This is the way that we deal with such incidents in the U.S.—we acknowledge them; we are, briefly, shocked by them; then we term it impolite to discuss their implications, and to argue about them. At some point, we will have to stop putting it off, stop pretending that doing so is the proper, respectful thing. It’s not either. It’s cowardice.

Alex Koppelman on the school shooting in Newtown, CT, and the right day to talk about gun control: http://nyr.kr/TZgCVM

Photograph by Michelle McLoughlin/Reuters.