Pricked Prick

A gun and a troubled mind

On Saturday, Donald Trump was pricked by a bullet fired from an assault rifle; the shooter was a 20-year-old registered Republican.

In the current case, news sources report, “Officials said he had no known history of mental illness.” It could be reasonably argued that the attempted murder of a public figure under such circumstances requires a degree of mental instability or deficit.

In the United States those who attempt (and succeed) at assassinations are invariably mentally unbalanced. Their disease is a foundation onto which a grudge or desire is molded. Their target serves as the vehicle to realize whatever fevered and paranoid fantasy they have concocted.

Assassins have used cult worship, romantic aspirations, failed job seeking and a lust for fame as the “rationale” for their murderous acts.

Historically handguns, easy to conceal, have been the weapon of choice as it was easy to get fairly close to the target. And, of course, assault rifles were not yet developed or easily obtained.

In our country anyone who wants an assault rifle can obtain one. Republicans and conservatives serving as elected leaders and judges have worked with undiminished ardor to create a society awash in assault weapons.

Fervent Trump supporters are saying that he was “protected by God” suggesting that those killed or critically wounded were not protected by the the same deity. That’s a harsh god, for sure.

Many prominent politicians have previously said that if an assassin wants to strike they will have the opportunity.

Republicans have created the perfect conditions to make that prediction a sure reality and last Saturday is the proof.

Trump was saved by distance to target and the firing limitations of the weapon, a god notwithstanding.