Seventeen lives cut short is a tragedy. Of course it is. Every school shooting is a tragedy. So is every shooting. So is every murder. So is every untimely death caused by gang violence, drug abuse, motor vehicle mishaps, and a host of other causes.
On its face, it appears that the latest school shooting in Parkland, Florida has generated an unprecedented amount of public outrage. We have angry students and parents at a town hall, denouncing a US Senator and NRA spokesperson a “murderers”. We have companies severing connections with the NRA. We have the President of the United States attempting to placate the mob with new legislation.