Today on The Ed Morrissey Show (3 pm ET), my friend Andrew Malcolm has a schedule conflict and will appear Thursday instead. Today, we’ll welcome back Timothy Dalrymple of Patheos, and discuss his new essay on “The Revolt Against Death” in the wake of the Newtown massacre:

Americans are moved by this mass murder even more than other cases, not only because of the number of the slain but because they were not movie-goers or even college students but little children. Americans are grieving as parents. We grieve because we imagine our own children’s or grandchildren’s little bodies pumped full of bullets like the lost children of Sandy Hook. And we grieve because we know the headline in my local paper this morning — “Message to survivors: You’re safe” — is simply not true. In this life, it never is.

We want to act, and we should. But there will be no sanctuary in changing policies or programs or even culture. We may reduce the frequency of these kinds of events. But we live in an age in which the ancient evil of the human heart will invariably find the modern means of ripping it apart.

In the second half, we’ll talk with Matt Lewis about the media’s role in hyping mass shootings and the slippery slope of gun control.

The Ed Morrissey Show and its dynamic chatroom can be seen on the permanent TEMS page. Be sure to join us, and don’t forget to keep up with the debate on my Facebook page, too!

Want to get away from it all? Why not join Duane “Generalissimo” Patterson and me on a seven-day cruise this summer to Alaska? Starting July 27th, we’ll take the inside passage on Holland America’s MS Zuiderdam:

Come cruise the Alaskan Inside Passage with Generalissimo Duane and Blogger Ed. There is no better place to travel, no better way to travel and no better folks to travel with. Alaska, the last frontier, see it as only Holland America can show it. Come with us as we cruise along miles of pristine coastlines, saddle right up to gigantic blue glaciers and wonder at the incredibly awesome waterfalls, fjords, and free flowing rivers. You will experience magnificent vistas as we sail through the straits of the Inland Passage encountering whales, porpoises, otters, eagles and all kinds of fabulous wildlife. Best of all you will do this while living in the luxury and comfort of the ms Zuiderdam, a premier Holland America ship.

Our Seven day itinerary includes stops along the way where you will have the opportunity to fly fish, pan for gold, partake in Native Alaskan culture, or just take a hike in some of the last virgin lands left in America.

Plus, Duane and I will do our TEMS show live on the ship, discussing politics and culture while traveling in the lap of luxury. Climb aboard!

Keep praying that Marizela Perez will be found, and peace brought to her family.