Gunmen Dead After Muhammad-Cartoon-Contest Shooting

Following a shooting at a Dallas suburb event which ended in an fury of violence, the two gunmen were shot, and killed, by police in the area. One suspect was shot and killed immediately, while the other was injured, reached for his backpack, and was shot again. 

Sadly, the shooting was sparked by a very avoidable cause to begin with, and, although no innocent people were hurt, the confrontational attitude which sparked the matter could have very well caused many civilians to be injured. While we often spend weeks and months trying to figure out the mindset of a shooter, this scenario was all too obvious.

The shooting took place at a contest for cartoons of the prophet Muhammad titled the "Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest". Just as the (security-heavy) event was coming to a close, the two shooters began firing.

One very simple and universal characteristic could have avoided this situation in its entirety however; understanding. While the exhibits officialls are undoubtedly attempting to construct a logical fallacy as to why they set this event up, the intentions are very clearly ones armed with hostility.

It is not a shocking revelation for most that Texas is an extremely traditional area in political, societial, and religous beliefs. The group responsible, the American Freedom Defense Initiative, is considered an anti-Muslim group by the Souther Poverty Law Center, who tracks hate groups.

What gives these men the idea that their religious ideologies or style of living is so far above any other that they are in the position to mock and purposefully offend another race or religion is beyond my comprehension. However, whatever philosophy it is that they mumble about to reassure each other they are correct is quite simply wrong.

The idea of putting your own beliefs over others is not more difficult (i.e. the "Faith takes strength" argument) but is instead the simple-minded route. We cannot progress and pave a better future using outdated idiotic philosophy.

In conclusion, is it ever right to walk into a public area and shoot off a gun at a crowd? No. However, there are two guilty parties here, not one. Of course, freedom of expression, speech, and religion are guaranteed rights, but if a people do not learn how to hold to their beliefs and simultaneously be respectful of others, then their rights will eventually become obsolete.

That's all I have to say today, but I'll be back tomorrow.

"Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt." -Kurt Vonnegut