I grew up in Goleta, which used to be mostly lemon groves. Now it’s mostly strip malls and stucco developments. That’s the story of most of coastal Southern California.

Now, Goleta will be remembered for another Post Office Shooting.

It’s not surprising that there has been more workplace violence, but it’s a little surprising that it’s again at the post office (Is it just the worst environment in the world? Even the processing plants?). We see so much violence on the news, many of us have so much anger that seethes right below the surface (including yours truly), we see violence everywhere as the solution to conflict, and we spend so much time at work, that we can’t expect anything other than violence in the workplace.

Prayer to Refrain From Violence

Thou givest a hand to transgressors, and thy right hand is stretched out to receive the penitent; thou hast taught us, O Lord our God, to make confession unto thee of all our sins, in order that we may cease from the violence of our hands, that thou mayest receive us into thy presence in perfect repentance.

Source: Hebrew Prayer Book