From the Winter Games: What you might hear should you decide to listen

We are smack in the middle of the 2018 Winter Games and near the middle of our venue here in Gangneung there’s a meeting place for journalists to gather and refuel. In a profession where meals are often a bite here and a swallow there, a meeting place serving hot AND cold food is not only essential, it’s a luxury.

The spot here is officially labeled: The C-10 Catering Tent. All of us under the NBC umbrella along with those working for the Olympic Broadcasting Service, OBS. Most everyday at least one thousand hungry, homesick and hurried reporters-photographers-producers-assistants will huddle under the giant big-top tent for a meal.

It can be loud in the mess tent, even messy. It struck me as odd, or maybe just unique as I was eating breakfast earlier this week, the place is run by a woman from Milan, we’re in South Korea and through the sound system I heard Charlie Pride. Whaaaaaat? Yesterday it was Rod Stewart. Today a mix of Dwight Yokum and Roger Miller. Chug-a-lug played as we chugged orange juice.

Then I heard the strains of “Husbands and Wives.” Roger Miller penned this painful ballad in 1965. An anthem of divorce because couples often don’t listen to one another. Really listen.

For the past 48 hours I’ve tried to listen with metaphorical hearing aids. I’ve heard much from my colleagues and new contacts I’ve made from other countries.

Just a day before insanity struck South Florida I was engaged in a wonderful conversation with our driver for the day. Sandy Perry spent 34 years in law enforcement in Great Britain. She was a “Bobby on the Beat,” a detective, spent the past thirteen years as part of security for the Royal Family, in particular Camilla (of which she cannot discuss), and maybe most importantly, taught firearm safety. Safety. Respect. Common Sense. Integrity.

I asked her, “Your numbers are very low when it comes to gun violence. Why is that?” Without missing a beat, “Because our laws of gun ownership are so strict. People just can’t buy guns.”

The murder rate per capita is also very low.

You see, I heard her. But I don’t think I truly HEARD her until our conversation came back to me the night of the news of the shooting.

“Because our laws are so strict. Who needs one?” she asked. The van was silent.

More silence the days after the shooting when a reporter from Norway and a writer from Japan asked, (paraphrasing), “What’s with you guys and your crazy gun laws?” “Well. It’s guaranteed under our constitution. Some call it a byproduct of freedom.”

Both said, almost simultaneously, “You think I’m not free? You think anyone monitors or censors what I say or do? I’m free but why no common sense.”

I was at a loss for words. There was much I wanted to say. You know, the usual and true and accurate response, “We are a responsible people. The VAST majority of gun owners are safe and respectful.” That IS true. Then I realized, as I listened to them, and they listened to me I no longer had a defense. Not even an explanation.

When we want to listen we will. If we want to continue to close our ears to the world’s questions, it’s our right and we will.

It occurs to me, as with so many, many rights, just because we have the right to do it, does it make it right to do it?

I believe if we listen, really listen, we will hear the answer.​