So, the JG’s Explorer has a problem. He tried to have it in apple-pie order in order to put it to bed for the years he will be gone, but some things could not be fixed. Some bandit charged the air conditioner with new coolant, but it fizzed out. Before I take the vehicle down to the farm to rest, I want to have it fixed.

So, off early for the only mechanics I trust in this town. They are out in Falls Church, and there is a way to drop the car off and hike to the Metro station and take the train two stops back to the Ballston-Marymount University stop and hike home from there.

It is a beautiful early Fall day, and I decided to try to walk it rather than take a cab. Every penny counts these days.

The added benefit was that I could get some exercise out of the way for the day. Fabio the Pool Guy was here the day of the shootings, buttoning things up and putting the big green tarp over the pale blue water. The Big Pink porters took away all the pool furniture in the afternoon, and that is that.

It is still a shock to the system, and I would be lying if I told you, walking to the train, that I did not think of Madrid and London as I went. Walking back up the hill from the garage, I heard sirens. Given the events of the week, I stepped out a little faster, then slowed as the leg began to seize up. I began to panic, then stopped and let blood circulate.

I still have problems walking down slopes- no reason why that I can see, except maybe that things are just not connected properly any more. It was bittersweet. Nice to be able to walk again. Not so nice to have to do it this way.

I listened to the news on the waterproof iPod’s radio. Strange doings in the wake of the shootings. The guy should never have been permitted to buy a gun, and yet he passed an instant background check. He reportedly spent hours playing violent video games, and he had originally been given a “general” discharge from the Navy, but was able to get it upgraded to “honorable” after separating.

A “general discharge” can cover a whole bunch of stuff that could include violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that the Navy decided not to waste time on. I think that means we have got more problems beyond the simple requirement of checking the record- and it is about public mental health.

I mean, he had two previous run-ins with the cops for discharging a weapon, and had been admitted to the VA for acute paranoia or something. What is wrong with our mental health system that these things are not reported? Is it the ACLU and the privacy lobby?

Mr. knew he had a problem, but the voices convinced him he had to do something, I guess.

I don’t think I am crazy, and I don’t even want to get into the 2nd Amendment thing. This is binary, in my view, you either leave the Second Amendment alone, or you try to take on confiscating all the guns. Good luck with that.

But clearly something is badly broken, and a dozen more people are dead.

Before we pass any new laws, why don’t we ask some hard questions about why the background check did not turn anything up? And why the VA, who knew the man was delusional, did not tell his employer or the Navy? And about all those video games- Grand Theft Auto 5 just debuted this week.

I don’t think I am going to run out and buy a copy.

If I could run, that is. I am happy just to be limping along.

Copyright 2013 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303