New NRA President Oliver North did some finger-pointing about who and what is responsible for the epidemic of school shootings in the US.
North blamed a “culture of violence” for the shootings. He said television and movies helped promote violence but also blamed medications.
“If you look at what has happened to the young people, many of these young boys have been on Ritalin since they were in kindergarten,” he said.
Some have pointed out the irony in North's comments given the fact that he once served as a pitchman for “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” a shooter based video game that revolved around covert missions done toward the end of the Cold War in the 1980s.
I appreciate Oliver North's comments because he is trying to get at the heart of the problem, rather than just blame guns. I've tried to avoid the usual partisan cliches on the show by asking these questions: even if you are in favor of gun control, will you admit that there is a bigger problem impacting angry, alienated young men in this country? What do you believe is causing the bigger problem.
I think we have a "man crisis" in this country. I believe - and will fight for - equality for women is this country. But I stand against feminists who believe that feminism involves demeaning and diminishing the role of men in this country. Men have an important role to play as mentors and role models to younger men.
It is said that the Santa Fe shooter may have been reacting violently to rejection by a girl (a girl he shot and killed during his rampage). Who is teaching our young men to handle rejection, mistakes, and setbacks in this nation?