a combination of events. The military could teach us something about a possible solution. In the military, soldiers are taught to 'say something if we see something.' Even if that means turning in a fellow soldier. The reason being is that if silent, the fall out of silence is usually a compromised mission - which means lives are lost. No one wants to lose or fail at a mission.
Conclusion...
Each of us should be mindful of those around us. If you see something then say something. Participate in our democratic process. Vote. Call your elected representative. Ask for greater gun control. At the very least, ask for a discussion to be started at the federal government level. The time is right to start a discussion and let the nation heal.
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