Written by: Joe Ryan

Twitter: @joeryan1621

Twitter: @wingspansports

No, this is not a sports article. I know here at Wingspan we are strictly a sports website that brings you daily sports blogs, some serious, some humor, some trashing our favorite teams and some of our stupid predications. We do it because it is fun to talk sports in this great country of ours. Sports brings people together and having Wingspan allows us to have a platform to share our sports opinions and have people debate with us or agree with us.

But, this is not a sports article. And I will not make this a sports article.

For most of us sports are one of the most important things in our lives. It is our #1. It is our life. We love everything about the joy, the pureness, the competitiveness, the love for the game, but we must remember that it is a game. Sometimes that game we love so much must take a backseat. Especially now. Especially today.

What is going on in this country is sad, it is horrific, it is evil, it is embarrassing, it is downright wrong. And it must end. We cannot keep living like this.

The United State of America is the greatest country in the world. There is no debating that. This Country was built off the backs of our founding fathers and everybody who worked tirelessly to stand up for what they believe in and take a stand. This country exists because people from our past were brave, smart, strong and stuck together. Back then there wasn’t liberals, or conservatives, or ‘fake news’ media. The people back then worked together, they stood with each other. Was there hate? Sure. Did every person agree with everyone? Absolutely not. But you know what? When it came to the nitty and gritty these people were smart enough to put the B.S. aside because that’s what they had to do to make this country the free, independent, strong country it is today.

Why as a nation are we reverting from that? Why are we turning on each other? Why do people blame each other for something that neither of them did? So, what that people are liberals, or conservatives, or white, or black, or gay, or straight? Whatever you are, who cares? This country was built on the backs of minorities. That’s why this country is the best. You can be whatever the hell you want to be. You want to try and reach your dreams without restrictions? Go for it. No one is stopping you from doing it. But guess what? Even if you are a liberal, or conservatives, or white, or black, or gay, or straight guess what you all are?

Everyone who lives here is an American.

We are damn Americans. And that is one damn good thing to be proud of. ‘

After the unfortunate, devastating events that occurred in Las Vegas on the morning of October 2nd, 2017, people starting blaming each other. Liberals started blaming Conservatives, Conservatives blamed Liberals, the media was taking sides. It’s damn shameful. It is a damn, damn shame how we are blaming other people for what happened. How can we be taking sides? It’s incredibly sad to think about. People are on Twitter and Facebook make this a political issue? Over 50 people died that morning, over hundreds were injured and politics are coming into play? You know who deserves the blame? The F**king coward who decided to shoot up a Country music concert with thousands of people there. I won’t even type his name because he doesn’t deserve that. He is a COWARD. We need to come together, as a nation, and blame the coward. He is the one to blame. If you’re a liberal, or conservatives, or white, or black, or gay, or straight, this is not your fault. We can’t blame a group of people because some coward decided to do this malicious act.

This is not about gun control, or the amendments or anything like that. I’m sick and tired of hearing all about that. The coward decided to do this and he got those guns illegally. This is his fault and only his fault. This coward decided to pull the trigger, killing all those people, but really, affecting an entire country. He did that. We did not do it. It is no one else’s fault but his.

I am 20 years old. I am a junior in college. I’m supposed to enjoy my youth. I am supposed to go out with my friends, and go to concerts, go to a ballgame with my dad, be a little reckless, sit and enjoy my life. And don’t get me wrong, I do because we live in the best country in the world. But I shouldn’t have to worry about getting shot up if I go to a place with a large crowd, and I shouldn’t have to worry about people blaming each other after this unforeseen events take place.

In my 20 years, I have seen the shooting in Virginia Tech, the Colorado movie theater shooting, Sandy Hook, the Orlando night club and now Las Vegas. It is the same headline all the time, “A new record for the largest mass shooting in United States history.” I’m getting sick and tired of hearing about it. Let’s make it stop.

Everyone who lives in this country, we play on the same team. We’re all teammates. It doesn’t matter about our political views or sexual orientation or the color of our skin. We are AMERICANS. That is all that matters. We are on the same team, and the only way a team wins if everyone is working together. Currently, we are not working together and we all need to get on the same page.

You want to fix this? Stand for the National Anthem when it is playing because that represents our freedom and gives respect for the people who are overseas risking their LIVES for us to be free. Respect the Police Officers, some are wrong sure, they’re human beings, but to hate them based off inaccurate stats? That’s damn shameful. They are our military on the Homefront, protecting the country on the inside. The police force is out her to protect us and protect our lives, not take them. You don’t like the President? Fine, that is your right. But you better respect him because like it or not President Trump is our president and he is doing everything he can to do what is right by this country. And guess what in 4 years if you don’t like it you have the POWER to elect someone different. That is the beauty of this country.

For once in a long time, I don’t care where you’re from, look at the mountains, look at the waves crashing in the ocean, look at the city lights, look at the land. That is your home. We need to protect this country with everything we have. We cannot crumble. We need to stand together and unite, especially after events like today. We need to get back to what made this country strong, powerful, and amazing….

Unity.

If what I wrote is not enough, listen to the song “Home” by Dierks Bentley. If that doesn’t put it into perspective for you, then you are the reason we are not united and you need to figure it out.

This is our Home. Together. The United States of America is our Home. Let’s unite and protect this beautiful land. Let’s get back to the land of the free home of the brave.

God Bless you and God Bless America.