I Agree with Eugene Kane

Hell has frozen over.

Then again, what hasn't frozen over during this hellish winter?

I find myself in agreement with Eugene Kane's column today.

In "No matter the month, ending violence vital," Kane discusses the rash of shootings in Milwaukee last Friday night, leaving 11 people wounded.

He writes:

The latest sensational violence has turned the city's focus - once again - to the idea that we are losing control of our streets. It also becomes an issue of race, at least based on readers who left voicemail and e-mail messages bemoaning the lawlessness of the inner city after the weekend's mayhem.

(FYI: I submit that if your first instinct after hearing about senseless violence in town is to contact me instead of sending angry messages to the mayor, police chief or your alderman, your priorities are sorely misplaced.)

Kane is right.

Why respond to the violence in Milwaukee by contacting Kane?

Messages from frustrated citizens should be sent to Tom Barrett, Ed Flynn, and aldermen. Contacting Kane is pointless. Directing anger at him is misplaced.

It's simply lashing out and totally unproductive.

Kane is not the person to contact if Milwaukeeans want to voice their concerns about violence in the city.

I am in complete agreement with him on that point.

I also agree with Kane's assessment of the situation in Milwaukee.

Common Council President Willie Hines released an open letter to the community that held nothing back.

"It is never acceptable to reach for a gun as a way to solve an argument," Hines said. "This weekend, one individual was shot over a spilled drink. Rational human beings do not behave in this manner, and it is the responsibility of every parent, pastor and politician - every person - to ensure that the message is loud and clear."

Strong words, but my sense is most of the folks committing this kind of violence don't read much.

I also suspect they have no conception of Black History Month or the proud history of black people who overcame challenges and genuine oppression to take their rightful spot in society. Those behind the shootings have no clue what damage they do to that legacy with every thoughtless act.

Eleven people shot in Milwaukee within two hours happens when some people have lost all sense of who they are. Black History Month or not, it's time to figure out a way to stop the madness.

Agreed.