Danger Zone

 Any thoughts about America's gun problem going quietly into the night now that the Trumpreich has been installed can be put away. Two kindergartners were shot at a school in Palmero, California this past Wednesday. The children were in extremely critical condition, as any five year old experiencing gunshot wounds should be. The gunman, as de rigeur, then shot himself in the head. He will not be experiencing the lifetime of trauma and recovery that his victims will. The school, which serves about thirty-five students, is affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventists church. No security guard was posted at the school. 

They put their faith in God to keep their children safe. 

Across the country, in the screeching metropolis that is New York City, United Healthcare's CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in broad daylight on the streets of Manhattan. Authorities referred to the shooting as a "premeditated, preplanned targeted attack" outside the New York Hilton. The masked gunman didn't do everyone the favor of taking his own life, but escaped on an electric bicycle.

Maybe it's just me, but it's that last detail, about the electric bike that brings the whole scene to its most surreal point. The juxtaposition of this movie-like execution coupled with the environmentally conscious getaway vehicle is, to some degree, laughable. 

Which brings me to the third installment of "Who's Shooting Whom" in which California Highway Patrol officers were fired upon during a high speed chase early this past Monday morning. Authorities say the suspected stolen vehicle was being pursued along highway 880 when the bad guys turned off on to city streets where the passenger leaned out of the speeding Honda Civic on three separate occasions to shoot at the pursing officers. The chase was abandoned due to the “driver’s reckless and dangerous driving as well as the passenger’s obvious disregard for the safety of the public.” The stolen car was later found ditched somewhere in the city. 

The bad guys with guns got away. 

Come to think of it, so did the guy who shot two kindergartners. 

Not a good week for the good guys.