What do two shootings in widely separated spots in the country have to do with societal breakdown? pull up a chair and I'll tell you.
A few days ago in Kansas City, Mo., an 85-year-old man shot and almost killed a black teenager who knocked at his door, mistaking the man' s house for an address where his younger brothers were playing with friends. In a separate incident in the same time span in Hebron, NY, a 65 year old shot and killed a woman who pulled into his driveway by mistake and was backing out at the time. What scared these two old white men that they would shoot first and ask questions later, if at all?
For one thing, a rampant gun culture is partly to blame. Who would live in a world which encourages shooting and would not be tempted to "protect" themselves with state of the art firearms. For another, fear of crime is the calling card of the rightwing media older white Americans choose to consume. If every youth, person of color or indeed anyone who doesn't look like you is a possible criminal, then of course, shoot first.
Why does Faux News, its rightwing copycats and in the latest outrage, a congressional committee holding a hearing in NYC encourage this fear of crime and "the other"? Many of these outlets and prominent politicians come from the hothouse of the right. In a revolving door, politicians move from legislating to wingnut welfare organizations bankrolled by billionaires who apparently believe they will benefit from the chaos presently engulfing our society. Playing with fire has always been a metaphor indicating harm from a double edged weapon is a possibility. The plutocracy in this country believes it can radicalize ordinary citizens and remain above the fray. I'm afraid their actions are changing America in ways which will eventually harm them as well.
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