Still reeling from the horror in Uvalde

 

I am not a native Texan. I cannot, like many of my friends, claim roots that go back generations (they often let me know about it). But I have lived in this state for fifty-seven years. In Texas, I raised my four children, built a career based on Texas history and literature, found a more-than-satisfactory life. I love this state. Tonight, I grieve for it and I am angry—indeed, furious.

I watched Greg Abbott’s presser today and was mildly surprised but overall appalled. It was all about after-the-fact, what we are doing to help families and the community of Uvalde heal, when truly it is much too soon to even talk about healing. The grief is too raw. I did think, briefly, that both Abbott and Dan Patrick showed some real emotion, but they soon turned it aside to recite the same old stuff. Abbott read lists of agencies involved in the investigation and in caring for survivors. The time frame of the attack was detailed, the fact that all the dead have been identified and their families notified seemed a point of pride. I heard the word “prevent” exactly once. When questions came, Abbott stressed the seven laws he has passed to strengthen mental health in this state.

Not a word about the nineteen laws the last legislature passed and Abbot gleefully signed that loosened restrictions on gun ownership. Not a word about the way shooting deaths have since skyrocketed. Not a word about the six school shootings and other mass shootings in the state that preceded this one. Abbott stuck to the playbook he’s used after every shooting: “This is not a time to politicize.” It makes great cover if you take it at face value.

Beto O’Rourke may have done himself no favors by interrupting and accusing the governor—Republicans will jump all over the incident, and I believe it was the mayor of Uvalde who disgraced himself, though he may not yet recognize it, by loudly calling Beto, “a sick son of a bitch.” But Beto spoke the truth: it will happen again, because Abbott is willing to look anywhere but at gun ownership—specifically automatic assault weapons. After every shooting, we have had the same pattern—Abbott calls a conference, makes a lot of noise, and does nothing meaningful.

When Beto was interviewed after his interruption, the passion he felt about these deaths was so palpable it was in stark contrast to the controlled statements inside the civic center (or was it the high school?). I for one cheer him for making his voice heard, for striking out against “one more time.” He’s right: unless something drastic is done, it will happen again in Texas, one of the states with the laxest gun laws and the highest number of gun deaths. I have five grandchildren still in public schools in this state, and I fear for their safety every day. Beto pointed out that Abbott called this tragedy unimaginable, but it really is not because we’ve seen it happen six times already. It is far too easy to imagine it happening all over again.

What can we do? Does it do any good to write to Ted Cruz? Probably not. To the governor? Probably not. I am not a fan of John Cornyn, but I will give him credit for cancelling his scheduled appearance at the NRA celebration in Houston this weekend—Abbott will supposedly still appear, along with trump who has not uttered one word about the shooting. What an appallingly bad case of timing. We can send donations to help with funerals; we can, as one of my neighbors suggested, donate blood which is apparently needed in the Uvalde hospitals. We can make our voices heard. And we must vote!

I wish there was better news tonight, something happy to write about. But it will take a while, a long while.