What I learned in first grade

One of the first things I learned as a kid is that it's not okay to hit. That lesson was reinforced without delay not only by parents, but by my first grade teacher, Bennie Fern Hunter. Clearly that psycho-bastard in Arizona did not share my good fortune because he, in effect, hit his victims.

The press has been gibbering in it's usual fashion about shooter and his motives. He didn't have any motives. His tin-foil hat was screwed on too tight. Maybe one day I will be able to pity him for his mental defects, but for now compassion for him is out of my reach. He is a repugnant human being.

What is even more repugnant are those who would use the pain of the victims as a vehicle to advance a political agenda. I need not name names. We all know it when we see it, and the guilty should be ashamed.

There is no place for violence in civil discourse. We can disagree with passion, but it's not okay to hit. We're not a banana republic, we're Americans. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to rise above pettiness and violence.

And by the way, have a prayer for the parents of that little girl in the photo. Parents aren't made to outlive their kids.