Tales From the Drop Box Episode #97 arrives this week in the aftermath of yet another tragedy. It seems last episode I was learning about the tragedy in New York and this week I’m reflecting on the tragedy at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Spring, Texas. It is weird putting out these podcasts in a time of turmoil. My purpose with these podcasts was to bring joy with a selection of new or fairly new music not heard on commercial radio. However, I also live in the world, and it is difficult to ignore the obvious chaos in the world around me and the eruption of evil in the world. I knew that evil was always present as it is inherent in man, but good was winning. I am not so sure now. It is inconceivable to me the amount of senseless  cruelty and suffering that assholes such as the Texas shooter can inflict.

I have written extensively about gun control on this blog. However, on the theory that people gain understanding with repetition, what follows below, for those inclined, is a straight forward call to action. For those not into the “politics” of evil, enjoy this episode of Tales From the Drop Box.

So where do we begin our fight against evil?

We must not underestimate the power of evil and fight against those individuals and groups who would normalize the actions of these assholes i.e. the politicians who refuse to tackle the issue and bring sanity to a growing and lethal problem. To be clear – we, as a nation, must confront the growing mental illness problem and remove the ability of anyone to engage in mass killing. I get it. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. But we don’t have to give these evil monsters access to weapons of destruction. Given that there are an overwhelming number of legal and illegal weapons in the possession of so many people, perhaps eliminating the most lethal of these weapons would be a start. Really, what is the hunting purpose of an AR-15?

For a list of other lies that distort the gun control debate check out: Ten Lies Distort The Gun Control Debate.

There is much written about so called “sensible gun control.” This is a freaking myth. There will never be sensible gun control so we should all stop wasting time discussing what that would look like. Either we have gun control or we don’t. Gun control won’t likely occur in this political climate, because we are saddled with a populist as President who is as gutless as he is stupid.

There is lots of evidence of this stupidity, but even today we have this inciteful statement from Trump:

Donald Trump ‘tells Japanese emperor mass shootings can happen anywhere’ — in country with no mass shootings.

So, apart from the fact that Trump is in charge of our country’s gun policy, gun control cannot happen because, in all honesty, each State would have to significantly change the way that it does business. Guns are money. If there is one thing that Trump understands is this fundamental truth: don’t f_____ with guns because that’s what his fans want. Trump’s fans want the right to possess as much firepower as possible. Trump doesn’t have a “base.” He has fans are watching the shit show he is producing and gun control would lessen his impact with his fans. Therefore, not one single effort will be made by Trump to eliminate gun violence because Trump absolutely and positively does not give a single shit about anyone other than himself. His self-interest and ego govern policy decisions.  This lack of character apparently makes for compelling television but also for lousy government. It is not helpful that Trump is also a liar.

So where do we go from here?  The chronic gun violence problem is a consequence of a political system that is perhaps irreparably broken. What kind of democratic society permits mass killings? Why do politicians refuse to tackle the underlying causes of violence – mental illness, homelessness, drug addiction, gang violence, etc?

Continued gun violence is the consequence of failed gun policy and a failure to take action – some action to reduce the supply of guns in commerce.

The approach to violence, gun or otherwise, must be holistic and synergetic. It is not simply about taking away guns from citizens. However, taking away guns that are capable of killing many people rapidly is a terrific start.

Write your legislators – your Senators and Congress persons – and tell them to get off their fat asses and work together to begin solving these issues.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #97:

1. Ruelle – “Dead of Night” (Rival)
2. Weirds – “Past Life” (Swarmculture)
3. Gary Numan – “Me, I Disconnect From You (Live)” (Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1989)
4. The Jade Shader – “Secret Truths” (Sea Stacks and Sleestaks)
5. Together Pangea – “Peach Mirror” (Bulls and Roosters)
6. Barns Courtney – “Never Let You Down” (The Attractions of Youth)
7. Lillingtons – “Until The Sun Shines” (Project 313)
8. TV Haze – “Under The Couch” (Scrap Museum)
9. The Districts – “Salt” (Popular Manipulations)
10. Nightmen – “Last Time” (C’est La Vie EP)
11. Teen Vice – “Anti-Privilege” (Saddest Summer)
12. Junior Astronomers – “Body Language Pt 2” (Body Language)
13. Theo Verney  “Mind Fire” (One Small Piece)
14. X – “Soul Kitchen” (Los Angeles)
15. The Yawpers – “Linen For The Orphan” (Boy In A Well)

I think something might be wrong ’cause it’s been dark out far too long … In a pitch black world, anything goes, no telling where the wind will blow.

KFR