so young

It’s really disturbing seeing the faces of the victims.  They are so young!  How many of these people would be alive if assault weapons were banned?  Or would the killer have used explosives instead?

Liberals are saying we should ban guns, or assault rifles anyway.  I whole-heartedly agree.  I have, however, become so pessimistic about our ability to do this.  I doubt 50 deaths is enough.  Perhaps if it had been 500?

Conservatives are saying it’s Islamic terrorism and we need to do something about Isis.  I also agree with this, though what we can do that’s not already being done, I don’t know.  The father of the killer is a Taliban supporter who immigrated to the US in ’86.  (Note: WaPo has toned down its language on the Dad being a Taliban supporters since I first read the article, now merely noting he expressed gratitude to the Taliban.  The father apparently posted a bunch of videos on Afghanistan in some kind of Afghan dialect.  I can only assume difficulty in translating from a rather obscure language is contributing to the ambiguity on his level of support.)  Apparently the killer was born here in ’86 or ’87.  I’m guessing the screening of people from Afghanistan was a lot more lax back then.  It’s interesting because most Afghans who fled in the 80s, I thought, were actually fleeing the Taliban – so how is it the father is apparently a supporter?  Did he change his mind?  It’s hard not to believe a father who believes homosexuals will be punished after death and who supports the Taliban contributed to his son’s interest in Isis.  The father says it’s not about religion, and I agree – strictly speaking, it’s not.  But it is related to extreme Islam, which I would argue is not really a religion, more like a cult, or simply an ideology.

I have been avoiding learning about Isis because, really, what can I do about it?  But I read a little bit about it last night.  Apparently they have between 3.5 million and 8 million members, depending on who you ask.  Meanwhile, at least 60 million (and as many as 250 million, again depending on who you ask) people worldwide view them favorably.  In many Muslim nations, including, shockingly Turkey, around 10% of people view Isis favorably.  (8% in Turkey)  I wonder what about Isis they favor?  What percentage of Americans view Isis favorably?  What percentage of American Muslims view Isis favorably?  I would guess close to 0% on both counts, but as I said, I’m shocked that such a high percentage of Turks would have a favorable opinion.  What percentage of Americans, I wonder, would express a favorable opinion of any extremist group, such as the IRA or white supremacists or that weird Baptist church?

People are also arguing about whether it’s a hate crime or terrorism.  How can it not be both?  Of course it’s a hate crime.  The killer’s father argues that’s all it is, but I don’t really buy that.