Skip to main content

Thoughts on Umpqua Community College Mass Shooting


Anyone else tired of the same regurgitation of topics, debates, and discussions whenever there is a mass shooting in our nation? After all, why wouldn't we be? As a society, we do it every time these tragedies happen on our soil, pleading for the violence to stop, enraged and demanding that we need to do more to prevent these occurrences; and as always, discussing different variances of gun control needed. 

It's all so tiring and so damn aggravating. Over the past five years we've witnessed that frightening fact that no one is safe anywhere, even once safe havens such as a church, a temple, a classroom, a movie theater, or on an army base. 

Of course, with this recent mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, the killer had 13 legal firearms at his disposal and distributed racially hateful messages prior to his killing spree. He also targeted Christians and discussed in the distributed messages how killing could bring a person fame.

Yet, here we are as a culture posting this guy on every media outlet, discussing his "mental mindset" at every whim, and giving the same ole tired lectures and discussions it's typical periodical whirl. 

When do we as a nation say enough is enough? When do we begin to start to care for the hearts and minds of others instead of attempting to place the reasoning on issues, race, guns, and other hot political topics. When do we cease giving these people who do these dastardly actions so much acknowledgement, fame, and publicity? 

There have been 45 school shootings on a school campus this year. 45! We are losing our young people in more ways than just ideological concerns. Not just the victims who were attempting to forge a better life for themselves, but in some instances, the suspects, who are harbored by parents and friends who never report their anger, evil, or disturbing ways. In some instances, even supplying them with avenues to guns. 

What are we doing?!

But for now, we'll engage in gun control debates and throw jabs across the political aisles. We'll psychoanalyze the victim for ratings, website hits, and sales, and unfortunately, eventually, we'll reference this happening down the road as reasons to do it all again. It's a heart wrenching and annoying cycle that truly makes me sad and angry at how we value life in this country. 

We need to wake up. And wake up soon. 

My thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. I pray for your comfort and peace in this time. And my deepest respects to Army veteran, Chris Mintz (who should be the one praised in this story), who risked his life to save many more. And to those who died standing up for their faith and for Christ, I cannot admire you any more. 

Recently Read Posts

Impact No Surrender 2023 Review: "Interested in where the Product is Going"

I've fallen behind on my Impact Wrestling viewing, but honestly, that's okay. For viewership and enjoyment, yes. Not so well for posting a review for readership long after it's noteworthy or relevant. But whatevs, that's just where I am in life. Wrestling is much more fun removed from the restraints and influence of the criticism and impact (no pun intended) of the current time. That's just me. You can probably thank social media. Moving on, No Surrender 2023 continues Impact's progress into the new year. The product is still solid and consistent with a nice blend of characters and wrestlers moving in and out of the main event scene, along with a fresh batch of a resurgence of characters and occurrences. Nothing says that more than Rich Swann vs. Josh Alexander.  No Surrender was a solid event, but it does leave me extremely interested in where the product is going, or should I say planning, for 2023. I don't want to say that Alexander's title reign has

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/19/23

3 Up 1. India's Tap Water Access - This is a rather remarkable story. It's a story that offers humility wrapped in the extraordinary. India's Jal Jeevan Mission provided almost 79 million - 79 MILLION! - households with tap water. Just tap water!  2. Jordan Make-A-Wish Record - MJ is often loved through nostalgia, narrative, and remembrance for being politically neutral - even in giving. MJ these days has made some influential contributions, including this latest $10M donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation.  3. WWE Elimination Chamber - A tremendously entertaining pay-per-view on the road to Wrestlemania. The best storyline in pro wrestling continues to evolve between Sami Zayn and the Bloodline.  3A. City of Montreal - Give it up to the city of Montreal for what made a few nights of pro wrestling an awesome experience. Can we get this city more events?  3 Down 1. Michigan State Shooting - We're broken. Very broken. My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and fam

A Product of Us: Thoughts on Durant Trade

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/8/22

3 Up 1. New Year - Happy New Year to you all! I've written it in a bunch of emails, mainly to be courteous, but I really do wish you the best for you. I hope 2023 is a great one for all of you DP readers.  2. Buffalo Athletic Trainers - Let's give it up for the Athletic Trainers of the Buffalo Bills who performed with courage, steadfastness, and urgency in regard to Damar Hamlin. We should be celebrating those trainers more.  2A. Athletic Trainers - And because I'm always around them, let's give it up for Athletic Trainers in general. They do so much and very much go unnoticed in the space of sports, athletics, and performance.  2B. Damar Hamlin - Praying for Hamlin and his family... 3. Broadway Bounceback - We all like to believe we're back from COVID, but we're not. But it's news like Broadway having its biggest week of sales since the pandemic began is some nice news. Everyone in the theatre industry deserves it.  3 Down 1. Damar Hamlin Situation - Horri