Appalling, isn't it?

Violence perpetrated by terrorists. It’s become a hot political issue. Maybe a bit overblown. In comparison to other violence. Going on at the same time. Yes, the terrorists are bad, bad guys. A few bad women, too.  But they don’t match the rampant violence occurring daily. In 2013, for instance, we had 33,169 firearms-related deaths in the U.S.  We Americans have learned to accept violence. As part of our culture. Except when it’s done by terrorists. Then we get indignant.  And insist that politicians do something about it. Right away. To make us feel safer. But it’s not the terrorists doing most of the killing. It’s us. We Americans do the lion’s share. On our own.  Some 11,298 homicides (murders) in 2013.  And every year, over 20,000 of us use a firearm to commit suicide. Appalling, isn’t it? We live in a violent world. -Jim Broede