I am afraid to say that our generation will not be viewed favorably in terms of our absolute and complete failure to protect students from gun violence during the past 25 (or so) years.  Gun violence is now the leading cause of child and teen deaths in our country. We have failed to protect our children, and with each school shooting we are reminded of our failure.

Maybe if the folks who are able to take swift and decisive action on many fronts (common sense gun control laws/background checks, mental health supports, additional in-school law enforcement, etc..) had to view the crime scene photos of bullet riddled children and adults lying in pools of blood might have a different attitude…but some may not, which is revolting.

It is like Groundhog Day after each shooting: thoughts and prayers, the blame game, political point scoring, and the “polarization of opinion” wherein the people we elect take positions they can’t and won’t move off of because they are apparently incapable of working with those who have different opinions.

As a school superintendent, I am  literally sickened by what I see happening. As a person who recently lost a child, my heart absolutely breaks for the families of the victims. We have got to demand better from our leaders.