Oh, Ben.
On Tuesday, Ben Carson was on “Fox & Friends” and was posed this hypothetical: “If a gunman walks up and puts a gun at you and says what religion are you, that is the ultimate test of your faith,” as the Oregon shooter reportedly did to his victims.
It wasn’t a question per se, but the interviewer obviously wanted to know how Carson would react in that incredibly stressful circumstance.
Carson responded:“I’m glad you asked that question because not only would I not probably not cooperate with him, I would not just stand there and let him shoot me. I would say, ‘Hey guys, everybody attack him. He may shoot me, but he can’t get us all.’ ”Then Carson chuckled.
Oh, Ben.
Do you not see why so many people saw this as a callous, thickheaded blaming of the victim? The statement doesn’t honor the heroism of Chris Mintz, who did exactly as Carson suggested . charged at the shooter, was shot seven times, but wasn’t able to incapacitate him . and it also devalues the lives and reactions of all the other victims who didn’t or couldn’t charge the shooter.
Which of us truly know precisely how we would react . even those of us who are sure that we would be fearless . when caught off guard and caught up in an active mass shooting where bodies, ripped open by bullets, are falling all around?On Tuesday evening, Carson appeared on Fox News’ “The Kelly File,” where the host, Megyn Kelly, put this statement to him: “The accusation there, Dr. Carson, is that you appeared tone deaf and that you seemed callous in the laughter about a massacre and what you would have done.”
Carson responded, “I’m laughing at them and their silliness.” “Who?” Kelly asked. “The people asking that question,” Carson responded.
Hold up! When the original statement/question was put to Carson, the “them” were the hosts on “Fox & Friends,” and Carson’s response began with “I’m glad you asked that question…”I’m starting to doubt everything that comes out of this man’s mouth.
On Wednesday on “CBS This Morning,” Carson defended his comments, saying, “I want to plant in people’s minds what to do in a situation like this because, unfortunately, this is probably not going to be the last time this happens.”What Carson wants to plant in people’s minds flows counter to what the Department of Homeland Security wants to plant in their minds as “good practices.” The agency prioritizes personal protection and fleeing over engagement:
“If you suspect a potential active shooter situation, you must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.”The recommendations continue:
“If evacuation is not possible, you should find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.”
And then:
“As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, you should attempt to incapacitate the shooter by acting with physical aggression and throwing items at the active shooter.”On Wednesday, Carson appeared again on Fox News, responding to the criticism over his Tuesday comments.
“I’m not gonna change and become . you know, you know . a vanilla envelope that they can accept. They’re never going to accept me because I don’t believe in political correctness. So I can twist myself in pretzels trying to fit into their silly little box or I can be who I am. And we need people who are willing to stand up and talk what’s logical right now.”Vanilla?Oh, Ben.
Did you mean manila, perchance?Sigh.
This is not about whether speech should conform to political correctness, Mr. Carson, but about having a reasonable expectation that politicians can speak correctly. You, apparently, cannot.
We have to deal with all of the issues that contribute to our epidemic of gun violence in this country . everything from better assessment and treatment of mental illness, to sensible, national gun-control measures, to addressing a fame-obsessed, violence-soaked culture.
Our politicians won’t stand up to the gun lobby. But we can’t simply, as Carson recommends, throw our bodies at armed men.
During a Facebook question and answer session, he seemed to suggest that he preferred bodies riddled with bullets to more gun control. Carson wrote:
“There is no doubt that this senseless violence is breathtaking . but I never saw a body with bullet holes that was more devastating than taking the right to arm ourselves away.”
Oh, Ben.
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