After the tragic murders of too many innocent young children and women at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., President Barack Obama called for taking "meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this regardless of the politics." This is an emotionally difficult time, but "solutions" born in our emotions are unlikely to produce appropriate meaningful action.
In a general sense, restraint on behavior is assisted by a belief in a set of God-given timeless truths. It may be of value to reintroduce God to the culture. Whether or not this is done, some persons will choose to do great evil. It should be recognized that those who choose evil are not necessarily victims of psychiatric aliments.
Maybe schools are places where licensed, concealed carry of handguns should be permitted. We often fail to recognize the law-abiding citizen has an obligation for public safety. With due respect for police officers, police officers are no more a repository of moral purity than the responsible citizen.
Discernment of "meaningful action" and its implementation will be extremely difficult work. In a culture that eschews personal responsibility, critical thinking, and transcendent virtues, this is not likely.
RAYMOND N. DANSEREAU
Albany