My short stint in military service ended more than 50 years ago. However, dozens of my friends and acquaintances were half way around the world fighting in the jungles of Vietnam. They didn’t know why they were risking their lives for their country, but they were forced to be there because the military draft remained in force.

As the body count grew, the protests grew. America’s young men and women became more agitated as Washington refused to offer answers to legitimate questions from the Baby Boomer generation.

In June it will have been 50 years since the beginning of the bloodiest battles in the war called the ‘Tet Offensive.’ After respected journalist, Walter Cronkite, visited the fighting, he returned home and told the American people that the Vietnam War could not be won. It was in 1975 when our forces eventually retreated in defeat and shame.

This past weekend a new generation has begun their own fight against a government which acts in its own interests and not those of the American people.

On February 14^th a lone gunman attacked a Florida high school. Before he was captured by the authorities, he took the lives of 17 students and teachers. The students of that school decided not to stay home and grieve; they took action. One senior, Emma Gonzalez, told the crowd at a rally that her goal and the goal of her fellow students was to make the 18^th school shooting this year ‘the last school shooting in history.’

Hopefully, this weekend’s events were just the beginning of a revolution. Republicans are puppets for the NRA gun lobby, but with these students leading the way, they can be defeated.

These young men and women are not willing to settle for a wussy idea such as background checks for all gun purchases; that is not enough. Sadly, the NRA and Republicans reject this minor action meant to appease human rights advocates. Courageous young men and women across America are demanding a total ban on military assault rifles and high-output magazines.

Under Trump’s presidency three of the most horrific mass shootings in our nation occurred in Las Vegas, a small Texas church, and a high school in Florida. All three had one thing in common; the shooters had purchased their assault rifles legally.

Trump will do nothing; he is a bully and a coward. Republicans will do nothing until they realize that their reelection bids are in jeopardy.

For years I questioned why our young men and women refused to become involved in our elections and the actions of our government. It took 50 years and two generations, and we now have another group of young Americans who will be the impetus for change.

Assault rifles have a single purpose; to kill humans as quickly as possible. Not a single non-military American needs this type of a lethal weapon. Contrary to lies from the NRA, Mitch McConnell, and Paul Ryan, the second amendment does not protect the “right” of an individual to own a weapon which can assist a mass murderer.

Join the revolution; it is not only righteous, it is time that we force our corrupt government to address the will of the people and deny special interests their increased profits. All Americans should stand up and cease to accept a party which rules over us, while failing to perform the job for which they were elected.

I stand with the youth of my nation, and I will proudly follow their lead.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Photo courtesy of Fibonacci Blue

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