More food for thought on the State of our "Union"

Yes, we have a complex, multi-faceted problem on our hands. It's exasperating to see such tragedies like Orlando exploited in the name of forwarding a political agenda or ideology. That helps no one; it solves nothing.

From my vantage point, and despite these incidents not being centrally coordinated, they have so many common elements. Of the most disturbing are vulnerable, unsuspecting people victimized at venues which can be considered a place of refuge; be it a school or a dance club. The randomness of it all further erodes our collective sense of peace and security. Not just as LGBT people, rather as people of this nation.

It's tragedy upon tragedy we have such an epidemic of polarization and violence. Not to oversimplify, I cannot imagine these two societal ills are unrelated.

First step in solving a problem is to admit there is one. These egregious problems pulling apart the delicate fabric of our society, threatening our very existence, they must be thoroughly examined from many angles. Many thoughtful solutions will be required before we realize positive, lasting results. First thing's first, we have to find way to shelf our differences and come together.

So much work lies ahead it seems overwhelmingly insurmountable. Each of us individually can make a difference having meaningful conversations around this, seeking to understand and to be understood.

May we all find common ground soon and a way forward to a peaceful, sustainable society ...

Thoughts on Orlando & America's mass shooting epidemic

Seattleites gather for a candlelight vigil at Cal Anderson Park Sunday, June 12 after the most fatal mass shooting in American history.

A year ago at this time our community (LGBT & allied) came together to rejoice and celebrate the SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality. What a devastating turn of events to come together around this June.

What happened in Orlando was a senseless, diabolical act of violence. We can take a political stance and point fingers, assign blame. Where does that really get us? No where, just fighting among ourselves like children. That's exactly what our two, mainstream political parties seem designed to have us do. A system influenced by antiquated, feudal society to have the common class fighting among itself while the ruling class screw us.

If we take a step back from each of these horrific mass shooting tragedies we can learn something from them. Then we can apply it. That's what we have the opportunity and ability to do if we so choose.

The greatest problem to solve for is us, as a society. We are quick to want an answer, a simple truth and a rapid solution. We have a complex, multi-layered problem on our hands. This isn't someone else's problem, it's ours to figure out, together. What are we as citizens doing to make our U.S. a respectable place where we can all feel secure and liberated?
 

I have in past years volunteered to select recipients for an LGBT scholarship program. One of the brightest minds I had the privilege to meet and interview was an 18 year old who had spent his summer retrofitting a VW bus to use biodiesel, learned how to make biodiesel and then traveled throughout Central and South America showing poor communities how to create and benefit from this more eco-friendly energy source.

As part of the selection process interview, we asked this hopeful what the greatest problem is facing our world and the solution to it. He took quite a bit of time pondering before uttering a word. When he finally spoke his answer, it surprised us. It was simple, amazing and simply amazing: Thoughtlessness.

The student further explained, especially in our Information Age society, we expect to have everything on demand, in the blink of an eye. We are therefore pressured to come up with quick answers to complex problems, and we often fail to come up with the most sound, effective solutions for this reason.

When the immediate emotional aftermath of such horrific events settles, perhaps we, too, as a people, as neighbors, Americans, human beings, etc. Maybe we can brush aside our differences, conduct a deep review of the facts, which for today's incident will be investigated for quite some time to come, and then we can begin being thoughtful about solutions that will make a positive, lasting difference.

That's not up to God, or POTUS or Congress, it's up to us how we choose to move forward in the face of adversity and senseless, hate-fueled tragedy.

May love win, always ...