Why are we so obsessed with blame?

It seems to be our culture’s default response to any given crisis. In the immediate aftermath all that we’re focused on is who’s at fault.

We should be focused on how to help.

Las Vegas is no different.

Instead of getting off of the Internet and doing something about it, we hurl digital bombs at each other.

Blame the Republicans for not passing gun control. Blame the Democrats for targeting a Country music festival. Blame Donald Trump for being divisive. Blame professional athletes for being unpatriotic. Blame the media for lying.

Murder is a tragedy. Mental illness is a tragedy.

59 dead and 500+ wounded (as of 7:15pm) is a devastating statistic. But not nearly as devastating as the humans behind it. These are people, each with their own family, story, hopes, and dreams.

There will always be sick and deranged individuals in our society and, from time to time, they will act to hurt us.

We won’t rise above these events by tearing each other down. We won’t rise above these events by using hashtags. We won’t rise above these events by changing our profile pictures. We won’t rise above these events by casting blame. We won’t rise above these events by waiting for the government to fix our problems.

We’ll rise above by minding our corner of the world. So put an American flag on your front porch. Give blood. Volunteer as a firefighter. Mow your neighbor’s lawn. Donate to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Raise your children well. Hug your spouse.

Blame gets us nothing. Go do something to make our nation a better place to live.