Agnotology is the study of
culturally induced ignorance or doubt, particularly the publication of
inaccurate or misleading scientific data.
I thought I would use this title
for my subject rather than one that would cause too much angst in the initial
viewing. The subject is capital punishment and how it is used by Americans in
answer to this weekend’s mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso. I could use
words such as moronic, ignorant, and capitalistic or a string of other negative
words to describe some of the emotions I feel every time I hear about another
tragedy in America but what does that do?
The truth is that the bottom line
of what I feel is complete and utter bafflement that the American people are
more enamoured of their “God given right to own guns” than of the logic in NOT owning
guns, period. What is the use of bewailing the shootings and holding
candlelight vigils AFTER THE FACT? What is the point of talking about capital
punishment AFTER THE FACT?
Many people, many times, have
spoken about what ought to be done but as I have said before “you can’t fix
stupid”. One can point out the action of New Zealand immediately after their
first and only mass killing (passing a law banning the sale of assault rifles).
One can point to Europe’s stance on gun ownership but does any of that make a
dent in the collective heads of Americans? Apparently not.
I am sorry America but I am not
mourning with you. I am berating you for being so damn ignorant.
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