Somehow little kids make it different

      Somehow even the most contentious issues take on a different tone when little kids are introduced into the discussion.  The shootings in Connecticut show how the discussion of gun rights have changed in the last week.  Who would have believed how things have just changed in a week.  This is most dramatically shown in the example of how the Michigan Legislature last Thursday passed a law to permit people to carry concealed guns into schools.  This was just hours before the Connecticut shootings. Now even the strongest supporters of the 2nd Amendment struggle to defend the right to own an assault rifle when the images of 6 and 7 year old kids are being shown.  Elected representatives with A ratings by the NRA are finally unable to defend their former positions.  The assault rifle used in Connecticut was like the one used in Aurora and the Washington sniper incidents ten years ago.  Everyday young adults are killed all across our Country by weapons designed for military use. Somehow the killing of adults, even young adults, doesn't have as powerful an impact as the killing of  six year old children.  Images of small children go to the heart of every parent and grandparent. 

     We have all seen a similar impact with the issue of gay marriage.  Somehow the issue didn't have the same impact when it was seen as an issue of two adults being able to marry.  Throw in some pictures of flamboyant gays in a parade and you had images that turned off many conservative persons to the issue of gay marriage.   But now the image that elected officials have been presented is one like the image above of two parents raising children in a typical family relationship.  They are no different then any other couple struggling with the complexities of being a parent.  The issue is changed from of what goes on in the bedroom  to one of potty training and other childhood issues.  Even conservatives can relate to these families.

P.S.
     There is a Snowflake Drive for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary to turn their new school into a winter wonderland.  Like our children, no two snowflakes are alike. You are invited to create snowflakes to decorate Sandy Hook School’s new home.  All colors and designs are welcome. You can mail your snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.