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Before progressive media hijacked the conversation, we had a chance to have a substantive debate on how to best intervene for at-risk people in our communities.

There are few pockets of actual journalists left even in liberal bastions like the New York Times. They published an excellent article showing there were massive failures in the systems at the school, local police, mental health oversight and in parental controls that could have averted the Parkland shooting.

Instead an intelligent comprehensive debate on best practice interventions that will have an immediate impact, we have a demonization of innocent parties and laser focus on an inanimate object. This is a perfect environment for the next preventable tragedy to occur.

The Central Michigan student who shot his parents showed rapid decompensation 24 hours preceding his violent act.

He had contact with law enforcement and healthcare, both of which can be entry points for a mental health commitment.

Heightened awareness and ensuring in place systems are trained in addressing mental health emergencies could have saved this family from destruction.

We need to call out the news media for operating solely as a conduit for advancing progressive talking points.

Our lives depend upon it.

Kirk Matoushek

Simpson

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