One of the foundational rights we have in this nation is the right to assemble – including for the purpose of making a statement of protest or support. A major part of the Civil Rights battle here was won on the backs of those willing to take a stand and assemble in protest over discrimination and racism. I myself have participated in more than a few marches or gatherings – from the annual March For Life to multiple TEA Party assemblies at our state capitol.  Indeed, I am all in favor of the people making their voices heard – even when I disagree with their position.

So we take a look at current events – and the last few years of “protests” that cross the line from protest to simple anarchy and even criminal activity that is NOT protected by the Constitution.  Whether it be protests that turn to riots and looting in Ferguson to Baltimore and Charlottesville. We see professional athletes who proudly disrespect this nation and those who gave all to protect their right to protest, by taking a knee during the National Anthem.  When asked, most of these highly-paid athletes cannot even begin to articulate a coherent and logical purpose behind their act of “protest”. Sometimes it is said that they are making a point regarding police violence against Black Males (despite statistics that actually prove that Caucasians are more likely to be shot by police). Others say the protest is about systemic racism – yet few actual examples are provided. Others simply throw up a hand and speak of the #BlackLivesMatter movement (thought few can really even explain what that means). Amazingly, those who hinge their Anthem protests on the death of Black Americans completely ignore the leading causes of death among this same population – with Abortion being #1!  They ignore the inner-city violence that kills far more African-American males than all police shootings. They ignore the systemic crime and generational poverty caused by drug addiction and gang violence. They chase a narrative that flies in the face of facts. They blame “the system” instead of the real causes of death.  Simultaneously, many of those in this same movement get truly angry when you try to say that ALL Lives matter.  Hypocrisy.

And now we have the latest cause to march for – Gun “Control”.  All spawned by a tragic shooting in a predominantly white school in Florida. Immediately (even before the bodies were removed from the school), calls for banning guns, expanded background checks, age restrictions, and more were flying across the airwaves.  Quickly, a handful of student “survivors” became the public face of what has become “March For Our Lives” – what is billed as a “grass roots” movement of students sick of being scared for their lives in schools because of a supposed epidemic of mass shootings in schools.  The media has been beyond supportive. And the claims and numbers being published by the media, uttered by these self-appointed leaders are duplicated and repeated ad nauseam despite being proven to be either twisted or in many cases total fabrications. And again, we see total hypocrisy as blame is again placed on inanimate objects. No mention at any of the protest marches (amazingly organized and funded) in Washington DC and in cities around the nation this past weekend) of the FBI’s utter failure to even begin to investigate credible and documented threats by the Florida shooter. No reference to an agreement between the school and the Sheriff’s department which meant no students would be arrested or charged with crimes – even when they proved to be violent and a clear danger to themselves, their family, or other students. No mention of the school resource officer who took cover and made no attempt to save lives.  Not a word about an entire Sheriff’s department that showed up yet again, simply took cover and chose to not even attempt to save lives. No mention of the shooter being diagnosed with mental disorders that SHOULD have prohibited him from purchasing a firearm regardless of his age.  An entire system that failed.  No blame even placed on the young man who carried out the horrific shooting.  The only blame they are willing to place is on a piece of metal and plastic that is perfectly legal and is incapable of inflicting injury on its own.  Their response – additional laws.  I’m sorry, but how do new laws accomplish what old laws that are not enforced could not do? They are actually going to further trust a system that has blood on its hands?

You see – it’s really totally misguided and misdirected outrage:

These students (backed by big-money including Michael Bloomberg) claim to be scared for their lives – even though, statistically, they are exponentially more likely to be injured or killed by their own texting while driving, by drunk drivers, or by being killed by bare hands. Where are the organized marches (supported by, or even mandated by schools) against these far more threatening devices, tools, and actions? Compared to the tragic number of students who have been killed in schools by shooters, where is the outrage over the thousands of unborn babies ripped from their mother’s wombs every day? Where is the outrage over their fellow students killed by illegal drugs?  Where is their outrage over a mental health system who’s “solution” to those with depression and other personality issues is to heavily medicate with psychotropic drugs with a proven history to CAUSE or encourage violence (one fo the most common threads between the various mass shootings).

Where is the outrage and protests regarding widespread bullying and school failure to reign it it (or the penalties that seem to penalize the one being bullied more than the one carrying out the bullying?).

I  can’t help but harken back to the words of a parent of a Columbine school shooting victim – who testified that it isn’t a gun issue, but a heart issue. You see – our society has grown progressively away from valuing human life.  This is the product of many factors, but among the most damaging are that our entertainment (movies, television, gaming, etc.) have become progressively more bloody, and our ongoing defense of abortion – the taking of human life that represents the most innocent and defenseless of humanity. And of course – how can we miss that the problem of violence is a hate issue – one that runs directly contrary to the commands of Jesus who said to LOVE your neighbor? We as a nation of rejected God and His precepts (the very same precepts identified by this nation’s founders as the foundation of our freedom and national system).

I am heartbroken for the senseless death we see going on.  I grieve for those who’s lives are taken, regardless of the circumstances. But I also grieve for the many misguided individuals and groups who jump on the protest bandwagon while failing to actually know what you are protesting – or whether it is actually a problem.