The other day I was thinking of the meaning of a particular word, having just heard the latest news report that the former United States President had been shot and yes, fortunately, survived the assassination attempt. The word that came to mind was “epiphany”.
I found a definition of the word posted on Google as follows:
“…a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience”.
I am wondering if the assassination attempt on Donald Trump triggered some sort of epiphany? It sure gave him insight into the reality of American life, initiated, by what could be in their society, a homely, commonplace occurrence or experience: that of another mass shooting.
If he indeed had an epiphany, maybe he saw the light at the end of the tunnel, or was it an oncoming train? There are rumours he may have softened his outlook on life, politically and personally, as a result. Time will tell. Or, did he recoil when he realized that the events of last January 6th actually fell on what Christians call the feast of the epiphany?
We are no doubt, going to be once again, exposed to the rhetoric over gun control south of the border, where the lack of same actually exists, both in the public media and over social media. Questions will be asked, was the shooter a criminal? Was he radicalized? Was he a religious nut? Was he as crazy as the target is alleged?, or, was he out on bail?
What are the chances that our own Prime Minister also has an epiphany as a result of this event, you may ask.
In a Toronto Sun article on 9 July, 2024 writer Brian Lilley wrote about a letter sent to the Liberal Government asking how many homicides were committed by a person out on bail. Here is part of that response:
“In 2022, there were 256 people charged with homicide while on some kind of release, including house arrest and parole. With 874 homicides in 2022, the 256 people charged while on release would equate to 29% of all homicides”.
In conjunction with this response we find the following article on the CBC web site by Courtney Dickson on 9 July, 2024 with regards to a specific murder:
“The family of a Surrey, B.C., woman who was killed last month during what they believe was a home invasion is calling for a review of legal decisions that led to her suspected killer being released into the community despite having committed a series of offences”.
As a result of events unfolding in the US, our Government has indicated it has put our intelligence agencies on high alert, whatever that means. Does it mean increased security at our border? Do they ban the sale of ladders to prevent access to rooftops? Does our PM actually get a car that is bullet proof, or a bullet proof vest to match his condescending smile?
Or, is there now the realization in light of current events, that our Prime Minister and his Liberal Government has actually targeted the wrong group of citizens with their insane pandering approach to gun control in a country that already has some of the world’s strongest gun control?
After witnessing the chaos in America this week, perhaps they too will experience an epiphany!