I’ve been thinking for the last few days on the latest tragedy and really trying to see things as holistically as I possibly can. I have had a few thoughts that I have revisited from a number of different angles and feel that they are not reactive, nor are they partisan. They are humanistic and patriotic. If they put me in box in your mind, so be it, but I would also counter that might be a reactive thought in itself.

There is no more justification for the ownership of semi-automatic rifles. Any joy that one may get from responsible use, and feel justifiably defensive about this right, is dwarfed by the power and damage that they inflict when in the wrong hands. The Constitutional argument on the right to bear arms is not in question. There are limits on the types of arms to bear already for practical reasons, and these fit squarely in the area of an obvious right and wrong. Those of us who choose to parrot the “they’re gonna take our guns away and this is the first step” need to take a hard look at that line of thought and stop justifying such a logic jump. These are simply humanistic thoughtful moves that are so obvious it is painful to point out.

It is simply un-American to even consider closing borders based on race or religion. Beyond the fact that humans are not that easily defined and gross generalizations are often at the core of really bad cultural movements, this line of thinking is beneath the standard that we should hold ourselves to. My family, on my father’s side, came over on the Titanic. They were on that vessel because they had been turned away on a previous sailing because the United States wasn’t accepting Jews into the country at the time. The line of thinking was similar (and obviously filled with flaws) to what we are now seeing toward many of the Middle Eastern immigrants.

In the face of a tragedy of the scope of the Orlando mass shooting, not showing grace for the victims and their families is a disgrace of the deepest level. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is welcome to his personal beliefs, but as a government leader at his level, this is beyond reproach. If he continues to serve without any type of major apology and a true show of serious remorse, he needs to obviously step down from his office.

This time feels like no other to me. I have never felt such a large gap and so much aggression between the different ways of thinking. I am as guilty as anyone for that gap. I can’t help but feel lost and astounded that any sentient being could even imagine for a moment that Donald Trump could ever lead the country. It makes me feel so estranged from a good portion of our populace. Yet, there are people who look at a man that I see as a truly great man, President Obama, and see nothing but evil and manipulation. Again, I try to empathize with other viewpoints, but when I get quiet and look at what he is actually doing, I am again left feeling deeply sad in what appears to be empty demonization.

What I do know is that I will never judge a person solely on their skin color, religious belief or sexual orientation. It takes personal vigilance in all of us to keep this area austere. We are all clouded by fear and ignorance at times, and we simply have to answer to a deeper, more spiritual voice when we find ourselves pulled to those thoughts. History has taught us repeatedly that nothing good comes from them.

It has been amazing to see all of the kindness that has manifested in the wake of such a horrible action (in Orlando). It is truly beautiful to see this side of humanity and hopefully makes us all individually more aware of our own actions and small kindnesses in like. I wish no harm on anyone, whether friend or not. I wish only love and peace for everyone.

— Ian Moore is an islander

and musician.