Lately we have been inundated with stories of tragedies like what happened Wednesday in Roanoke, Virginia. Last week, it was the senseless stabbing of a woman at a supermarket in Saco. A few months ago, it was the shooting of nine people at a church service in South Carolina.

The liberals are blaming guns, knives and the simple, historic Confederate battle flag. When are they going to understand that none of these objects are the cause?

These and many future tragedies are and will be caused by mentally deranged individuals. Years ago, we had fewer of these situations, because these individuals were placed in institutions to either be helped or to be kept away from society.

Unfortunately, liberals and the American Civil Liberties Union closed most of these mental health facilities because, in their opinion, the mentally ill have “rights” and deserve to be a part of normal society like the rest of us.

I am not saying that they should be locked up and have the key thrown away. They still require our love and compassion, but they require serious mental health treatment. Unfortunately, many may not be cured; however, we need to have the facilities and personnel to try and help.

Neither more stringent gun control nor knife control nor burning Confederate flags will help these unfortunate individuals.

Jack McLaughlin

Ocean Park