I think, therefore iambic pentameter

"How many more children have to die before we care enough to do anything about it?"

But people do care. Deeply care. And that's what makes it so complicated. Some of us want to protect our children with gun control, and some of us want to protect our children with guns. Either way, we cannot bear the thought of standing by and doing nothing while children die.

The other day, I read a passionate plea by a vaccine advocate. "If you knew what it was like to lose a child, you'd understand."

Her words echoed those of the most passionate vaccine critics. "If you knew what it was like to watch your child die..."

"If you knew..."

"If only you knew..."

"I wish you knew..."

And just like that, dialogue gives way to death wishes, even threats.

"I hope your child dies..."

As a society, we have important decisions to make about guns, vaccines, and a host of other issues. What we do matters, because if we choose wrongly, innocent children will die, regardless of our intentions.

We have to care. Deeply care.

But can we learn to care without violence?