I don't think it's a good idea to restrict Constitutional rights based on a government watch list

[moriah]

89. By the way, here's what I finally wrote when I could find words for Orlando.

I've been in shock since Sunday morning when I woke up to learn there had been a mass shooting at a gay-friendly nightclub in Orlando.

For those who aren't aware, while I'm what some of my lovely friends call "differently queer" (aka straight), I am a very strong ally of the LGBTQ community. Back when I partied, my female friends and I usually went to traditionally "gay" bars and clubs because we felt safer there -- no guys trying to score with us, and the ladies usually could recognize the "hen party" at a certain table were likely there for the reason we were. Even if a mistake was made, an "I'm flattered, but sorry..." was all that was required.

Several of the victims of this tragedy were at the Pulse for similar reasons -- and gay or straight, they felt safe there.

And that safety was violated. That sanctuary where people could just be themselves is now a crime scene, blood and spilled drinks as people tried to flee covering the floor that moments earlier was filled with people dancing and celebrating life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- perhaps not in the way some approve of, but still exercising their Constitutional rights.

49 human beings died for no reason other than being at the wrong place at the wrong time. What if it had been Little Rock rather than Orlando? Would I have had to choose between cowering in a bathroom, dragging wounded inside and ripping my clothes for bandages and attempting to keep people from bleeding out, or trying to escape through the hail of bullets and not fall while dragging others to safety? People did both. The poor first responders, having to investigate and triage the carnage while all the cell phones were constantly ringing, relatives trying frantically to reach their children, brothers, sisters, parents....

Now people are trying to dissect Some Asshole's motivations for the killings. Was he closeted and self-hating? Did he, a natural born US citizen, pay too much attention to radical religious leaders? Why does it have to be either terrorism or a hate crime, instead of both?

This crime is almost the "perfect storm", as it has the potential to pit at least three groups against each other right here in the US -- the LGBTQ community obviously, but also the Muslims who are willing to live by the compromise our Founding Fathers came up with (you can worship or not as you please, and you can attempt to persuade others of the rightness of your worship or lack, but not at the point of a sword or gun), and law-abiding gun owners who value their Second Amendment rights. It also indirectly puts Christians in the middle, too, because some not worthy of the title of "pastor" have praised the attacks as "50 pedophiles dead". Everyone involved except the LGBTQ community is feeling like they are forced to defend their views, and the LGBTQ community has been terrorized and marginalized long before even Stonewall, let alone the Pulse tragedy, that I honestly can't imagine the impact this newest act of terror AND hate has had on them.

We must acknowledge that religious extremism -- as in, religions that condone, teach, or practice violence against people who disagree -- is a threat to our freedom, safety, and liberties, while figuring out a way not to infringe on the religious liberty our country was founded upon. We must acknowledge that some gun restrictions are reasonable, and pro-2A people must sit together and talk constructively with those who are concerned with easy access to firearms that aren't even that great for hunting deer to make rational policy.

Instead of letting this tragedy divide us, it needs to unite us. That's the only way we will ever begin to stop the epidemic of mass shootings.