Op-ed: The empathy deficit disorder

  • By Bob Franken
  • Monday, February 26, 2018 1:37pm
  • Opinion

The skeptics among us, and I’m one of them, will say that the White House “listening event” for those directly affected by mass killings was contrived by Donald Trump’s image-makers. Look no further than the notecard he foolishly left out for cameras to see. It listed five reminders for him to show empathy. Since it’s obvious that Donald Trump has severe EDD, they probably were necessary, including No. 5, which was a suggestion that he say, at some point, “I hear you.”

For once, he followed the script. The upshot was the rare appearance of Trump displaying presidential leadership. Unfortunately, when it comes to guns, he’s leading us in the wrong direction. Of all the suggestions that flowed from those whose raw emotions came from the wrenching loss of children or friends, the suggestion he seemed to embrace the most was the one that would lead to more lethal hardware out there, not less. That means it’s the one that is most encouraged by the National Rifle Association and the other merchants of death.

The proposal would arm teachers and other adults in the schools with their own weapons. They’d somehow be trained to effectively stop an assailant by shooting him or her in the critical few minutes before first responders arrived. Or not. No mention of whether they’d be using pistols or assault rifles. The NRA opposes any limits on assault rifles, even though they are the choice of most mass murderers. Therefore, the trembling politicians refuse to prohibit them.

At least no one is advocating that the students themselves bring their own. Or are they? Even the idea of the teacher, coach or janitor packing heat is considered so dopey that virtually every teacher, coach or janitor organization hates the idea. And now we find out that there was an armed presence at the school: a deputy sheriff, presumably trained. What does the video show that he did? He apparently hid. That’s what he did.

Obscene dopiness dishonors the victims of each and every bloodbath. In the wake of the Parkland, Florida, shooting, some of the gun fanatics out there — the really beastly ones — are trolling social media and sadly gaining traction with their absurd claim that student leaders are really just “actors,” hired by liberals — or, in the case of 17-year-old David Hogg, a “crisis actor.” Hogg is a survivor from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, where 17 died. He has emerged as a leader of the young people movement determined to break through the timid-politics-as-usual barricades that wall off any meaningful reform. Of course, the gun nuts believe that he must be discredited. So he’s labeled a “crisis actor.”

It’s that type of abuse along the lawless frontier of social media that has caused Twitter to be the latest to do a mild purge of its most blatantly phony accounts. Guess who’s up in, uh, arms over this? You got it: the right-wing extremists who are hashtagging their outrage. One of them is #Twitterlockout. May I recommend #idiotic? Even the Russians, who flood American politics with disruptive anti-social media, are whining #Naglost, which is the Russian word for “chutzpah.”

The passion of many gun owners knows few bounds. Predictably, the NRA is firing back. A new video ad rips into us journalists: “The mainstream media love mass shootings” because they “juice their ratings and push their agenda.”

Meanwhile, Wayne LaPierre, who heads the group, told a conservative gathering that “Evil walks among us, And God help us if we don’t harden our schools and protect our kids.” Like that deputy sheriff “hardened” the school he was protecting, maybe? President Trump doubled down, saying that school officials who agree to take up arms might get “a bonus.” Now we’re talking.

The students are beginning their crusade to make a difference. The truth is that so far, little has changed.

Bob Franken is a longtime broadcast journalist, including 20 years at CNN.

More in Opinion

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

Boats return to the Homer Harbor at the end of the fishing period for the 30th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: On fiscal policy, Dunleavy is a governor in name only

His fiscal credibility is so close to zero that lawmakers have no reason to take him seriously.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: Finishing a session that will make a lasting impact

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Courtesy/Chris Arend
Opinion: Protect Alaska renewable energy projects

The recently passed House budget reconciliation bill puts important projects and jobs at risk.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Choosing our priorities wisely

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.