Here's a comparison to think about when debating gun violence in this country.
On 9/11, one of the worst days in American history, somewhere around 3000 people were murdered in cold blood by a number of fanatics. Over that event, this country ended up starting two wars (even if Iraq wasn't about 9/11 directly, George Bush certainly used the opportunity to get his war of choice), each of which set a record for the longest war this country had ever participated in. Thousands of American soldiers were killed, and tens of thousands were maimed for life. Over a trillion dollars was spent, and hundreds of thousands of civilians from both Iraq and Afghanistan were killed. That's what this country did in the name of the 3000 people who died on 9/11. "Never forget!"
On the other hand, somewhere between 9000 and 10,000 people in the U.S. are killed by gun violence each and every year, and we do absolutely nothing. Let me repeat that. Between 9000 and 10,000 people in the U.S. are killed by gun violence each and every year, and we do absolutely nothing.
The ability of Americans to rationalize away anything that contradicts with their established beliefs is nothing short of dumbfounding.
UPDATE: Actually, Cognitive Dissonance was the term I was looking for.
UPDATE: Here is actually what looks like to me a non-satirical commentary from The Onion, courtesy of Balloon Juice.
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