“NOT ONE MORE”
Politics are personal these days. No one embodies that more than Richard Martinez, who turned from his son’s bullet-ridden body with a firestorm of grief and rage, with an eloquence that came from the deepest caverns of his heart, to face America and demand that the madness of gun violence be stopped.
“Chris died because of craven irresponsible politicians and the NRA. They talk about gun rights. What about Chris’ right to live?” He then followed his emotional news conference with his own war cry: “Not One More!”
Uncharacteristically, the NRA has — so far — been silent after this latest massacre in Santa Barbara. Maybe they’re huddled together trying to figure out a justification for the 3 semi-automatic weapons and 400 rounds of ammunition that Elliot Rodger was able to get legally. Maybe they’ve run out of new ways to spin this to their advantage since the massacres just keep happening…although I doubt the NRA will ever run out of horrific rationalizations. Mr. Martinez told a Congressman who called to express sympathy for his loss that he didn’t want his sympathy — he wanted him to do something.
There was a time when politics weren’t personal. People had cordial disagreements about policies and candidates. These days, the issues are too big, too vital, too emotional to be anything other than terribly personal. I have to admit that I have no idea how to have a conversation with someone who denies climate change, or who wants to deny women autonomy over their own bodies. I knew someone recently who quite calmly said that all Muslims believe in violence — I avoid that individual like the plague now. And then there is the gun issue. As young bodies are retrieved from scenes of unimaginable horror, there are those who still claim the only problem is that there aren’t enough guns in the right hands.
I would like one of those people to stand in front of Richard Martinez, to feel the fury and the anguish of his grief, and dare to propose that there should be more guns, not fewer. Thousands of people who gathered to mourn the victims of this latest shooting took up the cry of Not One More. Maybe this time so many in this country will take up that cry that the gun lobby will just be a whimper in the distance.
One thing that I have tried to prepare myself for is the notion that someone may someday notify me that one of my children died because of an act of violence. We do not prepare ourselves very well for the possibility of great personal tragedy. Back in 2006 the Amish demonstrated their moral qualities after a school shooting. The gunman killed several and then himself. Parents of the victims came to his funeral. It will be a long time before we turn our swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4) and the military has to hold a bake sale to raise money to build their armaments.
Mick, what a lovely and poignant response. Thank you for that.
Thank you Patti. I recently decided I wanted to see a little of what you are doing with your life. An elderly neighbor lost a grandson the day that your dad was shot. Underage drinking and driving a Pontiac Trans Am. Then about the time your dad died I felt a remark by a friend hit me like a bullet. I immediately thought of the story you had written for Playboy in 1994 based on the Lorena Bobbitt fiasco with the knife. So I bought a copy to reread your story. It is really funny in a way because the only two copies of Playboy I have ever bought was the issue when it first came out in 1994 and then purchased it again about the time your dad died, I was also born in 1952(in May). Keep on publishing and crack the Bible open now and then. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 32:17–the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.(KJV) Peace Day is Sept. 21st. Spearheaded locally by a friend who spent two days with Bucky Fuller when he was 12 and authored a book you might enjoy,POKER WITHOUT CARDS.
Thanks!