In our gun-obsessed culture, any threats posted on social media must be taken seriously, which is exactly what President Tom Stritikus did by closing the Fort Lewis College campus on Wednesday for the safety of students, staff and faculty. The college and dorms went into complete lockdown.
Compare that with the days preceding Jan. 6, 2021, when the FBI, the Capitol Police, Homeland Security and other agencies had discovered close to a million threats on social media to the U.S. Capitol and our elected representatives in Congress and the Senate. The FBI did nothing, claiming such threats represented free speech. When a U.S. Capitol riot occurred, inflamed by then-President Donald Trump, he did nothing for 187 minutes: He thus cost the lives of five people and millions of dollars in property damage. Thank you, President Stritikus, for doing the right thing. As for President Trump, his narcissism and lack of leadership were displayed for the world to see.
We who are survivors of family or friends who have died by gun violence believe the criminals who called this threat in should be dealt with more harshly than a misdemeanor charge perhaps allows. Very sadly, many on the campus undoubtedly are themselves survivors of gun violence and experienced their own trauma at an anxious time of the semester. Add to this that nine law enforcement agencies had to be involved to find the suspects, and my frustration with America’s sick love affair with guns only grows.
Stephanie Moran
Durango
