The news is full of reports of violence. Homemade bombs explode killing and wounding. We are outraged and angry. Sad and bewildered. Understandably. We are so blessed to live in a country where these things are the exception rather than the rule. There are places where this is almost a daily occurrence – like Israel. Do we give it much thought as we watch the news each day and hear of a bomb going off in some other land? I don’t think so. Our concern lasts only as long as it remains in the news. When it moves off the page we do too.

There is a huge debate about gun control and background checks. The Senate defeated the bill requiring more extensive background checks for those purchasing firearms at a  gun show. It would not have made a significant difference and seemed to be more about political posturing than anything substantial. Guns are not the problem. What about knives, bombs? They kill and maim too.

They still are not discussing the larger issue: our violence, sex saturated society. Why is no one talking about movie contents and television shows as well as lyrics of music? These have an enormous influence on our young people. They spew out violence and casual sex making it seem innocuous, palatable, acceptable. It’s not. It is hideous. It scars not only those involved but our whole society. And the scars are there for life. Why is no one talking about it?

Because no one wants to do the hard work. No one wants to take a stand.I am sad to say I think our leaders are pathetic. Full of rhetoric…still there are no answers on Benghazi. Our former Secretary of State said, “At this point what difference does it make?” Excuse me Madame Secretary, it makes a big difference. Our current Secretary of State said we had more important things to get to. Really Mr. Secretary! Do you want to tell that to the families of those dead? What kind of leadership is that?

I know North Korea is rattling its sabers, threatening the civilized world. Why? Because no one has stood eyeball to eyeball and told them, “No”. They  have been allowed to continue and they know they can get away with it. What we say is just words. It’s like a spoiled child that needs to know “no” means “no”. The same goes for Syria, and the Sudan and too many other places. Our leaders do not seem to have the moral fiber to stand for what is right but instead, slide toward what seems expedient.

I am afraid we are all guilty. We want what is easy. We don’t like sticking our necks out for fear our heads will come off. John the Baptist found out what the truth cost. He never compromised. He wasn’t concerned with political correctness. Nor was the propet Elijah. He didn’t care about “inclusiveness” and “tolerance”. Jesus was The Truth – and He was crucified. But we are still talking about them and what they stood for. We admire them. Martin Luther King took a stand for truth. Rosa Parks, too.

For evil to win means good people did nothing or were too late. It may be too late now. Good is called bad and bad is called good. It is all upside down. The inmates are running the asylum. Do we want to live like this? Our children and grandchildren? I don’t think so. Take a stand!

I, for one, am very grateful for someone like Dr. Ben Carson. There is a man who stands for reason, truth! A man of conviction and integrity. There is a least one. Lets listen to him not to politicians who speak out of both sides of their mouths…and create policies in self-interest.

Back to violence…let us not support those things that create a violent society riddled with bombs, knives, guns…while we may not be the one with our leg blown off or family member dead…but a little bit of what we love dies every time.