50+ Killed and Hundreds Injured in Mass Shooting

[Content Note: Guns; violence; death; injury; terror.]

Last night in Las Vegas, a 64-year-old white man named Stephen Paddock opened fire from the window of his 32nd floor room of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, spraying a crowd on the strip attending a country music festival. He killed at least 50 people and injured hundreds more, making it the nation's deadliest modern mass shooting.

When police stormed the room, Paddock was killed. I have read conflicting reports about whether officers killed him or he killed himself. Either way, he is dead. As many as 10 additional weapons, including long guns, were found in his room.

At this time, his motive — beyond the obvious objective of harming as many people as possible and becoming infamous — is unknown. He is being described as unaffiliated with terrorism, despite the fact that he terrorized hundreds of people at whom he was shooting and countless more who will now be frightened to attend public events, and instead is being called a "a sole actor, a lone-wolf-type actor" by Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo.

We now have a new term so police don't use word terrorism for white guy: "sole aggressor" https://t.co/xGoeWCc8V2

— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@Deanofcomedy) October 2, 2017

My condolences to those who lost loved ones in this heinous act of violence. My sympathies to those who were physically injured and/or traumatized. I desperately hope that everyone who needs healthcare of any description has the means to access it. My thoughts are also with the first responders and medical staff who are overwhelmed with caring for so many injured people.

We will be told that this is not the time to discuss gun control. We will be told that this is not the time to discuss health insurance access. We will be told that this is not the time to discuss toxic masculinity. It is. It is the time.

It is well beyond time.

[As always, let's keep this an image-free thread. Thanks.]