By Mike Young
The politicos will begin the spin and try to frame the Orlando agedy in a way that suits their agenda. The facts are just starting to come in but the perpetrator has been identified as a terrorist and an attack by a Muslim against a gay club, which left around 50 dead.
President Obama described the attack as “an act of terror” and “an act of hate” and said the FBI was investigating it as an act of terrorism. Of course he left out “Islamic” so he still can’t say the words “an act of Islamic Terror”. Makes you wonder what he is trying to hide, whatever it is, no one is fooled, we all know what it is “Islamic Terror”.
The war between Christians and the Islamic world has been going on for hundreds of years; before the Barbary Pirates, before the Crusades, back to the fall of Jerusalem in 636 where it all started. Even some of the basic tenants of Islam urge the followers to actual physical conquest and the defeat of Christian religions. So for 1400 years or so we have been in conflict with the forces of the Muslim world. First just in the Middle East then Europe and now it has come to us here in America.
It has come at a major time where we are struggling with our role in world politics so this is a particularly volatile moment in US policy. Since this is an election year, this will be a big issue as it should be. In comments after the massacre occurred, the Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, was the most measured. “As we wait for more information,” she tweeted, “my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act” following Obama’s lead by not say the hidden word.
Her challenger, Bernie Sanders, emphasized gun control. “We have got to do everything that we can … to make sure that guns do not fall into the hands of those who should not have them: criminals, people who are mentally ill. So that struggle continues.” Unfortunately, for gun control advocates the shooter had a permit to carry from his work in which he was a security guard.
Only minutes before Obama spoke, Donald Trump, tweeted: “Is President Obama going to finally mention the words radical Islamic terrorism? If he doesn’t he should immediately resign in disgrace!” No question who he thinks is responsible.
The array of initial reactions illustrates just how different our political response has become. Those that gun control will solve everything, yet history has shown that you can’t control the criminals getting guns, the only one you control is the law abider who then must wait for help when attacked and that usually is too late. Just look at the current situation with people wounded, bleeding and police end it after 3 hours, makes you wonder how many bleed to death waiting for help.
The liberals call for gun control but what about a call for universal ability to carry laws. Think about the situation, you are huddled in the bathroom with the perpetrator; you have a 45 licensed carry weapon, or you have nothing but your cell phone. Your choice is to call or fight back, you decide.
Mike Young is a retired water and power executive who resides in Mesquite. Graduated from the University of La Verne he has taught communications skills and technical subjects throughout the Western Hemisphere. In addition to writing and editing technical manuals, he has a book titled “Speaking for Effect”. He has received some of the highest awards and recognition from both professional and public organizations. He also serves as Mesquite’s representative on the Overton Power District board of trustees where he servers as Secretary /Treasurer.
You are very ignorant. How come nobody called the Bundys Christian terrorists? An American born in New York to parents that immigrated from Afghanistan during the Regan administration attacked the LGBTQ community bc like you he was ignorant and hateful. And this also happened bc we have no gun control in this country. Someone on a no fly list can go buy an AR-15. How does that make sense?
When Mike Young is up for re-election on the prestige Overton Power Board, I will not cast my vote for him. It’s a pretty simple decision. He thinks his opinion is more important than others. I’m getting very frustrated with this right wing “newspaper.”
“Prestigious” (autocorrect)
We don’t tend to use your requested adjective to describe the noun because there is no syllogism that can be rationally made to warrant using the terms together. Evil terrorist works well because all terrorists are evil. Islamic terrorist, Christian terrorist, atheistic terrorist only confounds the conversation. We need to do something about terrorists. We do not need to do anything about Islam, Christianity, or atheism. Being specific in communication sometimes means using fewer words.
Mike Young you need mental help. Regardless of the cause of this tragedy you use the murders to make a feeble political attack. Even though you are a friend and former employee of Barbara Ellestad it shocks me that she would allow this hate to be published when not one other article in this paper mourns the dead. If your political mind is so callous and hateful I think you need serious help.
Thanks Robert, could you recommend someone who could help, someone who gave up on you because they knew what’s right and what wrong and you were so convinced the right was wrong or maybe it was the other way around that they just walked. It not hate, it reality that we must be able to defend our-self and we are in a war started long before we were born. Yes, I mourned the dead and wounded but If western civilization is to survive we must realize that we are still in a war and we must win or roll over. I want to win. Oh, also cheap shot about Ms Ellestad, you should feel very proud.
It’s so interesting to me how those who promote gun control sound so hateful and angry and evidenced by the first two comments. Wow! You two are so quick to attack and throw nasty barbs at someone who DOES have the right to express his opinion. As adults, we are supposed to be able to intellectually respond in a thoughtful and considered way. I happen to appreciate the point of view by Mike Young. My husband expressed a similar view and it gave me something to think about. If someone else’s views cause you to lash out inconsiderately, then you only heard what you wanted to hear in the first place, and that is that someone does not think the same way that you think.
Jennifer,
You obviously missed the point. It is not whether Young had a right to express his opinion, it was that, in the face of such a tragedy, we should respect the loss and pain those families are going though and not use this massacre as a political jab. That has its place, this is not it. It is well known that Mike Young is a rabid right wing Republican extremist, as is Barbara Ellestad, and even though I am a lifelong Republican myself, this column is nothing more than a disguised decree of hate against the LGBT victims. I would ask Mike Young if he truly believes his rhetoric, why shouldn’t guns be allowed at the Republican National Convention? You can’t have it both ways. Either it is or it isn’t.
I will also point out there was an armed off duty cop as a security guard and it didn’t help so your point is proven wrong. Educate yourself
Well said, Anonymous–There were, in fact, one armed security guard and 2 off duty police officers in that club with sidearms.
That pretty much disproves the theory espoused by the GOP spin machine that if armed people were present a crazed killer wouldn’t be able to kill people. Well, a uniformed cop and two armed people were there and it didn’t help a bit. And to Jennifer, your argument makes no sense, stick to being the editor so you can defend hate and insensitivity.
Robert – where do you get your info? Yes reports of off duty officer exchanging fire but nothing about the outcome, Why no further info? However, if people were really armed inside the club there would be some info.about that, but nothing I can find. The real point is, if you’re were in the club with a friend, would you want a gun to protect yourself and others or wait till the police came 3 hours later.
Anonymous really has no voice. Anyone not willing to put their name to their comments does not deserve a place in the conversation. And again, Robert Bishop, your hate filled comments calling Mike Young a “rabid right wing extremists ” only makes my point.