To the editor:
This letter is written on Wednesday. It's my dog's birthday, it's nearly the Memorial Day weekend and it's the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde, Texas, mass shooting.
We've had a year overflowing with violent acts of domestic terrorism. We've not demanded that our lawmakers do their due diligence and protect us with relevant, timely laws. We've sent uncountable numbers of thoughts and prayers. That's the real kicker, out of all the phrases and fallacies, thoughts and prayers.
You would think that people have caught on that thoughts and prayers require actual work and diligence to deliver on those grandiose wishes. However, there isn't time for that -- there are far greater risks to children in early summer. The standard bearers of saintly devotion seem to be most focused on the conspired devilry of rainbows and (gasp) love for all. I do not understand. You cover your ears, close your eyes and hum hymns to the wee ones if Lady Gaga comes on the airwaves. You wear skirts and flowing hair to prove your feminine virtue. Your humility and demure appearance belies your blackest of hearts.
Deception is your most cultivated attribute and you teach it from birth. Your patriarchal values are more dangerous than free thought could ever be. Ancient texts cannot hide your very modern agenda of suppression. The rest of us are literally unaffected by your choices; uterine clown cars, kissing rings and rigid constraints on behavior aren't my thing, but go on and be happy.
Most everyday folks can just live, but you just can't, can you? Desperately devoted to the judgment of others. Deep between the sheets of the neighbors, thoughts and prayers. And legislation -- deep into the uteruses of women (and girls), righteous thoughts and prayers (for the unborn.)
And legislation -- school children, festival attendees and Wal-Mart shoppers are treated like fish in a barrel, with or without manifestos, thoughts and prayers.
Where is the legislation now? Isn't the definition of insanity repeating the same thing over and over while expecting different results? Seems like a lot of energy isn't being effectively harnessed and used to affect change. Minding your business at the voting booth, your business and mine.
It seems like only the most extreme are exercising this right and they will do anything to take it from the rest of us. Voting is truly becoming a use-it-or-lose-it situation.
Rosie Dennis
Brilliant