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Health & Fitness

Gun Control: It's different this time!

Advocating for teachers and administrators to get involved in the fight for federal gun control laws.

There is probably no person reading these words that was not shocked, saddened and outraged at the events of last Friday in Newtown at the Sandy Hook School.  I am sure everyone felt a similar feeling of helplessness and desire to do something…

…anything for the poor souls taken and their families and loved ones...

The Sandy Hook Massacre took the collective breath of the nation away in a manner that only one or two events in my nearly 50-year lifetime have.  Imagining what those beautiful and innocent children experienced is left to the darkest level of horror and I challenge every reader to think about that as you continue reading this.

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The calls for policy debate began almost immediately with both President Barak Obama and Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy choosing to hold their thoughts until the vigil last Sunday night in Newtown.  Particularly President Obama, who put the burden on all of us as a society and told us (rightfully) that change is due and it is all of our responsibility to shepherd that change, resonated.  In my opinion, it was his most powerful speech I have ever seen him give.  He spoke as the loving father that he is and as the great leader he continues to become.  To me, it was the most powerful, moving (and possibly important) speech given by a sitting president in at least the last 25 years.

The need for change is both severe and immediate.  More and more senseless killings by people with illegal access to military grade weapons are happening and if the federal government does not act swiftly, it will only get worse.  Incredibly (and not by choice) teachers and school administrators have become the front lines of this needless war.  The acts of bravery and heroism by the teachers and administration of Sandy Hook have been well recounted.

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Through this forum, I ask teachers and school administrators to take up the pen and write to their house and senate representatives by January 15th in time for the new session of Congress.  Teachers are the best chance at making an impact and getting changes made to existing laws through their intellectual and impassioned pleas.  Our leaders will have no choice not only to listen, but to act.

Join the cause now by logging into Facebook and searching keywords "teacher letter writing campaign."  There are links to find the address of your representatives in Washington on the page.  Or, click this link and share with everyone you know who is involved with a school and educating our young kids:

http://www.facebook.com/events/314937421955774/

The time for debate has ended.  The time for action is now.  As President Obama correctly said:

“This is our first task, caring for our children. It’s our first job. If we don’t get that right, we don’t get anything right. That’s how, as a society, we will be judged.

"And by that measure, can we truly say, as a nation, that we’re meeting our obligations?   … if we’re honest with ourselves, the answer’s ‘no.’ We’re not doing enough. And we will have to change.”

Encourage your teachers and school administrators to join this important cause now.  Let’s change for the better!  Now.

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