The United States leads the world in COVID-19 deaths. Inexcusable.

The United States annually leads the world in gunshot deaths. Inexcusable.

There is a cynical, systemic effort in an alarming number of states to shrink the size of our legitimate electorate. Its intent is unmistakable. Its targets are obvious. It is a clear and present threat to American democracy, mounted by cowards. It is shameful and inexcusable.

Inexcusable.  Where’s the “accountability crowd”?

We must Finish The Fight against COVID. The pandemic is not over. Things are better at the moment, and we’re all grateful. Jo and I had a wonderful time last night attending a beautiful outdoor river parade together with dear friends. It felt good.  It felt normal. But it also felt tenuous. We could still blow this, yet again. This is math and science, not blustering partisan politics. Vaccinations stop rampant spread of the virus. If the virus cannot replicate, it cannot mutate. Our arsenal of vaccines is remarkably safe, and remarkably effective. But our current vaccination rates and levels are not sufficient to prevent viral mutation. The emerging Delta Variant is alarmingly transmissible among our non-vaccinated population. It is also more virulent than the “original” virus and previous variants. And, yes, it affects young people. Our arrogance, ignorance and hubris could throw us right back in the Covid soup. We have the means to stop this. So we have the obligation to stop it. It remains to be seen whether we have the will and the intellect to stop it.

Hell, yes, guns kill people.  OK, Stop shooting blood from your eyes. It’s unbecoming. Here’s what I did not just do.  I did not write or say one word about gun control. But I have plenty to say about intellectual dishonesty. Yes, a gun is an object. No, guns don’t pull their own triggers.  We get that. But denying the role of guns in this equation is both irrational and dishonest.  Hell, yes, guns kill people, especially guns whose sole purpose is to kill people as efficiently as possible. You say this is a “people problem”? OK. But to date we have been unwilling to address the “people” side of this. You tell me guns aren’t the problem? OK.  But blind worship of guns clearly is. Considering guns to be the solution to every dispute clearly is. The idea that “the only thing better than guns is more guns” clearly is. Note again.  I have not said or written one word about gun control. But I am asking—make that demanding—that we stop the bullshit. One more thing. If you drone on about how leading the world in gunshot deaths is “just the price of freedom,” you understand nothing about freedom.

So later today the U.S. Senate is going to block legislation to protect the legitimate voting rights of legitimate American voters. The “Greatest Deliberative Body on Earth is going to block legislation to protect the foundation of American democracy.

I’ll just let that sit there. Inexcusable. 

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