26 Dead; 20 Wounded

Another mass shooting has

Caused the deaths of twenty-six people.

This time the atrocity

Occurred under a church's steeple--

Not in a major city, but

In a small Texan community,

Showing that death from firearms here

Is an equal opportunity.

If four or more people shot

Or killed at a certain time and place

Defines mass shootings, then here they are

Happening at an alarming pace.

Three hundred seven mass shootings

Have taken place so far this year,

According to one report.

One thing's definitely clear:

Gun violence is out of control.

Acknowledging that is how one starts

To deal with a scary situation

That people think is off the charts.

When some want to discuss the matter,

There goes an altercation

As others accuse them of trying to

Politicize a situation--

Politicize a tragedy.

But frankly, when all is said and done,

Like it or not, the issue of gun

Violence IS a political one!

It would help if our leadership

Would deal with the problem directly and not

Placate donors and lobbyists

Whose self-serving baloney they've bought.

All countries have mental health

Problems; we’re not the only ones,

Says the president. And so the problem

Is mental illness and NOT guns.

In all countries, mental health

Issues exist. No disputing.

But other countries do not have

The problem of shooting after shooting.

Thoughts and prayers for all affected

Certainly have a role to play.

But the bigger issue is something

That can't be simply prayed away.

(11-6-17) By Bob B