I've commented a few times here that I am a big fan of Rachel Maddow. She is one of our most gifted, insightful and intelligent commentators. Rachel's show last night was remarkable.
One month after the mass murder of children at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, many of the parents of the deceased children spoke at a press conference which was held to announce to formation of a new organization - Sandy Hook Promise.
One of the missions of Sandy Hook Promise is to work to identify and implement holistic, common sense solutions that will make our community and our country safer from similar acts of violence through education, outreach and grass-roots discussion.
After the press conference attended by Rachel in Newtown, she had an opportunity to interview David and Francine Wheeler, parents to Ben Wheeler, one of the children gunned down on December 14. I honestly don't know how they were able to talk about their son's death so soon in such a public forum.
My wife and I are proud parents of a five old daughter. She is our one and only treasure. I would do anything to keep her safe. If I had to give my life to save her from harm, I would not hesitate. I've had a pretty good life already and her life is still in front of her - full of promise and possibilities.
During the press conference, David Wheeler stood at the podium and addressed all the parents in the nation and asked one very simple question:
What Is Worth Doing To Keep Your Child Safe?
And he asked again:
What Is Worth Doing To Keep Your Child Safe?
Ask yourself, What Is Worth Doing To Keep Our Children Safe? Isn't keeping our children safe our highest and most important responsibility?
The most difficult moment for Francine Wheeler after the murder of her child was when her surviving son, Nate Wheeler and older brother to Ben, said to his parents:
You Promised To Keep Us Safe.
How do you adequately respond to a question like that?
I think I'm like a lot of Americans. It's well past time to have a serious long-term discussion about the role of guns and violence in our society.
If you are moved to advancing the conversation, please have a look at the Sandy Hook Promise site. Please talk to your local, state and federal representatives about this issue and fight the good fight for the sake of all our children and future generations.