As I studiously avoid news gathering (the reasons for which a later blog will explore) when a piece of news comes my way, I tend to look for the purpose in it. Today's was obvious. It concerns a hunting tragedy at the Nine Bar Ranch in Decatur, Texas, a ranch advertised as a hunters dream, and boasting ample opportunities for the killing of numerous species of deer, birds, wild hogs and bison. It transpires that the owner was out hunting with his nine year old grandson when somehow, the boy managed to get in the way of his grandfather's aim and was killed from a single shot to the chest.
The story came to my attention through an animal rights organization with a Facebook page, who posted the story without comment. Needless to say, it provoked considerable response from subscribers, many of whom were quick to claim 'karma'. Few expressed much sympathy. Some were positively gleeful. A number of critics had felt it appropriate to make (sometimes) unpleasant attacks upon those commenting upon the tragedy, with criticisms ranging from accusations of 'heartlessness' through to deriding them as 'filth'. The critics were merciless in their condemnation of commentary that failed to acknowledge the innocence of the child. The commentators retorted that the child was far from innocent. He was reported to be a regular and enthusiastic hunter. Indeed, he was pictured in news reports crouched over the carcass of a slain Javelina, rifle in hand, a broad smile upon his face. (And many similar photographs of him and his 'trophies' were apparently available for viewing.)
So what's 'the truth' of the matter?
When I asked Archangel Michael about it, he was predictably matter-of-fact in his explanation. The question of 'innocence' did not arise. The event (which involved the child strangely managing to leave the hunting blind unnoticed and find himself in the sights of his grandfather's gun, who failed to see him) happened as a predetermined contractual event intended to bring learning to all of those immediately involved, and cause reflection for all of those who come to learn of the story. The obvious and bitter irony should not be lost on any of us. A family that has made its living from facilitating the mindless, cruel and unnecessary slaughter of harmless and innocent souls, now finds one of its own dead from the very act that they have sponsored and even romanticized.
The message is a clear one and this poor soul had agreed to act as a sacrifice in order that a major piece of learning could be promulgated. To ignore it would be to dishonor his memory. Yet I wonder how many, even when faced with such a hideous tragedy, will simply interpret this situation as an incentive to take greater care when hunting, and not stop to make the connection and consider the entirety of what has occurred in Decatur.
I (personally) find it ironic that it was only two days previously that I had posted a caption on Facebook which read as follows. "There will come a time when mankind reflects on this era, and contemplates how we could slaughter and consume other animals without remorse". (Anthony Douglas Williams.) Certainly that time should have arrived for this unfortunate family. Perhaps that time has arrived for all of us?
An Archangel thinks so.
The story came to my attention through an animal rights organization with a Facebook page, who posted the story without comment. Needless to say, it provoked considerable response from subscribers, many of whom were quick to claim 'karma'. Few expressed much sympathy. Some were positively gleeful. A number of critics had felt it appropriate to make (sometimes) unpleasant attacks upon those commenting upon the tragedy, with criticisms ranging from accusations of 'heartlessness' through to deriding them as 'filth'. The critics were merciless in their condemnation of commentary that failed to acknowledge the innocence of the child. The commentators retorted that the child was far from innocent. He was reported to be a regular and enthusiastic hunter. Indeed, he was pictured in news reports crouched over the carcass of a slain Javelina, rifle in hand, a broad smile upon his face. (And many similar photographs of him and his 'trophies' were apparently available for viewing.)
So what's 'the truth' of the matter?
When I asked Archangel Michael about it, he was predictably matter-of-fact in his explanation. The question of 'innocence' did not arise. The event (which involved the child strangely managing to leave the hunting blind unnoticed and find himself in the sights of his grandfather's gun, who failed to see him) happened as a predetermined contractual event intended to bring learning to all of those immediately involved, and cause reflection for all of those who come to learn of the story. The obvious and bitter irony should not be lost on any of us. A family that has made its living from facilitating the mindless, cruel and unnecessary slaughter of harmless and innocent souls, now finds one of its own dead from the very act that they have sponsored and even romanticized.
The message is a clear one and this poor soul had agreed to act as a sacrifice in order that a major piece of learning could be promulgated. To ignore it would be to dishonor his memory. Yet I wonder how many, even when faced with such a hideous tragedy, will simply interpret this situation as an incentive to take greater care when hunting, and not stop to make the connection and consider the entirety of what has occurred in Decatur.
I (personally) find it ironic that it was only two days previously that I had posted a caption on Facebook which read as follows. "There will come a time when mankind reflects on this era, and contemplates how we could slaughter and consume other animals without remorse". (Anthony Douglas Williams.) Certainly that time should have arrived for this unfortunate family. Perhaps that time has arrived for all of us?
An Archangel thinks so.